Cockroaches of the human kind

ISLAMABAD: This is with reference to Fasi Zaka’s article “Pakistan’s human cockroaches” (August 24). It is after much contemplation that I have found words to write here because what the writer has written has really put me to shame. It is shameful how indifferent we have become as collective people to tragedies. I, like many members of the passive TV audience, hid my face when the footage was being aired. But it’s not just one incident – we, the silent spectators, did the same when women were being whipped in Swat, when people are murdered in the name of honour, when people were flogged amidst scores of people during martial law regimes. I can barely lift my head so hung in shame.

Fasi Zaka’s emotion, in comparison to his otherwise ironic satire, is much more hard-hitting – or at least in this case. The article is the kind of writing that will register loud and clear with readers.

G Mir

Published in The Express Tribune, August 25^th, 2010.