Take the Malala Yousafzai incident and how it is being played out. While the world lauds the bravery of this 15-year-old who is now being seen as a symbol of resistance against the Taliban and a voice for education for girls in the country, within us are a number of people who are saying that the media is going overboard in its coverage of her. Instead, they argue, the focus should be on the children who die in drone attacks. Does it always have to be about one or the other? Can’t we mourn those who die in drone attacks and at the same time be proud of our brave sons and daughters? Why must we put them down?
We are not proud of Dr Abdus Salam, the country’s only Nobel laureate, because he was an Ahmadi, irrespective of what he achieved. Dr Eqbal Ahmad, one of the greatest minds of the subcontinent, lies forgotten, possibly because his columns in Dawn at the time asked questions and pointed out problems to which no one seemed to have answers or solutions. His dream of an international place of learning in Islamabad where the best and the brightest could come and benefit remains unfulfilled. The land on which it was to be built is appropriated for much lesser gains.
Another great writer and activist, Tariq Ali, is also disowned by us because we see him as an atheist. His leftist credentials just won’t do. Tariq Ali may be a hero in many international circles but in Pakistan, most don’t know him. Or don’t want to.
We are happy to trash writers like Dr Mubarak Ali and Khaled Ahmed because they are seen as too secular minded. Their only crime possibly is that they write what they see and mince no words about it. We are not used to the truth. And these two gentlemen have taken considerable pains to correct the notions and ideas that have been fed to us for decades by our official historians. The lies that we live with.
Most Pakistanis still think that we won all our wars with India and that India in fact started all the wars. They think that Bangladesh was created because the East Pakistanis were ghaddar, that one Pakistani soldier equals two Indian soldiers. If that is not all, we firmly believe that the Taliban are, after all, Muslims and, therefore, they cannot kill or bomb fellow Muslims. It is all a conspiracy against the Muslim world — somehow defeats the purpose of the attacks. That is possibly why the Taliban take credit for them repeatedly at the top of their voices.
Now, we hear that Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy will no longer be teaching at the Lahore University of Management Sciences. Apparently, one of the greatest scientific minds that Pakistan has produced cannot find an extension at LUMS. No reason has been given. Except that someone let on that the great professor “writes too much” and “appears too frequently on television”. That’s rich coming from a university whose vice chancellor, in earlier years, also wrote in equal quantities and even had a show when he was younger on PTV. One would have expected such treatment from public sector universities. One can only wonder what forced LUMS to sack Dr Hoodbhoy. Personal jealousy?
In all this atmosphere of collective amnesia, we see a refreshing development this week in the form of a ruling by the Supreme Court on the Asghar Khan case. That the Court finds two army generals and a president of the country guilty of violating the Constitution and rigging a general election is a first step towards uncovering the truth. That the two generals will be prosecuted for treason remains to be seen — highly unlikely, despite the reaction from the present-day military high command endorsing the judgment and insisting that the army should stay out of politics. Credit goes to Asghar Khan for persisting and the Supreme Court for sitting up and taking notice. Good sense prevails in some instances, no matter that it happens two decades later.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 22nd, 2012.
COMMENTS (53)
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@Learner:
You can never take India out of an Indian!
@Learner: Truth breeds frustration when you side on the wrong side of the line... Every word you think that Indians try to boast of their country stands vindicated... Frustation and inability to act only breeds complaining.....
@Sabi
I don't believe that all Indians are like that. My comment was specific to regular Indian commentators on this site and not about all Indians. So I don't subscribe to the view you have tried to attribute to me. I have written earlier that I have travelled to India twice and have also studied with Indians. Some of my friends were Indian. They were nice and well-meaning people. As for the people of India, they are as good or bad as any other people particularly in our part of the world. Unfortunately, when it comes to comments on this and some other sites, it seems that mostly those with an aversion to Pakistan and Muslims have made it their profession to spew venom. Self-aggrandizement is also a major activity.
This country needs to get rid of the mediocrity without any intellect or vision that dominates the corridors of power, our universities, our parliament, the bureaucracy and the media.
@Sultan: Corection:My judgement about some good intelectual indians is based on the posts that I read on ET or on some other news websites.Otherwise I don't have any other source. @Alamgir: I never feel my moral or image lowered by criticism,constructive or non constructive.why you! Showing your dismay on critisism reveals a weaker side of your personality. It looks as though you are begging for mercy.You have always a door open to talk with logic and strong arguments. Cheers
@Somesh:
Really? I am shaking in my shoes....
@Learner:
Thanks buddy, good t know that I am not the only who feels like this.
@sabi
You are right, not all Indians are like that but sadly most are. And the ones who are not like that do not have the luxury to spend time on blogs spitting venom against Pakistan--they are the 80% that the Indian neo cons have ignored and forgotten about. India shining indeed!
@Sultan: Well said. I am so sick of all this liberal fascist chestbeating which lowers our image and morale. There is nothing wrong in defending our beloved Islam against kufr designs.
@Learner: I agree with most of your post but still dissagree that not all indians are like that as you may fear.There are many indians who accept that india has it's own share of follies and at the same time also give credit to pakistan or Pakistanis where credit is due.As long as someone is not puting the blame of Zaid on Bakar,should be wellcome.I don't encourage those, whether indians or pakistanis,who put the wrongs of individuals or groups on the whole society or for that matter on some particular religion.That is why if I see something good from india I don't hesitate to appreciate it.I believe in justice for all, may it be indian or my countrymen. And those trolls quick to pass comments without much less commen sense need to be ignored. Regards
@Sultan
I fully understand where you are coming from. The Indians who comment here quite regularly as if there is no other thing in the world will continue to gloat. That is the stuff they are made of. When you try to show them the mirror of religious hatred and genocide unleashed against minorities in their land, you will read all sorts of explanations, about "different sets of facts" and so on. Their mantra is "my country, right or wrong." They will appear as bleeding-heart liberals when commenting on Pakistan (lapping up every negative commentary on the country) but are in fact ultra right-wing conservatives when it's about India and its politics. They will have plenty of positive stories to tell about India. Anyone who tries to disagree with them is in "denial" or fed on Pakistan Studies. As long as you as a Pakistani accept their moral superiority and continue to self-flagellate, you are deemed praise-worthy, otherwise a dim-wit.
And yes, they have plenty of 'support'. Even the most inane of their comments receive a large number of recommendations.
@Sultan: put a star and crescent on the green part as well. If Pakistanis don't wake up even now, the star and crescent from the Pakistani flag will disappear......
@Anannya:
You are excused for not seeing the point--you are Indian, afflicted by the malady called"unbridled nationalism." Go ahead then, put a star and crescent on the green part as well.
@Sultan: For what reason? There is a subtle difference between religion and culture. But that does not cancel out their relation. Keeping aside all the good and bad decisions taken by our leaders, we cannot ignore or wipe out the fact that Indian subcontinent as a whole has been influenced by the ideals of the religion of the land thriving for last 5000 years and the umbrella term used for that is Hinduism now a days. And culturally it interprets saffron as a symbol of devotion. It is understood by all of us who live in this country. It was designed by some of the greatest minds we had and accepted by all. In fact, it encompasses all cultures including Buddhist, Jain and Islamic. So can't really see your point.
@bigsaf: I agree that there is some exaggeration in associating the world's problems to U.S. as per ultra-leftist's worldview, but the idea that Pakhtun nationalism is fueling the insurgency and U.S. invasion is making it worse has been noted by some hawks in even U.S. establishment such as Graham Fuller. Plus there are other traces in regional anthropology that suggest that religion might not be the sole driver of militancy.
@sabi:
I salute the secular path India has taken. In order to celebrate this remarkable achievement, the Chakra and the saffron colour should be immediately removed from the Indian flag.
@Blackjack "...was repeated again and again. Einstein would be rolling in his grave."
I see what you did there :)
@gp65: Thanks for sharing some of the sucess stories of indians mslims.India is a big country and so are its problems.India has to fill the stomach of every fifth person on this planet.This is itself a gigantic task.India has chosen a right path i.e secular India which will ultimately lead India to a prosperous country.Hope India will combat poverty in shortest possible time.
@gp65:
Thanks Sigmund Freud (or is it Jung?). I will keep that in mind. Now start drinking the absinthe again.
@Sultan: "Denial of what?"
Denial of the situation that Pakistan finds itself that are so lucidly documented by the Editor. Denial of the elaboration by BlackJack by simply using an ad hominem attack. Ultimately you are even denying that you are in denial. Sad. REcognizing there is a problem is the first step to solving it.
@Falcon:
Besides the Marxist leanings not gaining favour, other reasons Tariq Ali hasn't gained traction is because he has mostly spent his life overseas, mostly in the UK, though he does have a small following thanks to his published books and writings in leftist magazines.
His pro IK or PTI leanings is not surprising considering how he obsessively views US or Western imperialism as the root of all evils, and downplays local responsibilities or culpabilities. He too has been accused of being a Taliban apologist, like IK, if not their outright praiser in opposing the 'imperialists', downplaying their own totalitarian religious fanaticism, uncomfortably hiding religion's role, and hyping Pashtun nationalism.
The so called liberal spectrum is not uniform at all with every individual, within Pak or outside, and this is true for the right as well.
I think Parvez Hoodbhoy is paying for questioning the Water Wonder Car, which was projected as the pinnacle of 'Islamic Science'.
Hoodbhoy should have endorsed the VC Lahore University's thesis about OBL.
@sabi:
Denial of what? Your cooked up fantasies? Stop the drama now and get real--you can't beat Robert Ludlum in spy thrIller stories!
@david smith: Well he will get another job but for someone as patriotic as him, surely it would be a big heartburn if he is forced to emigrate? I had asked earlier about him being part of QAU university and it looks like after working there for 36 years and being head of physics department, he must have been encouraged to look elsewhere and so moved o LUMS a few months back. Now this.
I reinforce my earlier statement about choosing the right heroes and role models. Choosing the water car supporting A Q Khan as a hero and marginalizing Pervez Hoodbhoy shows a country that is going in the wrong direction.
Well written, but it goes beyond writers too. A lot of people, who socialize and talk about these things and hold secular views, are also abused and ostracized for what they believe. That's actually worse, because no one will type a comment. retort comes in the shape of harsh, unadulterated criticism. And even if these people are right, they tend to be vilified by others.
I personally think that it takes a lot of courage for a nation to stare it's problems in the face and resolve them. It has nothing to do with socialist inclinations, secularism or being right/left wing. It's just a desire to be better than what you are currently.
@ gp65: elsewhere on this site I had asked about the language of Pakistan's national anthem..and you told me that it was written in Persian. Thanks for that and pardon me for delay in responding. I also share your views about Dr Hoodhboy...been missing his informative columns.
this is the most confusing op ed i have ever read in the newspaper. it starts with malala and end with asghar khan.
Kamal, you wrote this: "Instead, they argue, the focus should be on the children who die in drone attacks. Does it always have to be about one or the other? Can’t we mourn those who die in drone attacks and at the same time be proud of our brave sons and daughters? Why must we put them down?"
You are right. People should mourn both. It doesnt have to be about one or another. However, it is the media that is making people argue in such ways. Tribune columnists/writers are advocating further drone strikes. How do you expect people to react? Focus on balanced and informed reporting and I think you will find others to be more reasonable in their views too!
@Sultan: What planet do you live on? I'm proud not to be from your 'planet' of denial.
If true, sad about Prof. Hoodbhoy. He will find another job but Pakistan would have lost a great son. For what? because some people are uncomfortable to face the truth?
@Sultan:
You have proved to be one of those literate bunch who are afraid to face truth & live perpetually in the state of denial....these bunch of literates " have gone intellectually bankrupt ", which has brought this country to where we are today....
The writer has told the truth, face it & let us pledge to make things right.....
@Sultan: @BlackJack: "Can you please stop the inane, meaningless drivel? Your commenst are pure intellectual placebo and add nothing to the debate to improve things."
I beg to differ. Black jack has routinely raised very valid points which has added a lot to the discussion and helped to see things from a different perspective. Only problem could be that some persons are not able to tolerate the difference in opinion. I hope if you would read his comments carefully you will realize it.
Now, we hear that Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy will no longer be teaching at the Lahore University of Management Sciences. Apparently, one of the greatest scientific minds that Pakistan has produced cannot find an extension at LUMS. Only handful truly patriotic Pakistanis were left who wanted Pakistan to be peaceful & progressive & even they are being kicked out! I don't know how the country is going to run without its intelligentia. I would rather call this 'Passive Talibanization' which would mean driving out whatever scientific opinion was left in the country.... God bless Pakistan - that if it survives the current events....
Education of 21 century ..REAL history..who majority of pakistanis are and less religion. That is the way to go.
Excellent article Sir, the Truth is always bitter and unpalatable. The root cause of all the problems is insecurity and a lack of confidence. Insecurity led to hatred, which led to bigotry and subsequently violence. An ideology has been thrust on the nation and to foster it a narrative had to be woven, which is how Lies started. As always one lie has to be followed by a series of lies to prevent the cookie from crumbling. These lies, the narrative and ideology has created such confusion that the public reflects acute schizophrenic tendencies. There is similar confusion in the corridors of vital Institutions too. Is the TRUTH so dangerous ?
I suspect its partly to do with the complex that middle Punjab people have who feel they look bad next to a hero and therefore must try to undermine him/her in their own view by throwing dirt on him/her. Alternatively they feel relieved when the hero is eliminated by some Mumtaz Qadri as they no longer have a reason to feel small.
@sabi: "What we have now fake heros and hungry volk."
We on the other side too have many hungry folks and also as many people who defecate in the open as Pakistanis routinely like to point out. But we have the right heroes and this gives me the confidence that tomorrow will be better than today.
Among India's contemporary heroes many who happen to be Muslim are:
Dr. Abdul Kalaam our visionary former President who had also led India's nuclear program at one point
Azim Premji - Wipro chairman who first created wealth and employment through Wipro and then donated $2 billion to the Wipro foundation whose goal is to improve education in public schools in India
Amir Khan - who apart from being a versatile and senstive actor has directed some thought provoking movies and finally came up with the extremely well researched series Sayuamev Jayate that gotIndians talking about snsitive subjects openly
Yusuf Hamied - Chairman of Cipla. Cipla is the world's largest manufacturer of antiretroviral drugs[5] (ARVs) to fight HIV/AIDS, as measured by units produced and distributedIn May 2012, Cipla made headlines worldwide by slashing prices on several cancer drugs previously priced far out of reach to the vast majority of the world's population (cancer drugs are generally the most expensive category of pharmaceutical).[15] The Wall Street Journal quoted Cipla chairperson Yusuf Hamied as saying: "We had taken the lead to provide affordable medicine for AIDS and I think the time has now come -- 10 years later -- when we do a similar thing for cancer."[16] The revised prices averaged roughly 75% less than the previous ones, and Hamied announced plans to similarly reduce prices on the full range of cancer drugs made by Cipla.
@sabi:
What planet do you live on? D you think the US would have shared its space technology with our pathetic country ever? They don't even share it with France or the UK!
We're do we get these pathetic specialists from?
@BlackJack:
Can you please stop the inane, meaningless drivel? Your commenst are pure intellectual placebo and add nothing to the debate to improve things.
Can you please, please, please stop exaggerating? Your article is full of accusations that cannot possibly be attributed to one person, let alone an entire nation. For example, I don't believe that we lost East Pakistan because they were "ghaddar" but I do believe that the Mallala incident, as tragic as it was, was overplayed by the media. So where does that put me?
Your sweeping generalisations about events past and present, quite frankly, do not paint a good picture of the state of your mind. Please temper your comments--this is not a Kim Basinger/Harrison Ford murder thriller as your corny title suggests. We are all grown ups and will pay more attention to what you say if you write about facts, not little gremlins in your head.
Salam brought American in Pakistan for economical and knowldge based projects such as SUPARCO.Pakistan was the only country then which started its space programm With NASA Had Pakistan continued working with NASA for next ten years it would have been a different country alltogether.But alas! generals ruined Pakistan, saying no to knowldge and yes to cash for vested intrests.SUPARCO is still there but without soul.What we have now fake heros and hungry volk.
Sad to hear about Dr. Hoodbhoy. Hope better sense prevails. But I thought he taught at Qaid-E-Azam University?
The decision of the Supreme Court in the Asghar Khan case is to be applauded. This is the least that it could do to salvage a tiny bit of its reputation emanating from ex-Chief Justice Munir's notorious ruling justifying the "doctrine of necessity" in the Tamizuddin Khan case.
The nation is ungrateful to Faiz & Mahbubul Haq too.
so well said, no wonder the society at large fails, our so called educated majority is mostly conspiracy theorists and their sympathisers. i was appalled to see some views on a social website as shared by even our serving pak military officers, such is the state of sad affairs............
Well, are u a Pakistani...? Hats off to you for the courage u ha've shown...
Brilliant and hard-hitting piece covering the blinkered vision of Pakistanis as they nestle deeper into cocoons of make-believe; from a couple of misconceptions, these have now come to define much of the Pakistani mental make-up; gradual change or repair may no longer be an option.
Many people have not heard of Tariq Ali in today's Pakistan because of his strong pro-socialist stance, which means that he is neither tolerated by right fringe of politics nor the biggest Saab Bahadar Amreeka. On a side note, out of all the current lot of politicians in Pakistan, Tariq Ali has a liking for IK (now that is an interesting tid-bit for Pakistani liberals whose favorite hobby is IK bashing)
Very true, every word you have written. The news of Dr.Hoodbhoy is distressing.
the process of discrediting Suprem courts decision has already been started by PMLN
As if the shooting of Malala was not enough, we hear the sacking of Prof. Hoodbhoy who exposed the fake water-kit and wrote great articles like "Run for Your Life' on the tribune. It seems anyone who wants to enlighten and educate the masses who are in the dark ages with knowledge are enemies. The more ignorant and illiterate you are the more easy it is to brainwash you.
You're talking to a nation that relies on conspiracy theories -- not many would understand your writing