Madam Hillary Clinton came worried, but went back happy. She
expected no problem with the PPP government, but a bit worried from
our free press. She faced our stalwarts of media squarely, since all
the questions asked were the ones she expected and was fully
prepared even to the extent of boldly saying, “Take it or leave it”.
Our talented key media ladies and gentlemen, have become rusted,
being in too much in contact with local stuff - our politicians. You
are quite capable, you could have cornered her, caught her off guard
if you had prepared a strategy and reminded her of our past
relations rather than Kerry Lugar bills that government had already
accepted. As to how many times USA betrayed us! So what is the
guarantee now that it will not happened after the Afghan war?
Kennedy did not keep his promise to help in solving the Kashmir
issue that he made during the Indo China war. In 1965 & 1971 India
attacked us and USA stopped our much-needed military aid. USA helped
India to dismember Pakistan. Again, American president tried his
best to persuade Pakistan not to perform nuclear explosion in
response to India’s, why? Mr. Clinton put extra pressure on Pakistan
to stop Kargil operation. Why such a soft corner for India vis-à-vis
Pakistan? To drive Russians out of Afghanistan, USA needed our
cooperation which we extended. After achieving their objective, we
were left high and dry with millions of refugees to feed in our lap.
This time in your Afghan war, you sought our cooperation by putting
the gun on our temple. Now your war has become ours - causing us
deaths and destructions. Madam, wouldn’t it be better to withdraw
from the area like Vietnam. We will manage; after all, we have lived
with Afghans in peace for many decades. Such questions to my mind
would have sent her back home as a worried Secretary of State. You
would have won the hearts of the people of Pakistan instead of
disappointing them. Just too bad.—Islamabad
Who are they?
Anwar Parveen
Muslims all over the world respect the holy month of Ramzan and pray
to Allah Almighty for forgiveness and to be a better Muslim in
future. But it is a tragedy that this month of Ramzan was full of
incidents where people were killed in bomb blasts or firing. Above
all when all the Muslims prayed the whole night of 27 Ramzan the
morning again brought a tragedy where many innocent lives were lost
in suicide bombing and then firing on the funeral of those killed.
Who can do this? A human being. A Muslim. A person who recites the
Holy Quran. A person who offers prayers. A Person who believes in
Allah Almighty. No. Any person who believes in Allah and his Prophet
(PUH) cannot even think of harming any man, woman or innocent
children. Killing is out of question.
A series of blasts continued killing innocent men women and
children. It was pathetic to watch very young children injured and
crying in pain. Now targeting an educational institution and killing
students is another gruesome act by the extremists. Those who are
doing this are now exposed. They do not have any religious or moral
values. Their acts have nothing to do with religion. Those who are
talking about negotiation and amnesty for these people, can they
give any answer or explanation on these acts of brutality. Can they
tell who are they who have no rules, no values, no ethics and above
all no respect for humanity? The time to wait and see for a change
or better tomorrow is over. It is time to think about our future and
take measures to secure it for our future generation. Now it is the
responsibility of each and every Muslim and a Pakistani to condemn
such acts of terrorism and stand up to fight them at all levels.—Rawalpindi
Global warming
Syed Ejaz Ali
All over the World scientists are worried about global warming &
climate changes. According to the scientists global warming is
increasing and World Sea is rising and many coastal cities will be
wiped out. One such country which is badly affected is Bangladesh.
Floods are coming and destroying coastal areas of Bangladesh.
According to scientists, by 2020, half of Bangladesh cites on coast
life will be submerged in the sea. You must have noticed that global
warming is causing cold wave in Iran, Abu-Dhabi and Balochistan.
First time in recent year, excessive snow had fallen in the desert
of U.A.E and Iran. Main reason of global warming is emission of
Carbon from factories. America is causing and creating greater
pollutants. We need to turn this world greener so that next
generation can have a better World. If we act now, we can reduce
danger to many species; otherwise they may die due to global
warming. Deforestation is another main reason. Natural forest are
depleting at a faster rate than the required. Re-Afforestation is
not catching up; hence ecological balance is shifting. Country like
China and India are facing climatic hazards.
Cold wave in Afghanistan was experienced in recent past. For
Pakistan it is creating health hazards to humans and wild life
especially to poor section of the society. Kyoto Protocol is yet to
be signed by Americans and other developed countries. If it is
signed, Industries have to enforce environmental laws on them. The
Glaciers at Himalaya are melting and very soon we will start
realizing shortage of water in our dams and reservoirs. Time is
running fast, we must develop our forests reserves and make people
realize that 5.1% area covered with forests need to be increased on
war footing. We should utilize the services of Forest Department to
grow & develop forests in our country.
School & College students can participate in developing & protecting
forests specially mangroves at the coastal areas. Palm trees can be
planted at coast line. It will not only protect our coast but our
edible and industrial oil needs can be met like Malaysian government
has done it. It will reduce burden on our economy. If our government
takes drastic step, along with private sector, I am sure situation
will improve faster than our expectations.—Karachi
Desperate acts
S R H Hashmi
Coming so soon after the devastating Peshawar blast, the Rawalpindi
tragedy is very shocking indeed. One would think that the extremists
who have been squeezed out of Swat and Malakand and who are losing
ground even in South Waziristan, would resort to such diversionary
tactics and desperate acts. However, other possibilities should also
be kept in mind. After plundering Iraq, America and its allies are
now in our region, along with other accomplices from Europe and have
the active cooperation of our staunch enemies, India and Israel.
Taking advantage of the situation, Blackwaters and similar
organizations could also be at work. So it is imperatives that
Americans are not allowed unhindered expansion in their embassy,
consulates and other activities in Pakistan and those caught by law
enforcement agencies in suspicious circumstances dealt with sternly,
and not let off lightly, which seems to have been done in certain
cases. Also, while dealing effectively with heartless extremists,
our forces should not open new fronts at American bidding, against
those who are doing no harm to Pakistani interests and are resisting
American occupation of Afghanistan, which they have every right to
do. With mounting casualties, allies are losing enthusiasm and
support for the Afghan operation is dropping even in the US. Also,
with its economy badly bruised with the Iraq invasion, America is in
no position to continue to escalate the Afghan operation. There are
clear indications that in order to save their own skin, they will
scale down their expectations and operations in Afghanistan, by
making compromises with the local forces there and shift the focus
to Pakistan, expecting Pakistani forces to do their dirty work for
them. We have seen what their presence did to Iraq and we do not
want the same drama enacted here. —Karachi
Imran Khan’s stance
Amin Sheerazi
This is with reference to stance of Imran Khan on the war on terror
and Taliban. I don’t know whether Nawaz Sharif is close Taliban or
not but its for sure Imran Khan is quite Taliban. He is either too
innocent or too clever. He is trying to mislead the nation at this
critical juncture when Pakistan Armed forces are giving supreme
sacrifices to get rid of the menace of Taliban. I want to ask few
questions to Imran Khan. Are Taliban, the future of Pakistan or he
wants to see Taliban as running the government affairs?
Why he never condemn Taliban in his speeches. Taliban massacred
innocent people, beheaded humans like animals, bombed women and
children, attacked the armed forces of Pakistan, yet I didn’t hear a
word of condemnation on these acts of terrorism. He never even
uttered a word of condemnation against the brutal activities of
Taliban. This is double standard on part of Imran Khan. I will
request media not to air the comments of Imran Khan as he is
misleading the innocent people of Pakistan at this critical stage
when Pakistan government, Pakistan Army and the people of Pakistan
are united to eliminate Taliban once and for all.—Abbottabad
