The recent conviction of three prominent Kashmiri women leaders—Asiya Andrabi, Fahmeeda Sofi, and Nahida Nasreen—by a National Investig
President Zardari says “Pakistan’s survival is at stake” By Bashy Quraishy
President Zardari says “Pakistan’s survival is at stake” By Bashy Quraishy
“Taleban have established themselves in large parts of Pakistan and are trying to take over the country. Pakistan’s survival is at stake” So said the President Of Pakistan Mr Asif Ali Zardari to an American TV Channel which was also referred by BBC World Service and CNN on 14th Feb 2009..
As a Danish citizen with Pakistani roots, I am appalled and disgusted at this irresponsible, bombastic, bordering on theatrical statement coming from the highest political office in Pakistan. Mr Zardari's words are dangerous too. Let me explain, why I think so.
There are many factual mistakes in his assessment of the situation. No doubt that Taleban are operating in North West Frontier Province of the country but it is only a small area which barely constitute few percent of the country. Taleban do not and have not been able to control a small town let alone a big city in the area. Pakistan in nearly a million square kilometer with a population of 165 million and Taleban constitute no more than 20000 men, a collection of rag tag militiamen. On top of thsi, Taleban do not represent the local people.
So how can Taleban be established in large parts of Pakistan. Mr Zardari should not confuse law abiding, peaceful and patriotic people of NWFP with Taleban movement.
95% Pakistani dislike Taleban style way of life and would never accept or allow any challenge, let alone a takeover. Mr Zardari is playing a dangerous game by boasting. Such words not only dishearten the citizens of Pakistan but indirectly imply that Pakistan’s armed forces are incapable of defending the land against aggression-internal and external. This is playing with fire.
His statement that Pakistan’s survival is at stake, also puts Pakistan in a difficult position-diplomatically, gives PPP opponents strong arguments against his own government’s ability to govern and tackle terrorism.
If Mr Zardari is trying to scare USA to support Pakistan politically, economically and military, it was a very unwise way of highlighting the difficulties his own incompetent government is facing.
Ironically, such doomsday talk will encourage Taleban to continue fighting, claim victory and attract new recruits. It can also create a situation where USA will walk away from the area with the excuse; We can not win anyway, so what is the point.
Please Mr Zardari, choose your words carefully, because these have serious implications for Pakistan.
(Author is Chair - ENAR Advisory Council-Brussels
Chair - Jewish Muslim Platform-Brussels
“Taleban have established themselves in large parts of Pakistan and are trying to take over the country. Pakistan’s survival is at stake” So said the President Of Pakistan Mr Asif Ali Zardari to an American TV Channel which was also referred by BBC World Service and CNN on 14th Feb 2009..
As a Danish citizen with Pakistani roots, I am appalled and disgusted at this irresponsible, bombastic, bordering on theatrical statement coming from the highest political office in Pakistan. Mr Zardari's words are dangerous too. Let me explain, why I think so.
There are many factual mistakes in his assessment of the situation. No doubt that Taleban are operating in North West Frontier Province of the country but it is only a small area which barely constitute few percent of the country. Taleban do not and have not been able to control a small town let alone a big city in the area. Pakistan in nearly a million square kilometer with a population of 165 million and Taleban constitute no more than 20000 men, a collection of rag tag militiamen. On top of thsi, Taleban do not represent the local people.
So how can Taleban be established in large parts of Pakistan. Mr Zardari should not confuse law abiding, peaceful and patriotic people of NWFP with Taleban movement.
95% Pakistani dislike Taleban style way of life and would never accept or allow any challenge, let alone a takeover. Mr Zardari is playing a dangerous game by boasting. Such words not only dishearten the citizens of Pakistan but indirectly imply that Pakistan’s armed forces are incapable of defending the land against aggression-internal and external. This is playing with fire.
His statement that Pakistan’s survival is at stake, also puts Pakistan in a difficult position-diplomatically, gives PPP opponents strong arguments against his own government’s ability to govern and tackle terrorism.
If Mr Zardari is trying to scare USA to support Pakistan politically, economically and military, it was a very unwise way of highlighting the difficulties his own incompetent government is facing.
Ironically, such doomsday talk will encourage Taleban to continue fighting, claim victory and attract new recruits. It can also create a situation where USA will walk away from the area with the excuse; We can not win anyway, so what is the point.
Please Mr Zardari, choose your words carefully, because these have serious implications for Pakistan.
(Author is Chair - ENAR Advisory Council-Brussels
Chair - Jewish Muslim Platform-Brussels
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"Trial of Pakistani Christian Nation" By Nazir S Bhatti
On demand of our readers, I have decided to release E-Book version of "Trial of Pakistani Christian Nation" on website of PCP which can also be viewed on website of Pakistan Christian Congress www.pakistanchristiancongress.org . You can read chapter wise by clicking tab on left handside of PDF format of E-Book.