MEDIA-INSPIRED ATTITUDES

In the preceding days, I have had some strange experiences , which I owe to the imprudence of our media and machinations of our "characterless" politicians. Both “entities” have exploited and continue to hold hostage the innocent Pakistanis for their self-centered petty gains. Let me travel with you to not so distant past when media with its cohorts-the wicked politicians, initiated a venomous campaign to malign our Armed Forces. The campaign is not yet over though there is a relative lull there. I owe this slowed down impetus to few such happenings like the Salala and Giyari incidents, which gave way to positive sentiments towards our Defence Forces. Nevertheless, the evil twins (media and politicians) have quite successfully sown seeds of discord among our masses with respect to role of military high-ups in particular and the Armed Forces in general, in national affairs. May it be the issue of implicating ISI in the case of missing persons or alleged institutional highhandedness of security agencies / Army, etc, such disputatious issues have created unnecessary ill-will towards our Armed Forces. However, this is not to deny that few practices and policies of our Armed Forces with implications at national level, lend themselves to review and adjustment. However, there is a huge difference between constructive criticism and media stunt meant to serve ulterior motives. Unfortunately, in the case of our media-politicians nexus, the balance has always tilted heavily in favour of the later (media stunt)! There has been a serious fall-out of this joint politico-media malicious campaign. I experienced the manifestation of this fall-out on two occasions in recent past. Firstly, returning from a relative's place one evening, I had to wait en-route due to a traffic jam. As I crept forward and realized the reason for the traffic jam, I could not hold myself back from asking the insensitive driver whose wrong parking had caused an avoidable traffic jam. To my surprise, instead of correcting his mistake, he was not even ready to admit his folly. To make matters worse, when I declared my identity upon his insistence as the argument developed, he started an extremely haywire talk about Armed Forces. I was mum and stood perplexed when he initiated one-sided arguments like, "What should I do if you are a Lieutenant Colonel?" and, "I have seen many Lieutenant Colonels and Brigadiers!" and so on. At that time, I was instantly reminded of the media campaign that I discussed above. I never imagined that I could experience its implications firsthand so early! The logic behind blaming an institution for a perceived folly of an individual that too within a “personal-affair paradigm”, was mind-boggling. Before the situation could conflagrate further and became a media-story on "Highhandedness of an Army Officer in Public", I preferred to disengage respectfully. However, on my way off, I reported the matter to the Traffic Warden nearby. Few days later, I experienced a similar-like incident. On a sunny and humid day, I was returning from hospital dressed in military Uniform. As I approached a busy intersection, I observed that the traffic signals were off as usual and there was no traffic warden to regulate the traffic. Unable to find my way across after considerable waiting, unwillingly I accelerated to force my way through the intersection like many of my "country-mates". While doing so, however, I could not miss the spectacle of gazing eyes of one the drivers which appear more disapproving of my my uniform rather than my behaviour. In a flash of second, I could make out that he took my action more in terms of highhandedness of an "Army wala" in uniform rather than an apparent violation of traffic norms! The two incidents proved to be great learning experiences for me. I realized that attitudes convey a lot. They expose what lie deep inside hearts and minds. My experiences speak volumes of the effectiveness of the media venom in a short span of time. On the face of it, these might seem trivial encounters but to a thinking and aware mind, these are tell-tale signs of what the future may hold for us. The lesson learnt is that until we, the people of Pakistan, do not develop our mental faculties to think and crystallize independent considered opinions, we shall continue to act as tools in the hands of an ever-exploitative media.

Why have the NATO/ US Forces Violated UN Mandate in Afghanistan? Probing Questions!

The NATO's/ US' strike on a Pakistani military post in Mohmand Agency on night 25-26 Nov 2011 is an extremely unfortunate incident. It should indeed be termed as a criminal act deserving condemnation in the harshest possible manner. While diplomatic overtures between Pakistan, NATO and the US to probe and resolve the issue continue, it is pertinent to reflect on a set of probing questions the answers to which might help in unraveling the truth behind this ill-fated US venture. The terms NATO and US have been used alternatively in the article to denote both the NATO and the US.
The NATO's helicopters reportedly penetrated 1-2 kilometers deep into Pakistan before bombarding the Pakistani post. One basic question should emerge in every Pakistani's mind,
"Was this NATO's intentional or an unintentional act?"
If this was an unintentional act then consequences may not be very serious as far as NATO's engagement in Afghanistan goes. On the other hand, if it was an intentional venture, the consequences could be extremely disastrous for the future of Afghanistan. But here too, another fundamental question arises,
"If it was a deliberate action, did the US factor-in possible Pakistani response in its calculation matrix?"
If the answer is yes then from the US perspective,
"What could be the likely contours of the envisaged Pakistani response?"
Logically, the next question should be,
"Should the US then have ensured safeguards against such a Pakistani response?"
Most probably, "Yes!" Whether the US calculation was right or wrong, the future will surely bear testimony to that fact.
Taking the lead further again from the US view point,
"What was the need of undertaking such an adventurous action against Pakistan?"
"Was it a way to vent out its (the US) frustration in Afghanistan?"
or
"Was it positively directed at domestic public opinion in the US and the West?"
or
"Was it targeted at exerting further pressure on Pakistan to do more with respect to US' 'North Waziristan Obsession'?"
or
"Was it in line with changing contours of the US' 'Af-Pak Strategy', following its withdrawal from Afghanistan, which leans and is heavily tilted towards India as opposed to Pakistan?"
In pursuance of the above assertion,
"Is the US trying to create conditions to intentionally distance itself from Pakistan?"
"Would it be in the US interest particularly at a time when Pakistan is considered central to the resolution of the Afghan quagmire worldwide?"
Again from the US perspective,
"What could be the possible reasons for distancing from Pakistan?"
"Has Pakistan outlive its utility?"
The NATO relies heavily both operationally as well as administratively on Pakistan's support. "What alternatives do the NATO/ US have to solicit same support from Pakistan despite giving it a cold diplomatic shoulder?"
"Does and can the US knock at the UN door to bow Pakistan into submission and solicit similar support that it enjoys now?"

These and other similar-like questions need to be continually asked as the events unfold to get to know what lies deep beneath!

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Imran Khan Rally - SUGGESTIONS

It was quite encouraging to see the successful rally of Imran Khan today. In my personal opinion, Imran Khan should keep following aspects in mind as he proceeds further:-
1. He must ask and encourage the people of Pakistan particularly the youth (roughly 66 %) to cast their vote if they really want to see the change. Mere support in rallies and gatherings will not bring any positive outcome.
2. Seeing popularity of the Party, a lot of hungry and blood thirsty politicians may opt to join hands with Imran Khan. While reputed and honest politicians should be taken in the folds of the Party, blood sucking leeches must be kept out.
3. Educate the masses on the system of voting and its pitfalls in Pakistan. Intimidation, misplaced family / 'bradari' orientation and similar other factors mar voting spirit in our country. If people are aware of voting system intricacies, they may be able to safeguard themselves from negative influences.
4. Getting renowned and well reputed personalities from different walks of life in Pakistan e.g. singers, players, etc with large public following in Pakistan in the folds of Tehreek i Insaf can be worthwhile. This may further multiply Party's vote bank.
5. Party's manifesto must be given wide publicity in print and electronic media as well as in rallies etc.
6. Imran Khan must keep foreign policy implications of the campaign as well its impact on foreign audience including foreign govts in mind. Foreign impressions would impact upon internal political dynamics of the country.
7. Imran Khan's greatest strength is his credibility in the eyes of Pakistanis. He must jealously guard it. Political hawks would try their best to make him controversial in the eyes of the public. His campaign must take care of this factor.
8. Do not get overwhelmed by the positive response of the public to Party's rallies and gatherings. Stay balanced and composed as flamboyant statements uttered in sheer exuberance can cost Imran his personal and Party's standing. Do not make unrealistic promises which cannot be met in near term particularly. After all, we are a highly emotional nation with patience already running very low.

We all wish Imran Khan and our beloved Pakistan, the BEST. May Allah be with us all (Ameen

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Importance of Discipline

Unless we become disciplined as a nation, no power in this world can change our fate, our destiny.

‎"You belong to a nation now; you have now carved out a territory, a vast territory,   it is all yours; it does not belong to a Punjabi or a Sindhi, or a Pathan, or a   Bengali; it is yours. You have your central government where several units are   represented. Therefore, if you want to build yourself into a nation, for God's sake  give up this provincialism."    


Quaid-e-Azam said this while addressing a gathering in Dhaka on 21 March 1948. What was so different on 21 March 2010. I doubt if his sayings could have been more relevant than now!