Valentine

Regarding All:

Soon this article will slip off the FP, but before it does, I would like to state one observation.

The majority of the interacts on this article have been from Indians and they have defended Pakistan and have expressed a hope for its future and its people.

My question is, where are the Pakistanis? Should not the Pakistanis be defending their own nation and expressing hope in its future themselves? Pakistanis should have taken me to task for my interact comments, but they did nothing; wishing to keep silent. Why? Could it be that, what I have stated is really the truth and most of my compatriots have no wish to admit it and would like to continue to exist in a fantasy of ``optimism``?

Why is that that Pakistanis remain quiet on the issues, which are confronting them? Why do we talk like conquers and act like weaklings? Why is there such a huge abyss, between our words and our deeds? Does Pakistan really matter to us? Does it matter enough to stand up for its rights and defend them against all foes; both external and internal?

Is it because of Islam? Does Islam teaches us that we should critize non-Muslims only and when Muslims are themselves guilty, we should remain quiet lest we cause Islam to be discredited by our open critism of fellow our Muslims? Why?

Do we not act and stand up for what is right, because we are ourselves a compromised people? Are we shamed to stand up for the truth and defend, what is right because we ourselves have personally contributed towards wrong acts and now, we feel secure in the company of wrong-doers? Is it a form of some peer pressure; a covenant of theives, which forces us to keep silent and not speak out about the evil, we ourselves have germinated because to do so would be admitting to our own guilt in the matter?

Do we think that if remain silent, the problem will disappear and our personal guilts will lessen?

In any case, I am not expecting answers to these questions from my fellow citizens, but I do wish to thank the Indians for all their kinds words about Pakistan. :)

Ciao

Re: majumdar # 18

Sir, Pakistanis are not a martial people. That was a myth created by the British to recruit cannon fodder for their empire. When the British left, our army adopted this myth.

If we are so martial, can you explain to me why we extoll the martial feats of Afghans heros and not any one from this region? Ranjit Singh could be called a native of this region, but then, we deny his accomplisments because he is not a Muslim and that ruins a pet theories of Muslim martial powress.

Superpower interests or geo-political realities will not matter much, when the people decide they want freedom. The problem is that in Pakistan, we appease military rule. The military cannot rule this nation, without the active support of the people and if the people resist it, there is no possible way for the military to fight the people in a civil war and win.

Cassius was right; the fault is not in our stars but in ourselves because we wish to remain as underlings.

Ciao

Feroze sahib,

Re: 17

You`re right, its disturbing -the refusal of Pakistani people to fight for their rights. Particulary the middle classes, the intellegentsia. Be under no illusion that self-governance will be handed over on a platter- the self-interest of the Army and the geopolitical interests of the superpowers is too strong.

But there`s a beacon of hope close by-not India- but Nepal. If the martial Gorkhas can win their independence, so can the martial Pakis.

Regards