Biases of the American Press

But most Americans think of Pakis as better people than Indians. All the cow, smell and ugly women jokes are made towards Indians. I have read this on discussion forums. This one I go to, usually has some topics everyday as to how ugly Indian women are. Some people in there mention that Paki women and people look better than Indians.

rSUXena various posts,

First of all, take a deep breath, relax and put your dhoti down. (as one of my professors would say `shaat up ya moron`)

Secondly, I personally have never mentioned disdain for Jews in NY so why are you getting all hot and bothered? Please stop fantasizing over an imaginary Pakistani vs. Jew brawl.

I agree, they have control over every aspect of NY City and adjoining areas. I am in a university program that is run by Jews. I have yet to encounter any negativity towards Pakistan or Pakistanis from any of them. But guess where I do encounter negativity?

Two Indian classmates. Now isn`t that ironic.

Why don`t you guys just chill?

As far as the NY Times is concerned, you may love it and salivate over it to your hearts content. I will not. It`s not the only newspaper in the world and not the only news source. Kapeesh?

ps: Please lose your autopilot anti-Pakistan agenda. You are a better person without it.

``ratiocinator

It would do well to remember that India is the big boy on the block and will remain so. The sooner this strikes home, the better.``

here is all the problem my friend ...its a long story...the Indians have never accepted the existence of Pakistan by heart, look even before independence they were claiming that this country will not be able to survive not even for 10 years, n since 1947 they r trying their best to somehow prove their cliam...a land built in the name of Islam on the land which the Hindus beleive is only for hindus...the biases of the Western media is an open secret...they dont raise voices against kingdoms in middle east, but want to safeguard ``democracy`` in pakistan, which was present in its worst form before 12-oct-1998, democracy is not of much concern to common men, we pakistanis need a government in which justice prevails, form of the government really really doesn`t matter....LET US DECIDE OUR OWN FATE AND STOP DICTATING US.

whine whine whine.....

{``Until Pakistan becomes a functioning democracy, ........ it will remain `America`s Worst Nightmare.```}

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt etc. are not functioning democracies exactly, but America loves them nevertheless.

whine whine whine....

NYT is a ``business`` whose ONLY objective like any other business is to create wealth for its shareholders.

whine whine whine....

Scout pyari, kabhi to socha karo. Has it ever occur to you that there may be some truth to what these newspapers are saying? Precisely what Tahmed says, instead of seeing the real problems you guys are worried about your image. Who gives a damn if you do not read NYP.... Hosh me aon, josh me bahekne se pehle.

Mr. Mirza

You will also note That very little is written about the civil war in Algeria, The Genocide in Chehniya, as well as the shameless, wholly immoral abandonment of Biharis in Bangladesh. Remember HE is watching and it is never to late to right a wrong. Any Muslim, any where in the world who wants to be a Pakistani citizen, should have the right to avail him or herself of that citizenship. But I digress,

It is important to note, that the NYT or WP are not the conscience of the world. One would be an oaf and a very lazy and unworldly one to believe that news, opinion or editorial about any topic in American or any other handful of papers is just objective, unbiased reporting. No need for emotional responses. These are just the rules of the game.

To Pakistanis and all Muslims, American media misunderstand you, mispresent you - and they are OK with that. If you be serious people (as in self respect)then, shau them, THE MONEY! or withdraw it. Spend MONEY to train your own, help them get jobs in these and other media, SUPPORT them. Make generous political contributions. And remember to PUNISH those who CHOOSE to be against you, till they change their attitude and behaviour. The world only takes those people seriously, who take themselves seriously. The world loves only those who first love themselves. Pakistanis, first love yourselves. First approve of yourselves. others will follow. This too, is a Universal Law, a rule of the game. Az tau HARKAT, Az maan BARAKAT.

Make sure that new Masajid and madrassahs are well funded, developed and staffed by educated, dedicated, reasonable academicians. Ensure the Universal message of the ``Merciful and Compassionate`` is broadcast far and wide (with the emphasis on MERCY and COMPASSION, for HE loves the sinner, the wreatched, the weak and the sick, who need his grace, love and guidance the most) Endow Colleges and Universities. Fund Hospitals. Learn How Catholics and Jews fund their instituitions. Begin with a small clinic. In America it is DO or the dole (witness the misery, the alienation of the African American). And there is no Law or accident of class barring you from succeeding! So stop the Whine! Be cheerful, tell them to bring it on! And SUCCEED. Remember to Love your fellow Pakistani first. LEAD and the world will follow.

It is not that American press is againt or for any country. The simple fact is America is a totally capitalist country with a sham democracy and lip service for human rights driven only by financial profit. For $20 an average American would kill his own mother. It happens everyday. Schoolkids kill each other because they are bored. Human rights don`t applt for the Arabs,Indians, pakistanis etc,unless, ofcourse they happen to be Anglo-Saxons. Killing millions of other ``non-white```folks is just ok in the name of democracy. The simple fact is that Amererica is an arrogant bully and a thug. It operates like a mafia hit man with its little evil lapdog England in intimidating and bullying other small states. The current situation with the gounded spyplane clearly shows the evil of American foreign and defence policies. Firstly, America was caught by the brave Chinese pilots and the plane was brought down. The arraogance of the pompous US ambassador sums it up when he had the gall to say that the aircraft can not be boarded under international law. It is a bit rich coming from a country that has killed, bombed and maimed innocent people all over the world and is still doing it. It has a president that was elected by fraud, just because daddy wanted junior to be the president. To show that the US is an inclusive society, the wasp establishement pick up a few token minorities like Colin Powell and Condelessa Rice to play unle tom and aunt jamima. Ms Rice seems to be totally oblivious to history. The honorable thing for China would be to confisicate the plane (reverse engineer it and sell the copies0 and lock up the 24 animals (crew) in a zoo for display.

Omar,

Hanging by a straw,

Pakistanis are always on the look out for a mandate, they want some reason for a democracy. IT is all the time the speach of jinnah, the dreams of the father of the nation. At last omar seem to have accepted that his speaches are as relevant and as practical as ice skiing lessons to the nomads of sahara. So he has coined another reason for pakistan to be a democratic country, just to be not the `worst night mare for the americans``.

The poor educated pakistanis are in a quandry, pakistan was created for the muslims of india, and the guiding priciples for ruling the country are in the book, the great man also was a ruler. The madate for the governance of pakistan is in the book, more than thousand years old, and now the pakistanis are pitting it against the speaches of a mere mortal with out success. Omar has found a new reason for pakistan to be a democratic, secular republic. All the best to you.

With no non-muslims in pakistan, democracy and secularism is an absurd luxury for pakistan, like air bags on a bullock cart.

full speed ahead, omar

jay

RE: spout

``First of all, take a deep breath, relax and put your dhoti down.``

Look who`s talking...``I stopped reading the NY Times``...``they treat Pakistan unfairly``...whine, whine, whine. Put your burka down.

``Secondly, I personally have never mentioned disdain for Jews in NY``

Only that Rabbis would tear down the doors of the NY Times. Yup, no disdain there. Go try that somewhere else, lady.

``I am in a university program that is run by Jews. I have yet to encounter any negativity towards Pakistan or Pakistanis from any of them.``

Hello? Earth to Spout. Did you not just spew some nonsense about how the Jewish-controlled media portrays Pakistan negatively because of some grand conspiracy about Palestine and what not.

``Why don`t you guys just chill?``

Oh we`re chilled alright...I don`t see any Indian crying about how the Western media protrays it viz-a-viz another country. If you take issue with how Pakistan is portrayed in the US, what the heck does that have to do with India? Give up your obsession and inferiority complex with India.

Omar

The following from jang shows anothert nightmare for those who employ pakistanis.

Pakistanis losing jobs in Britain due to `Islamomania`

By our correspondent

LAHORE: UK-based Prof Muhammad Anwar on Monday said the Pakistanis had been fast losing their employment in Britain because of `Islamomania`.

Speaking at a round-table conference on `Future of British Pakistanis`, organised by the Institute of Overseas Pakistanis (IOP) here, he said the Pakistanis spent time for ablution and prayers, during office hours, annoying their employers. Besides Pakistanis did not tend to assimilate British culture and traditions, he added. ``These factors are contributing to rising unemployment among the overseas Pakistanis and affecting their socio-economic position. Pakistan and Muslim identity was strong in England.``

r,

Re: scout

``ps: Please lose your autopilot anti-Pakistan agenda. You are a better person without it.``

Yeah, you too.

UzmaMarouf

You are really off on a tangent here. I mean way, way off.

I said ``India is the big guy on the block.``

Fact - It is. The *real *problem is that you like to equate your nation to India.

Take any parameter you want and the difference screams in your face. The idea is that Pakistan should give up these foolish ideas about ``boxing above the weight``. Its not going to happen. I realise that all of us sometimes like to try to play out of our league. And we lose. Nothing wrong with losing. Except the fact that smart folks know the difference between losing and being a loser.

And like I said, get over yourself. We couldnt care less what happened that side of the fence. You can go about all day playing Russian roulette with your politicians, your dictators and what not.

And while you at it, please stop behaving as if you chaps have copyrighted Islam. Its not like the prophet wrote the IPR in Pakistans name or something.

About your tirade on Hindus etc. I cant respond. I happen to be a Syrian Christian from the south. Apparently, you are barking up the wrong tree.

As for deciding about your fate, India isnt the one doing it. It happens to be some cheap tinpot military dictator in Islamabad. The sad part is you cant do anything about it, except parrot the ``PTV truths``. Good luck.

The Rediff Interview/Exiled Pak Poet Aftab Hussain

http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/apr/03inter.htm

Pakistani poet Aftab Hussain was exiled from his country for publishing a collection of poems by Atal Bihari Vajpayee during the Indian prime minister`s bus trip to Lahore. The collection titled Jang Na Hone Denge was presented to Vajpayee at a ceremonial reception in Punjab by Hussain.

But the same book that brought Hussain his moment of glory, was to change the course of his life. A few months later, when Army Chief Pervez Musharraf overthrew former prime minister Nawaz Sharief in a military coup in October 1999, the ISI wanted Hussain to confess that the book was published at Sharief`s behest to please Vajpayee. The poet refused and had to flee to India.

A year after he crossed the border, Hussain has been denied asylum in India and stands very disillusioned. With no fixed address and perennially on the run, he agreed to meet Basharat Peer in an underground subway in Delhi.

What prompted you to publish the translation of Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee`s poems in Pakistan?

The collection of Vajpayee`s poems Jang Na Hone Denge are from two of his books Meri Ekiyaavan Kavitaaeinand Qaidi Kavi Rai Ki Kundliyaan. Jamil Akhter, an Indian friend of mine translated these poems from Hindi to Urdu and asked me if I could publish them in Pakistan. I agreed. The collection of poems was still lying with me when Vajpayee was to come to Lahore by bus.

At that time there was festivity in Lahore. The people on the streets, the Pakistani media, almost everyone was talking about Indo-Pak friendship and how people wanted peace.

Publishing this book then was my little way of contributing towards cementing this friendship. It was the first time in Pakistan`s history that a book written by an Indian prime minister was being published there.

What kind of reactions did the publication of Jang Na Hone Denge draw?

Very positive. The then Information Minister of Pakistan Mushahid Hussain lauded its publication and asked me to present it to Vajpayeeji, which I did at the farewell ceremony held in his honour at the Lahore governor`s House on February 22, 1999. A Pakistani newspaper Daily Pakistan reported on Vajpayee the poet.

When did things go wrong?

Soon after the military regime took over. Various intelligence agencies started knocking at my door about my Indian connections and began asking details about the idea of the book. They even questioned my friends.

Around February 2000, they made me an offer: `Say that Nawaz Sharief asked you to do it and you lose nothing, or else face the consequences.` On my refusal (to do so), they ransacked my house in my absence. I was left with two options, either do as they say or leave Pakistan. My conscience did not allow me to say something that was not true so I left for India and reached here on March 16, 2000.

Where is your family?

I am a bachelor. My mother and two brothers are in Pakistan. They were tormented by the military regime and my friends would keep me informed about them. Now I have no idea where my mother and brothers are and in what condition. I miss them a lot.

You have not been staying in one particular house. Why?

I have been staying with different friends due to financial difficulties. I kept changing houses as I did not want those who are responsible for my plight to know about my whereabouts.

Why did you choose India?

I had to get out of Pakistan quickly. There were three options -- India, Iran and Dubai. Considering the nature of relations that Iran and Dubai have with Pakistan, I feared they might send me back. Further, India is a secular, democratic country and we share strong cultural and lingual ties, hence I decided to come to India.

How did the Indian government react?

Initially even Home Minister L K Advani said that if I apply for asylum `they will consider it.` And I did apply.

What happened after that?

I got no reply from the foreigners division of the home ministry. I was simply forgotten. Moreover, my visa for the first three months allowed me to remain in West Bengal, Orissa and New Delhi. On applying for a renewal, I requested that I be allowed to go to West Bengal, Orissa again and also to Aligarh and Lucknow. Instead I was frustrated because I was restricted to Delhi.

Did you approach the government for a work permit?

Yes, I approached the government for a work permit but all I got was dashed hopes. They just made me file applications and run from pillar to post for nothing.

I have no financial resources as such here but my Indian friends helped me a lot, they would privately get me some translation work so that I could survive.

Not only that, when I asked for permission to let me submit my doctoral thesis for evaluation to some Indian university, even that was not granted. All that the government officials would tell me is: `In your case the orders will come from the top brass.`

What happened to your application for a visa extension?

I had written again to the home minister and sent copies of my application to the President of India, prime minister, home and external affairs ministers. The response there was a deadly silence. I underwent severe mental agony due to this approach. One full year of my life has been wasted in these uncertain circumstances. I could not follow any creative pursuits.

And you were you trying for an asylum in India till recently?

Yes, I wrote to United Nations High Commission for Refugees asking them to interfere and help in deciding my case. UNHCR showed its concern and wrote to the external affairs ministry. It expressed its fears that could be deported and wanted my case to be transferred to it (UNHCR). Meanwhile, my visa had been extended for a month till March 30.

I also filed a petition with the National Human Rights Commission on February 22, 2000. On March 9, the NHRC issued a notice to the external affairs and home ministries, asking them for my case report within a week or else face action. The report was to come on March 16.

What happened next?

Instead, the home ministry informed me on the phone on March 14 that my asylum had been denied. They did not even give me any reasons. Further I was told: `You have sixteen more days. Leave India by March 30 -- the date your visa expires.`

I went to UNHCR again but they expressed their helplessness. As the Indian government had asked them keep off my case as it was ``politico-humanitarian.``

Did you approach any other countries for asylum?

Yes, I did. I asked a few countries to give me a visit visa but they refused because of the politically sensitive nature of my case. But they agreed to consider my case for asylum. The conditions for that were: I need to land on their soil or the UNHCR should recognise me as a refugee and recommend my case.

Did you approach the UNHCR again?

Yes, I did. I met the India chief of UNHCR, Augustine Mahige, on March 30. But even after lending me a patient ear, he said: ``We cannot even touch your case till the Government of India allows us to.`` I surrendered my passport to the UNHCR and informed the home ministry about it.

You got into trouble for publishing Vajpayee`s poems in Pakistan. Did you contact the PM for help?

After meeting the UNHCR chief, the very next day -- on March 31 -- I wrote a letter to Atalji. I wrote that since I had been denied asylum which implied that he did not want me on Indian soil, he should let the UNHCR take over the case so that they could arrange my passage to some other country that would grant me asylum.

Considering that Atalji himself is a poet I enclosed with my letter, a poem I wrote in these moments of distress. The poem is titled Khwaab Mehenge Padte Hain (Dreams come with a price) and gives a message to all those who dream of bridging various boundaries, shedding prejudices -- it tells them not to do this -- because they have to pay a terrible price for it. The way I did.

Did the poem arouse the poet in Vajpayee, the politician?

Partially. For, on Sunday, April 1, some officials from the ministry of home affairs contacted me saying that they had been instructed by the Prime Minister`s Office and my visa had been extended by two months.

What does it mean to you?

Almost nothing. What difference does it make? I have not been granted asylum or given a work permit. I have decided not go for it.

What do you really want from the Indian government now?

Let me leave India. That is all I want. The greatest favour India can do me now is: Let the UNHCR handle my case and arrange my passage to some other country that can grant me asylum. And give me a visa for the time the UNHCR takes in arranging my departure.

One year in India and a life spent in Pakistan, how do you compare the two?

I think people are the same on either side of the border. Indians are enlightened and secular. And the governments are also no different. The Indian government is only different from Pakistan`s autocracy because it is in the garb of democracy.

Aren`t you afraid of talking like this about the government while still in India?

You are only afraid when you either want a favour or fear losing something. I have lost almost everything and the only favour I want from the Indian government is to let me leave this country. I am not a criminal or a fugitive.

Why do you insist on comparing Pakistan with India? India is much more than a country, it is a civilisation; Pakistan is a country confused about whether it is a breakaway part of India / Indian civilisation or part of some grand Arabo-Islamic civilisation... You are better off comparing it with Libya or Sudan or whatever.

A couple of other points:

To expect NYT or any other American newspaper to be `objective` is dumb.

US public is least concerned about foreign policy, least of all US policy regarding South Asia.

Finally, if every paper outside Pakistan is not highlighting Indian `atrocities` in J&K, maybe the `atrocities` are not as severe as is made out to be by Pak media and govt.

Sorry to interrupt, just wanted to post this for the attention of sigalph235:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,3962925,00.html#top

``Lakhwant Singh Khalsa works for the Indian railway. On this, his first visit to Dhaka, the 40-year-old Sikh set out with a colleague to explore a little bit of the capital city.

As they walked across the Dhaka university campus at Ramna, Mr Khalsa stumbled upon a Gurudwara, or Sikh temple``

apologies again for the diversion.

regards

Harpreet

Re: tahmed321 Reply #: 22

Why is it so important to the author how we are viewed by the western press while the problems themselves are only mentioned in passing?

....

From what I have noticed about the sub-continentals, their predominant worry/phobia/fear/obsession is:

What will the people(especially the West) say/think?

While it is a good thing to care about other opinions it is not healthy to be obsessed by it. It smacks of a lack of self confidence.