Islam & Pakistan! Technology & Me!
Wake up, we are already at War!
The number of missile attacks by pilot less Predator drones in Pakistan has more than tripled in the past year. Pakistani officials reported 11 such strikes this year, compared to three strikes in 2007. The strikes continue, and all we get is a grin from the President, or a statement such as “This is a war which is against Pakistan. And we’ll fight for our own past. And that is because I have lost my own leader, Benazir Bhutto, because of the militants” from the Prime Minister. Wake up, we are already at War!
By Laila Sohail
Saturday, 13th September – 2008
11th June 2008: US strike killed 11 Pakistan soldiers along the border with Afghanistan.
28th July 2008 {Wana}: At least 6 people killed due to US strike inside Pakistan.
4th September 2008 {Angoor Adda, Waziristan}: At least 4 people killed due to a US strike inside Pakistan.
5th September 2008{Goorweck Baipali.}: At least 5 people, including three children killed due to US strike inside Pakistan
8th September 2008 {Wana}: At least 21 people killed and 14 injured in a US missile strike inside Pakistan borders. This was the third strike in less than a week.
The number of missile attacks by pilot less Predator drones in Pakistan has more than tripled in the past year. Pakistani officials reported 11 such strikes this year, compared to three strikes in 2007. {The Washington Post 10th September}
US President Bush, said in his address at the US National Defense University that parts of Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan were “all theatres in the same overall struggle”
On 28th July Monday, the Prime Minster of Pakistan was on his first visit to the US to show the importance of Pak-US relations. Washington’s response; a strike inside Pakistan killing 6, followed by appreciation by the US President on Pakistan’s role in the War against Terror, was nothing short of mockery. It was an audacious attempt to show just how helpless and unimportant the Prime Minister and his visit actually were. Unfortunately it was successful. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani continued to follow his timetable, posing for the camera with President Bush to show how close and respectfully they were working, oblivious to the lives that were lost back home. “We talked about the need for us to make sure that the Afghan border is secure, as best as possible,” Mr. Bush said before the leaders continued their discussions. “Pakistan has made a very strong commitment to that.” The missile strikes were not important enough to be discussed in their ‘talks’ over a cup of tea. The cost of this friendly call was an alleged US $1 million.
The White House press secretary, Dana M. Perino admitted that the issues on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan were “complex”, but she said the differences were over rated. “It’s tense in that we are working together to try to fight counterterrorism,” she said, “but I think that we are much more on the same page than some people would like to paint”. Looking at the performance of the latest government in Pakistan, this statement might actually hold true. While Pakistan is definitely not, the Government of Pakistan is very well “on the same page” with the US.
The strikes continue, and all we get is a grin from the President, or a statement such as “This is a war which is against Pakistan. And we’ll fight for our own past. And that is because I have lost my own leader, Benazir Bhutto, because of the militants” from the Prime Minister. Nothing about the unacknowledged martyrs of the Pakistan army, nothing about the homes that will never see light again, and nothing about the sovereignty of Pakistan. The priorities remain limited to a party leader who was killed more than nine months ago. The Prime Minister’s microscopic vision only allows him to see the PPP flag. In a country where Party leaders are bigger than political parties and political parties are bigger than Pakistan, what more can we expect from this distorted figure of democracy?
On 6th September 2008 supplies going through Pakistan were held up for some hours. It showed the dependence of the US and NATO forces on Pakistan. The only other option for the US is to use air routes via Russia and Central Asia {depending on its relations with Moscow} We have a foot on their throats and the most we can do in response to their killings, is give semi aggressive diplomatic statements. Hussain Haqqani is a sorry excuse for a Pakistan ambassador to the US.
The country taken hostage by thieves: heartbreaking, depressing and disgusting. We choose to believe a lie, because we are afraid to accept the truth. Our differences do not matter because we are all victims, forced to sit back and watch this melodrama. We need to shake off the denial and step out of our bubbles of optimism. The US Admiral Mike Mullen has declared a change in US policy, to now attack within Pakistan. When are we going to acknowledge the extent of the threat that we face? Are not our western cities as much a part of Pakistan as our central provinces, or are we waiting for a strike more near our homes before we realize what is happening? Bye Bye dictatorship, hello incursion. This is war…and the maximum damage is being done from inside.
To the Media: Play your role as watch dog now, when we need it. Where are the analysts, the super star anchors? Where is the intelligentsia that is supposed to enlighten the common man?
To the President: No Mr. Zardari, please spare us your noble advice and wisdom. What we need is an honest leader who can stand up for Pakistan, not a remote controlled US moppet.
Here is an advice for you: You can start by returning the 80 Million dollars you owe us.
To General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani: We have no faith in the government. Please retaliate to the threats. Save us from our own, and save us from the enemies outside. We can not compromise on our sovereignty. We stand united with you. May you protect Pakistan always.
Pakistan Paindabad!
Laila Sohail is a young Pakistani commentator and can be reached at: blabbersboo@gmail.com
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Previous Columns by Ms. Sohail:
Where there is a will – There is a way! Zardari’s Success Story
Look what Pakistan has brought upon itself, the wrath of every nation that was once close to it. Its better to let the US drones completely handicap the terrorists, that way Pakistan can prosper and grow towards economic parity. The problem at hand is clear. The terrorists they once harbored have turned into a liability now. Its time to clean up their act, welcome the Americans, get rid of war mongers and establish peace in the region.