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LETTER'S:

Post letters to Letters to the Editor, The Daily Times, 41-N, Industrial Area, Gulberg II, Lahore, Pakistan Phone: 92-42-5878614-19; Fax: 92-42-5878620 E-mail: letters@dailytimes.com.pk . Letters may be edited for length and clarity

Tailored reality on TV

Sir: I recently returned from Pakistan after enjoying a rather long holiday, visiting friends and cities I had not seen for many years. I also had the opportunity to travel by road, rail and air across the country. Since my return, I have become rather home sick and try to refresh my memories of Pakistan by watching the numerous Pakistani TV channels available here in the United Kingdom.

I must say that I cannot find the Pakistan I had visited in programmes on Pakistani TV channels. The soaps and dramas show the lives of the elite class, with their luxurious homes and lavish lifestyles. This may be another way of depicting a “soft” image of Pakistan, one compatible with “enlightened moderation”.

Further, they also put for the idea that perhaps every educated urban Pakistani is obsessed with the Western lifestyle. The fact is that a tiny percentage of the population embrace the Western lifestyle.

A recent news-item spoke of reform at Pakistan Television (PTV), restoring its lost glory by producing programmes that are true to the lives of ordinary Pakistanis. I have yet to see such a change.
S FAIYAZUDDIN AHMAD
UK

Guerrilla tactics

Sir: “A strategic objective of revolutionary terrorism is to provoke ruling elites into disastrous overreaction, thereby creating widespread resentment against them.” Carlos Marighella, a Brazillian guerrilla leader, whose writings influenced many political terrorists, explains its rationale as follows: “It is necessary to turn political crisis into armed conflict by performing violent actions that will force those in power to transform the political situation of the country into a military situation. That will alienate the masses, which, from then on, will revolt against the army and the police and blame them for this state of things. The Israeli-Palestinian struggle during the so-called Second Intefada of 2001 and 2002 illustrates this goal: terrorist attacks elicited powerful and disproportionate Israeli military reactions that led to an escalating cycle of more attacks and more retaliation, completely militarising relations between the two groups.”

This is an extract from Chalmers Johnson’s book “Blowback”. The Pakistani government may well have played into the hands of the political terrorists by overreacting to the recent wave of terrorism, especially under escalating foreign pressure to act militarily. The Musharraf regime was right to follow political process to induce peace in the tribal area. This was not acceptable to the terrorists, who intensified their activities to sabotage the process and thereby induce the government into military action. This will increase resentment against the government in the innocent and neutral segment of society and the blame for the hardship will be on the government, thus leading to more potential terrorist recruits. The government must understand this scenario, trust its rationality and also convince the US and other interested entities of the need for a just and proportionate response to terrorism.

Those who are pressuring us “to do more” should either disapprove the above theory or show some restraint in putting pressure on Pakistan. Pakistan’s policy of political engagement is not as foolhardy as it is being made out in the Western Media. It is based on proper theory and proven practice. So let us heed reason and not react with emotion.
BARRISTER CH ADIL SALEEM KHAN
Lahore

Shoaib Akhtar’s tantrums

Sir: We have had enough of Shoaib Akhtar’s tantrums! This talented cricketer is more about controversy than performance, and needs to decide how he wants to enter the history books. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has pampered him considerably, going out of its way to provide the best medical treatment for his frequent injuries.

It is high time Akhtar learnt to discipline himself and followed rules. The PCB has made the correct decision in fining and penalising him for his unacceptable behaviour during trials in Karachi.

The PCB is advised to remain firm in enforcing discipline on all players, no matter how vital they may be for the team. At the same time, Akhtar is advised to concentrate less on his antics in the glamour world, and more on realising his potential as one of the great fast bowlers of our time.
MANZOOR AHMED AHSAN
Lahore

War of interests

Sir: This is with reference to the editorial, “Democracy and religious extremism,” (Daily Times; July 31, 2007). The editorial mentions reasons for an alliance between Benazir Bhutto and General Pervez Musharraf, as well as some “real” issues confronting Pakistan. Who has set these standards of dealing with one party and not negotiating with others? The grounds on which the Bhutto-Musharraf duo has laid the foundation of their would-be alliance are mere pretext to their greed for power. I am not against any coalition if it is formed to stabilise the nation. If the sole purpose of the Bhutto-Musharraf alliance is the prosperity of the nation, then it would be wiser for Bhutto to hold dialogue with people from her own fraternity.

Also, extremism and militancy are not the actual issues. It would be appropriate to label them as consequences of key issues that our government has mishandled so far. History shows that our main affliction has always been a lack of democracy. It will be better for the country if political parties do not polarise and form a consensus on issue of national interest, instead of making the situation ambiguous by highlighting “terrorism” and “extremism.”
SUMAIYYA KHAN
Karachi

Benazir’s legacy

Sir: Is it any surprise that Benazir Bhutto may team up with General Pervez Musharraf when he only needs a push into oblivion after eight years of dictatorial rule? We as a nation tend to forget history. Only a few decades ago, her father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had served a military dictator with full devotion for nearly eight years. A brilliant and intelligent person, unfortunately blinded by his lust for power, Mr Bhutto transformed into a champion of democracy when he realised that President Ayub Khan’s days were numbered.

Sadly, some people are pinning their hopes on the Bhutto-Musharraf duo to fight the so-called extremists and terrorists. There are better ways to fight extremists and terrorists than keeping Musharraf in power and giving a third prime ministerial term to Bhutto.
ALI SAJJAD
Rawalpindi

CDA’s negligence

Sir: Even though allotments were made over 18 years ago, people with allotted property in sector E-12 of Islamabad still do not have possession of their property. All instalments have been paid, along with development charges, to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) of Islamabad. It is a pity that as many as 5000 allottees are still waiting for development work to start. Most of these allottees are retired government servants.

Some of them have left for their heavenly abode while waiting for possession. The extraordinary delay has added to the allottees’ misery; during this long period, the cost of construction has multiplied manifold. They had to vacate official residences at the time of their superannuation and are now living in rented houses. Concerned authorities are requested to take notice of this issue and order the CDA to start development work in the sector and deliver possession of the plots within a year.
RASHID HUSSAIN
Islamabad

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