As students of history know, countries don’t come into existence overnight and there is a long and hard struggle behind every political success, especially if it results in carving out independent land for a group of people. Take for example Bangladesh. Bengali as a language was never embraced by the country, Bengalis culture, history, and traditions were neither accepted nor celebrated by non-Bengalis. And this sense of us versus them finally drove Bengalis over the edge and tragically, Pakistan was divided after a humiliating defeat by the Indians. And, judging from today’s Pakistan, it is painfully obvious that people in Pakistan either don’t know their own history, or they don’t care about it. Otherwise, the current campaign against a man who stood up for Pakistan when his beloved wife was murdered in Punjab would not have gone as far as we see it today. It has to stop, or God forbid, it would put Pakistan on a path that is painful, bloody, and dreadful.
Therefore, it is time to stop attacks on Asif Ali Zardari.
Interestingly, three provincial assemblies out of four have passed resolution to show support for Pakistan’s embattled president, Asif Ali Zardari. Will this change anything in the country? Probable not. However, it gives some hope, and perhaps, even confidence to those who believe that a democratically elected President would not be removed undemocratically, or worse, unconstitutionally. But, to some cynics, these resolutions of support are just that, resolutions. Even if these resolutions were binding, which they are not, it is impossible for some in the media, in opposition (mainly in Punjab) and civil and military bureaucracy (mainly from Punjab) to accept Zardari. They want him gone and since they can’t do anything, at least right now to remove him, they have had a strategy of constant attack on Zardari from the day he became the president.
As a result of this brilliantly funded and unbelievably vicious and vitriolic campaign against Zardari, what we have in Pakistan is an environment that is loaded with anger, frustration and desperation and it is almost all directed towards Zardari. And, to add fuel to the fire, the country is experiencing terrible shortage of electricity, water, gas, patrol, flour, and sugar. However, most of the flour, sugar, and other edible daily commodities come from Punjab and it is interesting that at a time when things are rough, almost all the daily edible necessities that are produced and process in Punjab have been missing from the market. I am not suggesting that perhaps there is a conspiracy against Zardari or Pakistan People Party, no, but I am raising a point that is worth exploring. I hope I am wrong and this is all a coincident, but still, we should look into it.
Since the government in Islamabad is forced to play defense and work most of the time in answering malicious lies (Kerry-Lugar Bill, private power plants) and innuendos (minus one formula), it becomes difficult for the government to govern. If this was not enough, the Chief Justice has decided to play a political role which has made the overall situation in Pakistan extremely complex and the country today is divided and fuming. Not to mention that the country is under attack by the Taliban and Al-Qaeeda and even though the enemy was able to get inside the GHQ to carry out a well planned and daring attack, the opposition and the media are still obsessed with NRO and of course, Zardari. Isn’t it time that the government is allowed to work and find answers and solutions for Pakistan’s terrible problems? Pakistan’s problem can only be tackled if everyone played their role to perfection. Otherwise, it is all downhill from here.
Anyone listening?
