Pakistan - News and Discussion -7

[Naresh]

<b>Lotastaanis on a “Throwing in the Towel” Spree”</b> <!--emo&:flush--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Flush.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='Flush.gif' /><!--endemo-->

<b>1. Ground realities</b>

Sir: I am writing with reference to the editorial “Option of ‘hot pursuit’ doesn’t exist” (Daily Times, July26). Pakistan’s military would be well advised to take a step back and review the actions of Israel in Lebanon and Gaza. We must realise that in modern warfare the ‘hot-pursuit’ option doesn’t have to exist as it can easily be ‘manufactured’. We must also realise that fundamentalist militant organisations tend to copy military tactics from each other. For example, the sort of suicide bombings that originated in Palestine later became a regular occurrence in Pakistan. Therefore, if a militant organisation is ‘inspired’ to conduct the kidnapping of a couple of Indian soldiers, regardless of the source of the inspiration, such an action can have potentially grave and disastrous consequences for the region.

<b>In the post-Mumbai blasts scenario, we should realise that such actions, and any corresponding and disproportionate punitive response from India, are bound to resonate with the western world and may be considered understandable or even acceptable. We can rest assured that it will garner strong unequivocal support from Israel, the US and other Jewish lobbies within the US, thereby delaying and hindering any meaningful response or reaction from either the US or the UN. Pakistan would be well advised never to discount any option when ground realities are as chaotic as they currently are.

MUHAMMAD KAMAL
USA</b>

<b>2. What makes us invincible?</b>

THIS is with reference to the news item ‘Defence being made invincible: Musharraf’ (July 4). I would like to ask some questions.

Will the invincibility of our defence ensure that every citizen is able to get a meal three times a day? Will the invincibility of the defence ensure that prices of essential commodities will not increase at regular intervals? Will the invincibility of the defence expedite the judicial process in the country? Will the invincibility of the defence eliminate corruption prevalent in society?

Will the invincibility of the defence ensure the release of thousands of bonded labour all over the country? Will the invincibility of the defence eliminate the jirga system? Will the invincibility of the defence eradicate the evil of honour killing, rape and domestic violence? Will the invincibility of the defence ensure that discriminatory laws such as the Hudood Ordinance will be repealed?

Will the invincibility of the defence ensure that there will be no street crimes? Will the invincibility of the defence ensure that no patient will die on his way to hospital because of traffic jams caused by VIP movement?

Will the invincibility of the defence ensure that there will be no loadshedding in the country? Will the invincibility of the defence ensure that the citizens of Pakistan will get free medical facilities?

Will the invincibility of the defence bring down the value of real estate so that a common can built a house on it? Will the invincibility of the defence ensure that people are not tortured in jails? Will the invincibility of the defence ensure that there will be no religious intolerance in the country?

Will the invincibility of the defence ensure equal distribution of wealth in the country? Will the invincibility of the defence ensure that stock market is not manipulated by a few investors? Will the invincibility of the defence ensure that public institutions are not sold in the name of privatization at throwaway prices?

Will the invincibility of the defence ensure that no trees will be cut down in the name of development? Will the invincibility of the defence eliminate illiteracy in the country? Will the invincibility of the defence bring in foreign investment? Will the invincibility of the defence boost industrial and agricultural sectors in the country?

Will the invincibility of the defence remove the discontent amongst the provinces? Will the invincibility of the defence ensure that no military leader will throw out a democratic government and dictate his whims? Will the invincibility of the defence ensure free and fair elections? Will the invincibility of the defence help project the image of this country as a moderate, enlightened and civilised country?

<b>If the answer to the above questions is in the negative, we have no need of such invincibility.

ANIL KHAN LUNI
Lahore</b> <!--emo&:beer--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cheers.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='cheers.gif' /><!--endemo-->