Embarrassing times for expatriates
By Shadaba Islam
NOT so long ago, Pakistan rarely topped the European news agenda. Britain was an exception, of course, but continental Europeans devoted little time to the country, preferring to focus instead on the growing political and economic clout of China and the rise of India.
There were some exceptions. Many Europeans were enchanted by the music of Nusrat Fateh Ali and curious about how former premier Benazir Bhutto had made it all the way to the top as the female leader of a conservative Muslim country. They were also well aware of the dangers of the fraught relationship between nuclear-armed Pakistan and India.
But apart from enthusiastic mountaineers and trekkers, few Europeans showed any interest in the country itself. Pakistani leaders rarely came to Brussels to see their European Union counterparts. When they did, the focus was often more on visiting Indian and Jewish diamond merchants in Antwerp than on official business. Not surprising, the busy Brussels-based press corps studiously ignored visiting Pakistani government delegations unless invited to sumptuous lunches at Michelin-rated luxury restaurants.
How times change. The Sept 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States catapulted Pakistan to the top of the EU news agenda, prompting massive public and media interest in all aspects of the country.
This curiosity and unrelenting focus on Pakistan, however, remains a cause for consternation and dismay to many Pakistanis abroad. And not because of any lack of interest in what happens at home. Thanks to the Internet, frequent visits home and e-mail exchanges with friends and relatives, little that happens in the country escapes the notice of Pakistani expatriates.
Once in a while, however, we would like to hear some good news about the country and then share it with others. As it is, however, apart from a few rare positive comments about Pakistans economic strengths and the stalwart resilience of its people in the face of natural calamities like the 2005 earthquake, most Europeans are convinced that Pakistan today is synonymous with terrorism, dictatorship, religious extremism and repression.Articles across the continent constantly and consistently point out that, inter alia, Pakistan is a haven for international terrorists, including Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden (believed to be hiding in the mountains of Waziristan), is funding and arming a resurgent Taliban in its battle against Nato soldiers in Afghanistan and, despite Islamabads protests to the contrary, is behind terror attacks in Kashmir and parts of India.
The recent violent end to the Red Mosque siege in Islamabad and the seemingly unending attacks by militants on Pakistani army personnel not to mention tragic inter-factional violence have further heightened fears that Pakistan and Pakistanis are a danger to others and to themselves.
Last week was cringe-time again as Pakistan was spotlighted by the German press following reports that suspected terrorists accused of masterminding a foiled terrorist plot in Germany had a connection to terror training camps in Pakistan.
The German case, coming on top of recent successive terror alerts in Britain and the 2005 transport bombings in London carried out by young British-Pakistanis has convinced most Europeans that Pakistan not only produces its own brand of local terrorists wreaking havoc at home but also offers disaffected young European Muslims the training and encouragement they need to go forth and do evil in Europe.
For most of the past week, however, its not Pakistans terrorist connections but the strange political soap opera of Pakistani politics that has captured Europes attention. European public, media and government officials have been riveted by the dramatic but short-lived return to Pakistan of former premier Nawaz Sharif and his immediate deportation to Saudi Arabia.
While he may not have been viewed as a great democrat when in power, Mr Sharifs so far lacklustre profile in Europe has been boosted by what many view as his courageous attempt to do battle with General Pervez Musharraf. In contrast, Ms Benazir Bhutto, the one-time darling of the European intelligentsia, press and politicians, has seen her star dim as she ponders a return to Pakistan and a possible power-sharing alliance with the president.
It looks too much like a marriage of convenience, a member of the European Parliament told me, adding that he was not impressed by the PPP leaders readiness to do unsavoury deals with the military. Several European journalists have pointed out the difference between Ms Bhuttos courting of the US and Mr Sharifs independent decision to head home alone.
Clearly, President Musharrafs standing in Europe has been hit hardest by recent events. The episode with Mr Sharif has spotlighted the growing array of problems facing the general as he struggles to hold on to power in the face of falling popularity, a self-confident and independent judiciary and an assertive and independent press.
Never as enthusiastic as the US administration about doing business with an army man even one with a starring role in the war on terror EU officials and diplomats are watching the presidents recent actions including the ill-considered sacking of the Chief Justice with unconcealed alarm. This was demonstrated last week when the US called Mr Sharifs deportation an internal matter but the EU took a much firmer line. In an unusually firm statement, an EU spokeswoman urged Pakistan to respect its own Supreme Court ruling and allow Mr Sharif to stay in the country.
In our view, the Supreme Courts view is very clear and should be respected, said Christiane Hohmann, the European Commissions external affairs spokeswoman in Brussels. If there is any legal case against Sharif, he should have the chance to defend himself in a Pakistan court, she added. Such EU plain-talking may be exceptional but then as one EU diplomat pointed out, when it comes to Pakistan, these are exceptional times.
EU governments are worried President Musharraf may be tempted to impose martial law or emergency in the country, a move they warn would lead to the disastrous isolation of one of the worlds largest Muslim nations, triggering even more extremism and violence and further aggravating a tendency to interfere in the affairs of neighbouring states.
Instead of considering the introduction of martial law, the president should be focusing on holding free and fair elections and once that is done, should honourably retire from the political scene, said an EU parliamentarian. Of course thats not going to happen, he admitted, adding: As long as the Bush administration provides cover, Musharraf is not going to change tack because of what the EU says.
Others agree. The EU may be an important trading partner and a key donor providing over 330 million euros in assistance to Pakistan plus 100 million euros for the earthquake during the last 10 years but Europes clout in Pakistan remains modest.
That may change as the EU becomes a more powerful player in Asia and a future civilian Pakistani government decides its time to look beyond Washington and spend more time and energy on making true friends in Europe. For the moment, however, Islamabad should expect more tough-talking from an exasperated EU. And as politics at home heat up even more, Pakistani expatriates in Europe should brace themselves for months of uncomfortable and embarrassing moments.
The writer is Dawns correspondent based in Brussels.
DAWN - Editorial; September 15, 2007
It is sad but true. I am stuck in a stupid country called Canada and the truth is that these people are constantly given a negative and bad picture of our nation and are often discouraged from going to Pakistan cauz all the media has to say about Pakistan is about terrorism, weak economy and the problems related to Pakistan. There is never aything good that is said about Pakistan by the media here.
