Islam's Fault line- Pakistan

[JK!]

I recently bought the national Geographic magazine because I saw Pakistan being the main focus of the September Issue.

It is a frank independent analysis of our country though not all is bad.

If anyone can get a copy and is willing to discuss the issues highlighted then please do so.

 

[A.Rahman]

yep, I saw it in the book store, read couple of pages too


will buy it if its good. is it?

 

[JK!]

I thought so as it tried to give a balanced view of the country.

Negatives included the talabanisation of NWFP and possibly the rest of the country but the story of Abdul Sattar Edhi was a real positive as well as the fireman who runs a school for kids.

I was quite pissed off about the story of a rape victim though and how corrupt policeman allowed her attacker to be let off completely.

If you do read it are Pakistani policeman really as corrupt as the way they are described?

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

I was quite pissed off about the story of a rape victim though and how corrupt policeman allowed her attacker to be let off completely.

Was that the case of that one woman who managed to enter the National Assembly, whose husband was arrested by that police officer who looked like Saddam? Absolutely horrible case, and I don't think anything was done to the people responsible, despite the media highlighting the issue every chance they got. Also a horrible reflection on our society because her in laws made the husband divorce her after she got raped trying to get their son released. She was beaten up in front of her children, her sisters were divorced because they were related to her, her own family kicked her out.

To this day I choke back tears whenever I think of her plight. These are the events that I feel ashamed of - as a Pakistani and as a Muslim.

 

[niaz]

I thought so as it tried to give a balanced view of the country.

Negatives included the talabanisation of NWFP and possibly the rest of the country but the story of Abdul Sattar Edhi was a real positive as well as the fireman who runs a school for kids.

I was quite pissed off about the story of a rape victim though and how corrupt policeman allowed her attacker to be let off completely.

If you do read it are Pakistani policeman really as corrupt as the way they are described?

When I was a young kid in Punjab, there was a saying " Dainey ya thaney jana aie ". This roughly translates into " getting raped is better than going to the police station". Unless you know someone, going to police station is not advisable. Simple rule was that whatever you do, try not to get caught by the police and later find someone who has influence with the SHO of the local police station. It was a rule of thumb that one always tried to remain on the right side of the SHO ( Station House Officer) and always entertained him lavishly if he happened to come to your village for whatever reason.

Yes, Pakistani police is as corrupt as they come. IMO main reason is our police was put in place by the English to enforce their policies, not law and order. To this day, police will support who so ever is in power and cares nothing about what is lawful or ethical. Most thieves and racketeers including car jackers and mobile phone snatchers have police backing and the local SHO gets his cut. There is no doubt that there must some honest and good policemen in Pakistan, however if there are any, I havenot come across one.

 

[JK!]

The rape victim Najma is a 16 year old girl and her attacker was a local police constable.
He was acting on behalf of a local feudal clan which wants the plot of land her family owns.

The case was dropped by a police inspector who said numerous lies such as they had misplaced medical evidence and that it was an effort to get the police constable in trouble by her father who had apparantly assaulted the Policeman. I say apparantly as the journalist reports the father to be a man pushing 70 who can barely walk.