Situation in South waziristan/fata by Hamid Meer

[IceCold]

A very thought provoking insight for the nation to realize the direction we are going in and the consequences of that.

 

[IceCold]

Imran Khans take on the war on terror or the way he puts it the war for terror.

 

[niaz]

Regret to say that IMO both Hamid Meer and Imran Khan are die hard supporters of Taliban. I listen to Capital talk every day. Hamid Meer leaves no stone unturned in trying to deflect the blame away from Taliban. Even lat night he was trying to put words in Lt Gen Hamid Nawaz’s mouth. Whenever a panelist tries to say something against his wishes, he cuts him off and goes over to another one.

I am posting below an article published in today's News to illustrate how gullible public is being used to 'Spin' the truth to suit the extreme right wing agenda. This is at the time when Pakistan is fighting for her very existence!


IIU, me and you -- II

The Pakistan report card

Thursday, October 29, 2009
Fasi Zaka

In times of unimaginable tragedy, it is hard to judge outpourings of grief. The mind is freckled by floods of angry emotion. After having said this, I still feel disappointed that right after the International Islamic University (IIU) bombings one of the pictures I saw in the press was of a demonstration by the boys of the university upholding banners that were against the Kerry-Lugar bill. It seemed to me the significance of what had happened to these hapless students hadn't yet dawned on them.

The International Islamic University has absolutely nothing to do with the bill, and in any case the Taliban didn't bomb the university because they were convinced that the IIU had drafted it for John Kerry. Even at that time, in the aftermath of a senseless act it was difficult to acknowledge for people that the Taliban were utterly nihilistic in their aims.

It was a lost opportunity to honour the lives of the people lost, to say that Islam just doesn't allow any semblance of what the Taliban are doing. One of the students who died was Sidra, a young topper of the Rawalpindi board in the arts group. Her best friend who saw her die chillingly spoke of being unable to sleep, to remember the cold touch of her cheek when she was about to be buried. How did the Kerry-Lugar bill fit into this? Valid criticisms of the bill aside, this was not the moment to do it because it was peripheral to the whole issue, because the Kerry-Lugar bill is also on the lower end of the Taliban agenda, revenge being their first. And the thirst for blood is so great, that the revenge is also taken from the absolutely innocent.

I wonder just how influential the Islami Jamiat Talba (IJT) is at the IIU. Recently one of their office-bearers gave a statement to the press that Blackwater is behind the wave of terror attacks in the country. This is purposeful and utterly extreme mischief. If Blackwater is in Pakistan, and I increasingly believe that one of its subsidiaries might, it should be sent packing. But not for the nonsense that the Jamiat is keen on having people believe.

Blackwater should be sent back, not because it may laughably be complicit in terror, but because the firm is trained in counter-insurgency in Iraq and has a trigger-happy reputation and is staffed reportedly by bigots, starting from the very top. What if a firm like Blackwater kills someone in Pakistan, how will the law apply? It's an invitation to flout our laws because we know the Americans won't allow a trial here, and it's already happening with incidents of foreigners being stopped and caught with illegal unlicensed weapons.

But, for a moment, even in our anger acknowledge that whatever firm the Americans may be using, they do need security and are acting in accordance with the directive, or at least philosophy of Rehman Malik and Shahbaz Sharif. Our rulers would extol the people of Swat to fight the Taliban, rather than doing something about it themselves. They are saying that educational institutions must protect themselves rather than the government increasing general security. With this trend, all the Americans are doing is the same. If the government will not protect the people (only itself by buying more and more bullet-proof cars), then the Americans will have to use private contractors.

But every argument that concerns legitimate internal concerns, say Americans with automatic weapons in the country, the Taliban or literally anything else, is increasingly hijacked and overtaken into vapid and vacuous arguments that sidestep the real issues. Without realising it, or maybe they do, but these right-wingers are hurting our country by making everything into issues of national pride or patriotism.

And this patriotism is hurting us because it is made by disingenuous people. It doesn't reflect what this country should stand for. If we believed all our citizens have a right to life, we would be more incensed by the IIU bombing than we really are.

Let me give an example of this confusion. In a recent letter to the editor a young man wrote about his educational institution in Faisalabad where a couple were sitting under a tree. Security came and shaved the heads of both the man and woman. The writer of the letter was honest to admit that he was fearful and couldn't speak up for two innocent people. But one reason people stay quiet is that they somehow believe that the tyrants who were shaving the heads of the couple may have been morally right. That's the confusion of the myth-making we are creating in this country. If we had a real sense of values we wouldn't think twice about speaking up for that poor duo because we knew others would share the sentiment. What crime was committed between two people sitting and doing nothing wrong in an open space?

In LUMS a girl is making news for her campaign against public displays of affection. Let us grant her the right to do so for argument's sake, but the manner in which she did so is nothing less than hypocritical and reflects a tyrant in the making. By taking pictures of people secretly and promising to more and distributing them on email lists, I wonder if she is convinced Allah appointed her as the guardian to invade people's privacy by being holier than thou.

I wonder if she took a break from her voyeurism activism to lead a rally against the Taliban after the IIU bombing. Which is more important now?



The writer is a Rhodes scholar and former academic. Email: fasizaka@yahoo.com

IIU, me and you -- II

 

[SSGPA1]

I refuse to watch this garbage and I am disappointed that a senior member like yourself is posting such nonsense.

Without watching these videos, I can tell that these are more about Pro Taliban propoganda.

Hamid Mir works for Geo which is anti-Pakistan institution. This is the reason I don't pay my hard earned money to Geo anymore.

Tell these TTP supporters to go and see the carnage in Peshawar, go and tell them to see the condition of those monthers who lost their kids in these bombings.

 

[jarnee]

oh ..**** ..he is justifying the revenge..wrapping it in conspiracy theory?
How can you justify any act of terror.

Same like Arundahati roy in India ..justify's Naxals

 

[IceCold]

I refuse to watch this garbage and I am disappointed that a senior member like yourself is posting such nonsense.

Without watching these videos, I can tell that these are more about Pro Taliban propoganda.

Hamid Mir works for Geo which is anti-Pakistan institution. This is the reason I don't pay my hard earned money to Geo anymore.

Tell these TTP supporters to go and see the carnage in Peshawar, go and tell them to see the condition of those monthers who lost their kids in these bombings.

You refuse to watch these videos or acknowledge it just shows narrow mindedness and nothing more.
Moreover since you mention about kids getting killed i would suggest you to watch the second video of Imran Khan where he tells about how the son of a tareeq insaf worker of that area lost his legs in an air strike by a cobra and this by the way is broad casted on geo capital talk. Lets see whats your take on that?

On a side note the video does not mention anything about TTP, i dont know from where did you got that idea. All it says that the army isnt even acting in areas where their are AQ and taliban instead they are just bombing villages which are causing the death of civilians and not one taliban or AQ member and Hamid meer has put an open challenge.

 

[XYON]

Hamid Meer and Imran Khan are the peas of the same moronic pod!

Both are a complete waste of time and should be categorized as certified mindless freaks!!

 

[SecularHumanist]

The Hamid Mir video is quite old, it isn't about the current situation.

As for Imran Khan, he needs to get his head out of his Taliban a$$. He said that the Swat problem cannot be solved militarily and we should continue with the 'peace deals.' Epic Fail! These shariah lovers get orgasms on a state of lawlessness and chaos because it helps the chances of their dream, a Pakistani state with brutal Taliban law, become a reality.

 

[owais.usmani]

After seeing this thread, I am sad to say Mr. IceCold that I have lost the respect for you.

 

[Sinnerman108]

Oh please do not comment out of spite !

TALIBAN, and the only real taliban are busy beating the United azz of America !
they really don't have time nor the motive to engage Pakistan.

Mullah Omer has forbidden them to engage Pakistan, and they abide to their leader.

By the Grace of Allah s.w.t Mullah Omer currently holds 80% + of Afghanistan.

What you call Taliban ( pakistani variety) are mostly on $$ payroll, and have been planted and trained by USA via Indians. You may find some stupid people who actually join the pakistani outfits and think they are the real talibs, but that is just part of the confusing plan.

I would also encourage to get hold the Colonel Imam's interview and his very insightful views.

 

[SecularHumanist]

Oh please do not comment out of spite !

TALIBAN, and the only real taliban are busy beating the United azz of America !
they really don't have time nor the motive to engage Pakistan.

Mullah Omer has forbidden them to engage Pakistan, and they abide to their leader.

By the Grace of Allah s.w.t Mullah Omer currently holds 80% + of Afghanistan.

What you call Taliban ( pakistani variety) are mostly on $$ payroll, and have been planted and trained by USA via Indians. You may find some stupid people who actually join the pakistani outfits and think they are the real talibs, but that is just part of the confusing plan.

I would also encourage to get hold the Colonel Imam's interview and his very insightful views.

How come the 'real' Taliban that were fighting in Afghanistan are planning to attack the Pakistan Army in Mohmand and Bajaur?

 

[SSGPA1]

i would suggest you to watch the second video of Imran Khan where he tells about how the son of a tareeq insaf worker of that area lost his legs in an air strike by a cobra and this by the way is broad casted on geo capital talk. Lets see whats your take on that?.

Very sad indeed. I have kids so I can understand the agony of that parent. May Allah bless that kid and all kids around the world and save them from such violence.

Do you honestly believe that a Cobra pilot would take an innocent kid?? This could be an accident, this also could be a case of mistaken identity. Imran Khan is trying to prove that poor kid was hit on purpose! That is my problem with these people. This is how they support Taliban.

All it says that the army isnt even acting in areas where their are AQ and taliban instead they are just bombing villages which are causing the death of civilians and not one taliban or AQ member and Hamid meer has put an open challenge.

Who the hell is Hamid Mir to tell PA where to bomb?? PA is at war and not Hamid Mir or Geo! Tell Hamid Mir to investigate Mir Shakeel-ur-Rehman and Javed-ur-Rehman for their corruption in Geo and Jang Group.

That freak sleeps in an a/c room every night after kissing his kids good bye while our brothers are fighting this manace away from any comfort and away from their loved ones!!

 

[IceCold]

After seeing this thread, I am sad to say Mr. IceCold that I have lost the respect for you.

I am not surprised at all. A difference of opinion here is treated in the same fashion. Anyways shoot the message (if you can that is) and not the messenger.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Anyways shoot the message (if you can that is) and not the messenger.

Valid point - however it remains true that Hamid Mir's analysis is old (before the Swat Operation), and Imran Khan has shown himself to be quite the flawed analyst, what with his romanticism of the 'untouchable, born guerrilla warrior Pashtun Tribes, because of what the PA has accomplished in Swat.

 

[IceCold]

Very sad indeed. I have kids so I can understand the agony of that parent. May Allah bless that kid and all kids around the world and save them from such violence.

I am really happy you felt this way no matter how different our opinion is from each other. To call something wrong "wrong" is what matters.

Do you honestly believe that a Cobra pilot would take an innocent kid?? This could be an accident, this also could be a case of mistaken identity. Imran Khan is trying to prove that poor kid was hit on purpose! That is my problem with these people. This is how they support Taliban.

Its does not matter what i believe or for that matter you believe. What matters is that kid and many like him all over Pakistan are loosing legs/arms, their lives and much more and in the name of what the "collateral damage".

Who the hell is Hamid Mir to tell PA where to bomb?? PA is at war and not Hamid Mir or Geo! Tell Hamid Mir to investigate Mir Shakeel-ur-Rehman and Javed-ur-Rehman for their corruption in Geo and Jang Group.

You got it all wrong. He isnt telling PA where to bomb, all he is doing was putting an open challenge to anymore who can prove him otherwise and in return he will leave journalism for good. That remains to be seen yet.