Time to come down to earth

[T-Faz]

The writer is a retired army officer who served in Fata and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa khalid.munir@tribune.com.pk​

This eventful May has left the nation bewildered, demoralised and confused. First, the Abbottabad incident left serious doubts about the capabilities of our armed forces to defend the borders. The second incident at PNS Mehran base revealed astonishing flaws in the security of key installations of our armed forces. That six (the navy says there were more) militants can infiltrate a supposedly secure naval airbase with ease, destroying aircraft at will and hold their position against hundreds of soldiers for 16 hours was something the nation could not digest. Materially, it was the costliest terror attack so far, but the psychological cost or the damage to the morale of the nation cannot be measured in material terms.

As far as the Abbottabad raid is concerned, an in-camera briefing was arranged for members of the parliament, of which certain details have trickled down to the masses. Apparently, it seems that the politicians are satisfied that they got answers to their questions. However, the nation still remains in the dark about the events and whatever they have heard, from one source or the other, is not enough. The media, in absence of concrete information from authentic sources, has resorted to panel discussions with retired military personnel known as ‘defence analysts’. These analysts, although able to give a general insight into the workings of the forces, are normally without adequate knowledge of the event they are discussing.

So far, whatever information was given to us was devoid of truth. It is time for the government and the ISPR to take the nation into confidence on both events, as well as on the war on terror. Share the problems the government is facing and people will understand. The nation must be told that our army is not equipped to fight American technology and that we try to keep the balance of power with India only at a great cost. It’s time to make people realise that even though we have the nuclear weapons, we are way behind in other fields. The nation must be taken into confidence about drone attacks as well. If they are beneficial, people should hear it from the prime minister or army chief, and not through WikiLeaks.

Additonally, it is time to act upon Article 256 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which prohibits the formation of armed militant organisations. If it was government policy to form such organisations in the past, it has proved counterproductive. Leaders of such organisations should be engaged in talks and should voluntarily disband them. Otherwise, force should be used to finish this menace once for all.

Lastly, the nation must be told that we are the poorest of the poor countries. We are a resource-starved country. We call ourselves an agricultural country, yet we do not have water. Pakistan was born poor.

It is time to come down to earth.​

Time to come down to earth – The Express Tribune

 

[deckingraj]

^^^^^^^^^^
Not sure how many are ready to listen.....anyhow poverty part is not just true for Pakistan but is for the entire region....

 

[T-Faz]

^^^^^^^^^^
Not sure how many are ready to listen.....anyhow poverty part is not just true for Pakistan but is for the entire region....

Not many are ready to listen, poverty in other nations will decrease, the rest in our region are well on their way while poverty will increase in Pakistan.

We used to be in the ideal position during the 60's and greater part of 70's but things took a turn for worse.

Sadly the reality is that we are poor, we are disliked globally, our past achievements are forgotten and we are not associated with anything good, we have become what we should have been fighting against.

Don't get me wrong, there are still good people and glimmers of hope here, unfortunately the majority does not want to progress.

 

[somebozo]

All of this would not be happening today if it was not for the US backed and "selected" democracy. People of Pakistan did not vote for corrupt incompetent scum sitting in our parliament today.

Sitting on 198 billion tons of lignite and some of the largest rivers on earth is not exactly resource starved.

 

[KALKI]

People of Pakistan did not vote for corrupt incompetent scum sitting in our parliament today.

Keep living in denial.

 

[Hindustani]

Keep living in denial.

Proves deckingraj and T-Fazs' point of people not ready to listen.

 

[VelocuR]

Everything turned worst due to Soviet Union invading Afghanistan. That's simple as that. Hey, it is not END of this world, we can progress to bring our country back (of GDP 200 billion) !

This sudden shock of May is very interesting experiences. We Pakistanis must support our Army, our backbone.

Agree with this article, open eyes.

The writer is a retired army officer who served in Fata and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

Don't get me wrong, there are still good people and glimmers of hope here, unfortunately the majority does not want to progress. T-Faz

I believe it is our blood to cheat, lie, and corrupt in long times, we haven't learn many things in lessons.

 

[Hammy007]

till the common people those 95% will not rise and throw these garbages out from presidential house and parliment, it will keep happening, when will this nation rise, is a big question mark

 

[deckingraj]

till the common people those 95% will not rise and throw these garbages out from presidential house and parliment, it will keep happening, when will this nation rise, is a big question mark

Not sure how many will agree here but Pakistan need an independent foreign policy...That is a must....Obsession of any kind needs to be thrown out of the window and entire focus should shift from military might to economic might...This is the mantra of today's world... Once that happens i am sure those awesome years of 6%-7% GDP will be back with a bang and this time will stay for a much longer period....

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

We do need a revolution like Iran if we will ever get independence from these AID shackles

 

[AAtish]

The writer is a retired army officer who served in Fata and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa khalid.munir@tribune.com.pk​

This eventful May has left the nation bewildered, demoralised and confused. First, the Abbottabad incident left serious doubts about the capabilities of our armed forces to defend the borders. The second incident at PNS Mehran base revealed astonishing flaws in the security of key installations of our armed forces. That six (the navy says there were more) militants can infiltrate a supposedly secure naval airbase with ease, destroying aircraft at will and hold their position against hundreds of soldiers for 16 hours was something the nation could not digest. Materially, it was the costliest terror attack so far, but the psychological cost or the damage to the morale of the nation cannot be measured in material terms.

As far as the Abbottabad raid is concerned, an in-camera briefing was arranged for members of the parliament, of which certain details have trickled down to the masses. Apparently, it seems that the politicians are satisfied that they got answers to their questions. However, the nation still remains in the dark about the events and whatever they have heard, from one source or the other, is not enough. The media, in absence of concrete information from authentic sources, has resorted to panel discussions with retired military personnel known as ‘defence analysts’. These analysts, although able to give a general insight into the workings of the forces, are normally without adequate knowledge of the event they are discussing.

So far, whatever information was given to us was devoid of truth. It is time for the government and the ISPR to take the nation into confidence on both events, as well as on the war on terror. Share the problems the government is facing and people will understand. The nation must be told that our army is not equipped to fight American technology and that we try to keep the balance of power with India only at a great cost. It’s time to make people realise that even though we have the nuclear weapons, we are way behind in other fields. The nation must be taken into confidence about drone attacks as well. If they are beneficial, people should hear it from the prime minister or army chief, and not through WikiLeaks.

Additonally, it is time to act upon Article 256 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which prohibits the formation of armed militant organisations. If it was government policy to form such organisations in the past, it has proved counterproductive. Leaders of such organisations should be engaged in talks and should voluntarily disband them. Otherwise, force should be used to finish this menace once for all.

Lastly, the nation must be told that we are the poorest of the poor countries. We are a resource-starved country. We call ourselves an agricultural country, yet we do not have water. Pakistan was born poor.

It is time to come down to earth.​

Time to come down to earth – The Express Tribune

I have no problem with the article, but looking at the bold sentences, I really feel laughing, why should Pakistan government tell it?

The details are gore and gash. It is not feasible to discuss them openly. It is still being discussed if the details should be made public or not

Sounds familiar?

 

[Dance]

till the common people those 95% will not rise and throw these garbages out from presidential house and parliment, it will keep happening, when will this nation rise, is a big question mark

Thank you! Until the people either demand the government to resign or demand changes in government, the situation in Pakistan will never change

 

[Bhim]

Not many are ready to listen, poverty in other nations will decrease, the rest in our region are well on their way while poverty will increase in Pakistan.

We used to be in the ideal position during the 60's and greater part of 70's but things took a turn for worse.

Sadly the reality is that we are poor, we are disliked globally, our past achievements are forgotten and we are not associated with anything good, we have become what we should have been fighting against.

Don't get me wrong, there are still good people and glimmers of hope here, unfortunately the majority does not want to progress.

@ Tfaz,
Sir, I had always thought that this forum is run by ISI or its organization..
But reading you and other moderators posts, I can conclude that you lot are to quite an extent neutral.
Every body is a patriot, and I can feel the agony in you words when you type this.
We wish your country the best for the future.
Just curb eradicate all and every form of terrorism from Pakistan. Do not categorize them into good or bad.
Then things will start falling into the right place.
The world wants to help you, it is not against you..

 

[Hammy007]

Not sure how many will agree here but Pakistan need an independent foreign policy...That is a must....Obsession of any kind needs to be thrown out of the window and entire focus should shift from military might to economic might...This is the mantra of today's world... Once that happens i am sure those awesome years of 6%-7% GDP will be back with a bang and this time will stay for a much longer period....

give me one reason the current government should not be thrown out???

 

[deckingraj]

give me one reason the current government should not be thrown out???

Though there are many however let me say none...so what are other options???