Young professionals launch liberal website on Pakistan
Friday, September 01, 2006
javascript:; http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/print.asp?page=2006\09\01\story_1-9-2006_pg7_32
By Khalid Hasan
WASHINGTON: A group of young Pakistani professionals in America have launched a new liberal website called New Pakistan.
Syed Husainy, a Pakistani-American businessman, who has helped mount the initiative, said New Pakistan would be political but non-partisan. It will support the restoration of constitutional democracy in Pakistan and ââ¬Åall the oppressed peoples of Pakistan, notwithstanding occasional disagreements with our democratic political leaders and partiesââ¬Â. He said a political struggle, by definition, cannot be perfect. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah embraced many flawed figures to lead South Asiaââ¬â¢s Muslims in the creation of Pakistan. Good ends such as stability and economic development should not become the justification for bad means like military intervention in politics. ââ¬ÅWith that philosophy of political realism, New Pakistan starts its journey of advocating a Pakistan that is peaceful, prosperous, and democratic, reflecting the aspirations and interests of its people rather than the ambitions of an oligarchy wedded to a vague ideology.
The inaugural editorial entitled ââ¬ËNeed for a New Beginningââ¬â¢, said Pakistan was not meant to be a military dictatorship or, for that matter, the breeding ground for religious extremism. It has become both. In 59 years, Pakistan has undergone a second partition in the form of the separation of Bangladesh and has been plagued with ethnic or sectarian disharmony. For more than half the period of Pakistanââ¬â¢s existence, the country has had either no constitution or a suspension of the constitutional order. Transfers of power have almost always been the result of military or palace coups. Pakistan is a nuclear weapons power but is unable to provide clean drinking water to a majority of its citizens. The wealth of a few has increased but so has the misery of the many.
The editorial said, ââ¬ÅEducated Pakistanis sometimes get tired of what they see as constant criticism of Pakistan in the international media. Some respond by blaming Pakistanââ¬â¢s enemies for painting a stark picture of the Pakistani situation. Others try to point towards the softer side of Pakistan, arguing that Pakistanââ¬â¢s reality includes the hard work of its people and the creativity of its citizens. But the success or failure of a nation or state, both of which are political concepts, cannot be measured by recounting the poems of poets, the songs of musicians, the mystical dances of Sufis and the scores of sportsmen. In the final analysis, the value of a political ideal can only be assessed by political criteria.ââ¬Â
Pakistan, the editorial added, is a complex reality, but its political evolution ââ¬â or lack of it ââ¬â is the real reason Pakistan is seen by the world as ââ¬Åthe sick man of South Asiaââ¬Â. Instead of war and conflict with neighbours, Pakistananââ¬â¢s energies need to be focused on building a just and inclusive political order. Instead of militarism and militancy, Pakistan needs to embrace moderation, tolerance and democracy. Instead of rejecting the countryââ¬â¢s internal and external critics as ââ¬Ånegative peopleââ¬Â or ââ¬Åenemies of Pakistan,ââ¬Â their concerns need to be addressed.
Friday, September 01, 2006
javascript:; http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/print.asp?page=2006\09\01\story_1-9-2006_pg7_32
By Khalid Hasan
WASHINGTON: A group of young Pakistani professionals in America have launched a new liberal website called New Pakistan.
Syed Husainy, a Pakistani-American businessman, who has helped mount the initiative, said New Pakistan would be political but non-partisan. It will support the restoration of constitutional democracy in Pakistan and ââ¬Åall the oppressed peoples of Pakistan, notwithstanding occasional disagreements with our democratic political leaders and partiesââ¬Â. He said a political struggle, by definition, cannot be perfect. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah embraced many flawed figures to lead South Asiaââ¬â¢s Muslims in the creation of Pakistan. Good ends such as stability and economic development should not become the justification for bad means like military intervention in politics. ââ¬ÅWith that philosophy of political realism, New Pakistan starts its journey of advocating a Pakistan that is peaceful, prosperous, and democratic, reflecting the aspirations and interests of its people rather than the ambitions of an oligarchy wedded to a vague ideology.
The inaugural editorial entitled ââ¬ËNeed for a New Beginningââ¬â¢, said Pakistan was not meant to be a military dictatorship or, for that matter, the breeding ground for religious extremism. It has become both. In 59 years, Pakistan has undergone a second partition in the form of the separation of Bangladesh and has been plagued with ethnic or sectarian disharmony. For more than half the period of Pakistanââ¬â¢s existence, the country has had either no constitution or a suspension of the constitutional order. Transfers of power have almost always been the result of military or palace coups. Pakistan is a nuclear weapons power but is unable to provide clean drinking water to a majority of its citizens. The wealth of a few has increased but so has the misery of the many.
The editorial said, ââ¬ÅEducated Pakistanis sometimes get tired of what they see as constant criticism of Pakistan in the international media. Some respond by blaming Pakistanââ¬â¢s enemies for painting a stark picture of the Pakistani situation. Others try to point towards the softer side of Pakistan, arguing that Pakistanââ¬â¢s reality includes the hard work of its people and the creativity of its citizens. But the success or failure of a nation or state, both of which are political concepts, cannot be measured by recounting the poems of poets, the songs of musicians, the mystical dances of Sufis and the scores of sportsmen. In the final analysis, the value of a political ideal can only be assessed by political criteria.ââ¬Â
Pakistan, the editorial added, is a complex reality, but its political evolution ââ¬â or lack of it ââ¬â is the real reason Pakistan is seen by the world as ââ¬Åthe sick man of South Asiaââ¬Â. Instead of war and conflict with neighbours, Pakistananââ¬â¢s energies need to be focused on building a just and inclusive political order. Instead of militarism and militancy, Pakistan needs to embrace moderation, tolerance and democracy. Instead of rejecting the countryââ¬â¢s internal and external critics as ââ¬Ånegative peopleââ¬Â or ââ¬Åenemies of Pakistan,ââ¬Â their concerns need to be addressed.
