Nazia Nazar
Some of our leading intellectual lights, analysts and panelists have the penchant for self-flagellation. They resort to scathing criticism on Pakistan’s policies and its institutions more than the enemies of Pakistan do. A few Pakistani pseudo-intellectuals settled in the US and London including sold out souls in Pakistan write books, columns and organize conferences to spew venom against Pakistan and its institutions. A conference titled “Future of Pakistan” was organized in London under aegis of South Asians against Terrorism & for Human Rights (SAATH) on 28-30 October 2016. SAATH is a recently raised forum and the conference was co-hosted by a US-based activist Dr. Mohammad Taqi and former ambassador Hussain Haqqani. Other prominent participants included two ANP leaders, MQM London leader Wasay Jalil, ex-Diplomats Wajid Shamsul Hassan and Hussain Haqqani, and writers and columnists Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa, Marvi Sermad, Gul Bukhari and Dr. Taimur Rahman.
The aim of SAATH forum, according to them, is “to find an alternative narrative to get rid of the Albatross hanging in Pakistan’s neck, the establishment.” Some remarks by participants from videos released on YouTube were alarming. Murtaza Solangi said: “Smaller provinces are forcefully bound in Pakistan; it’s a prison and Pakistan is heading into a direction, which will make it worse than Yugoslavia.” An MQM activist and blogger said: “Why cannot all of us here write at least one article or blog to raise the issue of suppression of Mohajir community.” Bushra Gauhar (ANP) said: “Balochistan is burning, FATA has been raised to ground; Pakistan is in self-destructive mode and our neighbors are angry.” Detractors of Pakistan have been organizing such conferences on foreign soils, as they know that people of Pakistan would reject their vile acts.
Pakistan is passing through the most testing time of its history. Illiteracy, lack of technological prowess, high rate of unemployment, abject poverty, inflation, price hike, political instability, war on terrorism and external intrigues are serious challenges for Pakistan. Domestic media, educational institutions and ruling elite appear to have forgotten the significance of our own core values and the ideals that could ensure social justice to achieve cohesion in the society. A select group of media anchors not only holds prime time TV Talk Shows to promote skewed logic and opinions but also project views through print media, leaving no space for the patriotic elements to offer their comments on the quality of contents discussed during panel discussions. Resultantly, freedom of expression is repressed by media itself, as few anchors and media have monopolized the media market and have formed powerful syndicates to support each other while silencing the voice of reason.
Hence, serious issues like terrorism, threat to external security get confused and perplexed, causing psychological stress for the audience. The media anchors pose themselves as pedantic and know-all whereas actually they lack knowledge and insight to make correct perceptions on real issues. Consequently, they tend to project the themes tossed around by so-called liberal intelligentsia and political leaders to promote their agenda. Unfortunately, Pakistani media has not been able to build public pressure to convince the authorities concerned to pay attention on foreign sponsored schemes designed to change the relevant contents of text books and syllabi promoting ideology of Pakistan, glorification of past Islamic history and moral values as related to our social order. Anti-Pakistan forces appear to have collaborated with domestic media and some anchors to indirectly weaken Pakistan by inculcating ideas in opposition to sense of patriotism. Some anchor persons bring the military and intelligence agencies under discussion and blame them for every wrong in the country.
Balochistan, the resource-rich province of Pakistan, is very much in rivaling eyes, and some regional powers as well as imperialistic powers intend to expand their influence in the region to gain control of minerals and other economic resources. On development of Gwadar Port and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), some writers and intellectuals have different opinion. They resort to polemics to prove their point and advance the views of the dissident Baloch sardars. One such writer wrote an article under the caption ‘A few questions answered’, and stated: “The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the centre of interest for China, Pakistan and, naturally the world, as all perceive it according to the strategic and economic advantages and disadvantages it holds for them. Whatever importance it may hold for others, it is extremely important for the Baloch whose lives it will destroy in the name of development.” There is no denying that Balochistan was neglected during British Raj and also by various governments of Pakistan since 1947, with the result that Balochistan lacks technological prowess and economic resources to exploit its minerals and untapped resources. In this context, Pakistan had sought China’s help in developing Gwadar into an international port with a future plan to link it with Kashgar (China). No doubt, Gwadar deep sea port has great potential to boost Pakistan’s economy; and mineral resources of Balochistan could bring prosperity not only to the people of Balochistan but also people of other provinces. Of course, people of Balochistan stand to gain more, as they will have the first right in business and employment opportunities. All Chinese investment, be it for expansion of Gawadar port or roads and other assets will remain the property of the Balochistan, as these assets cannot be shifted elsewhere.
