At least they don’t have Pervez Musharaf to kick around any more
Bhutto and Kissinger
Anjum Niaz’s 5 August 2008 article “The Remains of the Day” repeats the old urban legend of Henry Kissinger allegedly threatening Zulfikar Ali Bhutto by promising “We’ll make a horrible example of you”. Mr. Bhutto’s courage in standing up for the nation’s nuclear program is unquestionable.
Nevertheless, in the interests of historical accuracy, it is appropriate to note that Mr. Kissinger left office several years before Mr. Bhutto. Upon that occasion, Mr. Bhutto communicated his regrets at Kissinger’s departure in a personal handwritten note to the latter. It does no disservice to Mr. Bhutto to note that this gesture reflected grace and courtesy, but no fear or antagonism.
Sincerely,
Saad Gul
http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=128108
Nitpicking
Excellent point from Brian Boyd regarding the DAWN headline “Former Bangladesh foreign minister jailed in absentia”
As Brian so eloquently puts it:
Convicted in absentia? . . . okay. Sentenced in absentia? . . . possible. Jailed in absentia? . . . uh, no. Unless he has an incredibly dedicated proxy.
Two great insights into modern Pakistan
If you want to get away from the standard potrayals of bigoted hirsute misogynists burning American flags, here’s a couple of suggestions:
http://gregmortenson.blogspot.com/
See also www.inthenameofgod.com
The NY Times blames Pakistan again….
With a series of half-baked half truths.
As I try to do, I wrote the NYT trying to get them to print our side of the story. As usual, I wont be holding my breath.
Your August 1, 2008 article “Pakistanis Aided Attack in Kabul, U.S. Officials Say” is disappointing because it omits some crucial details. One, that the Pakistani military and intelligence services have themselves been the targets of numerous murderous attacks – indeed, no country has lost more people, military and civilian, to Al Qaeda than Pakistan.
Second, the Pakistani consulate in Herat was attacked at approximately the same time as the Indian Embassy in Kabul.
Finally, India routinely blames Pakistan for every act of violence against its interests; in this case, the charges were levied virtually moments after the attack. Such charges should be seen as they are: a reflexive response on a traditional scapegoat, and no more.
Irony, defined….
Ground Control to Congressmen: per AP, Continentalflight carrying former presidential candidate Ron Paul and six other members of Congress was forced to make an emergency landing in New Orleans yesterday after a loss in cabin pressure. The Texas congressmen were on their way to Washington to vote on an aviation safety bill.
“It has pleased the Providence of the first Cause, the Universal Cause, that Abraham should give religion not only to Hebrews but to Christians and Mahomitans, the greatest part of the modern civilized world.”
– John Adams to M.M. Noah, July 31, 1818.
Nixon on his parents
I came across this speech from Nixon. It was the talk he gave his senior staff the day he was leaving the White House in disgrace. The part below (specially starred) brought tears to my eyes:
“I remember my old man. I think they would have called him sort of a little man, a common man. He didn’t consider himself that way. You know what he was? He was a streetcar motorman first, and then he was a farmer, and then he had a lemon ranch. ****It was the poorest lemon ranch in California, I can assure you. He sold it before they found oil on it. **** And then he was a grocer. But he was a great man, because he did his job and every job counts up to the hilt, regardless to what happens.”
Then he talked about his mother.
Nobody will write a book, probably, about my mother. Well, I guess all of you would say this about your mother – my mother was a saint.
Finally….
After years of silence, The News readers finally call this treacherous swine Shakir Hussain to task. If only DAWN readers would do the same for his equally third class father.
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| Thursday, June 19, 2008 It is indeed a torture of the worst kind when, because of the force of habit, you are forced to read in your favourite newspaper something which is a complete distortion of facts, malicious and biased. I had to go through this unpleasant experience while reading Shakir Husain’s article titled “Our heroes” published in your newspaper on June 11. In fact this article is an affront to the sensibilities and intellect of the people of Pakistan. The burden of the article is that Dr A Q Khan is a fake scientist who has no meaningful achievement to his credit, he is a thief and he is the “hero of the millions of Pakistanis” because of government’s propaganda. Also because of him, the authorities ignored the real hero who is Dr Abdus Salam. While normally one would ignore such garbage, but to put the record straight, I would briefly state some incontrovertible facts. Dr A Q Khan obtained his doctorate degree (PhD) in physical metallurgy from a prestigious European university. (Oxford dictionary describes metallurgy as the science concerned with the production, purification and properties of metals). He was then employed by a leading nuclear establishment in Holland where he acquired practical knowledge in the nuclear field. According to his own statement, when India carried its first nuclear test in 1974, he decided to come back to Pakistan and use the knowledge that he had acquired in Europe for the benefit of his country. This he did in a remarkable manner making the defence of Pakistan impregnable. Of course he was very fortunate to have mentors such as Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, General Ziaul Haq and Ghulam Ishaq Khan who supported his efforts to the halt. Dr A Q Khan who is not considered by Shakir Husain as a scientist has been conferred honorary degrees by a number of universities for his scientific achievements. He has remained the president of the Academy of Sciences, the highly prestigious body of scientists, for six years (two years more than the normal tenure). He has the unique distinction of receiving the highest civil award, Nishan-e-Imtiaz, twice for his services to the country and the nation. Regarding, his scientific achievements, apart from what he did for his country he has published hundreds of scientific articles in prestigious international journals. Now whether Dr Khan is a fake or a real scientist, should we depend on the verdict of the hundreds of scientists who elected him several times to be the president of the Academy of Sciences or accept the humbug of a little known self-styled business consultant? Regarding the accusation that Dr Khan stole nuclear secrets and brought it to Pakistan, this is incorrect as the Dutch Parliamentary Commission exonerated him as, according to the commission, he had no access to such information and had not done any thing wrong. However, if for argument’s sake Mr Husain’s charge is accepted then indeed Dr Khan is the most fortunate person to have done something which gave his countrymen the confidence and the courage to face an enemy many times more powerful. Regarding Mr Husain’s plea that Dr Salam has been ignored because of Dr Khan is completely off the mark. Dr Abdus Salam is venerated, loved and respected by all Pakistanis as is Dr Khan. Mr Husain has to understand that genuine veneration does not come because of government’s patronage. It is enshrined in the hearts of the people for those whom they think have given them recognition and their country a prestigious place in the comity of nations. Both Professor Salam, as the first Pakistani Nobel laureate and Dr Khan for making Pakistan the first Muslim nuclear power, have done this for their country. Amir Usman Islamabad (2) This refers to an article titled “Our heroes” by Shakir Husain published in your newspaper on June 11. The article was in bad taste to say the least. It ill behoves the writer to blatantly call Dr Abdul Qadir Khan a thief. Throughout his article, the writer seems to have expressed his grudge against the eminent scientist. The article asserts that Dr Khan is not a scientist but merely an engineer. Almost every Pakistani knows that Dr Khan is a metallurgist and he has never tried to hide this fact as has been alleged in the article. Also the writer while vehemently pleading the case of Dr Abdus Salam sounds totally out of context. He appears to be actively lobbying for Dr Salam as if he had been robbed of his status in Pakistan because of Dr Khan. The writer’s accusation that Dr Khan stole secret nuclear technology from abroad is pointless. He must not forget that every nuclear power of the world acquired this technology by using similar ‘unethical’ tactics, including the smuggling of radioactive materials/equipment. Overall, the article was misleading and contained false accusations. Tahira Farooq Lahore (3) It was really shocking to read the word ‘thief’ for the great Pakistani nuclear scientist, Dr Abdul Qadir Khan, in an article titled “Our heroes’ by Shakir Husain published in your newspaper on June11. I never read any article by Mr Husain condemning Israel and India for making atomic bombs then why is he maligning Dr Khan for making Pakistan a nuclear power? The writer seems ignorant of the fact that Israel stole uranium from America and made 300 bombs. Instead of being proud of being a citizen of a nuclear-armed country why unduly criticise our nuclear scientist? Dr Anwar Ul Haque Islamabad |
Lets Disenfranchize the non-Balochis we haven’t killed yet
It is highly unfortunate that the Leader of the House in the Senate is now advocating limiting the franchise in Balochistan to “native Balochis.” It is even more unfortunate that his fellow Senators, who had been falling all over themselves to appeal to Senator Sanaullah Baloch, did not challenge his assertion. Of course, this is hardly surprising since members of both houses have kept a spectacular silence on the murders of innocent Punjabis in Balochistan.
It is evident from this that Pakistani citizenship now means nothing in the face of parochial bigotry in the smaller provinces. This process of appeasement – started by the decision to unilaterally strip the Biharis of their citizenship – can only end with every Pakistani citizen confined to their home village.
The fears of the Baloch are important and should be addressed. But deciding that some Pakistani citizens are lesser than others is a course certain to lead to disaster.
