by Pooja Shali Asif Ali Zardari seems to be creating one storm after another. As if his extremely vocal appreciation of Sarah Palin’s beauty was not enough, there appeared one more explosion from the late Benazir Bhutto’s husband. The recent one, however, is more dramatic and exclusive. In an interview to Bret Stephens of The Wall Street Journal, Zardari confessed to the active presence of militant Islamic groups in J&K (according to him within the Indian occupied border). He elaborated by referring to them as ‘terrorists’ and continued to say that they are not ‘freedom fighters’ as Musharraf must have liked.
As the broadcast and print media began to flash these exclusive words, our countrymen were stunned. Coming from a Pakistani President, predecessors of whom have supported the absurd so-called freedom struggle, this was an uncanny moment.
The defence minister of Pakistan (on Times Now) expressed shock at this statement, and tried to cover up the matter stating that the president was misconstrued. So was it really a preposterous blunder by Zardari? Or the leadership of Pakistan has decided to finally withdraw its support to the ongoing terrorism in Kashmir? Or was it just another well planned political move?
The author would like to believe that it’s all three of the above. Pakistan has thought and rethought its stand on Kashmir. The upheaval that their government has supported for decades in Kashmir, which ruined a million lives, has begun to haunt them now in the global arena. While its favourite neighbour is all set to sign a nuclear deal, Pakistan is busy trying to hide its inner turmoil that has also paralysed its borders. Constant references to terrorism in India supported by the ISI, became too much of a burden for its leadership. The inability to counter such claims has also unwrapped Pakistan’s insecure present and uncertain future. Perhaps, it was obvious that Zardari came out to be an authority against terrorism in the valley as opposed to supporting it. Whether or not he meant his words, is a different game altogether.
The Pakistani government weighed too much of its integrity on Kashmir, but failed miserably to convince the world that it was a fair deal. They seemed to have realised the rickety platform on which Pakistan currently stands. Expanding space for Kashmir will only push them into murky waters. For a while it shall be a wise standpoint for Pakistan to depart from their pretentious adoration of the valley and concentrate on its inner advancement.
PPP might try to clarify his stance by distinguishing terrorism and Kashmir Liberation Movement as two separate entities, but the debacle has been witnessed. The smouldering divide between Muslim separatists and Pakistani leadership is unbolted for the world to see.
Going by the current scenario in valley where ‘Yahan chalo’ and ‘Wahan chalo’ movements are in vogue, the isolation of separatists is visible. A Frankenstein they created against non-Muslims in Kashmir has today re-emerged to attack their own side, and certainly with a more monstrous outline.
As for Zardari, if he tries to clarify his words anymore, I too shall have a small advice for him- “Mr.President, the sooner you try and understand the ideology of Pakistani leadership the better it shall be for your throne”.
18 comments:
Repitition along with some comments, and advices. . .lol.
Nice writing skills though.
He revealed the truth in the history of Pakistan. he eqvioucally expressed bitter truth hardly digestable for extremist forces in the region. We appreciate his statement.
I hope he doesn't have to eat his words....
Should Zardari's opinions on anything (save Palin's beauty) be taken seriously?
No, it shouldn't...but if President of a country which has been supporting terrorism for years gives such a contradictory remark..we need to analyse where it really is coming from and specifically for whom :-)
At Present State of Pakistan is facing hard and crucial time and extremely pressure from world community as well as Jammu Kashmir diaspora political activists. They have no other option left despite reject terrorism by any one indeginious or non indeginous....
But, unfortunately as expected they have moved back a step from their statement, and again assured full support to the ongoing Terrorism, of course in diplomatic language.
Because Kayani and his hounds in ISI will not tolerate and dilute any of their position they have assiduously built over years around Kashmir. Kashmir and it's terror players, fuel the army in Pakistan and no one who is in power can ever dilute that lest at the cost of his/her own life!!!!! That's Pakistan - a failed, miserable, despicable, ruinous state..........
I like what you have to say Pooja. You nailed it with the 'yahaan chalo, wahaan chalo' line. The so called leaders of Kashmir must realize that they have nowhere to go. And while it is no surprise that Zardari has retracted its statement after the collective gasps of horror from Pakistan, the Kashmir issue is becoming a burden for Pak. It is close to becoming the proverbial albatross around its neck. While Pakistan has no rightful claim to Kashmir and truly, no respect for what Kashmir really stands for, it just can't let go of it either because of the short term votes the chest beating about Kashmir gets its politicians.
Yes the writer has called a spade a spade to the President.The Pakistan ruling party should concentrate on their governance instead of fuelling trouble outside their country.Pakistan Tehreek e Taliban has spread its tentacles in all provinces of Pakistan.In past three months many explosive loaded trucks were found in Islamabad,Rawalpindi.The recent blast at international hotel Marriot in Islamabad is the proof of the writ of Talibans in that country.NWFP is virtually ruled by Talibans who operate around Peshawar openly.They have terrible financial crisis,budget:s deficits deficit,food shortage and strong regional divide.Their whole ecnomy is in shambles.Their Govtt is on weak ground.Anytime,there will be political turmoil in that country.Balochistan Liberation Army want to break away from Punjabi dominanted Pakistan.That movement is indigenous and has public support there.India has very weak National policies.
Mr President as a person appears willing to smoothen relation with India.He told to Mehbooba Mufti PDP leader when she met him during her tour to Pakistan that Kashmiri boys should be given pens in hand instead of AK-47.Now Mr President labelled Kashmiri as terrorists.He may be meaningful in his outburst.But,the fundamentalist in Pakistan and ISI wont allow him to utter such words which cracks the basis of creation of Pakistan.The writer should farward this write up to some newspaper for public consumption.It is real observation and projected in matured way.Thank u i like it.We should rebut such statements and raise our objection to such overtures.Carry on.Kashmiri muslim would never had dared to launch such militant movement,if Pakistan would not ahve given all round support through arms,money,diplomatic,intellectual and media in India and at international level.Our media fell prey to Pak masters allurments and to their jargons of Azadi,Human right violation etc.
Unmindful of the consequences, a Pakistani leader has spoken the trutht for the first ime during the last two decades.
I know it is very unusual for you people because you never expect a true word could come out of their lips. Therefore, please forgive him.
Let us not read too much into it. A quote here and there is not going to change anything, particularly when it comes from a powerless person like Zardari (relative to ISI and military top brass). It makes good TV, but then so does a man biting a dog. Kashmir imbroglio has been the bread and butter of Pakistani politics and military, it is not fading away any time soon.
I like the way you have put it across Puja. Nicely done. It is actually a true ref;ection of the apalling state of Pakistan's polity that they have such a rudderless person like Zardari at the helm of affairs.Wonder if he is any different from the flip-flop Presidents of the past!
Prima facie, Zardari appears to be a balanced and reasonable man. His Kasmir and terrorism remark was what came from his heart because he himself believes in that.
After the flak he received from domestic front, he had to modify his statement. I am with him. It's not time yet to nail him.
Hi Pooja,
That was a nice view about what must be going on in Pakistan.
Only thing I would write here is if ,Pakistan is going by the fenetics like Mollah and only Kuran is going to be taught in Maderessas then I think that there can be no better fate then what Pakistan is now and may get worse.
One needs to be better off while getting himself educated and that too that education be used in upliftment of society and should not de diversed for distruction in the world.
Wht Prez said reflects the internal turmoil Pakistan is going through. Its ironical that the same country which sheltered and fed terrorists has today become the biggest target of this.
Grandpa Gilani and uncle Mirwaiz must have been busy finding places to hide their faces!
Hope they have put the reverse gears to their vehicles which every now and then,they wanted to drive towards pakistan.
That is misunderstanding between media and zardara real comments.
After this situation Zardari says, its wrong, he can't says this.
I'm not interested in the politics part of it. But surely it was wonderful reading and watching his comments on video! Made a mockery of himself. Didn't he!
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