The front page of the Times of 17 January shows a marine carrying a heavily bandaged Afghan child severely wounded due to coalition forces air strike in Afghanistan. All those watching the picture might erroneously believe the US-led coalition troops in Afghanistan are there to help the Afghan people, to introduce democracy and to emancipate Afghan women.
Nothing could be farther from truth. A cartoon circulated on the internet recently explains a lot. Uncle Sam sits wearing his proverbial hat and the caption underneath reads: Be nice to America, otherwise well introduce democracy to your country.
We too are reaping the benefits of democracy; not a day passes without suicide attacks, bomb blasts, and news of mega corruption scandals by the mighty. The CIA operated drones take off from our own bases and kill our people because Uncle Sam pays us for it.
What a shame! What has happened in Tunisia is building up here too. It is only a matter of time before the corrupt rulers of this country will be running for their lives.
MIRZA TUFTAN BAIG
Lahore
