We all must have witnessed the painful cries of Captain Wasi’s innocent daughter, Laila, echoing on the media channels. But despite much hue and cry by the aggrieved families, the government has failed to do much other than lip service to secure the release of Pakistanis kidnapped by Somali pirates.
Recently due to the intrepid efforts of human rights activist Mr Ansar Burney, the abducted Pakistanis, along with a number of Indian and Sri Lankan sailors who had been apprehended by Somali pirates for the last one year have now been released. But the sad part about all this is that the Pakistani society appeared more philanthropic as compared to other countries. Mr Burney himself confessed that some Indians backed out from paying the ransom at the last moment, putting the fate of all the hostages in jeopardy.
Pakistanis, on the other hand, were the most active in negotiations with the pirates and also actively participated in contributing financially. I congratulate our nation for generously and selflessly working for this cause and declaring that Pakistan is a lot more than a rogue state.
KIRAN ASHRAF
Karachi