The US is supporting rights bodies in Pakistan and this act of the US embassy is beyond comprehension. The US should boost its support for rights bodies and its support to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender will not be considered an appropriate act. Majority of the Pakistanis are Muslims and they do not like intervention in their religious and cultural affairs.
Many term the function as ‘cultural terrorism’ executed on behalf of the US mission and the event is aimed at to encourage bisexualism in the country. There was no need to conduct the function when public opinion in Pakistan is not very favourable for the US after Raymond Davis case and the US raid in Abbottabad.
The Pakistan Penal Code declares homosexuality a crime punishable by a prison sentence of up to two years. Many have urged the US to improve its diplomatic ties with Pakistan and other Muslim countries and cease extending any support to gay events.
The US should focus its attention on the war on terror and try to resolve Pakistan’s economic troubles caused by its policies in the region. The US should note that in Saudi Arabia, transsexuals are reported to have been given special role of guarding the sacred places as they are seen as exemplary devotees with no family ties.
It will be a good step if the US urges Pakistan to reform religious schools, civil society, institutions, and infrastructure. The US policy makers should ponder over this point why the people of Pakistan love China and its policies and suspect every act of the US in Pakistan. It is indeed a strange thing that the US is extending its support to gay people and ignoring the plight of Kashmiri people in the Indian-held Kashmir, who want freedom from the yoke of Indian oppression.
AWAIS QARNI
Kasur