Waiting for miracles

Soon after 9/11 when George Bush threatened the world with ‘either you are with us or you are with the terrorists’, many people took exception to this doctrine dividing the world between black and white per Americans perspective. But sadly what Bush said is very true for Pakistan wherein society has been polarized to the extent getting divided into two camps — those who are against the Taliban and those who are openly or covertly supporting the Taliban. There is no gray area; this division is crystal clear. Regardless of suicide bombings, bloodshed, indiscriminate killing of innocents, destruction of infrastructure, attacks on schools and health center, repeated attacks on security forces, Pakistan’ right-wing political and religious parties are firmly standing by the Taliban. Two events this Tuesday are sufficient to prove the point. Head of country’ largest religious party, Jamaat-e-Islami, declared that great men like OBL are born in centuries; OBL is still alive in people’ hearts and his martyrdom will be remembered for years to come. Jamaat’s applaud for OBL, same as earlier he declared Taliban chief Hakeem Mehsud as martyr, warrants no more comments as he is just proving Bush’ statement of Sept. 20, 2001. Then the sad incident in Peshawar wherein a ceremony to launch Malala Yousafzai’s biography was cancelled by the KPK government citing security concerns. We all know why it got cancelled – it’s same as earlier none of the KPK government officials visited Aitzaz’s family – the boy who confronted a suicide bomber trying to enter his school. Aitzaz died but saved hundreds of students attending the morning assembly.

It’s sad that day by day Pakistan is plunging into darkness; entering into an alley with no exit. Many people say Pakistan will be saved by miracle, but the age of miracles has gone past; in today’s world you only reap what you sow.

MASOOD KHAN

Jubail, Saudi Arabia