Everyone Singing to a Different Tune

Now that military operation has apparently come close to a conclusion in Swat; most people agree it was a step taken in the right direction despite differences in how brutally it destroyed infrastructure & caused incalculable collateral damage. Our political leadership was also as divided on the issue, though for their own interests, as depicted in this cover by Sabir Nazar for The Friday Times.

Now the Government’s success only depends on full restoration of peace; relocation of millions of IDPs back to their homes and prevention of insurgency from taking roots again in the affected areas. If our Government is to be believed; the current pause in terrorism related incidents in major cities including Lahore might be a result of this operation. We only hope the Government is telling the truth and that this operation has, in actuality, weakened the network of terrorists instead of providing them with a breeding ground for future recruits in the form of refugees.

And we sincerely pray this pause is not short-lived and that we truly will eradicate radicalism and terrorism from our society; not only in Malakand Division but also in every major city, town and village of Pakistan.

Yesterday, the Namaz-e-Janazah (funeral prayers) of Dr. Sarfraz Naeemi, who was martyred in a suicide attack this Friday, was offered and attended by thousands at the same Jamia Naeemia Madrassah which he used to head. Markets and commercial centres were closed in all major cities and towns in the renowned cleric’s memory as the whole nation mourned his loss.

Jamia Naeemia after the blast targeting Dr. Sarfraz Naeemi

Image source & more pictures at: BBC News

Through this incident, the militants have given this war a major turn towards the moderates. Dr. Sarfraz was a progressive cleric who had issued fatwas against suicide bombings and killing of innocent men, women and children by the terrorist activities of the Taliban.

Dr. Naeemi’s loss has now enraged a significant section of society, the moderate religious lot, who are now going to follow the respected cleric’s footsteps by denouncing terrorism and extremism in all its forms. This would add more weight to the support gained by the government’s army offensive against miscreants in the troubled tribal areas plus Swat. The result might be hugely encouraging if the army is really succeeding in operation ‘Rah-e-Raast’. If it is not the case, we might see millions more becoming homeless, displaced and turning into possible recruits for furthering the terrorists’ agenda.

And we also need to stay vigilant against forces who may take this as an opportunity of igniting sectarian violence and hatred among our own people; a possibility that was seen for real at its ugliest in the Iraq war.

Scene of the Suicide Bomb Blast at Rescue 15 Station - Photo by Saad Sarfraz Sheikh at Demotix

It was not unexpected after the Government launched an all-out military action against the militants in SWAT that they will hit back harder this time. Again, the phenomenon of suicide bombings is not new; we have now been going through this for the last two years while losing thousands of innocent people and a former Prime Minister. What’s new is the scale and sophistication of these blasts.

Policemen posted at Rescue 15 station in front of the CCPO Office on Fatima Jinnah Road became victims to this reality when a Toyota Hiace screeched past security barriers and unleashed destruction on their glistening new office building. Six masked men are reported to have opened fire indiscriminately followed by a horrific explosion believed to be a suicide one. So far 30 people including 10 policemen have died with about 200 more reported injured. The police authorities have arrested some four suspects out of which two did not even look like one on TV (I mean which terrorist is civilized enough to carry an handkerchief and smile at the cameras).

There is no doubt about the fact that terrorism is Pakistan’s own problem but equally true is the fact that local elements are getting strong support from external forces. We were facing the challenge which was already unbearable and then our Government started a military campaign in populated areas of SWAT. Why was it difficult for our Government to understand the scale of humanitarian crisis resulting from such a major offensive? Today we have forced 2.7 million civilians to flee their homes, abandon their crops, cattle and belongings only to face rejection and nonacceptance by political and societal forces in their own country.

Today’s incident on Lower Mall should be attributed to the mistakes of our past. But the way we are dealing with the crisis in Swat and resulting displacement in millions, we are only brewing ground for a darker and more insecure future.

More Photos of the incident by Saad Sarfraz Sheikh

In the present time of a National crisis, a strange issue has arose to haunt the IDPs of Swat and other areas affected by the ongoing military operation against the militants. The brotherly governments of the provinces of Punjab and Sindh have banned the entry of IDPs into their respective territories amidst fears of social unrest and related security woes. Punjab government alternatively is assisting the displaced only by providing medical and food supplies to the camps at places including Mardan and has been verbally barring IDPs from their province.

Sindh government, on the other hand, has sternly taken action by stranding thousands of men, women and children from Swat at Sindh-Punjab border, Kashmore. The decision has been taken by the PPP government in Sindh and is supported by its ally, the MQM. The main argument given is the fear of the Taliban disguised as IDPs entering into Karachi and other parts of the province; eventually creating a situation there.

There are parties who are in favor of this decision and do not want terror-struck people from the Northern parts of the country to de-stabilize their social fabric. And then there are others who feel such discriminatory behavior towards the victims is not appropriate and that all Pakistanis should be free to move to any part of the country.

The question is; will it be possible for our national government to adequately manage, feed, and treat more than 2 million people at make-shift camps with conditions no worthy of human occupation? And for how long will it be able to keep these millions away from desperately joining the ranks of forces against the government and the state of Pakistan, especially when they are even being shunned by everyone including other provincial governments??

Now, with a shocking 2 million internally displaced people (IDPs) plying on routes south of their heaven-on-earth homeland of SWAT, Pakistan is officially experiencing an unprecedented crisis. While sitting in our drawing rooms, it is far too easy for many of us to say collateral damage cannot be avoided, but, try asking anyone who has lost his whole family to the bloodbath. Each human life costs the same; whether an innocent Pakistani, an Afghan or an American one. And no justification can soothe or curtail further radicalization of the youth of the innocent affectees of full-scale bombardment of wide settled areas. 

It’s too late to ask this question as to how our Government signed an agreement from a weak position and then rolled all talks within a meagre ten days on external pressures. The only question now valid is to how quickly and effectively can we help millions of IDPs who have lost everything and are in dire need of food, shelter, and clothing.

Let us join hands in donating as much as we can to the Prime Minister’s Fund for Victims of Terrorism, to other local and international NGOs, foundations, individuals and groups who are active in the affected areas. If it still needs to be realized, we must not forget, Pakistan is expereincing the worst kind of refugee problem since Independence. So, please, help; and help as much as you can.

Lahore stood firm as it saw its patience and resolve against terrorism being challenged again by a hand full of armed lunatics who attacked the unarmed Police Trainees at the Manawan Police Training School near the city.

Police celebrates after re-gaining control of the Manawan Police Training School from terrorists

Image Source: BBC News

The eight-hour operation against heavily armed militants ended in success but with several casualties and injuries, some of them critical. Today, we still survived an attack on our resolve and Lahore stands proud of its still alive spirit.

I guess it is too obvious for many to realize who really is behind all this. The fact is there is no singular element. We have had foreign sponsorships of extremist forces inside Pakistan from many countries, neighboring and non-neighboring both. And yes we have domestic problems of our own too.

The need of the hour is, however, to think how best can we respond and fight these forces. Identification of sponsors or hidden hands is important but more crucial is the need to find a remedy for this cancer.

United, we should mentally and morally prepare ourselves for a war with whoever stands, talks or acts against our country, our people and our society. We should not and will not tolerate ideologies of extremism, terrorism, inhumanity, and hatred. We are humans, and yes, proud Pakistanis; Muslims or otherwise – but sorry, we are not and will never become or aligned ourselves with terrorists.

Today’s headlines came as no surprise. There was a ‘usual’ grenade attack at a mosque in Dera Ismail Khan while more striking was the blowing up of Rahman Baba’s shrine in Peshawar. Rahman Baba is a 17th century sufi and is considered to be one of the highest ranking and most widely read poets of Pushtu language. The perpetrators are not new either. Call them religious extremists, Taliban, or foreign militants; we are now too familiar with their acts and the ideology that they promote.

Sufism is entrenched into the core of Pakistani society and is widely followed by the masses. Lahore itself is lovingly called ‘Data di Nagri’ because it boasts the shrine of Hazrat Ali Hajveri (RA) famously known as Data Gunj Baksh. In addition to this hallmark Sufi symbol, we also have the likes of Hazrat Mian Mir, Shah Jamal, Bibi Pak Daman in Lahore and literally hundreds of saints buried in cities like Multan (Baha-ud-din Zakaria), Pakpattan Sharif (Hazrat Baba Farid Shakkar Gunj), Kasur (Baba Bulleh Shah), Bhit Shah (Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai), and Sehwan Sharif (Hazrat Laal Shahbaz Qalandar) specifically across Punjab and Sindh provinces.

Abida Parveen – Teray Ishq Nachaya

Sufi tradition is one full of mysticism, the power of self-discovery, the evergreen message of equality, tolerance, love and universal peace. Widely propagated by Sufis, this form of Islam got more people into the folds of religion than any other fact in the Sub-continent.

As the west today talks about using Sufism to promote moderate Islam among the Pakistanis, they forget that it is already here and has continued influencing lives of millions over centuries in this region. However, over the decades we have seen a radical ideology countering Sufi way of Islam which now is blatantly attacking the Sufi symbols. Today’s incident in Peshawar was a stark proof.

Do you think message of the Sufis can still be revived to wide popularity and acceptance by all sections of our social and religious circles? And can it we propagated as a cure to radical ideologies supported by the Taliban and other insurgent groups which are becoming more assertive in promoting their Islam day by day?

The political ‘kabaddi’ currently going on is not even surprising to most of us as it is just part of Pakistan’s cyclic history. While some optimists did think that things will be different this time and two largest democratic forces in Pakistan will finally pursue conciliatory power-sharing government for betterment of everyone; there still were people, a vast majority, that could foresee this honeymoon, sooner than later, coming to an unhappy end.

Situation in Pakistan is not in any case ready for another upheavel like this. Punjab was so far the only stable government regardless of its unfavorable attitude towards the centre. Disqualification of Sharif brothers from holding any public office for the thrid time can be justified as the honorable court’s verdict but imposition of Governor’s Rule and locking up of the Punjab Provincial Assembly building is surely a matter of grave objection.

However, for a common man, nothing has changed except for long traffic jams due to protests, purposeless damage to public infrastructre for which he had paid from his own pocket and city life coming to an uncertain but grinding halt.

The only bugging question is, regardless of who was right or who is wrong, can we really afford this crisis at this time? Can we bear watching ambulances stuck for hours due to almost daily road block by protesters at the Mall, and for how long? Will restoration of one man ensure speedy justice for a poor peasant? And, finally, do we even deserve democracy or are we just not ready or prepared for it yet?

This might be a scary movie for rest of the world. But Pakistan and Pakistani may learn from it. Cuba after collapse of soviet union faced two major issues.

1. Energy Crisis (Peak Oil Prices – Power Shortages of up to 14 – 16 hours a day)
2. Shortage of Fertilizer (Leading to food shortages)

This is a story of how Cubans, who were an educated nation of doctor and engineers, stood up against all odds and survived gracefully. people believed that sharing what little they DID have (food, land, resources) with each other was more important and for the greater good than hoarding it for themselves. Also the government was very encouraging, and allowed all unused urban land to be turned into incredibly productive gardens.

Click on the image to see the video

With shortage of fertilizers and power cuts, We are also as vulnerable to a sudden collapse of our current agricultural systems. Watch this one for some inspiration on how to get our Pakistan out of the current Mess!

Also, in last couple of weeks, I have fallen in love with  TED.com again. There are some really inspirational videos over there. have a nice day!

Yesterday, I went through an appeal for donations in Dawn by Hassan Zaidi, the founder of KaraFilm. Mr. Zaidi has been instrumental in bringing international spotlight and global taste to Karachi in the form of Pakistan’s largest film festival which grew bigger and better each year until two years back. The security situation in Karachi had resulted in postponement of the event for two consecutive years while 2009 brought with it the worst of economic recessions to blame.

KaraFilm is not alone here; in Lahore, Peer Festivals’ much celebrated World Performing Arts Festival was blatantly sabotaged in 2008 when suspected blasts occurred at the venue of the event.

But the question is, is the security situation or availability of corporate sponsorships to be blamed alone? Isn’t our love for arts, culture, literature and our own aesthetic identity fading away. What was the last time you went out alone, or with your friends or family to an art exhibition, a lok virsa show or to any of the Alhamra concerts on ethnic music?

If we look around our immediate surroundings, and closely observe our collective pshyche, it would not be worng to say that we are rapidly loosing the artistic thought, the softer brain and the very essence of cultural identity. Today, the only entertainment considered entertainment is a Bollywood movie screening (at cinema or at home), a ‘western’ rock concert or in majority of the public’s case; cheap and vulgar theatre.

We may not realize this now, but in due time this realization will come and hit us hard when the damage to our unique cultural identity and the youth’s attitude towards it will be irreparable. And that would happen even without the help of extremist ideologies whether they be from the mullahs or the government.

We’ll lose it and never know when it happened unless our common perspective towards arts and culture changes; unless parents don’t feel undermined of their investment in children who opt for arts; unless we change our attitudes towards everything local and unless we do not support the only catalysts of revival i.e. our local artistes, the lok-musicians, the artisans and the craftsmen of our rich cultural heritage that spans over more than a couple of thousand years as well as welcoming and embracing international flavors in contemporary arts, theatre, music and film.