08-28-2010, 12:28 PM
Tallat Azim
A new twist to the prevalent chaos was given by Altaf Bhai, leader from long-distance, when he invited the patriotic among the military top brass to intervene and take charge of the country. It also leads to the leading question of what differentiates a patriotic general from a non-patriotic one. Do the patriots wear green clothing only and do the non-patriots do strategic planning about capturing Ashw-ariya? Or, is it that the patriots prefer Reema while the non-patriots root for Priyanka? Only when we, the general public, have a clearer view of perspectives on both sides, of the thin red line, can we make up our minds on this one.
Admittedly, there is a lot to be desired from the existing system particularly as the effects of the worst-ever floods stare us in the face, but have we not lived to rue the day each time a patriotic general has taken over Altaf Bhai?
How long will we continue to do this nine year and two and a half year routine? Nine years on the average for martial law and two and a half for people who come through elections. For how long will the following verse be applicable to us:
Aik pal mai hum,
Wahan sai uthay,
Baithney mai jahan,
Zamaney lagey.
We have been there, done that so many times that it is not an option any longer. Surely, there can be solutions other than direct intervention. The MQM leadership present in the country has gone blue in the face trying to defend their leader’s statement. But, even though their linguistic skills are far superior to their adversaries, they have not been successful and no amount of flowery language has been able to sugarcoat or salvage the suggestion. Just as no amount of defence by the same people can ever erase or explain what happened in Karachi on May 12 in 2007.
A new twist to the prevalent chaos was given by Altaf Bhai, leader from long-distance, when he invited the patriotic among the military top brass to intervene and take charge of the country. It also leads to the leading question of what differentiates a patriotic general from a non-patriotic one. Do the patriots wear green clothing only and do the non-patriots do strategic planning about capturing Ashw-ariya? Or, is it that the patriots prefer Reema while the non-patriots root for Priyanka? Only when we, the general public, have a clearer view of perspectives on both sides, of the thin red line, can we make up our minds on this one.
Admittedly, there is a lot to be desired from the existing system particularly as the effects of the worst-ever floods stare us in the face, but have we not lived to rue the day each time a patriotic general has taken over Altaf Bhai?
How long will we continue to do this nine year and two and a half year routine? Nine years on the average for martial law and two and a half for people who come through elections. For how long will the following verse be applicable to us:
Aik pal mai hum,
Wahan sai uthay,
Baithney mai jahan,
Zamaney lagey.
We have been there, done that so many times that it is not an option any longer. Surely, there can be solutions other than direct intervention. The MQM leadership present in the country has gone blue in the face trying to defend their leader’s statement. But, even though their linguistic skills are far superior to their adversaries, they have not been successful and no amount of flowery language has been able to sugarcoat or salvage the suggestion. Just as no amount of defence by the same people can ever erase or explain what happened in Karachi on May 12 in 2007.