By Hassan Abbas
It is also crossposted at Adil Najam’s fascinating blog All Things Pakistan
Besides celebrating the great achievement of founding fathers of Pakistan, 14th August is also an apt occasion to salute the writers who continue to struggle through their pen to make Pakistan what it was meant to be: a democratic, pluralistic and modern Muslim state at peace with itself and its neighbors. In this spirit, we must also dedicate this day to honor these courageous and patriotic columnists and writers. In my estimate (supported by many other friends who I talked to on this issue) these men and women are doing a great service to the true cause and ideals of Pakistan. The list is drawn from those who write regularly in Pakistani English newspapers/magazines. Brief quotes from their columns are also presented:
1. Ardeshir Cowasjee (Dawn)
Quote: "On the 59th anniversary of Independence we continue to be ruled by a vast government made up of members of dubious political parties all of whom claim to have ‘vision’ (of grandeur, no doubt, and of nothing else)."
2. Ghazi Salahuddin (The News)
Quote: One great tragedy in our lives is that these people who may recognise the folly of the government's action keep quiet because they want to retain their positions in the power structure. Such moral bankruptcy is the cancer of our political governance.
3. Khalid Hasan (Daily Times)
Quote: "Jefferson’s ghost must have risen from his grave in rural Virginia when Ghumman (a Pakistani minister visiting the US) declaimed that since democracy was the root of all evils, he would rather have a “dictator”. He also informed his flabbergasted audience that “democracy has not worked in Pakistan and it has failed over and over again”. The Minister is also either poor at counting or his history is about as strong as my quantum physics, because he went on to say that in the last two and a half centuries, nobody had dared to go into Pakistan’s tribal territories as Gen Musharraf had. “We now have a leader who wants to establish Rule of Law in that area.”
If what is happening in Waziristan is Rule of Law, then I am migrating to Darfur.
4. Khaled Ahmed (Daily Times)
Quote: As realpolitik, Pakistan followed the best course in Cold War even though the Pacts were unpopular. When the Soviet Union collapsed, India was found holding the Friendship treaties with no benefit and Pakistan’s strategy was proved successful. Pakistan had taken the US for a ride, equipped its army on false pretences, and fought unsuccessful wars with India for which America was not to blame. Now economic historians think Ayub’s was the best period in our history. A similar verdict is in store for Musharraf when he is gone. We keep on rejecting our history and the strategies of realistic survival followed by our leaders, some of them un-elected. Denial of what others see as good for us links up with a self-flagellating collective psyche. This is death-wish, pure and simple.
5. Naseem Zehra (The News)
Quote (on Baluchistan): Indeed what the government must not do is go on the military and political offensive to neutralise the brewing crisis. Threats, warnings, ultimatums and maximalist positions will only worsen the situation. It could push either side ‘against the wall’ decreasing possibility of an amicable settlement of genuine grievances. We could then be headed towards greater difficulties, dovetailing into other unresolved challenges of politics, security and democracy.
6. Amir Mir (Newsline & Outlook)
Quote (on refusing to take 'APNS best journalist award' from Musharraf's hands): It isn't that I detest Musharraf beyond forgiveness; it's just that I love my principles more. I don't know what Musharraf loves. But it isn't the Constitution.
7. Ahmed Rashid (Guardian and Nation)
Quote: Al Qaeda's money, inspiration and organizational abilities have helped turn Pakistan's Pashtun belt into the extremist base it is today, but U.S. and Pakistani policies have helped more.
8. Prof. Khawaja Masud (The News)
Quote: We must continue to march intoxicated with the Quaid’s “shy and splendid idealism” till we realise the dream of Pakistan as visualised by Quaid-e-Azam i.e. democracy, social justice, tolerance, open mind and heart.
9. Amina Jilani (Nation)
Her photo is not available so, here is a quotable quote from her:
Quote: "The majority of our tried, tested and failed politicians, for the larger part of their political lives and when they are not haymaking, are mired in inertia."
10. Ayaz Amir (Dawn)
Quote: Hezbollah has no F-16s but it is running rings around one of the best armies in the world. We can have 500 F-16s in our air force but given the crisis of resolve we face, we will remain a country ready to jump at the sound of a single phone call.
5 comments:
How many of them write in urdu? What percentage of Pakistanis can read English?
These are writers from English press but atleast three out of these also write in Urdu on and off. My estimate is that about 35 percent of Pakistani population can read English comfortably. However, the ruling classes so to say - including military and civilian bureaucracy and politicians ofcourse are well versed in English and for them English media means a lot. For ordinary people, yes, it is Urdu press that is more important source of information and ideas.
The estimate of 35% seems very high to me, but you are more informed than I. I agree that the 35% who can and do read in English are the ones who make things happen. But isn't that exactly the problem in Pakistan? Appealing to the masters (foreign ones if the local ones don't submit)! On many Persian websites, "Huqooq-e-Zun" by their Nobel prize winner activist is prominently displayed. In the old days, the sufi saints spoke directly to the powerless. In modern Pakistan, even many "democratically minded" people, institutions, media outlets treat the "commoners" as ones who need to be civilized. There is ample noise among the liberals, but who is there to convince the masses that one way is better than another? The mullahs understand this. They provide services to the poor. They speak directly to them. They are building up a base (and have been doing so for decades), which will eventually grow and demand recognition. The verbose Mr. Cowasjee writes a column on Sunday, and complains on Monday why the authorities don't listen to him. Have the powerful ever been convinced that they are wrong? Don't they eventually just lose power to their rivals (revolutions, elections, mortality)?
Hasan
Innovative post but I have reservations on the list. The selection of quotes was very good. Nevertheless, I agree with anonymous who has raised extremely valid points leading to a fundamental truth of asymmetrical power relations in Pak - anyway, more later. Keep up the great work. I no longer have to dig for interesting stufff. I just go to your blog.
Thanks Raza and the anonymous above. I agree absolutely.
However, given the reach of Mullahs and even some petty minded and divisive politicians, I often wonder whether change has to come from above. I know this is a dangerous proposition and goes against most of the well regarded theories of social change. May be it is hoping against the hope - as an enlightened leader may provide direction and guidance. Yes, it will be a short cut and modern history proves otherwise.
On the otherhand, writers like Ghazi Salahuddin and Prof. Khawaja Masud take up issues normally not considered important enough by other professional columnists. I am sure these writers and others continue to generate ideas and their critique is being heard by younger educated people who want a different Pakistan.
Raza I am keen to know which columnists you would have selected in the top ten - because I know you have a keen eye and I highly value your judgment.
Many people wrote to me about Hasan Askari Rizvi and Husain Haqqani. Both are my friends and I seldom miss their articles - but I thought they are both expert analysts and are not in the category of columnists. What do you think?
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