VIEW: The cost of double standards –Sheharyar Malhi

When the likes of non-state actors such as Faisal Shahzad engage in an act of terror, Senator Clinton warns Pakistan of “very serious consequences” but when a state-sponsored terrorist act takes place in international waters killing innocents, there seems to be an awkward silence from the corridors of power

I consider myself a moderate Muslim. Almost all the people I know and have grown up with seem to me liberal, temperate and tolerant citizens. That is how most people are in Pakistan, apart from, of course, the insignificant minority of fanatics, who choose to blow themselves up and always seem to be making headlines in the Western media as the ‘real face’ of Pakistan. The fact of the matter is that these extremists are more despised in Pakistan than anywhere else, primarily because Pakistanis themselves have suffered the most at the hands of these radicals. This hatred for fanaticism, however, should not be mistaken as love for the US. Most liberal Pakistanis give half the ‘credit’ for the condition they are in to the US, while many think it is US policies, its undesirable interventions and historic vested interests alone that have thrown Pakistan into the fire, the heat of which the US now dreads.

While there is little disagreement that extremist elements pose a threat to the entire world and must be dealt with, an issue of equal concern is the perception of the US in Pakistan. Nearly all conspiracy theories point towards the US for anything and everything that goes wrong here. Such is the mounting detestation that children in some of the most modern schools of Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad, the main and most modern cities of Pakistan, use ‘America’ as a synonym for violation of airspace, unwelcome intrusions and double standards. On the mainstream electronic and print media, if arguments are presented in favour of the US, you are often tagged as an agent of the CIA. Politicians in opposition have started using ‘America’ as the key word as opposed to the magic word ‘Kashmir’, which has historically been the placard for getting votes. Intellectuals or ‘perceived’ intellectuals have gained tremendous popularity for speaking venomous stuff against the US to an extent where they now have an impressive following. While Secretary Clinton has been on record for admitting the US’s convenient walkout after the Afghan War in the 1980s as being one of the main reasons why Pakistanis have lost faith and trust in the US, the US fails to realise that its image here in Pakistan — which it must consider essential for continued support of liberal Pakistanis in the war against terror — is deteriorating not because of historic events only, but also owing to its obvious indifference and contrasting principles over the issues at hand.

The recent vicious Israeli attack on the Gaza-bound international aid flotilla is a case in point. The overwhelming support for Palestinians in Pakistan is hardly surprising, as many Pakistanis see the brutalities faced by Palestinian Muslims as an open violation of human rights. While the common sentiment in Pakistan remains that Israel is clearly backed by the US in all matters, what makes things worse is the US authorities pretending to be dumb when any such act is carried out by Israel. Where the entire world seems to be condemning the ruthless attack, President Obama has invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks. In addition, the US also seems to have assured Israel that its recently held nuclear disarmament conference will not, in any way, endanger Israel’s interests. There has been no evident criticism of the attack, which has otherwise shocked the entire world.

I have great respect for the US, not for its prior governments, but its people, its propagated liberal values, education system and the fact that its citizens have come far to elect an African-American president, which was celebrated by the world, let alone Americans. The much desired change in America during the 2008 elections was also seen as a ray of hope for a modified American foreign policy and consequently a change around the world but with almost two years of the Obama administration in place, the hope seems to be fading away.

Following such callous conduct by the US, especially where it could prove itself contrary to the preconceived notions in Pakistan, Pakistanis have every right to ask how the US would have reacted if the 19 civilians killed in the flotilla tragedy were American citizens. Would its government and mainstream media stay as hushed as they are now? When the likes of non-state actors such as Faisal Shahzad, who was an American citizen of Pakistani origin, engage in an act of terror, Senator Clinton warns Pakistan of “very serious consequences” but, on the flip-side, when a state-sponsored and endorsed terrorist act takes place in international waters resulting in the killing of innocents who were on a peace mission, there seems to be an awkward silence from the corridors of power.

When a country like the US, which prides itself on symbolising peace, justice and human rights, shows such level of indifference, even the most liberal of Pakistanis seem to take a back seat and wonder. The fanatics meanwhile breed on such incidents, strengthening their force by corrupting innocent young minds across the country. The US needs to wake up to the voice of millions of its own as well as world citizens, especially those that fight its wars; else it could suffer a hefty cost for its indifference and double standards.

The writer is a Dublin-based columnist and formerly host of a talk show on social issues. He can be reached at malhi@alumni.lse.ac.uk