Our tolerant society –Farrukh Khan Pitafi Many of us journalists were continuously receiving e-mails from the Taliban and the Asian Tigers. One such e-mail congratulated Muslims on the Friday attacks on the Ahmedis and invited them to kill more Ahmedis and even Shias Last week I expressed my concern over the rising intolerance in our society and how the antics of the powers that be would essentially add to the general disquiet. But today I need not press that point again. The very same week, terrorists attacked Lahore again and ruthlessly killed nearly 100 Ahmedis during their prayers or Friday … Continue reading Our tolerant society

VIEW: US-Karzai marriage of convenience –S P Seth There was some rethink in Washington about Karzai’s relative importance in the US scheme of things. And this was judged to be pretty high The US relationship with President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan has taken a full turn from berating to smooching — politically speaking. Not long ago, President Obama visited Karzai in Kabul to tell him some home truths about the sorry state of his country under his leadership. Obama wanted Karzai to lift his game. Around that time, a number of American high functionaries had expressed their impatience with the … Continue reading US-Karzai marriage of convenience

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 … Continue reading The cost of double standards

COMMENT: Fear of mirrors — I –Dr Mohammad Taqi The neo-con thirst for oil is so extreme that they are willing to undermine the sacrifices of the brave men and women from the forces fighting the Taliban and the jihadist menace worldwide “But she had slipped on the old mask and I knew she was concealing the truth. What memories was she trying to suppress, and why?” — Fear of Mirrors, Tariq Ali. While reader response to my article, ‘Two faces of fear’ (Daily Times, May 11, 2010), was overwhelming and extremely positive, a minority — on the extreme right, … Continue reading Fear of mirrors

VIEW: Stop blaming the West Shahid Ilyas The only legitimate and viable way of existence for a state is that it is based on the idea of public welfare, democracy, pluralism and the rule of law “Whereas sovereignty over the entire universe belongs to Allah Almighty alone and the authority which He has delegated to the State of Pakistan, through its people for being exercised within the limits prescribed by Him is a sacred trust…” This is a citation taken from the Objectives Resolution — the guiding principles for lawmaking in Pakistan — that was presented by Prime Minister Liaquat … Continue reading Stop blaming the West and look within!

VIEW: New zones for militancy –Arif Ansar The emerging collaboration between the TTP and Punjabi Taliban of southern Punjab means that one cannot end the war by simply driving terrorists out of the tribal areas and that Pakistan must prepare itself to fight on several fronts The most disquieting aspect of the recent spate of terrorist activity in Pakistan (including Friday’s massacre in Lahore) and abroad is that the planning seems to be the work of the Pashtun Taliban and Punjabi groups originating in southern Punjab, possibly at the behest of al Qaeda. Apparently, the North Waziristan operation will not … Continue reading New zones for militancy

WASHINGTON DIARY: For the love of humanity –Dr Manzur Ejaz The common New Yorker believes that jihadists carried out 9/11. Despite that, when the Muslim community applied for constructing an Islamic centre alongside the planned memorial, the overwhelming majority of the committee approved it Panic has set in, smoke plumes in the air. The adjoining building of Punjab Assembly, the Wapda House and Alfalah were heavily bombed, leaving behind deep craters as shadows of the buildings that once were. Two assailants evaded police but were finally apprehended, as investigators conducted forensics of the body parts of the cohorts and victims … Continue reading For the love of humanity

COMMENT: Pak-China security cooperation Dr Rashid Ahmad Khan The Chinese ambassador to Pakistan has publicly stated that separatist elements responsible for trouble in Xinjiang received training in Pakistan’s tribal areas and Afghanistan during the 1980s While bilateral military ties between Pakistan and China remain strong, the two countries are looking forward to expanding the parameters of their cooperation to address new security concerns that threaten not only the peace and security in the region but also pose a serious challenge to the national security interests of the two countries. This was evident from the accords reached between the two countries … Continue reading Pak-China friendship needs to be more strong

COMMENT: Last Friday –Munir Attaullah Is there any doubt that the Ahmedi community is the victim of state discrimination through specific legislation, and active persecution by fanatic religious elements that the authorities turn a blind eye to? Last Friday’s horrible act of senseless terrorism conveyed more than one message to this allegedly basha’oor nation. How many of us have understood it, given the powerful hold of right wing and religious ideologies on our minds? Weighing up the media coverage, is it worth my discussing the matter also? The answer to the latter question is a resounding “Yes”. It is the … Continue reading Last Friday and the rabid Mullah

Chess or chequers? thenews.com.pk By Dr Maleeha Lodhi The writer is a former envoy to the US and the UK, and a former editor of The News. Fighting terrorism should be like a game of chess but the US approach has been more akin to playing chequers, says Bruce Hoffman, an American scholar who has spent years studying the phenomenon. A chess-game approach means understanding the threat and enemy and being able to anticipate and thoughtfully respond to how it changes and adapts. This means a strategy that uses reason and guile, not just brute force. Chequers (known as draughts … Continue reading Radicalisation and games