Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Pakistan's problems are a real concern for Britain

The attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team by Pakistan "militants" in the centre of Lahore yesterday demonstrates several things.

First of all, it demonstrates that Pakistan is an a state of anarchy - but most of us knew that anyway.

The second thing it demonstrates is the fallacy of the Islam apologists argument that their "grievances" are all linked to western aggression against their "brothers". It's not a view I've ever subscribed to as Moslems have been attacking other nations, peoples and religions since they first started yelling "Allahu Akhbar" some 1300 years ago. That said, they are only too happy to use the rationalising of stupid liberals to further their cause.

The third thing it demonstrates is that constantly giving in to the demands of Islamists does not placate them. On the contrary, it just invigorates them. Pakistan has gone to great lengths to accommodate the Taliban in the past - I believe they were the only state to recognise the Taliban is the legitimate government of Afghanistan -and they are now reaping the rewards of that policy.

It also demonstrates, to me, that the belief that the "vast majority" of Moslems are opposed to Islamism seems misguided. If this were true then where are all the "not in my name" demonstrations? All we ever get, at best, are a few "leaders" telling us how much they abhor this sort of thing - but even then it is usually accompanied with a whole series of caveats. It actually seems to me that, although the "vast majority" of Moslems may not explicitly support Islamism or the use of violence to promote it, they aren't particularly against it either.

All of this is a major concern for the UK which almost 1,000,000 people in this country of Pakistani descent. We know a significant number of "British" Pakistanis (look, you can be British or you can be Pakistani - you can't be both) flit back and forth to Pakistan where they receive indoctrination and training into the Islamist cause. How long will it be before we see similar tactics to those used in Bombay and Lahore used on British streets?

If it is true that the "vast majority" of Moslems don't support this then now is the time for them to unambiguously and categorically say so - without any "buts". I won't hold my breath.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Islam was created by Muhammad as an imperialist movement to conquer the world disguised as a religion, and that, at its core, it is fraudulent, brutal, inhuman and worthy of little respect.The Koran calls for hatred, violence, submission, murder, and terrorism. The Koran calls for Moslems to kill non-Moslems, to terrorize non-Moslems and to fulfill their duty to wage war: violent jihad. Jihad is a duty for every Moslem, Islam is to rule the world - by the sword. The Koran is clearly anti-Semitic, describing Jews as monkeys and pigs.

Anonymous said...

FIVE REGIONAL CITIES should be upgraded with in the provinces in Pakistan. Regional cities of Dera Ismail Khan in NWFP, Gawadar/ Qalat in Balouchistan, Sukkar/ Larkana in Upper Sind, Jehlam/ Rawalpindi and Multan in Punjab province. These regional cities have been ignored by the federal and provincial governments although these cities have their own history, culture and languages.Dera Ismail Khan in south of Pakhtun khwa/MWFP is under seige, Multan/DG Khan in south of Punjab is next target of religious extremists,Sukkar/ Larkana is being rule by criminals, Gawadar/ Qalat is trouble some. The people of these regions have to travel to provincial capitals for every small issue and requirement of the daily life which should be provided in nearby cities. A good number of population travel to big cities for their survival to earn livelihood as the local feudal own majority land and keep the common man as their slaves. Creation of regional government and upgrading of the regional cities will save a lot of money and time of the poor people of these regions. Circuit benches of the High Courts are already working in these areas and only requirement is the additional staff of different departments involved in additional work at the provincial capitals. The concern authorities should immediately consider to upgrade the regional cities. And immediate attention should be given upgrade/build the airports,TV station, civic center, libraries,hospitals, educational institutes and investment opportunities for Pakistanis living abroad and foreign firms to create jobs in the area as majority population in rural Pakistan do not have enough resources to survive. It remind me the condition of pre Islamic revolution of Iran in Shah time when the rural Iran was ignored and the capital Tehran was developed in a way to call it Paris of Middle East with modern life style. Couple of other big cities like Isfahan and Caspian sea was taken care of because of foreign tourists but rural area was ruled by cruel police and intelligence. Then what happen rural population supported the Islamic revolution and moved to Tehran and other big cities later on. The new government after revolution developed, built and upgraded the rural areas of Iran accordingly. A fund to upgrade/build these regional cities in Pakistan should be intoduced by public and private sector and Pakistani government, our foreign friends and Pakistanis living abroad may be asked to participate in this development mission in the country..KHWAJA AFTAB ALI,( former secretary, Iranian embassy, Saudi Arabia,1975-88) Advocate High Court & I.P. Attorney-first & the only Pakistani lawyer who earned Intellectual Property laws scholarship in USA,presently residing in Florida, USA. all_languages@hotmail.com