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"It
is March; a month of many shades. While it brings along
beauty of nature in shape of full blooming flowers and
soothing greenery, announcing advent of spring, it also
gives scary shivers to many. In any case, March is very
special to us, as our Pakistan Day falls in it. We pray
and resolve to make Pakistan the same way as our forefathers
envisioned it back in 1940".
I had written, the above words back in March 2001 issue.
With this, I had also written about some events taking
place in last March, at home as well as abroad. One
of the events, was regarding tragedy in Indian Gujraat
where thousands of lives were lost in a major earthquake.
What a coincident that, Gujraat is being mentioned again
in March of this year too. Thousands have lost their
lives again in Indian Gugraat, but this time not due
to natural clamity. This time, it is man-made clamity.
People killing people. Unfortunately the killed ones
are Muslims, in worst communal riots of secular India.
We pray, that next March does not repeat such mentioning
anywhere in the world. However surprisingly, except
for Pakistan and Bangladesh, no voice has been raised
anywhere in the world, either in west, east or even
among Muslim world on this senseless killings.
Similarly, a few dozen Pakistanis killed by terrorists
attacks on mosques in Pakistan, drew no attention by
anyone, either locally or otherwise and dismissed the
loss of innocent lives as a matter of routine or an
act of "foreign hand". The "big wigs"
of law enforcers in Pakistan keep issuing statements
but no action. More killings, more statement by same
people, no action to prevent recurrence. Then came terrorist
attack on Church. More killings, more statements, but
this time a prompt action of forming two commissions
by Musharraf administration and helping hand by Bush
Administration, just because two of the victims were
Americans. While condemning the terrorist activity in
the strongest words we ask simple questions. Is American
blood has different colour than other human beings?
Is it necessary to spill American blood to awaken the
world conscious, more so of the only superpower? Blood
is the same, whether it be of Kashmiri freedom fighter,
Palestinians, Pakistanis, Indians Muslims or any other
human being irrespective of religion, region, cast or
creed!
We wish you happy Pakistan Day and good reading. |
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Daniel Pearl is dead.
Ruthlessly and gruesomely murdered in cold blood in captivity,
his final epitaph on videotape was received by those who
till yesterday, boasted of having solved the case and assured
everyone of his recovery in a matter of hours.
Whoever the authors and whatever may be the circumstances
of this most irresponsible and macabre act of inhumanity,
Pearl's executors can never be at peace with their body
and soul. Time and again, this fact has been proven right.
Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment" is a most
revealing drama of torment and pain for a crime committed.
But if Daniel Pearl is dead today, can his executors escape
the wrath of Nature tomorrow? Or, can the shame, torment,
and agony of having committed this heinous and barbaric
act spare them from perpetual mental unrest? Certainly not!
A journalist may be dead, but journalism lives forever.
Pearl's work and words will always be quoted, written and
re-written - this all known too well.
Pearl's courage will always sparkle like a pearl. In the
past five decades, investigative journalism has influenced
and awakened public opinion to a great extent, all over
the word. Committed journalists like him have unearthed
falsification of facts and scams, which have helped dump
iron clad characters and myths in the dustbin of history.
The late journalist's yet to be born child will not be able
to see his / her daddy. The child will have to be contented
with daddy's photographs in the family album. But it will
be Daniel Pearl's work and writings, which will make his
posterity, feel proud. This what human life is all about
- working for the good of all life on earth, the guest for
truth and the struggle against evil, the quest for truth
and the struggle against evil. It reminds one of a speech
of the former US President Richard M. Nixon, in which he
said: "Let us begin by committing ourselves to truth
- to see it like it is and to tell it like it is to find
the truth, to speak the truth, and live with the truth."
Daniel Pearl's blood, therefore, has left a perpetual dark
stain on the Land of the Pure, as well as body politic of
Pakistan in its rich tradition.
KHALID DURRANI Karachi |
I am an
American of Mexican birth who loves Pakistan. Over
the last 10 years I have travelled to your country
several times wandering from the Hunza Valley to Peshawar
to Karachi and to many points in-between. In the process
I have made many friends and have learned a little
of your religion, your culture, and your problems.
Often when reading western newspaper and magazine
accounts of Pakistan I am angered by the lack of understanding
shown by western journalists. Many are simply not
open to the complexities of your society.
One of the few journalists who really seemed to understand
Pakistan (and the Middle East in general) was Daniel
Pearl which is what makes his death so sadly ironic.
He was one of the good guys trying to explain the
passion and contradiction that is your country in
an unblinking honest way. His barbaric beheading diminishes
the cause of those who carried it out and makes a
mockery of your peace-loving religion. It has hardened
those who do not understand you, but it has also scared
your friends.
I have cancelled a trip to your beautiful country
and will not be renewing my plans anytime soon. I
am deeply saddened.
R. GUTIERREZ California, USA
There are many among us who wept at Daniel Pearl's
death. Not one in a million will say that his death
will do anybody any good.
Daniel Pearl was doing his duty. We were hoping that
one fine morning every newspaper will carry the headline
'Daniel Pearl is free' but alas that was not to be.
It is a pity that the events leading to his tragic
end had their beginnings in Karachi, a city which
is known for its friendly attitude towards foreigners.
Karachi has a phenomenally long history of fruitful
inter-action with foreigners. Alexander the Great
stayed for more than three weeks in what is now Karachi
harbour. He called the place and the Indus delta as
a 'bridge between the east and the west' and made
arrangements for commercial cargoes to be shipped
to Europe on a permanent basis.
Daniel Pearl's death will be mourned widely, particularly
by the journalists. It was yet another case of violence
against journalists which should not be condoned under
any circumstances.
AZMAT ANSARI Karachi
Daniel Pearl's murder is hair-raising.
It cannot be explained away or justified.
The national image has vastly suffered as journalists
have played a vital role in bringing information to
the doorsteps of the people. They have courageously
covered wars and exposed dangerous international militias
and mafias.
Pearl's gruesome murder indicates that he had stumbled
upon some murky facts which would have embarrassed
powerful lobbies.
The government should bring the killers to justice
and share the facts behind the scenes with the people
so that they know the dangers and risks surrounding
them.
ASMA JAHANGIR Lahore |
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