An unposted letter to PM Singh
Dear Mr Singh,
I have never before addressed a person of your stature so do forgive me for my casual style of speech. Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude to you and your government for considering over 900 Pakistani Hindu citizens eligible for Indian nationality. It is a great gesture indeed for the Hindus who once lived in Pakistan, however, you must also realise that Christians, and even Muslims are not exactly ‘at peace’ in this country either.
I understand that Hindus remain your government’s first priority because many in your government identify with them; however, I still want to direct your attention towards the hundreds of Hazaras who are executed every day in broad daylight on the streets of Pakistan. I wanted to ask if you could lend a helping hand to the countless Christians who live in fear of being arrested or murdered for committing blasphemy in the country. The scores of civilian dying in the north-western side of Pakistan because of militancy and drone strikes could also avail your assistance, that is, if you plan to offer any.
You and a few representatives of the Indian government must also have a rendezvous with Ahmadis to understand how they face religious persecution in every aspect of their lives. I insist you meet with Pakistanis who are desperate to bring about a positive change in the society and see how they are threatened and harassed in ways that are unfathomable by many.
I am sure you would know all the details about political asylum but will reiterate that it is not easy for all Pakistanis to seek asylum in countries such as United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Australia as many of them do not have the resources to do the same. India remains the only hope for many people who can reach the country via Attari with minimum resources.
The level of desperation felt by some Pakistanis can evidently be gauged by the fact that some of them are even ready to migrate to Afghanistan — a country whose many inhabitants migrated to Pakistan in search of ‘refuge’ after the US invaded their country.
Mr Singh, we all do appreciate your humanitarian policies and would urge you to expedite the citizenship process of Pakistani Hindus, however, I find it my duty to inform you that people who profess other religions in Pakistan are equally deprived of peace and should be given an opportunity to seek asylum in India. Why is this move focused towards Hindus? Don’t you think that the Indian government, while at it, should chalk out a strategic plan to cater to Pakistanis — irrespective of caste and religion — whose lives are threatened within the boundaries of Pakistan?
Various members of the Indian government are corresponding with you on the status of Hindus who migrated to India to seek shelter. One of them is Laxmikanta Chawla who, amongst many other points, stated that, “Since the Pakistani government has failed to protect its minorities from frequent atrocities so the Indian government needs to look after them.”
Going by what Chawla said I must request you to not be so harsh on our government which is currently embroiled in a conflict with the superior judiciary and has other important tasks at hand rather than safeguarding the interest of the very people for which it was elected. It is important that you understand that the government of Pakistan is not only unable to look after its minorities but is also incapable of catering to the heavy majority and ensuring their safety.
Mr Singh, many Pakistanis will refuse to openly admit this but most of us would like to be considered eligible for Indian nationality. The reason behind our desire to move is extremely simple. It is because India since 1947 has grown as a nation, an economy and a country. Despite of the poverty and other related issues, we all see India as a progressive society and in a very positive light. We all want to live in a country which is ruled by secular politicians where fascist elements are given minimum representation in the parliament; a country where people can coexist or at least consider this ideology a welcoming thought.
You caught your Kasab but what about the numerous Kasabs who are ready to wipe out the entire population of Pakistan by flagging them as infidels, anti-Islam, pro-India, US puppets and just plain secular? What about us who continue to strive for a change, however, feel helpless at the hands of the radical elements freely roaming around in Pakistan? Is there any solace for us?
Mr Singh, this might not be news to you but every life which is snubbed out in a militant or violent attack in Pakistan pushes the progress made by the handful of Pakistanis who believe in mutual respect for peace, life and religious diversity, a hundred steps back.
It is indeed with a heavy heart that I leave Pakistan today in search of a safer country — a place where I can express myself freely without being threatened and flagged as a heretic.
En route to a strange country, crossing the all too familiar roads of Karachi, I saw a poster featuring Jinnah with a small line stating “Pakistan needs you”. Mr Singh, never before did I feel such fierce emotion. The words struck me and for the first time in my life, made me realise that we all have failed Jinnah and the Pakistan he envisioned.
Like many others before and after me, I am running for safer pastures where my life will be valued and respected, leaving my fellow countrymen behind to fight with the demons that dictate the order of the day in Pakistan, my home.
I don’t know what would I have done if was given an option to move to India. Perhaps, I would have moved but this is a question that will remain unanswered unless your government starts treating dejected Pakistanis on equal footing as Hindus.
Sincerely,
One amongst many Pakistanis striving for a progressive change.
The writer is a Reporter at Dawn.com
cool cool
Stop the lament. Rats always leave the sinking ship. Mice follow. When The Captain takes the Helm, the Steadfast Resolute Crew will invigorate, be motivated again…courageously strive forth with renewed energy and forgotten elan. Pakistanis are a mighty vigorous People. United, with the Captain resolute at the helm, they will ride the unforgiving storm–guided truthfully through the deadly turbulence will the Valiant Ship emerge–stronger, faster, better…steady as She goes.
Nowhere in the West—not in UK, not in in US, not in Europe–will such a traitorous deceptive article be published. Ever. Rather Secret Agencies will be breathing down the author’s neck almost immediately. Her article is in fact demonstrated free speech par excellence. More so for an obvious militant minority individual.
Dawn, in publishing her rant against Pakistan, has provided an avenue for free-speech bar none. And given enough gratuitous rope for the fifth-columnists to expose and hang themselves. This fact alone puts her thesis at rest…dead.
Happy for her if she goes to India…for her dark skin will not bode well elsewhere. Period.
So stop the griping. Let her seek her fortune. She is free to go wherever she wishes.
Let the Mouse go…good riddance.
PAKISTAN ZINABAD…!
I did not realize she was a minority and that was her fare well column on her way to Air port.She obviously heart broken as she is leaving her country,people ,her friends,the school she went,the gulshan,the park the gali,everything,I felt the same way 45 years ago,but I was going to USA,& I have never looked back.I know lot of Pakistani are mad at her as they think she is a turn coats,it futile to ask people for compassion,’Rahem” and little empathy,but it won’t be forth coming,since she had kind words towards a country,where there is no love lost,I understand it well.I have lot of empathy for people down ,and out of luck.I also stopped asking why?we feel so much hate and dislike for other people,I guess we are condemned to live like this,so why ask,why?I only wish I could lessen her sorrow,and wipe her tears,”Uskay ashu,apni anko mey ley lo,aur apane hoto ki hasi usko day do’,but I can not.I wish her well,no more tears,all joy & happiness where ever she is going.Let her wish her well,she is our sister,& daughter,let us pray for her,will you people of good will?With malice towards none and charity for all’I remain your fellow sharer of joy and sorrow.Do well,my sister,of common BOND.H.Mani,USA.
My wife is pakistani and I am Indian…….. 80 % of my family live in pakistan….. Their is fear and discrimination on both side of border……. But life in Pakistan is far worse…… I closely watch news on both side of border, India is much better than Pakistan, because life never improves in Pak….. we had Gujrat riots but most of the culprits are behind the bars…….. …… Had Iqbal seen the future he would have never floated the Idea of Pakistan…… I strongly believe Hindustan is much better than India or Pakistan…… I live in Aligarh the centre of Muslim education and culture,
A beautiful lady with lack of wisdom and knowledge.
beautiful!!! common are you blind..she looks ugly after this article.
Respectfully, the lady is beautiful also full of wisdom and knowledge. As her kind will know its hard to communicate with intellectually inept people…
Beauty & common sense seldom go together- very childish thinking she has.DAWN should send her to school to study Public Relation course 101
Absolutely RUBBISH!
Here is my take on affairs in India and Pakistan.
Years ago I thought that India should be Ruled by Mushraff and Pakistan should be Ruled by Manmohan Singh.
If somehow this would have happened both countries would have benefitted in some way shape or form.
Just rambling actually.
A childish, amateurish blog – Pay no mind , forgive her for she does not know better.Send her a stamp to post the letter.
A thought provoking sarcastic article. She wanted to awaken the feeling of Pakistaniat in the hearts of Pakistani people, who are in deep slumber not giving any attention to the injustices done in their country neither ready to accept the faults. In my opinion she is a true Pakistni. you have done your job. Faiza.
why not widen our boundaries to make way for new people?or make a new state and settle every one over there.
Widen your boundaries,by all means.
For the RIGHT people.
Jews,perhaps? They have over 140 Nobel Prizes you know?
You kidding, Why would Jews come to India? A country where poverty level is equal to third world,Jews have a second home – USA
Why all Pakistanis get hyper when they are pictured with reality???? Is this not true which is written in article?
Who feels safe nowadays in Pakistan?
Well Attempted but yeah, writer must seek help from any Muslim Country before choosing India.
we can only hope for better future, though we are striving for the best but not for the country… we have become now selfish….!
we must think as a NATION rather a PERSON..!!
Yes we should ask China if they will accept us. FYI India has more Muslims than entire Pakistan sir.
very interesting. Im sure that someone must have update PM Sing about this letter by now. Dawn enjoys a large readership from across the border.
PM Singh should bring a very large plane with him when he comes over this year, I am sure he can sell seats on his plane for millions for a one way ticket for many.
really awesome
Its unfortunate that the writer does not have an idea of the miseries suffered by people in India particularly minorities of India. Indian government could protect Babri mosque, couldn’t protect muslims in Ahmadabad and now they came to rescue people in Pakistan. If that is the case then the whole muslim community and particularly of Ahmadabad have the right to seek asylum anywhere in the world. The writers view is one sided and devoid of background realities.
High treason..writter must be charged for sedition…
Good article which is satiristic as well as brings out some obvious facts. Appreciate this.
Irritating at first instance, truly heart rendering as keep on reading !
It seems nobody, not even God almighty himself could help the people of Pakistan from their present pliant as it is verily created by themselves.
“If a single person in my country is slave then the whole nation is slave.”may be some great person uttered this word probably in US in time of Lincoln.
“If you kill one innocent person than you have killed the whole Humankind and if you save one then you have saved the whole Humankind” may be from some Holy Book
If believers could understand this simple truth than they don’t require any outside help not even of that God Almighty’s to improve the present situation.
Sir We Pakistanis believe that by killing as many people as possible we are doing God Almighty’s work as we cleanse the world. In our country we have thousands of Gods sitting in Slamabad and Rawalpindi and All over Punjab who decide who should be executed.
Good to know!
Calm down folks, it’s just a newspaper blog. Tomorrow we’ll all forget about it and move on. As they say “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”. Cheers.
If words have no effect, why read?
What an absolute piece of trash by an ingorant person who does not have any idea about the problems India has with her people in general and minorities in particular. I can give her a lot of examples but I am not going to waste my time doing her job that is “journalist” do your research thoroughly.
Fanatics are everywhere in the world, but in Pakistan, it appears we have attracted majority of them for some reason.
Terrorism has no nationality, caste or creed and I agree that if Hindus have a case to be considered for asylum, then Muslims and Christians should. also be considered. What the Indian government has considered is hypocritical bias and proving once more that India is firstly a Hindu state and not secular. Terrorism and prejudice has affected every community in Pakistan even the mainstream. Dr Singh must consider what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.
I can not understand what writer is attempting to convey. Christians want to migrate to India what happened to Christian missionaaries couple of years back perhaps respected writter did not remember. Thanks GOD writter has acknowledged that there are numerous of Kasabs roaming in Pakistan I am confident these so called Kasabs do not want to go to India so ALL PAKISTANIS do not want to go. Further the special treatment given to HINDUS as accepted by writter blows the Indian goverment cover of SECULERISM.
This is not about Pakistan vs India, this is about ideals and values, we have lost ours and there is no way for you to defend any good thing that you can say about Pakistan. Where is the Pakistan Spring PEOPLE! Are you going to let your generation and the next one suffer while the world just looks down at us. When are we going to wake up?
Dr.Waheed , add to your observations, an Australian Christian missionary was burnt alive in one of the southern Indian states. 2000 muslims massacred in Gujarat while state chief minister, Modi quietly watched. Massacre of Sikhs & attack on Darbar Sahib Amritsar after the assassination of Indra Gandhi. A country where Hindu religion sanctions caste system,I was wondering what would be the status of Ms. Mirza if her wish comes true ..
Hi Ms. Faiza,
Your letter is very good but I think you have written this letter to the wrong person. It should really have been written to the following people:
- Baal Thackeray
- Narindra Modi
- The relatives of victims of Gujrat riots
- The wife of the christian missionary whose husband and two young sons were burned alive in their car
- The imam of the Babery Mosque
- The relatives of the victims of the Golden Temple incident
- Raaj Thackeray
- Arun Shuri
- The relatives of the victims on the Samjhota Express
- Col. Prohit
- The relatives of victims of Assam Riots
- BJP
- Shiv Sena
- Qutbuddin Ansari (Survived the Gujrat Massacre)
- The moazzin of the Babery Mosque
- L. K. Advani
I do not understand your point. Why would these people want asylum in India?
While no one will miss Faiza if she moves to another country. Our government, religious, and political leadership need to act in unison to eradicate all sorts of discrimination from the country regardless of the basis of such discrimination.
And the government official are right on your request as I write this. A prosperous and peaceful Pakistan is just a dream now. Not in generations, we will see a change.