Smokers’ Corner: From apology to perversity
It took them by surprise. Comfortable in the belief that the nation has well and truly been converted to a narrative that explains the violence of Islamic militants in Pakistan as an expression of defiance against everything from ‘US imperialism’ to the ‘invasion of Hindu and Western culture’. The advocates of this narrative were taken aback with the way the majority of Pakistanis and the mainstream media responded to young Malala Yousufzai’s shooting by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
As the social media wing of Imran Khan’s PTI went into overdrive on Twitter and Facebook in trying to explain their leader’s rather ambiguous stand on TTP, religious parties such as the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI), and the Difa-e-Pakistan Council, were caught stuttering in front of an aggressive media backlash. They were first shaken up and then exhibited anger at the way the media was putting them on the spot.
Amazingly, even though all these parties (including the once ‘new’ PTI) have in them seasoned political players. Their response to the hostility that they faced from the media, and from their political opponents (for not taking a clear stand against the extremists), suggests that none of them had even conceived a scenario where the electronic media would begin to furiously shoot holes in the narrative that these parties bank on.
But a week later and by the time young Malala was being flown to a hospital in Birmingham, a rearguard response from the so-called apologists coupled by a threat to the media by the TTP finally pulled back a bit the tide that was threatening to sweep away those being accused of punctuating their condemnation of the shooting with a series of buts and ifs.
A brief look at the way the events in this respect unfolded can further elaborate this: Malala is shot. TV channels and the websites of major Pakistani newspapers break the news. The news is at once shared across social media. Parties and personnel that are routinely denounced by right-wing outfits for ‘fighting America’s war’, condemn the shooting.
Soon, the TTP claim responsibility. Two of the ruling parties, MQM and ANP, begin to condemn the shooters by name. PTI and religious parties also begin to issue condemnations, but without mentioning TTP.
As details of the shooting begin to flood in, the electronic media, as if overnight, turns the apologist narrative on its head.
This is a turning point. Or so it seems. As hours pass, the media refuses to give vent to the many disclaimers that come with the condemnation statements of the PTI, JI and JUI. What’s more, a stern statement of the Chief of Army Staff, General Parvez Kiyani, appears, suggesting that the military will intensify its war against the Islamist militants.
What, the media begins to ask, did Malala have to do with US drone strikes? Those linking the brutal attack on her to the drones insist that the shooting was part of what the US is up to in the militant-infested areas of north-west Pakistan.
The media is not having any of that. A new day begins. Malala continues to hold on to dear life.
Days go by, as perhaps for the first time in the last decade or so, the apologists are finding themselves drowned out by accusations of being cowards and for trying to dilute the issue with the usual rhetoric about ‘nefarious US designs’ in the region.
The apologists call the shooters animals, barbarians, and what not, but refuse to take the name of those who proudly confessed to have sent the men to execute the school girl.
They are a reaction to US drone attacks, they keep saying. But what did Malala have to do with the drones? The media keeps asking.
On one channel, a woman JI member, pushed into a corner by a TV anchor who popularised the term ‘liberal fascist’ two years ago, tries to squeeze her way out by calling those accusing her party of cowardice, as liberal fascists. It’s a desperate act. She thinks this might soften the anchor’s stance. It doesn’t.
PTI, JI and JUI leaders and their supporters slightly change tact. Now they begin to ask, What about all the other Malalas killed in drone attacks?
The ‘liberal fascists’ snicker: This is strange, they say. When the same media was going about decrying the plight of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, none of them were concerned about so many other Aafias rotting in local jails (many of them without trial) and for crimes that were mostly committed by men.
They further enquire, How come when for weeks the media covered Dr. Aafia’s case, none of these parties accused it of exaggeration, or of overreacting like they are now?
Still feeling cornered and sounding sheepish, some PTI and JI supporters in cyberspace flood Twitter and Facebook with a tragic photograph of a young girl supposedly injured in a drone attack. But within hours the picture is proven to be a shameless forgery.
But even this does not stop those hell-bent on stubbornly holding on to their delusions. Pictures of Malala sitting with former US diplomat, late Richard Holbrooke, emerge. Yes, being a Pashtun girl from Swat valley she should’ve been seen tending sheep instead.
Then a TV anchor suggests that the cyber diaries written by Malala for BBC were actually written by someone else. Malala is unconscious to answer him. But then maybe so is his conscience.
Days pass. In spite of a huge rally by the MQM, openly condemning the TTP, the apologists slip back on the mini-screen. An ‘investigative reporter’, who, during the Swat girl flogging episode, was explaining the act being according to Sharia, this is how he analysed the Malala episode: “Very sad, indeed. But all this is due to our slavery for the US.”
His expert journalistic, geo-political analysis continued: “Our decision to join America’s war was against the dictates of Quran and Sunnah.” Seriously?
The apologists may make a comeback, but their response to Malala’s shooting will not be recorded by history as a story of gallant, principled men.
It will record it as a story of those who lied, forged and carelessly quoted from holy scripture just to defend a questionable narrative inflated by nothing else but their misplaced egos.
This is so political.. and you should not write about it please.. because you always write bias when you write on politics..
If you don’t like it, don’t read it!
Zardari is opposing Drone Attacks & Pakistan Foreign Office is Protesting Drone attacks with US after every successive strike. So what is Imran Khan saying that is so different. He is only fearful for the well being of his party workers. Taliban who didn’t flinch to fire upon a helpless 14 year old child, why would they spare PTI workers If Imran starts ranting against TTP. What benefit can PTI possibly get by supporting TTP? It is Mullahs that are secretly in cohorts with TTP not PTI
Drone attacks cannot occur on Pakistani soil without Zardari’s permission, and admission, so what Clive Stafford Smith is doing is different. PTI definitely doesn’t support TTP or JI or that other party that NFP named while completely ignoring PML-N’s sinister ways.
When media was decrying about plight of Aafia, you were concerned about other Aafias and you actually wrote article why media is not concerned about other Aafias. But when other people express concern about other Malalas, you dismiss their concern. Isn`t this hypocrisy
NFP , the malady is very deep. In a country where Ilm Ud Din is a Gazi and a hero for knifing to death ,a publisher found blameless by court ; you can only expect Mumtaj Quadri’s and would be assassins of Malala to find validity and justification for their actions in Koran. There will be no dearth of their supporters and apologists too. They all truly believe that they are doing a great service to Islam and Pakistan. This is what has been taught to them by the system in power. No use in singling out TTP. Things will not improve until the basics are done right . Trouble is if they are done right the edifice on which the country is erected will start to crumble !!!
He isn’t singling out the TTP, he’s attacking PTI and boxing both these parties with JI, He’s also ignoring the PML-N’s stance in all of this.
The thing that it does have to do with drone strikes is that the protests against drones were blocked by the PPP, army, Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif, using this as an excuse. The ‘shareefs’ in the Punjab have used the event to gain political momentum. Shahbaz Sharif is also the irresponsible person propagating the lie that the US and Musharraf are to blame for this: “Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif visited Malala Yousafzai at Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology a few moments earlier. CM spent quite some time with Malala’s father and her maternal uncle. CM was very touched on hearing how the sad incident occurred. CM stated that Malala is the pride of our nation and I find hard to believe that any Pakistani or a Muslim can carry out such a dastardly attack. CM shared that, to him, the pain Malala is going through is because of the ill-thought policies pursued by Musharraf. Also, CM recalled the time when Malala was invited as a guest of honour at the Prize Distribution Ceremony of Inter toppers at Lahore and she started her speech by saying that, “Swat ki bachiyan bahadur hain aur kisi se nahee darteen”. At the moment, CM announced naming the Danish School Attock after Malala Yousafzai and also announced a quota for students from Swat in this Danish School” -http://www.siasat.pk/forum/showthread.php?137970-CM-Punjab-Visits-Malala-Yousafzai . Every political party in this country has condemned her shooting as NFP admits in this article, he’s just busy picking on I.K and the PTI for personal reasons, as usual. NFP also conveniently ignores the starkly aggravating PML-N element highlighted above, he doesn’t even mention the party? That’s just not good journalism : “NFP” aka V for vendetta.
I disagree — nothing changed .. nothing will change.
Those who believe will give credence to the story that all Malallas are the same — and should behave the same!
So,can one say safely that the Malala episode is a dose of strong anti psychotic medicine for a society that is collectively sick??
No. It is just one of many wake up calls but is not strong enough. It is just something soft and appealing that electronic media has chosen to take on. The fad will fade away soon. If what you have called ‘sick society’ had to react, they had reacted the first time someone took up arms and misused name of the religion.
The women in my life have held bed pans for me to throw up when I was sick.
Walked me to the toilet when I was too weak to walk.
Given me a fresh change of clothes when I came walking in from drenching rain.
Kept a warm dinner for me when I come back home late in the night.
To me women mean NURTURE CARE AND CONSIDERATION.
I am sure plenty of Muslims see them the same way I do?
Just learn to treat them right?
Not just the tragedy struck,good looking child called Malala?
Let me replace the words “collectively sick” with ” yet to evolve,immature” society?
And,at this juncture, showing signs of incredibly crude behavior?
Since evolution- biological one or maturity comes on with time, I would like to hope that “land of the pure” will evolve too?
Hopefully,this distress it is suffering now will hasten the process?
NFP- Allow me to copy my previous comments in your last column :
Wali K. Niazi
October 19, 2012 7:51 pm
Oxford educated ,first class cricketer ,married to the daughter of one of the richest men in the world, reasonably rich himself, he could have continued an opulent life style in the UK and for that matter in any other place in the world, yet he opted to come back to his roots.Has declared his assets, income tax he paid, never lied, never shied away from telling the truth, never endorsed sharia laws, strongly condemned attack on a 14 year old girl – Now all of sudden he has become a focus of liberal,social media, a target of unbridled criticism for not naming talibans as if talibans would change their modes apprendi because he said so. We as a nation are doomed to status quo, to wear the yoke of landed & industrial dynasties. Wish we would listen to the message before killing the messenger.
Till the decent Muslims have the courage to say,” I don’t care what and how Kuran is interpreted, I will NOT support the enslavement of the women,” the terrorists and their coward supporters like Imran Khan, JI, JUI and others will not stop spinning any thing in to a American,Jewish and Hindu consipiracy to defame and attack the good religion of Islam.
These cowards will try to turn every thing as if it is America’s fault. What did America and Drones have to do with attempting to kill a little innocent girl and bragging about it. And for what? That she just wanted education?
WAKE UP PAKISTAN.
The attact on Malala is sad and condemnable. However, scores od Malalas are dying because of US drones, and if anybody dres to question tht, he is termed as middleages mentality. why this hyprocacy.
The story is that she was shot for wanting to grow up and be a doctor(Like more than half the girls in this country). Her shooting has nothing to do with drones. However, the immediate backlash to the event (Which NFP conveniently ignores) , was a PML-N Punjab government led campaign against PTI, Musharraf and Anti-drone protests.
The people who have tried to show TTP and the likes to be an army of God have no where to hide face, They cannot now defend. One lil girl has made a huge border between good an evil. Either you are good or you are evil. a tehreek who is force to silence a lil girl only shows how strong and mighty their values and principles are. These weeklings have nothing to do any religion.
Hypocrisy here, hypocrisy there, hypocrisy everywhere. Killing a human is an act of terror, be it Malala or tribals in wazirstan, naxal prone areas of India. Killing an innocent is killing.
What I find amusing in NFP’s articles is his deafening silence on “collateral damages” in bombings and drone attacks. Religious crackpots are bad, so are liberal crackpots. world would be better off without religions and without drones buzzing 24/7 over heads and terrorizing people around there.
President Zardari just said,
“There is need to have consensus following the policy of reconciliation to achieve the desired results in the war against terror and ensure peace and security.” Adding that, “if we don’t reconcile amongst ourselves, we cannot reconcile with other countries.”
.
In plain English that means we are going to do the usual – nothing.
Not quite. I am not an all-out supporter of AAZ. I see things on a case to case basis. Obviously, militancy has thrived in Pakistan because the general public has a soft corner for anything done in the name of Islam (even including senseless things). To many in tribal areas, Islamic form of government, even if it is based on militant interpretation, is not so dreadful. Also, even after any operation in any part of tribal belt is over, there will be no end to the mindset that is against West and democracy. Ok, they will give up arms but you cannot eradicate the mindset in one day. It is a slow process. I think what AAZ has said in this case is something for all politicians to ponder. It is important to establish writ of the state but it is also important to make the process sustainable. Of course, military operation every 3 years is not the solution. All people in the society have to co-exist now and forever. Building a reasonable consensus (not 100%) is important for the process to be successful and sustainable. Blind killing is not what military operation means. There has to be a political and civilian cover to it.
The other name of the cowardice is the consensus.
Brilliantly put, NASHA.
What concerns me about Imran Khan is what NFP pointed out in his last article regarding a dictatorial streak in the cricketer. Qadhafi and Castro both came on the backs of populist movements. We have all seen the results for 4 decades. In light of this, perhaps Salman Rushdi’s liking Imran to Qadhafi may not be too off the mark. Question is can IK heed the advise of Caliph Abu Bakr who asked his people to correct him if he deviates from his path of good governance?
Imagining Imran Khan can succeed in winning is putting the cart in front of the horse.
The inept authorities in Pakistan will not be the ones to lead the eradication of this cancerous menace of extremism but it will be the likes of “Malala” who will lead the public to rise up and march to drive out the un-Islamic “mullahs” and their barbaric followers to reclaim this precious Pakistan of ours! Inshallah.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed
citizens can change the world. Indeed it’s the only thing that
ever has.”
— Margaret Mead
And,that is an elevating thought? And,an anthropologist should know what she is speaking about?
Let me suggest Nadeem to write about TTP, what is their intent? I doesn’t make sense that they are dreaming about getting in power in Pakistan through violence. Is JI JUP and likes are trying to use them as their vehicle to power? is it again the dual military strategy “strategic depth”???
My personal opinion is that the only way to fight the taliban successfully is to first establish the requisite freedom to express any kind of criticism of the religion and the only reason why I have formed this opinion is after verifying that such was the case by which the Christian religion was put in its present place in the Western World.
Keti,
It’s not the religion that’s the problem but it’s the followers who have put their own “spin” or wrong interpretation of Islam is the problem!
who decides what is the correct or wrong interpretation of islam? All muslim countries have claimed that they are following the correct interpretation with disastrous results. After all, TTP just claimed that Malala is anti-islam. Even if you succeed in defeating current version of TTP, how can you prevent future TTPs from raising?
Both of you are right. The problem is with those who put on the “spin”. But it is the wall of “no question/no criticism” that allows them to do so. Apparently, if one invokes the name of God, he can literally get away with murder, as we have seen.
good article as usual.
Excellent work … see it actually works when you somehow able to not look at things from a Jiyala’s perspective and portray PPP’s point of view. On another note, I am not able to understand the not so subtle references to MQM in this piece. This really wasn’t about them was it. Nevertheless, shame on all the ‘brokers of belief” – (invite the readers to be as liberal as possible in the translation and interpretation of brokers)
To blame US is a lazy explanation.The complicated situation took 65 years to make and religion as basis for Pakistan is causing power to be concentrated in the hands of few, who have always made sure to exploit religion for power and it has worked till now.This is not the sound basis for grabbing power because problems are increasing by the day and one leader who inspired youth is not willing to take the problem head on.
I reprouduce Mr Tabish Ali’s letter here. It can be addressed to NFP as well.
This is with reference to Feisal H Naqvi’s article “Shame on you Mr Khan” (October 16). I want to thank Mr Naqvi for adding his voice to the incoherent cacophony of diatribes against the one man who is apparently to blame for everything that is wrong with Pakistan today. His article is based on a false premise, which he has derived from what Imran Khan said, the meaning of which he has completely twisted around. This is what Imran said: “We have local affiliates and supporters. Sure I can give big statements against the Taliban but that would make them [supporters] Taliban targets.”
Shame on you Mr Naqvi! To accuse Imran of “cowardice” for being concerned about the safety of others is sinking to extreme depths of irrationality that I cannot fathom coming from someone like Mr Naqvi. Since Mr Naqvi has not chosen himself as a potential leader of this nation and does not go roaming around all over the country conspicuously, with little or no security, he and others like him have the luxury of penning such frozen shards of ink to jab and stab others with, from the comfort of their armchairs. But let me make something clear: stop accusing brave and sincere men like Imran of cowardice and hypocrisy.
Why doesn’t Mr Naqvi first demonstrate to us the kind of “bravery” that he has demanded of Imran? Please take a tour of the whole country and specifically Waziristan. Remember to shout loud slogans on megaphones “openly” condemning the TTP to avoid any “lack of clarity” for the benefit of all people of Mr Naqvi’s ilk (who get confused when Imran is not as candid in his condemnations), specifically invoke their crimes one by one, including the brutal shooting of Malala, so that there is no doubt left about which thugs you are condemning. Or, if that’s too difficult, then do it from your home, but make your address known. I would like to see how “brave” Mr Naqvi really is.
With the large number of enemies that he has created by simply challenging the status quo, it’s not just the TTP that would want Imran eliminated. If Imran were really scared of death himself, he would never have risked going to Waziristan or Quetta the way he did, nor would he roam around the country like he has been doing for ages. If there’s one thing that he is genuinely worried for and willing to sacrifice even his image for, it is the betterment of this country, the healing of this nation’s wounds, for the safety of all of its citizens, regardless of which part of the country they live in. That fear, that worry (which Mr Naqvi shamefully misinterprets as cowardice) also translates into the preservation of his own life, which is as precious, if not more, to Pakistan as any other life at this point in time. As Imran’s supporter, I feel it is his duty to protect his life and the lives of those who join him under his banner, for the sake of Pakistan. If that means condemning the TTP in less than vociferous terms or indirectly, then so be it. We don’t want another addition to the shaheed brigade — you can have those from the ranks of your PPP — the ones you voted for in 2008. Call it tactical timidity or a calculated gamble — cowardice it is most certainly not.
When the TTP spokesman has claimed responsibility for the attack on Malala, then when one condemns this act and its perpetrators, why would there be any confusion about who is being referred to? Imran has condemned terrorists before and continues to do so — this does not exclude the TTP and all others involved in terrorism. His stance against terrorism and his counter-insurgency strategy are quite clear for those who bother to see. Disagreements are acceptable, but at least he has a plan compared with zilch offered by the others. He has even declared that we must disengage from the US war and make it our own war. What more does Mr Naqvi and others of his ilk want?
If Mr Naqvi feels Imran is in the wrong, then make him see better in a more constructive and respectful manner. I request him to stop doubting good intentions of others and stop seeing everything through the cold, calculating prism of cynicism.
Tabish Ali
btw I see a change now in PTI’s official stance, where from no operation they are drifting to talks and then operation against the defiants, which “fascist liberals” have been asking all along.
Fascist liberal is a contradiction in terms. The TV hosts are quite amusing.
Interesting television no doubt. There’s nothing like democracy.
Why should Imran Khan be treated with respectt ? With the kind of foul langauge he uses for his political opponents, he and his supporters should accept the same kind of foul language used against him. By the way another excellent article by NFP.
Such a long comment (of course I did not read it all) and look at what it brings. Negative responses. Deserved.
Just one request to all those who support Drones and who justify one brutality with the other. Plz also tell us how are they so confident that those who are killed in a Drone Attacks are all Terrorists. I also want this assurance. is the US so credible to be believed what they say. I personally hate TTP and but I like IK and Malala
I have a coin in my pocket. I like one face but I hate the other.
People killed in drone strikes are not all terrorists.
But 95%+ are terrorists or their supporters who are hanging around them.
excellent article.i agree with zalim khans cure for the the mad mullah disease.
What an irony , so called main stream muslims(talbans )shot a Muslim girl and infedels are trying to save her life.As far as Imran Khan is concerned he stand better chance in politics if he merge his PTI with TTP and come out openly with his agenda.I very much like MQM and ANP stand on this matter.
very sensible article-Reason and commensense prevails.
It’s funny.