This week fellow Dawn writer Eshwar Sundaresan wrote an astonishingly frank response to my article on the recent riots in Britain. He listed a catalogue of reasons as to why those from outside Britain might take pleasure in seeing her streets burn – I think I now understand the smug satisfaction I witnessed.

Perhaps because almost without fail every Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Indian and Sri Lankan I have spent time with has shown nothing but hospitality, grace, and warm spirit, regardless of my nationality (even when I was a diplomat), I have been lured into thinking that the crimes of my grandfathers and great grandfathers had been forgiven if not forgotten. It has been easy to forget that my passport is that of an historical oppressor.

I can attempt to issue an apology on behalf of my country for the suffering and deaths caused during colonial era and the brutal mismanagement as the Empire collapsed, but I am not sure my lone voice would suffice. So, as a starting point, and in response to Eshwar’s words, I have today filed an e-petition to appeal to the British Government for an official apology for the Amritsar Massacre. If successful, I will be asking for everyone’s help to get at least 100,000 signatures – making it eligible for debate in the House of Commons. Perhaps then we can move onto Kohinoor and who knows maybe Partition and the consequential bloody aftermath. Despite what Eshwar says, I don’t know a single British person alive today who would take any pleasure in the difficulties between India and Pakistan.

Although it pales in comparison to Partition and the events that took place in the Jallianwala Bagh public garden in 1919 – my thoughts this week have been filled with the now murderous riots in England. Six people have lost their lives in a short space of time (including Mark Duggan, shot by police), shops have been looted and, as many Pakistani friends have noted, London looks “worse than Karachi these days” (is that a wry smile creeping in there?). 

When I started writing for Dawn, I appealed to Pakistani people to find examples of dramatic co-operation, of triumph over adversity. I was convinced this not only makes better stories, but it is the right (and good) approach. The British media got off to a bad start with the riots, 24/7 news coverage captured every petrol bombs thrown, every miscreant hoodie-laden with stolen goods.  The Manchester police appeared to blame the media for fanning flames – and it became clear from the mentality of the looters that once they heard on the news that “shit” was “kicking off in their endz” that they would race to join in.

But then something amazing began to happen. Although Blackberry’s (BBM) was said to be connecting the bad-guys, the good guys were connecting on Twitter and Facebook. Riot Clean Up activists began organising themselves and at one stage the worst hit area – Clapham in south London – saw a crowd of over 300 people armed with brooms and bin bags clearing up. Builders offered their services for free to repair riot-damaged buildings; clothes, food and baby products are being donated en-mass; and social entrepreneurs have set up “Operation Cup of Tea” – which sells tea products in aid of those affected. Hundreds of people are taking part in impromptu acts of kindness. The widely broadcast clip of Malaysian student, Ashraf Haziq being beaten up and then robbed sparked British people to launch the Something Nice For Ashraf website which saw a huge outpouring of cash and goodwill to aid the teenager. And the footage of Tariq Jahan, father of one of the boys killed in Birmingham, moved the nation, and reminded us that the widespread riots were not ethnically charged. It is believed that his brave words prevented further violence.

I would love to hear whether this or something similar happens in Pakistan after civil unrest or extremist attack? I’d like to share the resilience of the people of Pakistan. What networks spring into action or are created?  How do the streets get cleared? How do people get to the hospital? What charity is given? Tell me stories; let’s share this.

And whilst we are looking at British history this week, it’s worth noting that, as Dan Jones writes in the London Evening Standard this week, today’s riots bear remarkable resemblance to those 630 summers ago. A fascinating read, that reminds us that even without BBM, rioters can communicate, so perhaps clamping down on social media isn’t the answer – but as we have seen, it can be part of the solution. I would even say that I take some smug satisfaction that this is the case, because I have long advocated social media as essentially a power for the good. My only regret is that the circumstances needed to demonstrate the fact this week are such sad ones.

The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.