Between the Devil and the deep Sea

            The present Government in Islamabad is faced with numerous problems. Everyone admits it but what the Government is doing for the solution of the problems is a question to be answered. At present, it seems that the whole attention of the Government is on the briefing to the Parliament. The U.S. attacks have become a routine matter and the repeated lengthy academic lectures of the concerned on the "˜sovereignty' of Pakistan, the capability of Armed Forces to act inside Pakistan etc; have jumbled the minds of the Pakistani nation. Neither a U.S. plane was shot down nor any U.S. army personnel was killed found busy in violating the soil of Pakistan. The Government has started a double game with the people of Pakistan and the Parliament. On one side giving briefing to the Parliamentarians while on other side have let loosed the Americans to target the place of their choice inside Pakistan, come without any fear, take action and then go out without any harm.

            The areas under operations are under the wrath of two armies. Both the armies have the same mission"”to purge the areas of "˜terrorists'. Now it seems that there is bifurcation in their approach towards the actions. Pak-army is concentrating on the establishment of the writ of the Government that has been badly damaged over the years for neglecting these areas both in the sphere of administrative and developmental works while the purpose of U.S army is only to "˜hunt down' those who are on their list. Both the ISI and CIA who were so far friends have now different tasks to accomplish. Who is the ultimate sufferer? The answer is obviously that Pakistani people are the real sufferer. Thousands of people who have been compelled to leave their homes and hearths have no time limit when to return. Their plight needs to be apprehended and comprehended. Before operation they were not sent to safe heaven. The result is that their children badly suffered. Their education was interrupted by military manoeuvres. The psychological effects of bombing and shelling will haunt them throughout their lives. Those who fled the areas are now on the mercy of charity organisations and common people. I am sorry to say that so far no one openly showed any sympathy with the people of the operated areas. It was necessary for the Government to conduct proper arrangement for those peaceful people who were themselves the victims of the "˜terrorists'. The whole print and electronic media is silent on the plight of the people who are "between the devil and the deep sea". Being a Primary School teacher, I have personally witnessed the plight of the children who have come down to our area and now in my class. Their condition is such that they have forgotten even the alphabets of English despite studying in class two. Their number is two in my class but I have guessed the horrible condition of other children relating to such areas. These children are the future of our Country. Who is agent of whom, who is working for whom, who is terrorist and who is patriotic, who is fighting for the Country and who is indulging in the subversive activities, these children have nothing to do with such like matters. They need uninterrupted education either in their own areas or in areas where they have now accommodation. After all, they are human beings and are not less patriotic than the others are. For a military man it will be a victory to regain the areas which have gone out of their control while as an educationist my victory will be to educate them and make them better citizens of the Country. If the Government is keeping the whole resources at the disposal of the military for "˜conquering' back the areas lost to the terrorists, it is also necessary for the Government to keep some of the resources at the disposal of teaching staff in fight against illiteracy which is the mother of all evils. If Americans are apprehensive about the future of Americans, we have also the right to say everything for the future of our next generation. The safety of the Americans is in the education and development of the areas which are now-a-days under their wrath. If you killed the father of a child today, tomorrow this grown-up child will kill your son and this sequence will continue to eternity. At no stage of period of time, you can guarantee the safety of American people or other areas of the World because the vicious circle will repeat itself. One thing more, the Americans are well aware of the Pakktoons of NWFP, Baluchistan and Afghanistan and their traditions. Force, power, coercion and intimidation cannot work while dealing with Pakhtoons. You cannot cow-down them by showing them military might. The better course is to make everlasting friendship and Pakhtoons are proverbial in their friendship. No Obama or his successor shall be able to get the desired results without taking into consideration the priorities of the people of Pakistan. The time is running out. The hardships of people are increasing day by day. The smugglers have created anarchy in the NWFP by creating crisis of flour and the profiteers are increasing the prices of flour day by day. On one side the Government is asking the people to help with the Government while on the other hand has completely closed eyes on the problems of the people. How cooperation will be effective amid the multitude of problems.

Manzoor Ahmad

B.Sc; L.L.B. M.A. Political Science

Marghuz Balar Khel, District Swabi, NWFP, Pakistan

Email: manzoorahmadjalalmallb@hotmail.com