Comments on: Pakistan: Breaking down the stereotypes

By: article

article — Sat, 10 May 2008 17:51:18 +0000

article…

Some hotels don’t conforms the descriptions, that is why real reviews of people who stayed there are very useful….

By: S. Ahmed

S. Ahmed — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:02:49 +0000

When Pakistan was created back in 1947 - many prominent Indian and British figures such as Earl Mountbatten thought it wouldn’t survive. And why would it? A poor country, uneducated workforce, no industry and no institutions. Thankfully Quaid-E-Azam M. A. Jinnah worked hard enough to give us some semblence of a state before passing away.

Despite what the Western media says, we want our country to be sucsessful and prosperous. We’re told women are second class citizens and can’t walk on the street on thier own. That’s Saudi Arabia - not Pakistan. Go to any Bazaar in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad et al, at the weekend and all you’ll see is women shopping and buying clothes. The majority of graduates from Pakistani medical schools are women (with MBBS degrees).

Treatment of minorities is another major concern for the world media. Cricketers have the highest status in our country. Our best batsman - Mohammad Yousaf (Youhana) - was a christian who converted to Islam. Our best spinner is Danish Kaneria - a practising Hindu. The last chief justice of Pakistan was Rana Bhagwandas (Hindu). And a lot of prominent business men from Karachi (city of over 10 million) are Hindus and Parsis. Hardly a society where minorities are treated like animals. While there are people who discriminate against them - they exist in every country.

Peace

By: Dr Idris Shah Ebrahimi

Dr Idris Shah Ebrahimi — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:51:59 +0000

There is absolutely no doubt that Pakistan is a peace-loving state that is on the rise, It has the potential to be the next Japan, That being said the neighbours of Pakistan namely India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh must reconcile themselves to the existence of the Pakistani nation state. Only when India, Afghanistan and Bangladesh love thier own countries more than they hate Pakistan can there ever be a meaningful peace in South Asia. The western world has its own guilty conscience with regard to Pakistan, After utiziling Pakistan’s geostrategic advantages during the cold-war with the USSR they have now taken Pakistan hostage again to do its bidding in the War on Terrorism, Pakistan as a State abhors terrorism but will never-ever allow any country to interfere in its internal affairs, no matter what the consequences. If there is one thing the world can learn from Pakistan, It is that no-matter what obstacles are thrown in the way of Pakistan, But overcomes the obstacle and is always ready to overcome the next one. We are a resilient and proud nation that desires nothing more or less than to live in peace in the comity of nations and let others live in peace and honour.

By: Adeel Khan

Adeel Khan — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:23:46 +0000

I, being a Pakistani, am extremely ashamed of Musharraf. The parliament should expel him from the position of President immediately. I don’t see why national interests of a rogue communist authoritarian state like China to be more important than the the security of all countries in South and Southeast Asia. Musharraf has allowed China to build a deep sea port in Gwadar and as if this was not enough he is allowing China to build rail and road links into Pakistan under the name of trade.

History is being created as we speak and if we spinelessly bow down in front of a belligernat regime of China, I have no doubt that it would be opening up the way for Chinese invasion into Pakistan for our natural resources. I hope Pakistan does not become the “next Tibet” to be occupied or rather peacefully liberated by China in a few decades.

The best solution is a Free Tibet and a Free Xinjiang. The world should give them a chance and a helping hand to come out extreme oppression at the hands of the Communists. It is possible only with a unified and coordinated attack by the whole world on diplomatic, military, ecnonomic fronts.

By: Bijan Arora

Bijan Arora — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:25:12 +0000

I am a proud Indian, a proud Hindu and to tell you the truth it is really heartening to know that Pakistan is not all Taliban and Al-Qaeda only. I really appreciate Pakistanis taking pride in their secular credentials, free press, fashion and off course beautiful women. I would love to know a lot more about your beautiful country from you guys. You people are music to ears after all those sermons from Osama Bin Laden. Most of the Indians like me and there are many would like to see a secular economically thriving stable Pakistan in their neighborhood. I know there are awesome expressways in Pakistan and the more you will have the better for India as it gives our politicians some kind of benchmark to achieve. Most of the Indians do not have any grudge against Pakistanis, there are some issues with Pakistan as a country, its Military and ISI, even you as people of Pakistan know that, but as a Pakistani you are most welcome in India. Your artists, cricketers and many others already know that. There are lot Pakistani guys dating Indian women, I hope some day we less fortunate guys from India have a chance to date your beautiful women as well.
To all the Indians and Pakistanis out there, every house has its problems, but lets keep the neighborhood clean and friendly. Stop throwing stones at each other. Lets live and grow in peace.

By: Conscientious Observer

Conscientious Observer — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:27:47 +0000

This article regarding Pakistan is in contrast to what I have read about the country recently. Like most countries, I imagine it to have it’s beautiful scenery and good food of course. I imagine most people to want what is best and safest for themselves and their children. (Except for those that believe in honour killing of their children). I believe Pakistan would be worth visiting one day. But how is a ‘westerner’ viewed by the everyday person over there? How safe would it be for a westerner to walk the street by him/herself? Many westerners would only view Pakistan from what is in the media. Do women by themselves or with others walk the streets of the capital there without fear of attack during the middle of the day? I understand there would be the criminal element - just like every other town or city in the world, but the prevelence of suicide bombings and attacks on foreigners is very rare and some places non existent in many european and asian / pacific countries (unless certain irrational and insane groups have their way). I look forward to reading more views.

By: Narjis Ahmed

Narjis Ahmed — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:53:55 +0000

In response to morbidblack’s comments, I must say that it seems he believes all he reads, especially biased opinions that he reads about Pakistan. I think if he follows cricket he must know of Danish Kaneria who is a hindu playing for Pakistan. I personally know successful hindu businessmen living in Karachi. extremism also exists in India, otherwise the Babri mosque incident and the horrific Gujrat riots would not have taken place. Mr. morbidblack is quite mistaken in his opinion when he says that Pakistanis are enamored with India, yes they enjoy bolloywood movies and I think we are glad that we have a Muslim nation of our own where we are proud to be Pakistanis and have our own identity. And Mr. Morbidblack needs to brush up his history on Kashmir. India has it’s insecurities, no wonder bollywood has come up with countless anti-pakistan movies relating to the Kashmir issue, showing Pakistan as the huge villan as if India has been the innocent bystander.

By: morbidblack

morbidblack — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:45:02 +0000

Pakistan is a country deeply embroiled in muslim fanaticism whether the author or other Pakistani’s want to admit it. Though things might be changing, it will never change to the extent that it becomes a free society like the west or India because from it’s beginning Pakistan has always been and always will be an ISLAMIC REPUBLIC. Its law are based on the Sharia which can be argued that they do not favor women in the least bit.

Though Pakistan has a Hindu minority making up roughly 3 percent of the population, other than being mistreated and persecuted for their faith, anyone on this planet has yet to see a hindu Pakistani rise up in society.

As one coment has been posted about India regarding the atrocities going on there, there are always two sides to a story:
1. As many muslims were killed that many hindus were killed in the atrocities that occured in Gujarat….they occured and do not continue to occur.

2.The sikhs were violently suppressed in 1984, because the Sikh bodyguards of Indira Gandhi killed her because she was preventing their movement to create a Sikh country within India.

3. Over 50,000 Kashmiri’s have died in a conflict that covered roughly 60 years due to the presence of Islamic terrorists that want Kashmir to be part of Pakistan. Of course, it is to be noted that the terrorists are themselves trained and sent by the Pakistani government….
On this conflict, during the Independence movement, the ruler of Kashmir had given full control of Kashmir to India and not Pakistan. Since this happened well before 1948….the UN has no right to rule on it much less comment on it.

To make my stance clear….under no circumstances would India want pakistan as many people pointed out. We are a free and sovereign nation which do not seek to dominate anyone economically, politically or militarily. Moreover, only Pakistani’s are enamored with India starting from Bollywood movies to the freedom that the press enjoys. Reporters can only dream of attaining sucess and recognition that their counterparts in India enjoy.

By: clear eye

clear eye — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:22:00 +0000

Mr. reporter you should not have compared lion( India)with cat( Pakistan). India is world\’s third economy while Pakistan is no where to see !National pride is very good for the country man but should accept the reality.Before pointing fingers at the giant ,successful democracy of world , the citizen of Pakistan should introspect for their failure. Great will remain great no matter how you try to demean it……

By: Fred Pisacane

Fred Pisacane — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 05:40:05 +0000

Very good exchange and very informative article.

What are the motivations of those in the tribal regions for their support of Al Qaeda?

Unfair as it may be the suicide bombings and terrorism in the past few years have colored the view that many in West have of Pakistan. And don’t get me wrong I believe Pakistan is on the right track as the democratic revolt against Musharraf has demonstrated.

I think Westerners(at times myself Included) fall into the trap of labeling the Muslim world as a lost cause due to the preponderance of terrorism that originates here. This has lead to the failed policy of tolerating and supporting the many dictatorships that have characterized this part of the world.