A Friend In Need Is A Friend Indeed!

Eventually, the Pakistan armed forces broke their silence and showed their reaction through Air strikes in North Waziristan. It was a long-awaited step demanded by the people of Pakistan. However, some religious and political leaders are expressing their annoyance on PAF action against TTP in North Waziristan. Not only this, they are ever condemning the PAF action directly or indirectly. The Pakistani right-wing parties and their leaders do not seem to be happy on the PAF action. Similarly, none of committee members from both sides has yet supported the action. Whether it is Professor Ibrahim, Moulana Yousuf or Raheem-ullah-Yousuf Zai, all are on the same page on this recent development.

Everybody knows that the recent air strikes in North Waziristan, was after the brutal killings of 23 personnel of FC by TTP. Previously, the armed forces had been very quietly facing all the terrorist acts from TTP which, in turn, was creating a sense of insecurity in the common people. On the other hand, Taliban kept committing their terrorist attacks in the country despite the facts that government of Pakistan was already buy in negotiations with their officially nominated committee. The question is, should the Pakistani Armed forces not have responded on such an inhuman act from TTP? Pervez Rasheed, the government`s spokes-man, rightly question, “When our biggest enemy India did not treat our 90,000 soldiers in such a way, how could Taliban justify beheading our 23 FC personnel in the name of Islam?”

Unfortunately, this is not the first time that some Pakistani elements are pleading for Taliban on their butchery. For years, they have been doing the same. The reactions not only from the religious parties, but also from the Federal Interior Minister on the death of Hakeem Ullah Mehsud in the US-led drone attack were very astonishing for the people. One was considering Hakeem Ullah Mehsud as martyred, while the other was calling that drone attack as on the murder of peace in Pakistan. The question is, why do all of these people express their pain for only Taliban, who neither accept the Constitution of Pakistan nor have mercy for the innocent Pakistanis? Why do they not show similar sentiments for the victims of TTP`s terrorism? Is this the role that sincere and loyal leaders play for their people whom they claim to represent?

A couple of years ago, the issue of dual-nationality was on its peak. The Supreme Court, political & religious parties and media were discussing this matter. That time too, there was a clearly divided opinion on this issue. Like the Supreme Court, majority of the political and religious parties especially including PML-N, PTI, JI, JUI-F and JUI-S and some media-men like Ansar Abbasi, Oriya Maqbool Jan an Hamid Mir were raising severe objections to the dual-national Pakistanis. These were the people who were not in favor of allowing the dual-nationals to participate in the Pakistani politics. The most important question-like-objection from these people was, “The dual-nationals have taken oath to be loyal to a foreign country, then whom would they support in the time of war? Pakistan or their second homeland?

Frankly speaking, despite all good arguments for dual-nationals especially from MQM and PPP, it was a very logical objection from the opponents. This objection was practically based on the saying “A friend in need is a friend indeed”.

Therefore, taking into account the prevailing scenario in which the people of Pakistan and the armed forces are in the state of war against Taliban, is it not very obvious who is the true friend of Pakistan and its people? In the war-like situation where Pakistani nation has already lost more than 50,000 lives and has practically gone in the state of helplessness, is it not the most important duty of a true Pakistani to practically express solidarity with them and fully back our soldiers against the inhuman terrorists?

Of course, some political parties like MQM, PPP, ANP and some brave columnists are extending their support to the nation and the army. MQM has announced to hold a massive rally for this purpose as well. But, what about the so-called religious and democratic parties of the country like JI, JUI-S, JUI-F and PTI? Where are they standing in this very crucial time? Whom are they supporting against the people of Pakistan and the armed forces? By standing with the enemies, can they still call themselves loyal to Pakistan? I do not think so.