What Pakistan feels about the Mumbai Terror Attack

Moments after Mumbai attack was shown live on television, reports started pouring in that the terrorists had come via the sea route from Karachi. The updates that kept coming later, made it amply clear that terrorists not only came from Karachi but were born and bred in Pakistan, picked up as recruits in Pakistan, trained on the Pakistani soil, by some Pakistanis who belong to the Lashkar-e-Toiba group. It was clear that PAKISTAN HAD ATTACKED MUMBAI. (I dont care if people think i am generalising. If so much can be allowed in the land of Pakistan, i have rights to generalize.)

So when we can all see it that where the attack came from... Pakistanis would beg to differ.

Today's Indian Express has a nice report of how the Pakistan media has been carrying this news. Forgive me for plagiarism but i would love to share this with the readers of my blog.

TALKING PAK

With Mumbai 26/11 escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the hostilities are playing out on a different platform: the media and the Net. While the Indian media has been talking of the “Pak angle”, the media in Pakistan has declared a virtual war on the Indian government and media. It is “hurt and angry” that India is “again” pointing fingers at Pakistan “without any proof”. Sympathy after initial news of the attacks gave way to defensiveness when Pakistan was first blamed, then to belligerence as the blame game intensified. Here, we tune in to some Pakistani TV channels, zoom into their blogosphere and peep into online social groups to hear their voices—mostly angry, some jingoistic and a few restrained.

TV: The big picture

News 1: Zaid Hamid, ‘security consultant and strategic defence analyst’, is a fixture on this channel: whether it’s on Mujhe Ikhhtilaf Hai with Qudsia Qadir or on Siyasat Aur Pakistan with Faisal Rahman. On Mujhe Ikhhtilaf Hai (I differ), Hamid made incendiary comments on how the Mumbai blasts are the handiwork of "Western and Hindu Zionists". "The Indians wanted to orchestrate 9/11 and recreate the drama of that but failed miserably," he says. He continued: "Inki shaklein Hinduonwali hain, jis zabaan mein guftagoo kar rahein hain, woh zabaan koi Pakistani istemaal nahin karta hai". (The terrorists looked like Hindus and their dialect was not what any Pakistani would speak)

Aaj TV: On the programme Live with Talat, Talat Hussain wondered if India and its media are jumping the gun by "instinctively pointing fingers at Pakistan". A clipping of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s address to the nation, promising to "strongly take up with Pakistan…that the use of their territory for launching an attack on India will not be tolerated", is followed by Hussain citing the Samjhauta blasts of February 2007. Then, too, India and its media—newspapers and TV channels—blamed Pakistan-based groups. It now turns out, Talat said, that "right-wing Hindu groups" and a serving Lt Col, Prasad Purohit, were behind the blasts. Aaj TV’s news programme, Prime TV, quoted Major Gen Athar Abbas, a senior Army officer, as saying that there are no terror camps on Pakistan’s eastern border.

GEO TV: On November 28, viewers heard something that took many by surprise: commandos seen sliding down a rope from a helicopter onto the Nariman House rooftop, were described as “Israelis’’. Geo TV said there were reports that the men in black were not Indian NSG commandos but Israeli ones. Just like Indian channels put together clips from "fringe Pakistani channels" to show how the Pakistani media was taking sides, a report on Geo TV pieced together a TV clip from Indian channels which, they said, had eagerly jumped to the conclusion that Pakistan was behind the attack and were pushing the Government to go to war with Pakistan. The report showed Indian reporters claiming that the Pak Navy was behind the attack, without attributing it to anyone. Another said rather provocatively, "Das atankwaadi, das ke das Pakistani." The report also shows clips of TV advocating attack on terror camps in Pakistan. But the report also says that there have been some voices of restraint. It took Kabir Bedi’s quote on Times Now: "Let’s make a distinction between the government of Pakistan and the people of Pakistan, let’s also make a distinction between this government of Pakistan and previous governments of Pakistan". On his programme Meray Mutabik, former PTV chief Dr Shahid Masood described the history and size of the Indian media, praised its role in breaking stories and its anti-establishment line. Masood wondered if India’s investigative journalists would get to "the truth of the Mumbai blasts instead of blaming Pakistan". A panel discussion, Capital Talk, took a more strident stand. It began with a "report" on the "atrocities India commits in the name of secularism—attacks on Christians, people gone missing in Kashmir, atrocities on Dalits". The show advised India to act against the likes of Pravin Togadia and Lt.Col Purohit, instead of carrying out a propaganda against Pakistan.

DAWN News: Another panel discussion; this time with the three top guns of Pakistani media—anchors Hamid Mir, Talat Hussain and Nasim Zehra. In an hour-long programme aired last Saturday and Sunday, they took turns to say that the Indian media was "too nationalistic", "told lies" and seemed to have made a habit of pointing fingers at Pakistan.

AL JAZEERA, QATAR, DOHA: Al Jazeera English tries to maintain a balance. It said that so far, there is “zero proof that Bin Laden and his Al Qaeda are in any way involved in the Mumbai attack" but added that the way Westerns were targeted makes the attacks a "trademark of the Al Qaeda”. It ended by saying: “Seems that like-minded groups are emerging in spite of the US’s so-called global war on terror”. On the channel’s Riz Khan Show, former CNN anchor, Riz Khan, in Mumbai “to study the success of Bollywood and explore social issues”, found himself assessing the attack: wasn’t this Mumbai’s 9/11? And how on earth did the attackers sneak in?

IBA NEWS, JERUSALEM: As expected the focus was on Rabbi Holtzberg and his wife killed in the Nari man House attack. One clip that makes it toYoutube is a report on the prayer meeting held in honour of the Rabbi and his family. It dwells on Baby Moshe still clutching his ball and still crying uncontrollably for his "Emma (mother)".

ON BLOGS

On http://darkcoldcoffee.wordpress.com/ 2008/11/30/, Raheel Lakhani questions the links between terrorists and religion in ‘A reaction is all they needed’. “Terrorists have no religion or nationality,” he writes. He thinks India and Pakistan are using the Mumbai attacks for their own purposes thereby playing into the terrorists hands who want “a ripple effect” and (you are) helping them achieve their motives”. Angry, he adds that if people around the world “are such cowards that our insecurities are only fulfilled by labeling, accusing and killing people'' or “harvesting more insecurities by propagation of fear then we all are also terrorists”.

“PS: The Arms Business is one of the biggest in the world. The fear propagated through them makes us buy them more.” With much talk on Indian TV of the need to raid Pakistan, Pakistanis debate the possibility and its possible outcome. Riaz Haq posted “Can India Do a Lebanon” in Pakistan (http://www.riazhaq.com/2008/12/can-india-dolebanon-in-pakistan.html) last Tuesday. He quotes Indian writer Pankaj Mishra's article in The Guardian on the possibility of India imitating Israeli raids on Lebanon. He wonders whether Indians growing admiration for Israel, Obama's support of India's right “to protect themselves”, and imminent general elections may tempt India to “do a Lebanon”?

In a detailed argument, he warns India would fail. “…they may… make some short-term tactical gains,” by killing a few suspected "terrorists", innocent civilians, and occupying some Pakistani territory temporarily. But in the long run, “they run the risk of a spectacular strategic failure leading to more and bigger terrorist attacks and possibly a nuclear conflagration in the South Asian region.” He argues that an Indian attack would “relieve pressure on Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Pakistan's FATA region, strengthen support for Pakistan's military, weaken Pakistan's democracy”.

Another blogger, Supersizeme feels ordinary Pakistanis do little to make any positive change “in this repulsive ideology that has grasped not only our country but our religion” or to disprove the stereotype that all Muslims are terrorists: “Instead of saying ‘yeah, we do have a problem. Lets try to think of ways to fix it’, we get incredibly defensive and take offense at anyone lumping us in with terrorists.'' Another response illustrates why many Pakistanis are now angry at India. Raza admits finding it hard to sympathise. “Be honest: although you let out an 'OMG' or a 'that looks terrible'…you snarled under your breath, 'they had it coming,' or, 'whatever…the Marriot was worse.'.. (So) why are we chastising Indians for feeling angry and afraid right now?'' One reason is that “Pakistan deals with this stuff every day'' but no one sympathises.

“Our people are getting killed day by day in this fight, and no one gives a s…. So do excuse us for being a just A LITTLE bitter.” Still, he hopes those responsible for the attacks are caught. “As Pakistanis, I am sure we will do everything in our power to make sure that this doesn't happen again. But boys, this is one ride you're gonna have to come along for...so strap in.''

As Indo-Pak relations nosedive, some bloggers offer solutions. Here's one from http://pitafi.com/2008/12/03/mumbaitragedy-a-doable-solution/ “The best, and perhaps the only, option is that India with the help of the international community probes the matter and compiles the evidence. Then it can provide Pakistan the evidence with the diplomatic request to try the accused. Pakistan government then can ensure that the apex court's full bench tries these element in open and transparent hearings and they are finally brought to the book.”

Lets hope that better sense prevails...

Dear Mr Prime Minister

Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

Hello. Please understand that i am at my politest best. Considering the present scenario (incase you dont understand what i am talking about - let me be clear - i am talking about how India was caught napping when Pakistan came and blew us out), i would like to get straight to the point.

You ofcourse (i believe) know what has happened in Mumbai. Its a kind request not to procrastinate any further and get a national defence policy in place. Like as soon as possible. And i have the right to tell you this. We elected you and our lives are being sacrificed as you go around with your ultra-sophisticated security. God knows whats taking you so long to make up your mind. First it was Jaipur, then Bangalore, then Ahmedabad, then Delhi, then Assam... and Mumbai was the final nail in the coffin. If losing a 1000 lives in the recent attacks is not enough, i would like to know, what will motivate you to take some action.

I read this on your official website. And i would like to politely quote your own website as to what your duties are:

"Some of the important matters that require the Prime Minister's personal attention include the following:

(a) Important defence-related issues;
(b) Decorations, both civilian and defence, where Presidential approval is required;
(c) All important policy issues;
(d) Proposals for appointment of Indian Heads of Missions abroad and requests for grant of agreement for foreign Heads of Missions posted to India;
(e) All important decisions relating to the Cabinet Secretariat;
(f) Appointments to State Administrative Tribunals and the Central Administrative Tribunal, UPSC, Election Commission, Appointment of members of statutory/constitutional Committees, Commissions attached to various Ministries;
(g) All policy matters relating to the administration of the Civil Services and administrative reforms;
(h) Special Packages announced by the Prime Minister for States are monitored in the PMO and periodical reports submitted to Prime Minister; and
(i) All judicial appointments for which Presidential approval is required.

So, to get to the point directly, your foremost duty, in the most simplest terms, is to protect India. And i must add that you have failed miserably at doing that. Had you spent even half of the energy you spent on acquiring that nuclear deal, behind securing our land and sea borders, we wouldnt have been in such a vulnerable position today. Had you spent even half of the time you spent discussing the alliances with the LEFT, behind listening and talking to our army, navy and air force chiefs, our safety wouldnt have been compromised to such degrees today. Had you spent even half of your time, addressing the important defense related meetings, instead of meeting the business honchos of this country, our financial capital wouldnt have been attacked.

Its high time you and your cabinet, give in your 100% to secure this country. We would like to see some action. We would like you to put your speeches into practise. We would like you to raise your voice and show Pakistan where it belongs to. We would like to see some of the promises you made come true.

And please dont cite budget or financial problems. It would be fair to pool in all your resources and invest them in securing our borders. Infact i have a brilliant idea. The donations that you will gather for the Congress party for the coming elections, why dont you divert all that funds into equipping our army with the best weapons, paying our soldiers enough money that the career in the armed forces is attractive, behind building such a huge army that any nation will think twice even before raising their sight towards us??? Believe me, the votes will follow automatically.

And the nation is with you. If you promise honest disbursement of money, the indians are ready to contribute their bit for the security of this nation. We will carry out a nationwide donation campaign to strengthen our army. And we already have The National Defense Fund in this regard. Though its sad to see, that inspite of the contribution from the public, the funds have been grossly underutilised.

Here are the details:

The National Defence Fund was set up to take charge of voluntary donations in cash and kind received for promotion of the national defence effort, and to decide on their utilisation. The Fund is used for the welfare of the members of the Armed Forces (including Para Military Forces) and their dependents. The Fund is administered by an Executive Committee, with PM as Chairperson, and Defence, Finance and Home Ministers as Members. Finance Minister is the Treasurer of the Fund and the Joint Secretary, PMO dealing with the subject is Secretary of the Executive Committee. Accounts of the Fund are kept with the Reserve Bank of India. The fund is entirely dependent on voluntary contributions from the public and does not get any budgetary support.

The Income and Expenditure Statement of the NDF for last five years is follows:-
B/F (Rs. in crore)

So its time to take some action, Mr Prime Minister. We have enough threats on our heads and we are sure that none of the leaders of the political parties will die. It will be those innocent civilians again. Do your bit and the votes will follow. Take some step and we will back you. Its time to leave apprehensions behind and take that one bold step that is the need of the moment. Do whatever in your means to secure this nation. Some dozen men cant just enter India, shoot some 150 people on a fine wednesday night at some of the poshest hotels in India. We cant let them to continue laughing at us. Go prove, we are not some jokers.

Promise us, that you will do something and you will do something good, something concrete. You have few months left in office and this is your time to transform your words into action. This is the time to show Pakistan that we wont take their droppings on our heads at the cost of humiliating us. This is the time to show to the world that we wont only be an economic superpower of the world but also the most secure place in the word. This is the time to show everyone that we cannot only produce the best engineers, doctors and scientists of this world but also the best army of this world. This is the time to show your fellow Indians that behind the soft spoken demeanour, there's a determined man who will stand by them in their trying times.

This is the time Mr. Prime Minister. And your time starts now.