Editor's Desk

Pakistan’s self-inflicted unending agony

Editor

Rajab 11, 14332012-06-01

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If Pakistan only faced external enemies, it would be easy to understand its problems. The real tragedy is that its rulers are the greatest enemies the state and the people have to face.

Starting with Asif Ali Zardari, the accidental president, to a lowly clerk in some government office, everyone is a crook. Zardari is a venal character whose only ambition in life is to lay his grubby hands on every paisa he can grab, whether from the state treasury or the people. Last month, Zardari showed up in Chicago for the NATO summit to be publicly humiliated by US President Barack Obama, who did not even acknowledge his presence. Afghan President Hamid Karzai, a far lesser figure, was given proper protocol. The NATO secretary general cancelled a meeting with Zardari at the last minute.

But is the conduct of other officials any better? Yusuf Raza Gilani was found in contempt of court and should therefore have resigned as prime minister, but perish the thought. He considers himself the supreme authority to interpret the constitution, not judges of the Supreme Court.

The country is torn by ethnic and turf warfare; the national airline, Pakistan International is on the verge of bankruptcy as are a number of other state enterprises. So is the country. The Americans are killing innocent civilians through drone strikes but state officials remain mum.

The people are rapidly losing faith in the very survival of the state and there appears no hope in the near future. Pity the country.

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