Media against Pak. helping U.S.

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, SEPT. 15. The English press in Pakistan has been known to be the column of reason and the Urdu press the abode of passion. But the new American focus on Pakistan as the first fallout of the September 11 tragedy has elicited sharp reactions from the liberal angrezi (English) press here as well.

Imagining all possible scenarios, all major newspapers today warned of a strong anti-American wave in the country. They also provided what one may call an ``Islamic perspective'' on the attacks and urged the country's leadership to work for ``national honour'' in op-ed articles and editorials.

``If we refuse to go all the way down the road with the Americans, the mood in Washington is to punish us, whether we deserve it or not... If Pakistan agrees to what the Americans want... that would swell into a massive surge of anti-Americanism within the country with all the armed and trained jehadi elements turning their guns inwards...,'' The News said in an editorial.

``Appalling as the loss of innocent lives is, the question has to be asked as to why the U.S. is so totally oblivious of the strong hatred it excites in so many despairing corners of the globe...,'' the Dawn said in an article `The fury of despair' (Sept. 14).

``The injustice and discrimination and disparity, which has been the policy of the main world power towards the third world, especially the Muslim world, could be identified as the main causes of tragedy the Americans are experiencing...,'' said The Pakistan Times in an editorial `U.S. needs to react wisely'.

The lead article `Cruelty of a crushed people' by Mr. Robert Fisk in the Peshawar daily Statesman said: ``And there will be, inevitably, and quite immorally, an attempt to obscure the historical wrongs and the injustice that lie behind Tuesday's firestorms. We will be told about `mindless terrorism', the `mindless' bit being essential if we are not to realise how hated America has become in the land of the birth of three great religions.''

Many writers were severely critical of the U.S. and urged Washington to be reasonable. ``But the mood in Washington is not introspective. It is angry and it is looking for quick villains. Even if hard evidence is yet to come by, fingers are already pointing at Osama bin Laden. This has direct implications as the road to Laden passes through Pakistan. Or so at least our American friends insist on thinking,'' Mr. Ayaz Amir, columnist, wrote in `The fury of despair', wherein he listed examples of subjugation from all over West Asia. In an editorial, The Dawn today listed attacks on Muslims in the U.S. in the aftermath of the tragedy.

``The atmosphere in Islamabad has become both tense and rife with rumours of all kinds,'' The Nation said in an editorial `Pressure on Islamabad', adding, ``Even a military government cannot totally ignore popular feelings, and the U.S. must not make the mistake of making impossible or over-difficult demands.''

The Pakistan Observer said, ``There are reports that U.S. officials are giving veiled threats of retaliation against Islamabad if it did not cooperate. This is quite in line with the typical American behaviour of arrogance and haughtiness in dealing with other States.''

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : A master guerilla and Taliban foe
Next     : U.S. expects Pak. to play active role