War euphoria

Source: The News
Date: September 30, 2011

War euphoria by Harris Khalique

The televangelists, holy entertainers and the know-it-all jugglers of news and views are having a field day in Pakistan. What else would sell better than the war rhetoric in the living rooms of the middleclass urban and semi-urban populations? That is where the ratings for programmes and talk shows are gathered from. These are the people who use the fast-moving consumer goods, more or less the only manufacturing left in the country, and enjoy the different packages offered by cell phone companies. The commercials of these products make it possible for the private television channels to continue programming.

Therefore, profit-making has to be quick, sharp and maximum. The programming has to suit the palate of the most conservative political class in Pakistan. Sorry. Not conservative, confused and conservative. Mainstream electronic media is not capable of – or not interested at all in – bringing both knowledge and sanity to its audience by apprising them of the challenges Pakistan will face if there is an abrupt severance of relationship between the two allies in the war on terror. Therefore, for a change, the country we wish to fight and destroy this time around is not India but the United States of America.

When those running different institutions of the state of Pakistan are undoubtedly upset with the Americans, they want de-escalation in tensions, continuation of a constructive dialogue and a negotiated settlement. The corps commanders had no choice but to show restraint when they met and so did the prime minister and his cabinet members. The All Parties' Conference is underway at the time of writing this piece and it is an important initiative in terms of taking all political forces on board.

The prime minister in his opening remarks mentioned the willingness of the government to engage with the Americans and resolve any outstanding issues, although he was firm and forceful at the same time. This is because those running the affairs of the state, whatever their competence level may be, fully realise where the country stands in these difficult times, economically, politically and militarily.

But our media is playing a dangerous game by whipping up emotions of an already confused and conservative populace. Showing war footage from 1965 and 1971, playing war anthems, even if that happened once or twice, and airing provocative programmes where war-mongers are invited to speak or are taken on the phone as experts is strengthening a particular mindset. This mindset is suicidal, bigoted and jingoistic. It has landed us into trouble in the past, brought embarrassment internationally in the present and making us implode as a country and society in not too distant future.

Let us be honest to ourselves. Even progressive Americans cannot hold a brief for the foreign policy pursued by the Americans since the Second World War, leave alone someone coming from the third world. But in the case of Pakistan, who decided to side with the Americans and why since the times of Seato and Cento in Gen Ayub's era? Who decided to make Pakistan into the frontline state in America's war against the Soviets under Gen Zia? Who decided to become the closest non-Nato ally of the Americans under Gen Musharraf? Who has created the reliance on American military aid, the need for American development aid and dependence on international financial institutions dominated by the Americans? Who do we trade with the most? Why do half of us wish our children to study in the US and the rest wish to emigrate themselves? What's gone wrong now then? I rest my case.

The writer is an Islamabad-based poet and author. Email: harris. khalique@gmail.com

Link: http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=70109&Cat=9