This could happen only in a banana republic. The nation is now in a deep state of shock and mourning. A worst-ever earthquake in its annals has struck it devastatingly. It has left Azad Kashmir in wholesale death and ruins. And thousands of children, women and men have perished in the northern NWFP, which has become a region of death, destruction and grief. Large swathes of stricken people in its difficult mountainous ranges are still beyond reach for rescue and relief. And their grief-stricken kith and kin are desperate how to somehow reach them with succour, sympathy and consolation. Yet, the clerical brigade in the provincial assembly has in its supreme wisdom chosen this hour of great human tragedy and colossal national grief to move a bill to inflict its obscurantism on the people of this province. But who in the province was crying for this law? Aren’t the streets here presently crowded with people crying to know about the welfare of their loved ones in the stricken areas? Aren’t the homes here filled with grief, pain and wails of the families over the sad demise of their fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters? Who indeed was dying for this law that the clerical brigade was in such a hurry?
Yes, that clutch of mullahs, massaging their muscles in some obscure niches to sit on the backs of this province’s people as their moral mentors and morality guides, must be impatient. But couldn’t they hold back on their desperate passion for a time? After all, who needs them? The people of this province are proud practising Muslims. Their forefathers needed no guide or mentors to practise their faith. Nor did their fathers and mothers. Nor do they need them either or any Hasba law to carry out their religious duties and obligations. That is why there were no street celebrations when this clan steamrollered this law in the assembly over the spurious majority it has gained thanks to the first-past-the-post feat. Nor any tears were shed on the streets when the apex court threw out this law, declaring its several clauses unconstitutional. What indeed was the urgency to have a go for this palpably divisive law at this point in time?
Not irrelevantly, a leading light of this clan was furious over the recent National Security Council’s meeting, clamouring that summoning of this “contentious body” was wrong when the nation was in the throes of grief and tragedy for this earthquake. And the NWFP chief minister had to bear his barbs for sagaciously participating in the meeting to demand funds for his affected people, which he got. And now when the chief minister was wrestling in Islamabad for the recovery of huge arrears of hydel profits due to the province on which the WAPDA is sitting like a serpent, the clan itself moved a contentious legislation in the assembly. What to make of such duplicity of this tribe and its leading light? But this trait runs all across the country’s entire political class. An elusive APC is now very much in news. The ruling PML statedly has floated the proposal at the president’s behest. But when was such a moot held in these times when the government took some major decisions? And if the aim is to cope with the horrific earthquake aftermath with the collective wisdom, then what is the parliament for? Why its joint session is not being convened when the opposition is clamouring for it. Or is the parliament just a showpiece to delude the outsiders that we are a democracy? Verily, this country’s political class is just unbeatable for its ability to stun and shock. It’s a horrid lot.

Another Vietnam?

HERE’S more bad news from Iraq front. A US military report estimates that over 26,000 Iraqis have died in insurgent attacks since January 2004. “Approximately 80 per cent of all attacks are directed against coalition forces, but 80 per cent of all casualties are suffered by Iraqis”, the Pentagon report says. Of course, the original toll is estimated to be much higher. The report on Iraqi casualties has come at a time when America is counting its own dead that crossed 2,000 mark last week. The US toll is infinitely inferior to that of Iraqi toll though. According to Lancet magazine, the Iraqi casualties had crossed 100,000 mark several months ago.
Doubtless, America is in a terrible shape in Iraq. Casualties, both Iraqi and American, are constantly mounting. President Bush finds himself in a serious predicament. Washington appears to have no plan or clear agenda in place to deal with the disaster that is Iraq. America’s Iraq strategy — if there is such a thing like strategy — is blowing like wind without any sense of direction. No one appears to be in control of Iraq situation — neither in Baghdad, nor in Washington. If things go on like this, Iraq could very well prove yet another Vietnam for the superpower. In fact, pundits have been seeing the Vietnam pattern in Iraq for quite some time. And there are some who believe that Iraq, with its huge oil resources and critically strategic location, could be even greater headache than Vietnam for the US.
It’s about time the US got a fresh perspective on Iraq and do all it can to restore order and stability in the country. It must involve more and more Iraqis in the rebuilding and reconciliation process. Iraqi leaders sitting in the safety and comfort of the Green Zone and isolated from the rest of the country cannot bring peace to Iraq. They must be part of the mainstream Iraqi society. Although America cannot afford to cut and run in the present situation, cutting down on its troop presence — as the Pentagon had hinted earlier this year — is not such a bad idea. That may be the way to end the anarchy and bloodshed in the country. Perhaps the reduced military presence may turn the focus on diplomacy and dialogue helping Iraq to return to normalcy. Having invaded Iraq in the face of global opposition, the US must do everything to return a peaceful and stable Iraq, if not better, to its people. Bush’s rhetoric vowing to ‘complete the mission’ would hardly make any sense if America is not seen taking steps in that direction. Time for America in Iraq is running out.

—Arab News