Why Doesn’t the World Care? Re: # 36
FROM AAMIR IBRAHIM

Libyan option is not really an option. We dont have any oil. Turkey route is a more desirable option. Securlization, modernization, while still holding on to our cultural identity.

Why Doesn’t the World Care? Re: # 25

FROM AAMIR IBRAHIM

Thank you Salim for sharing your views.

``In a nutshell, Pakis have to become more tolerant, more respectful of their own people, less biased, less extremist, more logical, and yes more peaceful``

Totally agree.

Clash of Civilizations is a fascinating theory of Harvard Professor Samuel Huntington. Suggest you read his article http://www.foreignaffairs.org/19930601faessay5188/samuel-p-huntington/the-clash-of-civilizations.html (if this doesnt work, google him) and whether it makes more sense.

Hatefest? Me? Pls reread your 2nd paragraph.

Why Doesn’t the World Care? Re: # 22
FROM AAMIR IBRAHIM

I dont think that Pakistan would have denied the scale of magitude initially. I wasnt there so cannot attest or deny but I found out about the earthquake and its scale on a blackberry in Flordia within 6 hours.

Deaths are still being counted 25 days after the earthquake. The terrain, rains, and lack of resources made it difficult not only for recue and relief efforts but also for counting the dead. But from the onset it was quite clear that it is a mammoth task with significant outside help required.

Why Doesn’t the World Care? Re: # 15
FROM AAMIR IBRAHIM

I dont think Nuclear power has anything to do with it other than the fact that much of the money wasted here could have been spent on a dozen better things.

Clash of Civilizations is a popular theory of Harvard professor Sameul Huntington. Initally I too was not too overwhemled by it, but the changing reality of the world makes me think there is significant merit in it. For the longest time I was another nameless, facelss person in the world. Now I am a male, Muslim, Pakistani. This identity clashes with the people I work with, the countries I visit, the views I express.

Interestingly enough you mention that being the sole Islamic nuclear power is a main reason for the world being uncharitable and yet you think talking about `clash of civilizations` is intellectual dishonesty

Why Doesn’t the World Care? Re: # 5
from AAMIR IBRAHIM

I havent quite proposed any solutions. Just tried to analyze the causes of apathy. But do agree with what you have suggested.

Why Doesn’t the World Care? Re: # 5
from AAMIR IBRAHIM

I havent quite proposed any solutions. Just tried to analyze the causes of apathy. But do agree with what you have suggested.

Why Doesn’t the World Care? Re: # 3
FROM AAMIR IBRAHIM

Quite on the contrary I acknowledge that most of the problems are self created (not having a tourist friendly envirnoment despite some amazing natural beauty), Pakistan`s unfriendly business envirnoment, its poor relations with the rest of the world, etc.

Why Doesn’t the World Care? Re: # 1

FROM AAMIR IBRAHIM

DARFUR - The UN stopped short of calling it a genocide. Yes I do agree a lot of wilful murders were committed in addition to famine. I used the word famine, as the famine started the politically motivated problems.

Why Doesn’t the World Care? Thank you all for the comments & opinions.

I was hoping that there would be more dialogue on the hypothesis I presented and less on the vitriolic feedback on Pakistan’s problems. But I respect all comments and opinions, even though I may not agree with some of them.

Since the subsequent interactions have taken a direction of their own, I’ll chip in with my two cents on some of the recurring themes…

ON Indian Aid and Pakistan’s refusal: Pakistan needs help. It needed it four weeks ago and it will need it for many more years to come. Whatever India’s motives, if this aid reaches the people on the ground – it is good aid, if it doesn’t, we don’t need it. $25m is not insignificant. It took me four days to raise £ 3,422 from work colleagues.

Enemies helping each other without reward or recognition is the truest form of humanitarian help. I don’t think India quite offered this, but then again we should take whatever is on the table, say ‘thank you’ and move on.

ON Pakistan’s desire to Ummah dominance: Most of family, friends, and acquaintances would disagree. Maybe this group is not representative of the 150m people but what everyone in Pakistan does want is an economically prosperous Pakistan, without sectarian violence, with good relations with our neighbors and beyond. We agree on the need for having good roads, quality education, functional hospitals, law and order, high employment. Most of us are also very self critical and recognize that we got ourselves into a lot of mess and we can count only on ourselves to get out of it. We don’t have a consensus on the way out. And I certainly do not have a roadmap that I can present in 2,000 words or less.

Pakistan’s Image Problem: I am a marketer by profession and believe in importance of branding, advertising and public relations. I also acknowledge that no amount of advertising can sell a bad product twice. Yes I do admit we have to fix the reality of Pakistan as well and agree with most of points raised in Response No. 10. If we can regroup and rebuild after this disaster, with or without external help, it will certainly raise our self confidence which will be recognized around the world.

I’ll respond to some of the other comments individually. Again, thanks for your comments.

AAMIR IBRAHIM

Scream Its taken me a while to go through the article and all 70 responses so far. Ive been conviced and counter convinced on a number of occasions. Good intellectual masturbation. Does India want to score points? Who knows, who cares. Do Pakistanis need help. Yes. Do Kashmiries care where the help comes from? No.

It will take quite a lot to erase the decades of mistrust and latent hostility between our nations, but as individuals we can cover the distance relatively quickly if only we are prepared to make a start - and now is as good a time as any. So lets pls come back to the article and debate whether screaming makes a difference? I think it does but only if we shout in the right direction and Im afraid we are preaching to the converted.

Musings Of A Suspected Terrorist actually i happened to be on the same flight and no one was nasty to me. maybe you shouldnt make an issue out of a non issue.

And if America really sucks, start refusing the mega bucks you get for bonuses from that bank of yours....

in any case... its a good thing you put your thoughts to paper, even if you needlessly decided to remain anonymous, Faisal.....

The problem with any effort that sets out to critique Satanic Verses is the excess baggage that comes along with the effort. In the 90`s it was impossible for anyone not to have an opinion on Satanic Verses (or Salman Rushdie), whether or not they read the book - which in 99% of the cases they hadnt.
Even today, the book is better read without discussion - for it evokes feelings, strong and passionate, which do not necessarily reflect on the artistic merit of the book. With such bias what hope do we have to say whether it was a work of genious or nonsequittar gibberish. And why should we convince others of our self righeous opinions anyway....

Pakistani Men Just Don’t Know How Kamran,

Is this your dream or your story?

To make the sequel interesting, get Rubina to write it. Would like to hear more about the Lahori lesbian scene.

a

Shammo’s Curse the story came from my mind - and from the suffering of many unheard voices.

and yes, I am a male:)

11 Men and a Ball did your sophomoric article have a point? Did you consider other reasons why your husband failed to form a sentence the whole day (a) didnt want to talk to you (b) preoccupied with work worries (c) just not a good communicator. At least he is gorgeous!!

When can we expect equally enlightening articles on other sports like Soccer- - 24 men and a ball... Snooker - 2 men and 21 balls .... Polo - 12 men, 12 horses, and a ball

do we need Freud to understand you, or do you need to understand him, before you write?

Incidentally how did you count 14 men on the screen...