Mukhtaran Mai vs. the Rest of Pakistan It is amazing that people single out a wrongdoing and beat it up especially if it is in Pakistan or a Muslim associated with it. Wrong doing are happening every where many times worse than the case of Mukhtaran; my true sympathise for her and promise her that if her case is true, the culprits would suffer both in this world and hereafter - that’s my belief; she remains pure as her will was not there, and the society should stand by her.

As far as her going to other country is concerned, I can understand why the government is reluctant; for sure it knows that the international media will remain oblivious to 1000 good events happening in Pakistan, but blow out of proportion if some bad event took place. If Pakistan government is not telling other governments to send victims in their country to Pakistan, so they could propagate victim’s stories in media and bash other countries, other countries have no right to ask Pakistan for the same. The best policy is mind your own business, just as Indian government tells international media that mass killings of minorities is an internal matter of India, so let it be with other countries too.

Having said that let me say that all such cases should be condemned without any racism, ethnicity, and colour or religion association. I can present many cases in developed countries done by Hindus, or other religion followers. For example, these days an Indian doctor is under trial for killing around 100 patients in Australia, a year before another Indian doctor`s license was cancelled because he committed rape of his white lady patient, some Indian restaurants have been closed down because of non-hygienic conditions and even programs shown on television. Now should one start talking about these wrong doing due to their association with Hindu religion? or Indian nationality? A wise person would not say so, and it should not be, for the culprits are individuals at least in these cases, countries and religions should not be labelled in.

Last Rites in Kashmir or a New Journey? Dear Arjun (ref#302)
I am a researcher and a developer, and a frequent traveller to all of the continents. Mostly to the developed part of the world! I never had any problem before and will never! Just for a change, I suggest you to try and seek the truth in all aspects you have mentioned, for sure, whenever you have the time and willingness to do so. Once you have the light of truth, you will be afraid of no darkness at all may it be from the west, east, north or south!
Hope you find the light
Take care

Last Rites in Kashmir or a New Journey? Hi friends remember if today your neighbour forcefully enters your home and drive some of your family members out, you would not like it. Further, if the neighbour start throwing parties in that home, as a very special place, all new neighbourhood would love to go there and enjoy unaware of the fact that the host is not the real owner of the place. The only people who will never become part of the party enjoying group would be the real home owners, both driven out and left in, and their sincere friends, they would be fighting to get back their home and freedom along with honour and respectability.

Few decades later, if the saga continues, some of the weak family members remained inside the home may give up and accept the new owner, nevertheless those with integrity, strength and honour would never give up their struggle will go on and the support of those driven out would always be there.

The new neighbourhood, party visitors and some ignorant peace lovers may also look at the freedom fighters as troublemakers in the neighbourhood; they may not understand why these few people are fighting and turning such a beautiful home into a shamble. The ‘culprit’ who took over your home would always be showing an innocent face to these new neighbours and visitors seeking their blessing and support against the fighters.

This is what is happening in Kashmir. The people who are fighting in Kashmir against Indian army are not terrorist rather freedom fighters only trying to get back their home and their freedom. Past Indian government and United Nations have on record accepted these facts. All the right-minded people in the world should help the Kashmiries. They have suffered a lot; lets put an end to the continuing suffering of these people. 80,000 (Indian news statistics) to over 200,000 (Pakistani news figures) have been killed, many raped (even Indian army court-martialled some of its soldiers for gang rape), abducted and tortured.

Sincerely, if Indians today do announce for accepting the will of Kashmiries and give in, their image will not go down in the eyes of the world rather enhance, for they say “subha ka bhoola agar shaam ko lot aye tu ussay bhoola nahein kehtey…; though in the Kashmir case this shaam has gone a bit too long…almost 58 years.

The Genesis of Militancy in Pakistan I can only feel sorry #16 .... every one preceive others as per their own mentality, so I am not surprised... I know the two mentalities, can sadly smile at the level achieved by the cartoonist and #16, and move on for I cannot go to this mentality level.

Coming to the Real Pakistan values, my friend look around and you will see unlimited goodness led by the likes of Abdus Sattar Edhi, Haji Munshi (Hospital), Imran Khan`s Cancer research hospital (all examples are where I have either contributed or have experiences as a visitor) and unlimited unrigistered NGOs working with people without demanding money from either government or international agencies. Go to the common folks either in Punjab, NWFP, Sindh, Balochistan, or Azad Kashmir when poor strangers will insist you not to leave without eating, you will come to know the heritage and cultural norms of Pakistan. This land has civilizations since 9000 BC in form of Takht Bhai, Mehar Garh, Moenjo Daro, the world`s first planned and sanitized city Harappa, and thre world first university texla, etc. Their isn`t a country to my knowledge that could claim more civilized history than Pakistan. Its unfortunate that some of the educated population has been influenced by across border and overseas media and forgot about their own high values. I sincerely hope all of my Pakistanis fellows realize their true values and nature and be theirself again...Amin

Last Rites in Kashmir or a New Journey? I can only say that it hurt to read the response of Harish...bigoted, unreasonable typical indi mentality ensuring no justice or peace to prevail in Pakistani-indian subcontinent. Wake up Harish and get out of this ``we all know...`` stuff. Get real and courageous enough to do research from real historic archives not Indian media fed articles. Even your so close friend America does not accept forged papers of Maharaja acceding with India...

The Genesis of Militancy in Pakistan I have met many people especially Indians around the world talking about Pakistan not have `true` democracy. My dear fellows its not the democracy, its the leadership which matters. What is the need of the democracy if it does not help put an end to regular killing of minorities in thousands or invading other countries in the name of pre-emtive strike and kill hundreds and thousands...if this is democracy, surely I do not need it. Look at China or singapore, do they have democracy? No, but yes they are among the most successful nations in the world, only because they have good leadership.