Hindus temporarily in the land? People still talk like this? So disrespectful. Donate Now. Skip to content. This slideshow requires JavaScript. Donate to Alt News! Independent journalism that speaks truth to power and is free of corporate and political control is possible only when people contribute towards the same. Please consider donating in support of this endeavour to fight misinformation and disinformation. History is important but not important enough to demand future in ransom.
Time is the worst place to get lost into. Indian misconceptions about Pakistan During my last visit to India, I felt that a very distorted view of Pakistan is prevalent there. Indian intelligentsia perhaps inhales too much of what comes out of the idiot boxes.
It is one thing to consume television sensationalism for recreation and altogether another to form an opinion based on it. The result is that our Indian peers think Pakistan as a country is imploding, and between Indian pressure and terrorism, it is likely to collapse soon.
This can lead to some serious miscalculations. But sadly, the attempts to psychoanalyse Pakistan, based on flawed assumptions, continues unabated in Indian media and policy-making circles. Pakistan's military wants to prolong conflict with India The second misperception is about the civil-military mix.
It is widely believed in India and some parts of Pakistan and elsewhere, that the Pakistan Army does not want to resolve outstanding issues with India because it derives legitimacy from the conflict among the nuclear armed neighbours. This view was quite accurate in and , when the two sides exploded nuclear bombs and then briefly went to war in Kargil, but not anymore. Yes, it was in bits and pieces. Yes, there must be some sympathy somewhere down the food chain for the terrorists and yes, old habits take some time to die.
But it is strange that the critics both at home and abroad totally refuse to see the mind-boggling transformation that has taken place. You see a few retired generals sitting on television parroting their views, and you think nothing has changed.
Here is a hint for you: spare some time and meet someone who is in service. You will be surprised. An Pakistani average soldier today is better educated, better equipped, better trained and yet remarkably practical in worldview. Ask yourself after so much fight, how can he not be. The stories narrated by the likes of Zaid Hamid and a few others are a sensationalist sideshow meant to keep people amused. Kangana Ranaut. Covaxin vaccine. Covid vaccine registration. This story is from December 17, India and Pakistan , normally at each other's throats, on Tuesday rose above petty partisan feelings with Indian twitteratti providing unconditional support to their neighbours after Taliban attacked an Army school in Peshawar and killed over innocent children.
The tag seems to have originated from a tweet by Tehseen Poonawala tehseenp on Twitter who describes himself as an entrepreneur and columnist in his Twitter bio, and defends the Congress party on television and social media. IndiawithPakistan — rahul dholakia rahuldholakia December 17, Now hash tag indiawithpakistan — bhupendra chaubey bhupendrachaube December 16, GhazalaBaji December 14, I've no words to Thanks all of my India brothers and sisters who stood with us in this hard time You people r awsome IndiawithPakistan — Khanzada Khanzada01 December 17, Facebook Twitter Linkedin EMail.
Start a Conversation. Hamid then quickly added that after the airing of the programme he is sure the FBI will change it. You are welcome to visit the FBI website , because nothing of the sort happened. Hamid says that he believes in the truth and understands the importance of reading. By that statement we would believe that his standards of evidence are quite high. Yet he excludes himself from the category when he talks about his Afghan experience with Ahmad Shah Masood who openly received CIA money and did not toe the Pakistan line.
Does it not qualify Hamid as CIA? He says he wants the gold system, but, alas, is also worshipping the altar of the almighty dollar. In the show, Hamid was incensed at being called a conspiracy theorist. He often uses the word himself.
He says that since Pakistan is an Islamic nuclear state, countries like India, Russia, China, Israel, Iran and America have a huge interest in the politics of Pakistan, where these counties finance political parties and armed militant groups. These countries have as much interest in Pakistan as we have in Afghanistan, Iran, China, and, of course, India. Even though Hamid agrees to be conscious of the turmoil Pakistan has been facing in its politics and economics, he suddenly short-cuts his way to largely pointing the finger on outside forces and strange-sounding lobbies.
As a statement, the above sounds rather patriotic, but highly Utopian because it smacks of the kind of demagogic isolationism that countries like Albania, North Korea and Myanmar were put in, cut off from the rest of the world.
Not because of any passionate display of self-reliance and independence of thought and action, but only to shield the totalitarian dictatorships that these countries have suffered from the criticism and reaction of the international community. Why do you think elements that react the most negatively to international and journalistic criticism on human rights issues are dictators? Every country, big or small, has done it. What is Hamid really suggesting, especially when he attacks concepts such as democracy and then insists that Pakistan be left alone?
Is he suggesting acts of self-reliance in politics and economics, or is he talking about preparing the ground for an unconditional return to military dictatorship; the sort that will not have to explain its emergence to the international community of democratic countries, or face any political and economic pressures from nations that are only logically concerned by the awkward sight of an unstable and poor country with a nuclear bomb shining menacingly in its arsenal?
He says that democratic countries have been at the forefront of killing millions of people through wars. If not democracy, capitalism, socialism, or any other form of such dirty, violent Western constructs, then what? Hamid is really a sucker for myths. Well, at least he still described his books as fiction.
Funnier still is the way Hamid continues his leaps of logic in this context by suggesting that the Muslims had for hundreds of years experienced a most enlightening, tolerant and progressive civilisation. Of course, we are all well aware of the many philosophers and scientists that Islamic civilisation generated between the seventh and thirteenth centuries.
But none of these developments were achieved in isolation. Islamic thinkers and scientists were open to brand new ideas from ancient Greek and Latin thinkers on politics, history and science. In fact, much of what emerged as brilliance in philosophy and the science on part of these Muslims were influenced mainly by ancient Greek philosophers.
So why has it become so now? Nadeem F. Paracha is a cultural critic and senior columnist for Dawn Newspaper and Dawn. The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
In defence of reason Nadeem F. Paracha Published August 11, Facebook Count. Twitter Share. He tweets NadeemfParacha. Read more. On DawnNews. Comments Closed. Popular Newest Oldest. Aug 11, pm. Bravo, Paracha, bravo. With this article you have completed the circle which men like Fasi Zaka, Hassan Nissar and Perevz Hoodbhoy and few others started. This is a well thought out, civilized and intelligent piece countering Mr.
Zaid wrangled ideas. Recommend 0. How ironic that the United States also has or had individuals who are the exact carbon copy of Hamid and his followers.
The same extremist views, same bigotry, same religious overtones, same twisting of the constitution and falsfying the intentions of their religious books. Now we see that its citizens threw out the neo cons aka republicans from power. I'm positive that just like them, the Pakistan majority looks at Hamid and his kind, as a bunch of religious zealots, misguided and beneath contempt. A circus act gone awry.
Khurram Iqbal. I must admit that this probably is the only article you've written amongst what I have read from you so far that has made sense to some extent. This indeed however is not a criticism to Mr. Hamid as a person I reckon. As it mainly talks about the ideas he has been propagating through his talks. Looking forward to read more of such sensible stuff from you.
Just another guy. Come on Mr Paracha, don't take it to heart. People are you are those who the West is in search for so it can further its agenda. I mean now that the media has enlarged and Zaid Hamids are coming to the fore, people are no more falling prey to the hollow and biased arguments that so-called intellectuals like you present.
Given a fair chance, those with rightist views can fill the columns of "liberal" media outlets like the one you work for. It's just that those like you think that people who cannot read or write English are dumb. Logic and wisdom doesn't need any particular language to show itself. I was really disturbed by the preaching of Dr Hamid. The way in other channels not in dawn the anchors like dumbo nod there heads with out asking any logical questions.
I was wondering if all people in pakistan shares his views. But to my relif people like you are there. So I am confident that one day we will overcome all the obstacles togather as brothers.
He is trying to manipulate the perceptions of the people which is more dangerous than a sucide bommer. A bomb will kill few dozens but he is killing the minds of the entire generation.
Indian News Channel once invited Hamid for disucssion and i must say.. What a running commentary machine.. It looks like a TV commentator who is commenting by seeing the match in progress. After that, I have never seen him on any News Channel. May be they are frighted by this theories cos most of the argument which he has doesn't have the reply One has to write a reply Tariq Aziz. Nadeem, You are one of the few intellects left in Pakistan with the power and wisdom to challenge the conventional thinking in Pakistan.
Wish more people in Pakistan had the ability and insight to think like you. Keep on going my friend. We need more people like you. Finally, the most awaited and needed piece arrives. My sincere request however is not to fall into trap of stooping to the level Zaid Hamid and his followers will now fall to, to malign you.
I am sure educated people will understand you and take initiatives to form a balanced world-view. Only that can be the first stage of any solution. Abhishek Banerjee. Nadeem: I echo the previous two posts. People like you are needed not only in Pakistan but also in the rest of the world. All this while, I was in the blind notion that the entire country thought like Zaid Hamid and hence there was practically no hope for any kind of peace, reconciliation, and harmony in the region.
However, with people like you present, I am sure things will change. Please keep up the fantastic work. Articles like this need to reach out beyond any borders. Ahmed "Hindustani".
Zaid Hamid is spreading fast among the youth.. Madrasas as brainwashing poor muslims and so called literate fools are being brainwashed by this man named Zaid Hamid NFP right on once again as always Malik Rashid. Do not let these minions distract you from your research and investigation. Please be mindful of these revolution theories making rounds with variety of labels attached to them. A revolution in Pakistan means a military take-over. Democracy must prevail if Pakistan has to stay afloat as a country.
Shehla Kamran. We need more of these. I do give credit that taking positions against these rabble rousers is incredibly important, thought ultimately unpopular.
That's also one reason I respect the stand taken by Fasi Zaka, the first one to take Zaid Hamid head on and make him back down. His pieces on him, and then this one by you make an excellent compilation for the answer to the blind faithful of this very devious and irresponsible man.
But what's sad is that there are only two of you, how many more within the media actually believe in countering paranoia and false facts that create hatred? Dear Mr. Paracha, Nice arguments, but still it lacks the right kind of Drama that is "characterstic" for Mr. Zaid Hamid. With all due respect, I believe you have been very reactive in this case. Few of your views like that of Mr. Zaid Hamid's have any substantial evidence.
However, if you do look around and review the documents comming from agencies like the American CIA you will find that there definitely is a greater game behind all that is happening. We as individuals play our roles in our own paradigms. I suggest that you and all others like you should be careful in what you tell the public. It is a big responsibility since every thing, every deed will be questioned.
Well said, nadeem, i must admit that zahid he is great story teller!!! Shahzad Iqbal. Dear Paracha I really appreciate your view on people like Hamid, who still wants to hold flag of Islam based on what our ancestors did, and is labeling our Pakistanis social-economic and other failures as some "Zionist conspiracies. NFP, You are talking sense but how do you plan to get it to a wider audience.
It is impossible to beat the ever growing new phenomena as it relies of the despair found in society. Arif Khan. NFP, I agree to most that you have pointed out but the problem will remain same as Hamid just says what most people like to listen you say what most dont like to hear or read,this is one of the sad examples of our Nation where the ignorant rule the roost,anyway keep up your good work and dont indulge yourself with those who are no comparison to you.
I do not know as to why Paracha has to take so much pain to go through in explaining rather defending his point of view, The biggest curse of our society, is that none of those including Mr Paracha ever taken the pain in standing in line to vote for his representative, but we need to intelectual to pose as democratic intelect and speak day in and day out for our democrats, look around in your democrats, presently all of them across the board they basically got elected by the farmers, the cart puller the laborer the poor and illetrate of the society, but we have a lot of spine to talk about democracy lecture about it and the class represented here by likes of Paracha, and the one commenting Start first voting and electing people who can be called leaders and then you might have the right to comment Said Hamid is absolut right to have his point of view I dont think he is going to respond to Paracha since it does not worth it I will be your fan from now onwards.
Good work. What we need the most is self reflection. People like Zaid Hamid are only driving the country backward in the name of religion and western conspiracies. Now that the CIA has done it, he has changed his entire argument, not surprisingly, saying that the CIA has killed him because they dont want him to be caught alive by Pakistan army What a childish attitude.
Zaid Hamid is really hitting where it really hurts :. Gaurav Arya. Hey, I know Hamid Zaid is possibly a pain for liberal Pakistanis I have seen video's of this show and the guy has the element of the comic in him. Some of the things he says are truly and mind-boggingly funny. He actually believes that the common American hates Pakistan and thats why Bush was elected for a second time So much for the American geography prowess. This guy has a pukka career as a stand up comic anywhere in the world.
Hollywood would snap him up is a second.
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