Why don’t our rulers just for a second shed their fears and trust the people of Pakistan? The tragedy which descended on Pakistan on last Thursday demands some dynamic, benevolent, and agile measures from the top slot occupier President Musharraf.
The anti Punjab sentiments rising in some parts of Sindh are not good for the country. Punjab has surely nothing to do with it, but the nationalist leaders are finding it yet another chance to fan their own agenda and vested interests. These sentiments rose when Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was hanged in 1979 in Rawalpindi, and these sentiments are high now when his daughter was slain in Rawalpindi. In both cases, Punjab was as in doom and gloom as the Sindh or any other province was, but the sentiments remained there.
Tensions are surely high, but they can easily be diffused with wisdom and care and by compassion. Protests have turned violent, because the lack of interest of administration, especially in interior Sindh. Miscreants, dacoits, thieves and other criminals have joined the mobs to loot, plunder, and arson the public property and vehicles. Torching of trains, bridges, hospitals, banks, and the way urban life has come to a grinding halt is not in the favor or interest of anybody. People’s Party protesters should also identify such elements in their ranks, as they are giving a bad name to their cause. For example, it is reported that the gang of Qadir Chachar is involved in burning of trains in the interior Sindh.
President Musharraf would do well to himself extend a hand of compassion towards the family of Benazir Bhutto, and it wouldn’t be imprudent for him to go extra mile and visit Naudero and accept whatever PPP demands are regarding the investigation of murder of Benazir.
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