Baithak Desi Jul 01: Pervez Hoodbhoy, Anjum Niaz, The News, Views & News, Cartoons

Pakistan must find the will to fight the Taliban. The state, at both the national and provincial level, must assert its responsibility to protect life and law rather than simply make deals. State functionaries, and even the khasadars, have disappeared from much of the tribal areas. Pakistan is an Islamic state falling into anarchy and chaos, being rapidly destroyed from within by those who claim to fight for Islam. Pakistanis must not be deceived. This is no clash of civilisations. To the Americans, Pakistan is an instrument to be used for their strategic ends. It is necessary and possible to say no. But the Taliban seek to capture and bind the soul and future of Pakistan in the dark prison fashioned by their ignorance. As they now set their sights on Peshawar and beyond, they must be resisted by all possible means, including adequate military force. Pervez Hoodbhoy


Last month I met Ahmed Rashid at a dinner in Islamabad. He told me about his new book. Why was he going west to launch it? I asked. "It's too explosive. They may not be able to take it," he said in a serious voice. Ah, yes, I forgot what happened to Ayesha Siddiqa exactly a year ago after she had the courage to take on the army with her book "Military Inc." The generals went berserk and hounded her out of the country. She fled to London and took sanctuary. Rashid didn't want a repeat. He didn't want to cross swords with the powerful ISI, which is the villain of the piece in his book "Descent into Chaos." Anjum Niaz


The future of the PPP today remains uncertain. Fahim has made it clear he is simply not interested in being kicked upstairs, into the presidential slot. The fact he has chosen to speak also indicates there is considerable discord simmering within the party. The continuing crisis over judicial restoration and the possible impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf adds to the persisting angst. Doubts about Zardari's integrity (particularly with regard to the issue of restoration) and ability seem to have grown over the past two months. It has also become apparent that he is the man in charge, rather than the prime minister. The News

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In Urdu Irshad Haqqani

Maxim - Today's Cartoon