DNA of DENIAL
A random screening of Pakistani newspapers has revealed to me a fascinating world of media politics, in the aftermath of Lahore shootout at the Sri Lankan cricket team. A host of sentiments (read: its not us, its them) were echoed after 26/11 too, with Pakistan rejecting virtually every bit of information and evidence linking them to the attacks. Some of these statements here remind us that every coin has two faces.
"...the attackers were very ‘keen’ on fleeing after whatever they did or did not achieve – keen on escaping unlike the usual jehadis who are so fond of taking a short cut to heavens through the suicide route. This, to many minds, absolved the jehadis of the act, and eyes were cast towards the eastern neighbour..."
-Dawn Newspaper, March 4 2009.
"Within minutes a PPP politician was being interviewed on a private TV channel and saying that …"this is clearly the work of a foreign hand" (a verbatim quote). The internet was quickly alight with allegations that this was an Indian operation, or a Tamil Tiger operation and whatever it was it could not possibly have been carried out by Pakistanis or Muslims because Muslims are peace-loving people. The culture of instinctive denial clicked into gear immediately, fingers were as quickly pointed and assumptions, none of them backed by a shred of empirical evidence, were made."
-The News International, March 4 2009.
"It was very clear that the attack on the Sri Lankan team was aimed at forcing the ICC to withdraw Pakistan from list of the 2011 World Cup hosts, plunging the future of sports in Pakistan into darkness, forcing Pakistan into an economic downturn and tarnish Pakistan’s image globally – something only India is capable of doing. It is on this basis that several analysts are calling this a rebuff from India for the Mumbai attacks and one purpose could also be to create a rift in the friendly relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The claims of involvement of Tamil Tigers in the attack have been dismissed by the Sri Lankan government, which only leaves out Indian spy agency RAW for being responsible for such a planned attack in Pakistan. However, it is unfortunate that neither President Asif Zardari, nor Prime Minister Gilani or Rehman Malik or Governor Salman Taseer have blamed India for this attack."
-Nawa-e-Waqt, March 4 2009.
"The attack by terrorists on the Sri Lankan Cricket team by all accounts are the handiwork of the Indian Intelligence Agency – RAW and could have played greater havoc but for the bravery of the Lahore elite police..."
"The RAW’s plan also included attacks on leaders of Jamaat-ud-Dawa, but thanks to Almighty God a handful of our brave and valiant police personnel, the terrorists failed to fulfil their mission."
"One can only hope and pray that the terrorists trained by RAW are traced as quickly as possible so that the mastermind behind the incident fund providers and the country where the conspiracy was hatched are exposed. "
-Pakistan Observer, March 4 2009.
"Governor of Sindh Dr. Ishrat ul Ebad Khan on Tuesday condemning the terrorist attack on Sri Lanka cricket team in Lahore said the attacks were carried out by international terrorists and ruled out involvement of any local element in the incident."
-Geo TV News, March 4 2009.
"State Minister, Nabeel Gabol has said that Indian intelligence agencies were involved in the attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore. Lt. Gen. Hameed Gul also sees Indian hand in the attack on Sri Lankan cricket team, saying that India is out to de-stabilize Pakistan at all costs. On his part JI leader Qazi Hussain Ahmed condemned the attack and said that some foreign elements are involved in the attack. PTI chairman Imran Khan has said that the attack was carried out by external forces to make peace accord in Swat a failure."
-National Herald Tribune, March 4 2009.
-Statesman, March 4 2009.
"Some unidentified yet established as highly trained RAW operatives ambushed Sri Lankan cricket team’s motorcade at Liberty Market, killing 7 including 6 cops early Tuesday. These RAW operatives managed to escape from the scene unhurt while police is still in hot pursuit. However, it is pertinent to recall that 12 terrorists in Mumbai attack held the whole city hostage for 72 hours whereas in Lahore the 7 Punjab policemen sacrificed bravely their lives and forced the terrorists to flee within 25 minutes."
-The Daily Mail, March 4 2009.
If its bitter, then it must be untrue. If only this were true...
"...the attackers were very ‘keen’ on fleeing after whatever they did or did not achieve – keen on escaping unlike the usual jehadis who are so fond of taking a short cut to heavens through the suicide route. This, to many minds, absolved the jehadis of the act, and eyes were cast towards the eastern neighbour..."
-Dawn Newspaper, March 4 2009.
"Within minutes a PPP politician was being interviewed on a private TV channel and saying that …"this is clearly the work of a foreign hand" (a verbatim quote). The internet was quickly alight with allegations that this was an Indian operation, or a Tamil Tiger operation and whatever it was it could not possibly have been carried out by Pakistanis or Muslims because Muslims are peace-loving people. The culture of instinctive denial clicked into gear immediately, fingers were as quickly pointed and assumptions, none of them backed by a shred of empirical evidence, were made."
-The News International, March 4 2009.
"It was very clear that the attack on the Sri Lankan team was aimed at forcing the ICC to withdraw Pakistan from list of the 2011 World Cup hosts, plunging the future of sports in Pakistan into darkness, forcing Pakistan into an economic downturn and tarnish Pakistan’s image globally – something only India is capable of doing. It is on this basis that several analysts are calling this a rebuff from India for the Mumbai attacks and one purpose could also be to create a rift in the friendly relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The claims of involvement of Tamil Tigers in the attack have been dismissed by the Sri Lankan government, which only leaves out Indian spy agency RAW for being responsible for such a planned attack in Pakistan. However, it is unfortunate that neither President Asif Zardari, nor Prime Minister Gilani or Rehman Malik or Governor Salman Taseer have blamed India for this attack."
-Nawa-e-Waqt, March 4 2009.
"The attack by terrorists on the Sri Lankan Cricket team by all accounts are the handiwork of the Indian Intelligence Agency – RAW and could have played greater havoc but for the bravery of the Lahore elite police..."
"The RAW’s plan also included attacks on leaders of Jamaat-ud-Dawa, but thanks to Almighty God a handful of our brave and valiant police personnel, the terrorists failed to fulfil their mission."
"One can only hope and pray that the terrorists trained by RAW are traced as quickly as possible so that the mastermind behind the incident fund providers and the country where the conspiracy was hatched are exposed. "
-Pakistan Observer, March 4 2009.
"Governor of Sindh Dr. Ishrat ul Ebad Khan on Tuesday condemning the terrorist attack on Sri Lanka cricket team in Lahore said the attacks were carried out by international terrorists and ruled out involvement of any local element in the incident."
-Geo TV News, March 4 2009.
"State Minister, Nabeel Gabol has said that Indian intelligence agencies were involved in the attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore. Lt. Gen. Hameed Gul also sees Indian hand in the attack on Sri Lankan cricket team, saying that India is out to de-stabilize Pakistan at all costs. On his part JI leader Qazi Hussain Ahmed condemned the attack and said that some foreign elements are involved in the attack. PTI chairman Imran Khan has said that the attack was carried out by external forces to make peace accord in Swat a failure."
-National Herald Tribune, March 4 2009.
"Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Qazi Hussain Ahmad also said that India could be involved in the Lahore attack. Talking to a private TV channel Qazi also criticised the Governor Salman Taseer's statement that India is not involved in the incident saying Salman Taseer has no evidence about the accident and culprits.
The former ISI chief said Pakistan should convey its concerns to India regarding the Lahore attack, just like India did after the Mumbai attacks. However, he said, "They (Pakistan Government) are not free…America has ordered them not to blame India for anything."
-Statesman, March 4 2009.
"Some unidentified yet established as highly trained RAW operatives ambushed Sri Lankan cricket team’s motorcade at Liberty Market, killing 7 including 6 cops early Tuesday. These RAW operatives managed to escape from the scene unhurt while police is still in hot pursuit. However, it is pertinent to recall that 12 terrorists in Mumbai attack held the whole city hostage for 72 hours whereas in Lahore the 7 Punjab policemen sacrificed bravely their lives and forced the terrorists to flee within 25 minutes."
-The Daily Mail, March 4 2009.
If its bitter, then it must be untrue. If only this were true...
posted by SHAILENDRA at 11:55 AM
1 Comments:
"tarnish Pakistan’s image globally – something only India is capable of doing" I just spilled diet coke all over my keyboard laughing.
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