A
Pathetic, Disgraceful Performance
By Naveed Khan
San Jose, CA
President Musharraf's speech
to the nation on the vital issue of water reservoirs,
Balochistan conflict and the USA attack on Pakistani
soil was a major disappointment. He failed to
announce the construction of the Kalabagh Dam,
considered most viable and beneficial of all the
other options. The people of Punjab were once
again denied their rightful share in water resources.
Musharraf, after all the hype and bravado to build
Kalabagh dam, succumbed to the political blackmailing
of PML Sindh, MQM and ANP.
His description of events in Balochistan were
far from factual. He described the operation in
Balochistan as an action against the miscreants
whereas the Balochistan press has described it
as full-fledged military action. It seemed that
President Musharraf is trying to hide the misdeeds
of his fellow military personnel. Judging by his
affiliation and proclivity to use force, one cannot
expect a balanced stance from him. I fear that
conflict between the people and the military will
be exploited by our enemies. His lack of will
to reach a negotiated political compromise in
Balochistan does not auger well for Pakistan.
He even failed to mention or criticize the US
action in Waziristan that caused the death of
13 innocent Pakistanis. How is he supposed to
reassure the nation that the USA and India will
not attack them again? His lack of candor in this
matter speaks either of Pakistan's complicity
in this attack, or his lack of moral courage.
Pakistan has sunk to new low in its subservience
to the USA when our President does not have words
to condemn murderous attacks on its civilians
by a so-called ally.
Overall, it was a pathetically disgraceful performance
by a person who until now had done reasonably
well to advocate and champion Pakistan's cause.
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