Not a Banana
Republic
By Col. Riaz Jafri
(Retd)
Rawalpindi, Pakistan
In his weekly column “Not a Banana Republic”
in a leading Pakistani newspaper, ex-Senator Shafqat
Mahmood castigated General Musharraf, and, in
the process, miserably betrayed his complete lack
of knowledge of statecraft.
Regarding the prize money given by the USA for
the capture of Al Qaeda terrorists the learned
ex-Senator asks, “Was the money received
deposited in government coffers or was it given
to individuals including the General himself?”
“Including the General” speaks volumes
bout the mindset of the writer. Does he think
the money was remitted through Western Union or
some bank draft in the name of the General, that
it will not be properly recorded and accounted
for? Then the ex-Senator spills still more beans
of wisdom when ho goes on to say, “How much
money was received and where did it go? This information
must be made public and the beneficiaries identified”.
Dear Senator, do you really mean that the beneficiaries
be identified? Do you realize what could happen
to them and to their families, children and ladies
for giving away the information about the terrorists?
Frankly, your naivety dissuaded me from reading
any further your highly constructive article.
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