FROM BBC URDU SERVICE

21 March, 2008

WHY THOUSANDS OF PAKISTANIS ARE SEEKING ASYLUM

The following is a comment on a news item on the website of the BBC Urdu service (see here) which says thousands of Pakistanis desire to leave their 'beloved' country and seek asylum.

Congratulations. We are very close to being at par with Iraq and Serbia. How strange. Pakistani citizens are sick and tired of their country but on the other hand, our Baltistani and Gilgiti 'so called visionary leaders' persuade our innocent and simple people that we should integrate with Pakistan and become part of it, since this is the 'best option'. So what is so lovely about Pakistan that we should integrate with it? If it is so lovely, why is it that the majority of 150 million Pakistani citizens will leave this country if given a just option.

Let us have a reality check. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis spend millions of rupees to get visas for EU, USA, Canada, Australia and so on. They even cross oceans by ships, trapped in closed air-tied containers like zoo animals and many die on the way. They travel via land across Iran, Turkey and into EU and again lose precious lives while doing so. They prefer to lose their lives while making an attempt to leave it but would not opt for staying in Pakistan indefinitely?? I have never heard of any Muslim making such an effort to reach Makkah. At least that could be translated into 'a struggle for reaching to God' or something. This desperation speaks for itself that Pakistanis do not think their country as a place worth living.

Alas! This simple logic does not make a dent in the determination of our Balti and Gilgiti 'political leaders' who - day in and day out - chant 'Pakistan is our only destination' songs. Should we just laugh, feel an awe or try to rescue the 98% of Baltis who are simple minded and also scared and helpless (barring 2% 'merge-with-Pakistan-as-5th-province-slogan-chanting-visionaries' who have enough wealth and backing of the establishment to maintain hegemony). For sure, poor Baltis and Gilgitis care for their economic prosperity over political rhetoric and myths.

So if the Baltis and Gilgitis will readily leave Pakistan under a fair given option, then why should the land of Baltisan and Gilgit remained trapped with Pakistan?

We are 'as of today' a region of disputed J&K which is not a part of Pakistan. We, by logic and law, should be under the supervision of UNO forces and not Pakistani military. We by law should have political autonomy with local administration and not under 'imported' Pakistani bureaucracy. Before a stage arrives, where we are left with no choice like the 'asylum seeking Pakistani citizens', let us unite and think for once

For now, Choice is ours.