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Letter to
our fellow Americans: A Pakistani American Perspective
We as
Pakistani Americans vehemently condemn the terrorist attacks
over the last several days in Mumbai, India. We stand committed
with our fellow Indian Americans and with the U.S. government in
seeking solutions to root out terrorism in all forms and from
all sources. We also strongly feel that this tragedy
necessitates the utmost cooperation between both India and
Pakistan to counter these terrorist forces as they threaten the
stability of both nations.
Violence in
Pakistan has increased dramatically in the last few years. The
people in Pakistan have suffered the most in the region at the
hands of the terrorists. The terrorists have no boundaries, no
religion, no nationality, and no ethnicity. They are willing to
kill indiscriminately to instill fear in the hearts and minds of
the people and generate negative feelings amongst people.
Since 9/11
Pakistan’s economy has suffered a loss of up to $35 billion for
being a partner of US war on terrorism. In 2002, there were 2
suicide attacks in Pakistan. In 2006, there were 7 suicide
attacks against Pakistan, and in 2007 alone there was a
significant upsurge to 56 suicide attacks against the people of
Pakistan. As of early November of 2008, there have been 38
suicide bombings this year alone leading to over 670 civilians
of Pakistan dying and over thousands being wounded in 2008 only.
By comparison Iraq saw 42 such attacks and 463 deaths;
Afghanistan, 36 incidents and 436 casualties as of Oct 2008.
Pakistani
military has lost over 1400 soldiers fighting the Taliban and Al
Qaeda. It is because of the resolve of the Pakistani Military
and establishment that more and more of the terrorist groups are
making the people of Pakistan and the Pakistani Military as
their primary targets. As of November 28th, 2008, the
number of US forces that have died in the region is 556.
Pakistan is
going through unprecedented challenges with respect to its
economic and human development status. More than 73% of people
of Pakistan live on less than $2 per day. On the Human
development index, it rates as 136 out of 177. According to
Pakistan’s own definition of poverty, more than 22% of the
people live below the poverty line. Pakistan suffers from the
highest infant and maternal mortality rate in the region. 31 %
of the children less than 5 years of age are malnourished.
Some of the
above numbers should give a better insight in the ground
realities of the region. Whenever there is an attack of any kind
in the region, it is easy to blame it on Pakistan and try to
present the people of Pakistan and the region as the cause of
all the problems. Such a perception is highly counterproductive
in terms of coming up with real solutions.
Pakistan as
a country and all her people are not the cause, but the victims
of these challenges. It is important for the people across the
region and the United States to understand that a stable
Pakistan is critical for the region and the world. This can
happen if we focus together in the appropriate policies,
governance planning and appropriate investment in the
healthcare, education, human capital, and economic opportunities
in the region. Job creation, such as agriculture and
infrastructure projects, expanding microcredit programs, energy
assistance, developing and improving water and sanitation
networks are also an important need of the region.
While it is
easy to look at the current situation after the heinous attacks
in Mumbai, India and make conclusions and policy
recommendations, there is clearly a need for a greater in-depth
investigation. Most if not all people, who are aware of the
situation, agree that not all facts are known about these
terrorist attacks. While speculators and the “terrorism experts”
continue to hypothesize and at times carelessly mention
Pakistan, it is important to realize that the facts are not yet
adequately known.
We ask of US
government and our fellow Americans to:
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Continue
and expand on US and global assistance for human development
in Pakistan
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Facilitate negotiations between Pakistan, India, and
Afghanistan to eradicate terrorism from the region.
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Improve
regional stability through bi-lateral economic, trade, and
political ties.
Please visit
our
website for further details and updates
Sincerely,
Board of the Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee
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