Suspicion, Outrage and Scorn! Shahid R. Siddiqi
Axis of Logic - Thursday, Apr 29, 2010
In Pakistan, the feeling of admiration for America of yesteryears has degenerated into outrage. Is America to blame?
America – Yesterday & Today
In the good old days of the 1950s, America was perceived in Pakistan in a completely different light. It was popular for its culture, classical movies and music. Pakistanis looked upon it as a symbol of the free world, an icon of capitalism, progress and democracy. It fascinated young minds with its openness and ideas of freedom of thought and speech. It radiated newness about life and values at a time when Europe was struggling to pick up its pieces after WW II and the Soviet Union was feared, being shrouded in the iron curtain.
Because American leadership was regarded responsible, Pakistan’s founding fathers felt secure by aligning their country with America, without worrying about meanness in political attitude. To sentimental Pakistanis friendship meant friendship, whether in personal life or in matters of international relations, and they took America to be a friend in the literal sense.
But if one was to ask the people in the streets of Pakistan today, 7 out of 10 will blame America for all of Pakistan ills, which are numerous. They will cite a pattern of deceit, exploitation and misuse of trust by America spanning over five decades. Some of them perceive America to be an arrogant, war mongering super power which, propelled solely by its global agenda and imperial hubris, foments trouble, attacks and destroys people and countries – mostly on drummed up grounds.
Over a period of 50 years, Pakistan’s admiration for America turned into a feeling of suspicion, outrage, even scorn. This was reinforced by the emerging perception elsewhere in the world, and as proven by the polls, that America is the world’s most hated country. The wide eyed Washington beltway insiders shake their heads in disbelief and question this hatred. But the answer is simple. The world outside America hates Shylocks that rule America and refuses to meet their increasing demand for the pound of flesh.
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