Anti Americanism

The Anti-Americanism in Pakistan is the hype of the Pakistani media and the right-wing security apparatus of the state. This apparently got acceptance mainly because the indoctrination process all at level has remained so far unchallenged. This is the superficial judgment of the situation. Even this superficial conclusion can easily be refuted with one example that it was the US which supported the Afghan Fasad and the Mullahs, Militants and the Military received huge amounts of money from the US for their so-called Jehad. The common people against their will remained like “dumb, driven cattle” as ever.

In the recent few years it is systematically and deliberately propagated that Anti-Americanism is one the rise. It is true absolutely true as regards the right-wingers and the centralist political forces patronized by the establishment (the Punjab, fallaciously termed as Pakistan) but it is misleading to attribute it to Pukhtoons. If people could relate Anti-Americanism with the victory of MMA in 2002 Elections, one can as well relate Pro-Americanism with the victory of ANP in 2008 Elections. But this is only part of the whole story.

The Anti-Americanism in the Pashtun belt is quite exaggerated though the Pakistani media is quite successful to perpetuate it in Punjab. The Punjabis have their own reasons to become the victim of it because the perception in Punjab is that America is supporting anti-state forces to disintegrate the country.. Inside Pukhtoonkhwa Pukhtoon intelligentsia and the secular and moderate political forces are genuinely in favor of America, Even Fazlu Rahman has sensed the “changing winds” and seems to be drifting along it. Only Jumat-e-Islami tries to demonstrate that it is anti-American though it has a long history of serving the Americans. The rest of the population doesn’t care who governs them as long as their life is secured and they receive food, shelter, justice and health. Despite all this Pakistanis had somewhat sense of nationhood and patriotism. Quite recently the situation has drastically changed because the people have lost all hopes in state institutions. The common people have no say in the affairs of the state. They have no belief in democracy. They are disinterested, silent observers of the “dramas” staged by the “hidden forces”.. In Orakazai people have already welcomed drone attacks and in Swat the situation would be no more different. Let’s see what reports come from other part of Pukhtoonkhwa but if we have to follow the precedence the news will be no more different from the one we received from Waziristan and Orakzai. Who can bear the coercive and ruthless sway?

There is another psychological aspect of the so-called Anti-Americanism in Pukhtoonkhwa. The people are envious of the Americans and their stupendous advancement. At the same time the people have long expected the Americans to help them. When they see no ray of hope they start talking against the Americans but in their heart they know the old British Masters were far more benevolent and just. This nostalgia for halcyon days is testimony to the fact that the people will welcome any outside forces if they come to redeem the Pukhtoons from the clutches of Taliban and their patrons. Will the army redeem the people and their own image?.