Khan was no hero. (Letters to the Editor).I was rather amused to read the hagiographic hag·i·og·ra·phy n. pl. hag·i·og·ra·phies 1. Biography of saints. 2. A worshipful or idealizing biography. hag representation of Abdul Ghaffar Dr. Abdul Ghaffar Dr. Abdul Ghaffar is a well known Plant Pathologist. He published various research papers in local and international scientific journals. He served Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan. He is the Chief Editor of Pakistan Journal of Botany. Khan in your magazine ("A Pacifist Uncovered," by Amitabh Pal, February issue). As a Pakistani citizen, I take strong exception to certain comments that Pal made. Khan was a Pashtun ethnonationalist whose legacy is the destabilization de·sta·bi·lize tr.v. de·sta·bi·lized, de·sta·bi·liz·ing, de·sta·bi·liz·es 1. To upset the stability or smooth functioning of: of Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province North-West Frontier Province, province and historic region (1998 pop. 17,554,674), c.41,000 sq mi (106,200 sq km), NW Pakistan, bounded on the N and W by Afghanistan. Peshawar is the capital. , which in no small way is responsible for the Taliban debacle. Pakistan can do well to follow the constitutional and secular democratic vision of its founder, Barrister Mohammed Ali Jinnah, who at one time was known as the "Best Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity" and who envisaged an amiable relationship between sovereign India and sovereign Pakistan. Yasser Latif Hamdani New Brunswick, New Jersey As a Pakistani, I am intrigued by the vast exposure that Abdul Ghaffar Khan is getting from the media. However, I would disagree with Verb 1. disagree with - not be very easily digestible; "Spicy food disagrees with some people" hurt - give trouble or pain to; "This exercise will hurt your back" Amitabh Pal when he said that Khan "has a lot to offer, not least to the leaders of India and Pakistan." Undoubtedly, Gandhi's message of nonviolence and mutual reconciliation between belligerents like Pakistan and India has a lot to offer, but Khan has no politically valuable advice for Pakistan or India. Khan advocated an anti-Pakistani attitude amongst his people, the Pashtuns. Even if Khan was against violence, he fomented anti-Pakistani protests and civil unrest, which eventually do lead to violence. Separatism is the worst advice that Pakistan and India can pay heed Verb 1. pay heed - give heed (to); "The children in the audience attended the recital quietly"; "She hung on his every word"; "They attended to everything he said" advert, give ear, attend, hang to, and Khan demanded a separate homeland for the Pashtuns, called Pashtunistan. Nonetheless, Khan's interpretations of Islam are unique and just and extremely valuable. His humble life and selfless devotion towards this goal are priceless in a region where greed, intolerance, and corruption have wreaked havoc. It shouldn't be forgotten that he is the first Pashtun in known history to pacify pac·i·fy tr.v. pac·i·fied, pac·i·fy·ing, pac·i·fies 1. To ease the anger or agitation of. 2. To end war, fighting, or violence in; establish peace in. one of the most war-like people in the world. Even if he was a traitor, Pakistanis must not ignore his life and achievements. Faris Kasim South Brunswick, New Jersey |
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