Salaam Smali:
I appreciate your opinion and the time you took to prepare a reply. I agree with few things that you have raised and respectfully disagree with some.
Firstly, yes, there is no guarantee that it will work but things are not always done if the results are guaranteed. Yes, people on the west side of the world have misconceptions about Pakistan. However, whenever I visit Pakistan, I also see a lot of Pakistanis who have misconceptions about Westerners. Common westerners dont have an agenda against Pakistan. They can be convinced via discussions and investigative reports. They are quite capable of making their own decisions. Unfortunately, neither of the parties have reached out to fill the gaps among them. This cant be achieved only at the governmental levels. We the people will have to get involved.
Secondly, I agree that a lot of Pakistanis dont have an official status of educated people. However, they are not nave. They can make their own decisions. They know the difference b/w right and wrong. They have their own opinions. Although their opinions can be manipulated by their political leaders, I dont think that I have the right to stop them from having one. It is very common in democracies. People are rightest and leftist. Modest and extremist. Their views can be very isolated but they are not told to not express themselves. Pakistan has nothing to hide. We have all kinds of opinions. We dont have to hide from any1.
Thirdly, I respect your thought on retaining Urdu as the language of communication for these programs. I am a big fan of our mother tongue and find it graceful. If you noticed, I am lobbying for english subtitles/captions not to have English discussions. I find investigative reports from Pakistan very handy and have a view that if translated they can be used as an effective argument against the Indian propaganda.
Fourthly, I think that India has found English as an effective tool of communication. There are thousands of cultures and languages and they need to communicate effectively (yes, they have effectively assassinated Urdu from their culture, but thats a different discussion). I think its working well for them since they are creating quite a few jobs in India because of tele-marketing. I remember in 1990s National Assembly members in Pakistan used to stand up and make speeches in their folk languages without providing other members with any translated transcripts. That was just a red herring. They wanted to create chaos. I am all for preserving Urdu but have to communicate with westerners some how. Yes, I agree with India giving up its culture, but I dont think that its because of English. Its a matter of low self esteem.
Fifthly, I am not falling for any propaganda. I just want to communicate with other people in the world, rather than being isolated. India is beating its drum louder and louder, and people are buying it. We need to do the same. Times have changed. Its no longer just a physical war. Its information war. Also, praying is a good matter but taking actions is also imperative. Hence I am trying to contribute in a way that I think taht I can be useful for my country.
Furthermore, we have to evaluate our relationship with India on a perpetual basis. Step by step, piece by piece and situation by situation. Right now it is playing the role of our enemy. Over the long-run we have to have a better relationship with India. The region of sub-continent has a potential of becoming the leader in the world over next 50 to 60 years. We have to convince India that it is in their best interest to have a stabilized relationship with Pakistan in order to have a continuous economic development. If they are looking for a friendship they should look into Pakistan rather than a dying superpower. However, first thing is first. Its time for a propaganda war.
I appreciate your comment and it is important that people critique my opinions. This way there will be a check on my opinions and I will be better informed. Ill continue my efforts for the English subtitles and you should find a way that you think you can contribute to the cause of Pakistan. We both should mobilize.
Yours truly,
Sher Khan
Toronto, Canada
