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Published on: 11/24/2007
Last Visited: 11/24/2007
Abid Ullah Jan's is the latest addition to this cadre that not only drains Pakistan of valuable minds, but also shames the government for its policies.
Prominent scholar and development specialist, Mr. Abid Ullah Jan and many others before him are not like the thousands upon thousands Pakistanis who have clogged the border between Canada and America.
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The new element is that Abid Ullah Jan has exposed corruption in the development sector where the so-called social workers have looted millions of dollars in the name of poverty alleviation.
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Abid Ullah Jan was one of the staunch supporters of Musharraf's overthrowing an elected government.His response to the commonwealth and American demands to hastily restore democracy was excellent.Abid Ullah Jan and others used this newfound press freedom as an example of his moderate and benign rule.
Suddenly, however, the climate has changed.It is very sad to know that the regime turned against its supporters just because some of its officials wanted to settle scores with the same reporters for their investigative reports and some of the government advisors didn't like their bold commentaries advising the General not to make excuses and violate the constitution for extending his rule.
Gen. Musharraf appears increasingly frustrated with the slightest criticism.He frequently complains that the press fails to promote Pakistan and instead highlights the problems of sectarian violence, Islamic militancy and corruption which dog the country.The recent case of a journalist fleeing the oppression of his machinery must force him to think if their sincere advice is giving the country a bad name or their forced departure makes his regime look good.If he continues to challenge the freedom of the press, not only his political career in the months ahead is likely to be an uncomfortable ride, but Pakistan would also lose some great minds with unimaginable pain and shame.
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