March 05, 2005
heading out
I just had lunch with my friend Ayesha, an expert on Pakistan's military who is in DC to work on a new book on the subject. We were talking about how Pakistan has the potential to be a fantastic tourist destination, if only it could get its act together. "If you were to have a conversation with Musharraf," she said, "and he asked you what he could do to get the country on track, what would you say?"
It's only been a year since I started paying attention to Pakistan. I went for the first time in December 2003, to sit in for Time's bureau chief, Tim McGirk, who was on holiday. I've been back three times for the same reason. I call it "osama watch." I've read lots of books about the place, and during my time here in DC on my fellowship I've been talking to every single person I can find who knows something about Pakistan. But still, it feels strange to be telling a Pakistani woman what I think should be done to fix the country. The arrogance, right? To my mind, one of the biggest problems facing Pakistan today is the crumbling justice system. Without rule of law, how can you have a functioning society, let alone a real democracy? Take Thursday's aquittal of Mukhtaran Bibi's rapists. What does that mean about justice in Pakistan? Adl, in the Koran, means justice. And Akbar Ahmed, a Pakistani anthropologist and Muslim scholar, tells me that justice is the basis of Islam.
So here I am, heading out tomorrow for five weeks in Pakistan in search of justice. I am armed with a long list of contacts, a stack of notebooks and a microphone. I'll keep you posted on what I find.
Posted by Aryn Baker at March 5, 2005 09:44 PM
Comments
Hi Aryn,
So now I know what a blog is , sort of. Look forward to hearing more--How about giving me the names of a few books about Pakistan I might be able to obtain here--travel, history, current events (or is that what you are writing?)--even a novel. If you can, bring a couple of recipes when you come in April.
Very busy here; will be breaking ground on new house in April, city has pretty much approved everything. My architect and I really seem to think alike, and he gets excited about all the little details also. Wait a minute--does the public read all the "comments?' Let me know, so I don't rave on ad boredom about other stuff.
Posted by: Mom at March 9, 2005 12:10 AM
Hey Aryn,
Hope you are doing well! You left us all on the edge of our seats with your first blog. We were so excited to follow your journeys, but now for those of us who log on every day, we only get old news from March 5th. Blog us a line so we know you're out there.
Posted by: Colleen Roth at March 17, 2005 10:28 PM