Missing in Pakistan - Documentary - Urdu and English

Some thoughts from when this documentary first came out around November 2007:

A heartbreaking documentary by filmmaker and journalist Ziad Zafar on the disappeared people in Pakistan. Timely and to the point. Points to the two major factors that determine Pakistani politics - the American geo-strategic interests and the politico-economic interests of the military establishment.

Important to note that religious extremism and sectarianism in Pakistan have always been the function of these two factors. The American selfish interests in the region and the failure of political process since the establishment of Pakistan are the real causes behind religious extremism.

Busharrafs war on terror is failing. This war is itself a form of and a cause of growing terrorism in the region. Those individuals involved in militant organizations and terrorist activities should be brought to justice. But it should be done through given constitutional and criminal procedures instead of extra-judicial kidnappings and killings.

Because illegitimate and unpopular power has its own logic. It does not distinguish between one type of body from the other - one type of citizen from another - militant or otherwise - when it comes to the question of preserving itself. The history of dictatorships in Pakistan - military or democratic - provide plenty of examples where in the name of National Integrity, Development, Islamization, and more recently Curbing Islamic Extremism and War on Terror the state has suppressed dissent liberties and freedom of its citizens.

Notice the list of missing people at the end of the documentary. Recognize the backgrounds of people through their names. Are they only what the Pakistani state likes to call the Islamic Militants. Or the list also includes the Baloch, Muhajir, Pashtoon, Sunnis, Shias, Liberals, Human Rights Activists, and Journalists.