Far from adequate

The earthquake in Kashmir is probably the biggest natural disaster in recent years. Yet there has been breathtakingly limited international aid and support, especially when compared with aid pledged for the Asian Tsunami or even Hurricane Katrina.

It is also worth speculating on whether the Pakistani military establishment will finally remove its thumb and finally do something. To think that around 75% of the Pakistan Government budget is spent on the military. Even though the earthquake, like all earthquakes, could not have been preempted, you'd think a military establishment would be capable of reacting with even a semblance of discipline and purpose in the face of a crisis. Isn't that, after all, what national armies are for? To protect a nation's citizens? The earthquake has lifted the lid on something most Pakistanis already know too well. That their military is just a self-ingratiating political entity* with no serious interest in their welfare or, for that matter, solving that well-worn puzzle known as genuine Kashmiri self-determination.

* For example, did you know that since coming to power President Pervez Musharraf has been quietly acquiring public and private land, making him the single biggest private land holder in the country. Maybe he’s a fan of George Washington?