Home Truths: Pakistan Is Far from Being the Country Many of Us Think. Fatima Bhutto Dispels a Few Myths

Bhutto, Fatima, New Statesman (1996)

Everybody seems to be an expert on the Islamic Republic of Pakistan these days. You can't turn left without running into some pundit or pontificating layperson moaning heartily about Pakistan's future, lording it with their imaginary Pakistan PhDs over all and sundry. Baronesses, David Miliband, the fellow who reads the news--they're all Pakistan wonks now.

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It used to be that, upon telling someone you hailed from Pakistan, you'd get a benign smile: "Oh, yes, next to India." Yes, next to India, and Iran and China and Afghanistan. Now, the mere mention of Pakistan elicits a knowing wink. "Where's Osama hiding, then? Ha ha ha." We don't know, he doesn't send out a monthly newsletter. Detroit, I would venture.

But just as no one knows anything certain about Islam in today's "I'm …

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Publication information: Article title: Home Truths: Pakistan Is Far from Being the Country Many of Us Think. Fatima Bhutto Dispels a Few Myths. Contributors: Bhutto, Fatima - Author. Magazine title: New Statesman (1996). Volume: 139. Issue: 4988 Publication date: February 15, 2010. Page number: 33+. © Not available. COPYRIGHT 2010 Gale Group.

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