It is time to seek some answers as to why individuals of Pakistani origin seem to get involved, either directly or indirectly, in majority of the acts of violence around the world. The recent failed attempt to create panic in New Yorks Times Square involved an American citizen of Pakistani origin whose family hails from Pakhtoonkhwah. No purpose will be served by resorting to conspiracy theories. We must make an honest attempt to identify the factors and rectify the problems which cause men of seemingly normal up bringing and education to resort to violence as a tool of expression for their resentment. Pakistan was created as a consequence of a non-violent political struggle led by highly-educated leaders like Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal. But in 1958, military dictator Ayub Khan usurped power, disrupted political process and strafed at human rights and all freedoms, including that of expression. Any attempt to voice dissent was crushed. After years of denial of rights, the youth of the country turned to extremism which, then, started gaining a foothold in this country. The uprising in East Pakistan was brutally crushed by another military dictator which led to breakup of this country. An elected political PM Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was thrown out of office and later hung by yet another usurper when a kangaroo court obliged him with the verdict he wanted. General Zia, the dictator who had hung Bhutto, prolonged his illegitimate rule with international support and through promotion of sectarian, regional and ethnic politics. His junta promoted these divides so that the political parties could not mount a united opposition to get rid of him. Musharraf junta proved to be the proverbial last straw that broke the back of the camel. On May 12, 2007, when a Musharraf supported ethnic party resorted to brutal use of force to prevent the Chief Justice of Pakistan from entering Karachi, he rejoiced at this 'victory by punching in the air at a public gathering in Islamabad. Nawab Akbar Bugti, a prominent Baloch, who had always supported the federation was killed on his orders and to this date nobody has been held accountable for this cowardly crime. A Pakistani doctor Shazia Khalid was allegedly raped by a uniformed officer in Sui. The state instead of helping the victim, came out to protect the alleged criminal. Thousands of Pakistanis are missing without any judicial process or documentation. Benazir Bhutto was killed in Liaquat Bagh and the crime scene was hosed down within an hour by the Musharraf regime. In Islamabad, the son of a journalist was kidnapped about four months ago and he has openly blamed the sensitive agencies for this crime. Our political parties too have resorted to indiscriminate use of force when in power to intimidate their opponents. It is this mindset with increasing tolerance for violence and crime that has led to rise in political violence among the youth of Pakistan. The drone attacks on ordinary citizens and excessive collateral damage has further worsened the situation. A weak judicial system, injustices, lack of accountability and a corrupt bureaucracy are other factor. All this has led to individuals and groups that justify resort to violence as a tool to express political dissent. -MALIK TARIQ, Dubai, May 6.