Senator Ishaq Dars suggestion to the government to extend formal diplomatic recognition to Libyas new set-up is in line with the existing ground reality. The Libyan Transitional Council has been the only body in control of affairs in the country for quite some time now. Pakistan, however, has been delaying according it recognition, perhaps under the illusion that Colonel Qaddafi would stage a comeback. This inordinate delay is symptomatic of an unrealistic and laidback attitude towards rapidly changing world events. There is reason to believe that a delayed response would antagonise the new set-up with repercussions for our relations with this brotherly Muslim country, as the Libyan Transitional Council has warned that it would repatriate 55,000 Pakistani workers and replace them with Indians, if Islamabad decides not to grant recognition to it. The consequences of expatriate Pakistanis getting uprooted and moving to Pakistan in search of employment are not hard to surmise. At a time when rampant poverty and unemployment reigns supreme inside our country, these returning jobless Pakistanis would find it difficult to make ends meet. Also it must not be forgotten that the families of these individuals depend on the money they remit to them, which also helps our foreign exchange reserves maintain stability. It is a pity that the governments less-than-efficient response has put into jeopardy the livelihoods of thousands of people. The argument that since successive governments in the past had maintained friendly ties with the Qaddafi regime the new dispensation can wait before being accorded recognition, is to stand logic on its head. The current reality of the regime in Libya must be recognised and dealt with immediately, instead of mimicking the approach of an ostrich with it's head stuck firmly in the sand. The fact that the NATO-backed rebels are in power and are holding the government in their grasp cannot be denied. While the new set-up took charge of affairs several countries around the world were aware of the gravity of the situation and did not waste time forging ties with the emerging government. Islamabad needs to wake up from its slumber. If even Saudi Arabia and Iran have recognised Libya - what are we waiting for?