Conspiracy theories and absurd religious explanations exist alongside scientific explanations, logic and empirical studies perhaps in every society. However, what distinguishes Pakistan is the mainstreaming of conspiracy theories and religious explanations while science has been marginalized and reason exiled. Also, while conspiracy theory is an industry and religion an individual matter especially in the West, in the case of Pakistan religion is alpha and omega in every matter [from science and philosophy to politics and sports] and conspiracy theory is now ‘ideology of Pakistan’. From colonialism to poverty and 9/11 to attack on Malalai, everything is conveniently explained away as a conspiracy. Similarly, every natural calamity is ascribed to wrath of god. Frankenstorm Sandy is no exception.

Ansar Abbasi in a column for daily the Jang, says: ‘How could the Lord of the Worlds remain silent over (this blasphemy)? Of what account a superpower against the might of my Lord? ...Only a few weeks after (the blasphemous film) powerful America has been hit by such a calamity that until yesterday intoxicated by pharaonic power it today presents a picture of the utmost helplessness’.

Another Jang columnist, Nusrat Mirza, instead of invoking the wrath-of-god explanation, has concocted a fantastic conspiracy theory. He blames Sandy on Haarp.

Having taken credit for introducing his readers to Haarp, in 2010, he blames Haarp for the deluge that devastated Pakistan in 2010 as well as the flooding in Japan last year that caused Fukushima nuclear melt down. Even the earthquake in 2006, according to our columnist, as well as the natural tragedies [not mentioned] that struck Haiti, Iran, China, and Iran have been caused by Haarp.

Since imagination has a limit even in the case of conspiracy theorists, hence, our conspiracy theorist appears at odd with his own formulations. His conclusion, therefore, is indeed vague. We are informed, ‘Having devastated its own people on 9/11, this is for the second time on October 29, that the USA is putting its people in trouble. However, if the aim is to trigger another world war, we do not know. Or perhaps there is some other mala fide intention, only the time will tell.’

Since we have to wait to find out the validity of the Haarp Theory of Sandy Conspiracy, let us meantime ask our media Mujahid, Ansar Abbasi, for a few explanations.

For the first, our media mujahid does not enlighten us as to why has the Lord of the Worlds battered Haiti and Cuba through Sandy for an anti-Islam film produced by the USA. One really hopes the Lord knows that Cuba is Uncle Sam’s officially-designated ‘enemy no 1’. Also, the Big Satan is hardly popular in Haiti owing largely to crippling US trade policies. Also, why punish New York for an act of film production in Los Angles. Hope our media mujahid watches Geo. After all, he frequently appears on Geo. The Geo footage has shown Pakistani families devastated by Sandy even when Pakistan suffered $70 billion loss in one go to protest against the despicable anti-Islam film. Was it not wise to sort out the film maker and his crew instead of 60 million Americans [including countless Muslim citizens of the USA]? Perhaps there is some puritan explanation in the case of infidel USA, pagan Haiti and communist Cuba. But I want our media mujahid to explain me: (a) why Iran has suffered several devastating earthquakes in recent years [including a 6.6 magnitude quake in 2003 that reduced Bam to dust and killed about 31,000]; (b) why 4,000 were killed in Badakhshan and Takhar provinces of Afghanistan when his darling Taliban were in command.

Farooq Sulehria