Dear Pervaiz Sahib, 

I am not sure if I have met you or not but I find your piece touching. And I appreciate your reason for not celebrating. I am not the nationalistic or patriotic type and I don't really celebrate August 14th in any case. Personally I am not against Pakistan but the Government of Pakistan. For me one main disturbing things about the political region called "Pakistan" is that it was created on the basis of a particular religion and that has it's own repercussions that we see every time and that we will continue to see - unfortunately. Generally I have great respect and love for the people who reside within the boundaries of Pakistan. It's always a minority that hijacks the institutions and perpetrates atrocities like the recent killings in Gojra that are pathetic and highly lamentable. 

However, I do object to one sentence in your email. Even though the people that was mercilessly murdered belonged to a particular religion, they were first and foremost human beings. And for that, and as a human being, I am sad, outraged, ashamed and apologize to all my fellow human beings for this atrocious act of ours. Please don't call just your Christian friends but ALL your friends. 

As John Donne wrote centuries ago, "No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind". 

Regards, 

Mahmood Piracha