Our Announcements
Sorry, but you are looking for something that isn't here.
Posted by admin in OPINION LEADER, Sajjad Shaukat on January 8th, 2019
On October 31, 2018, violent protests and demonstrations led by the religious party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) broke out across the country in connection with the judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) about the Asia Bibi blasphemy case.
In its verdict the Supreme Court of Pakistan had also said: “No one could be allowed to defy the name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and be left unpunished, but there is another aspect of the matter; sometimes, to fulfil nefarious designs the law is misused by individuals levelling false allegations of blasphemy.”
It is notable that the constitution of Pakistan is Islamic and SCP verdict in the Asia Bibi case is in accordance with the constitution and has legal reasons for the decision. The reaction to the SCP decision by a small segment of the society is not the opinion of the nation.
But, during the violent protests, the language used by the leaders of TLP, especially its head Mulla Khadim Rizvi against SC judges, the army chief and others were excruciating was not the character of a true Muslim society. By inciting the people against judges; army and state institutions, TLP leaders were doing a disservice to the country.
It is mentionable that Pakistan has vociferously raised the issue of blasphemous caricatures in Netherland and truly became one of the reasons to halt the contest.
Pakistan is endeavouring to get onto the route to prosperity and any protest in the country will cause damage to the fragile national economy.
In this regard, in his address to the nation, Prime Minister Imran Khan said on October 31, 2018, that he had been compelled to communicate with the nation due to the reaction given and language used by a small segment in response to the SC verdict. Pakistan was founded in the name of Islam and the verdict given by the SC is in accordance with the Constitution, which is in line with the teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah. He sharply criticized the protests which broke out and continued for three consecutive days, saying people’s livelihood was being harmed through the roadblocks and demonstrations.
The premier added, “Which government can function when people say that kill the judges, rebel against the army chief? We are already facing such tough economic hurdles…we are struggling continuously to uplift the people [and] to improve the conditions of the underprivileged.”
In this respect, Director General (DG) of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj-Gen Asif Ghafoor on November 2, 2018, distanced the army from the controversy surrounding Asia Bibi’s acquittal, saying that the decision had been taken by the courts and the army had nothing to do with it.
He stated, “Unfortunately, the army is dragged into every matter…This is a legal matter and it is sad that negative statements are being issued against the army.”
However, the fact that the government or the army had no linkage with the Supreme Court decision in relation to the Asia Bibi case, but, TLP actions were found to be well orchestrated as if their strings were being pulled from somewhere else. The narrative of TLP this time precisely matched with the well-known narrative of PML (N) that is to malign army, censure judiciary and target the current government. Hence, it is not far from possible that the cleric had fallen prey to the dirty politics of the corrupt-convicted political leadership of the country, in addition to his own destructive philosophy. What else an individual like Khadim Rizvi deserves, if he openly starts to incite hatred among the general public against the state, the government and its institutions and most seriously, provoking mutiny amongst the armed forces against its leadership?
Therefore, the apprehension of TLP leadership was taken very positively by the people from all walks of life, as they understand that Maulana Rizvi was not only troubling the common citizens through his call for agitation but was also challenging the writ of the state which was not tolerable.
Sedition and treason imprint created by him by passing provocative remarks against the government and the state institutions indicate that he is also a victim of outside influence in addition to his own activities. This portrays him as becoming a tool in the hands of anti-Pakistan forces which is even more horrifying. These forces could be both local and global which can use segment at the time and place of their choosing in future.
While the authority of the state is prime and no individual or organization can be permitted to create disorder as was done by Rizvi and his associates. His apprehension along with his accomplishments is a step in the right direction strictly according to the constitution of this country.
Perpetrators must be awarded exemplary retributions through a legal course of action so that such incidents are not repeated in future by this group or any other such outfit in the country.
Besides, TLP must be banned as a political party and its bank accounts and properties should be seized. CNIC (National Identity Card) and passport of its leaders should also be cancelled. The election commission may review its policy on allowing such parties to contest the election. Moreover, scrutiny of the source of funding of both TLP and Tehreek-i-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah Pakistan (TLYRAP) must be carried out and actions should be taken to stop illegal /anti-state funding.
A crackdown should also be executed by the government to seize and punish those who incite hatred, sedition and mutiny on the social media. In this connection, all the twitter and other social media accounts and websites which are involved in such activities should be blocked instantly through Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). A policy paper may also be finalized after necessary legislation by the parliament to cease such negative endeavours by individuals and groups and be implemented through PTA and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA”.
Furthermore, all the Madrassas operated by the TLP must be shut down and their students must be absorbed in regular schools.
Though everyone has the right to freedom of speech, no one has the authority to spread abhorrence and intolerance. More so, challenging the writ of the state by organizing sit-ins and causing damage to life and property of the general public is totally unacceptable and unpardonable. The fate of such scamps should be nothing, but total disbandment and retributions for their deeds.
Posted by admin in Dr.Faisal Khan, OPINION LEADER on January 8th, 2019
Children are not fully-grown yet, and they are just little adults, their growing minds and bodies make them uniquely vulnerable to the effects of the environment around them, including all types of radiations generated by mobile phones, iPads, tablets, smart phones and all other kinds of wireless devices. Because in new era, technology is being adopted by children at younger ages than ever before. There are different types of radiations generated by mobile phones and wireless devices, microwave radiations, ionizing and non-ionizing radiations. Ionizing radiation for example x-rays, radon, ultra violet rays in sunlight all are high frequency, and high energy. Non-ionizing is low frequency and low energy radiation. Cell phones have non-ionizing radiation. Mobile phones send radio frequency waves from its transmitting unit or antenna to nearby cell towers. When we make or receive a call, text, or use data, our phone receives radio frequency waves to its antenna from cell towers.
The potential harm from microwave radiations given off by cell phones and other wireless devices, particularly for children and unborn babies. Many researches proved that, children and unborn babies do face a greater risk for bodily damage that results from microwave radiations given off by wireless devices. The rate of microwave radiations absorption is higher in children than adults because their brain tissues are more absorbent, their skulls are thinner, and their relative size is smaller. Fetuses are particularly more vulnerable, because microwave radiations exposure can lead to degeneration of the protective sheath that surrounds brain neurons.
According to a recent research the brain tissue of children absorbed about two times more microwave radiations than that of adults, and other studies have reported that the bone marrow of children absorbs 10 times more microwave radiations than that of adults. Belgium, France, Germany, and other technologically sophisticated governments are passing laws or issuing warnings about children’s use of wireless devices. They also legislated that smartphone makers specify the minimum distance from the body that their products must be kept so that legal limits for exposure to microwave radiations aren’t exceeded. For iPads, laptop computers and tablets the minimum distance from the device to body is 20 cm (about 8 inches).
There are many potential health risks to mental and physical well-being related to overuse of cell phones, especially low IQ & improper mental growth in children, sleep deprivation, brain tumors and psychiatric diseases are hot-button issues. I admit still studies related to radiations generated by mobile phones have been inconsistent and results have been conflicting. These wireless devices are now part of our everyday life, but they can be used in a manner that is safe enough, the most important point is the distance, holding a cell phone few inches away from our ear “provides a thousand times reduction in risk. Unless a cell phone is turned off, it is always radiating, so when not in use, it should not be kept on the body. The best place to keep a cell phone is somewhere like a pouch, purse, bag, or backpack. These devices should be kept away from a pregnant woman’s abdomen, and a mother should not use a cell phone while breastfeeding and nursing, and baby monitors should not be placed in an infant’s crib. Children and teen agers need to know how to use mobile phones and wireless devices safely. Cell phones should not be permitted in children’s bedroom at all.
Can cell phones cause cancer? In fact, there are solid grounds to believe it really is so. The cause for that is radiofrequency of electromagnetic fields given off by wireless and mobile devices. They have an adverse effect on our body, special on growing skulls of kids, toddlers and teenagers, so it can trigger the development of brain cancer in the future. According to a recent research conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, excessive use of mobile phones may lead to the formation of such brain tumors as glioma and acoustic neuroma. First and foremost, this is an issue for those adults and children who are virtually glued to their cell phones.
The pew research center has reported, that 75% of preteens and early teens keep all day their cell phones in their front pant pockets, which is way harmful for their reproductive health. Boys should not keep their cell phone in their front pants pockets. There is a potential harm to sperms, and girls should not place their cell phone in their bras. This recommendation was based on case study of 4 young women with a history of keeping their cell phones in or near their bras, and who developed breast cancer. It’s obvious, that more radiations are absorbed with more hours of use, so children should be taught to use their mobile phone as little as possible. Landlines, Skype, and computer phone services, when connected to the internet with a cable, don’t give off radiations, so parents should encourage their kids to use those. Moreover, Wi-Fi routers in the home should be placed away from where people, particularly children, spend the most of time.
Good health is above wealth, but majority of us undermine their personal health, and becoming more careless about their children’s mental and physical state day by day, caused by using of cell phones so excessively. A recent survey found out that 92% of world population have mobile phones today. 31% of them admit they never turn off their mobile phones. More than 90% of parents provide their kids cell phones, so they can easily keep in touch whenever they want to. All of this gives sufficient ground to talk about a cell phone addiction, specially about the possible dangers of cell phones on children’s health.
Cell phone overuse has many seriously bad side effects on children’s health primarily and adult’s health generally. We strive to be constantly connected and available. This makes us feel tired, nervous, and absent-minded. We hardly realize that a cause for our tiredness and fatigue is hidden in our pocket. It’s high time to determine some more about the negative influence of mobile phones and other wireless technologies. From time to time, many children and some adults have a feeling that their cell phone is vibrating in their pockets when actually it’s not. They check it immediately and see that it was a false alarm. This situation is called a phantom pocket vibration syndrome. A study done by Dr. Michelle Drouin found that 89% of teenagers had experienced this type of sensation. This especially relates to the teenagers and undergraduates having a social media addiction. They are more anxious and nervous. Missing another text message from other side feels like a real tragedy to them. Reducing overall use of mobile phone, and shutting off cell phone’s vibration is a good way to combat and to deal with this syndrome.
When texting someone or reading an article on the Internet, we all have to stare at a small-sized screen of our cell phone. That can put a lot of strain on kids’ eyes, they can dry out and hurt when blinking. Eventually, this may result in visual deterioration. To maintain clear sight, need to keep device at least 12 to 16 inches away from the face. When talking about cell phones and health, we cannot ignore their influence on sleeping habits. Most of us and some of our children even, get used to set the alarm and put a cell phone somewhere not far from the head or even under their pillow. In fact, it’s a bad idea. As we’ve mentioned before, microwave radiation transmitted by a cell phone is harmful to a brain specially kid’s brain. Having a mobile device at hand can also end up with insomnia in children. They’ll feel tempted to check it at night. They won’t be able to sleep properly because of its vibrating and beeping. It caused sleep deprivation, which can lead to serious mental health problems in children less than age of 19 years.
A healthy spine is one of the key factors of well-being during growing age. When our kids slouching over a cell phone for most of hours daily, they ruin their neck and back muscles. So, no wonder they feel the nagging pain in these parts of their bodies. But wait, there’s more. Pain, strain and aching neck muscles can cause a severe headache to make things worse. So eventually, they’ll feel like a wreck. To keep our children health, it’s time to decide, that we should not allow our kids to overuse cell phones and other wireless devices.
Posted by admin in Col.Riaz Jafri (Retd) on November 1st, 2018
Posted by admin in OPINION LEADER on October 20th, 2018
Change
October 7, 2018
Corruption is “the abuse of public office for private gain (the World Bank’s definition)”. A couple of years ago, the World Bank estimated that public procurement in Pakistan amounted to 19.8 percent of GDP or $60 billion a year.
Lo and behold, estimates of ‘leakages’ in this $60 billion-a-year business vary from a low of 30 percent to a high of 60 percent. Lo and behold, the ‘leakages’ amount to a low of $18 billion a year to a high of $36 billion a year.
Mohammad Khalid Javed, the founding managing director of Pakistan’s Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), said: “we do not need any borrowings from the World Bank or the IMF if we can save this money”.
Imagine: according to the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, released by the US Department of State, the practice of money laundering cost Pakistan more than $10 billion a year. Yes, $10 billion a year multiplied by 10 years would mean $100 billion.
Now let’s do some simple math: our gross external financial need this year is $26 billion while the ‘leakages’ in public procurement are potentially more than that. So, we have a potential surplus. Our external debt is $95 billion while the past 10-year money-laundering cost stands at a potential $100 billion. So, we have a potential surplus. Conclusion: Minus ‘leakages’ and minus money laundering, we are a surplus country.
The real tabdeeli (change) is: For the first time in Pakistan’s rather chequered financial history, we have a prime minister whose top priority is anti-corruption. The real tabdeeli is: For the first time in Pakistan’s rather chequered legal history, we have a chief justice whose top priority is anti-corruption. The real tabdeeli is: For the first time in Pakistan’s 71-year long history, the head of our government and the head of our Supreme Court share the same agenda.
This is the real tabdeeli: For the first time in the Federal Investigation Agency’s rather chequered 43-year-long history, the agency is in the process of unearthing the biggest money laundering scam in the history of Pakistan. And the details of the scam are startling: the number of fake bank accounts so far unearthed amount to 77; the number of individuals named stand at 334 (including ex-president Asif Ali Zardari); and money that has been laundered potentially amounts to hundreds of billions.
This is the real tabdeeli: The modus operandi of money launderers is out in the open: political and bureaucratic actors facilitated by bankers open fake bank accounts. The two then dole out contracts worth hundreds of billions to their favourite contractors. In return, contractors deposit hundreds of billions into the fake bank accounts. A moneychanger walks in and black money is transferred to Dubai. Funds are then transferred out of Dubai to buy properties in London and elsewhere.
The big picture: The once-dreaded MQM no longer holds Karachi hostage. The PML-N failed to form a government in Punjab. The PPP leadership’s wrongdoings are out for everyone to see.
It is true that the FIA’s conviction rate is 6.6 percent. It is true that NAB lacks the capacity to prosecute white-collar criminals. It is true that powerful public-office holders are far from being convicted. It is also true that powerful money launderers have yet to be convicted. But the tabdeeli has begun.
The writer is a columnist based in Islamabad.
Posted by admin in Commodore Tariq Majid Pakistan Navy (Retd), MUSLIMS HOLOCAUST BY SIKHS 1947, OPINION LEADER on October 8th, 2018
The Sikhs were useful pawns to Nehru. It wasn’t inconceivable that in order to avoid a civil war, the Boundary Commission would grant the Sikhs’ claims. Sikh’s were rewarded by India in 1984 Sikh Massacres and Operation Bluestar by Indian Army Raid on Sikhs’ Golden Temple Complex. where creme de la creme of Sikh Youth was slaughtered. The Indian State of East Punjab became the Venue of Sikh Massacres by several divisions of Indian Army led by Hindu Generals of Gujarati and East Punjabi background. The Sikh Community in Pakistan was NOT PARTY TO MUSLIMS HOLOCAUST OF 1947, because they were part of Sikh Diaspora living in Afghanistan. Pakistani Sikhs love Pakistan and are willing to die for Pakistan as soldiers in the Pakistan Armed Forces.
Awareness Brief-AB-04-18-Tuesday, 14 August 2018, Zilhaj 2, 1439
If you desire to refresh the wounds of the heart,
Recall now and then this story of the days past
Partition of the Subcontinent in August 1947 on withdrawal of British colonial power and emergence of Pakistan and Hindu India as independent states was a most momentous event of the 20th century. It was accompanied by immense social turmoil, uprooting of millions of people and horrific bloodshed—in which Muslims were the main victims.
It is often said that enormous sacrifices were made in attaining Pakistan. This paper gives a glimpse of these sacrifices.
Many books were written about the Partition, mostly by western writers and Indians. Very few of these books can be considered as depicting the facts correctly. Yet, it is rare to find a book which does not hide those facts which go against the thesis of the book’s author. Besides, a subject that these books gloss over or evade altogether is the planned bloodshed of Indian Muslim population by Sikhs and Governor General Mountbatten’s role in it.
In the literature on the Partition, an outstanding book is Disastrous Twilight—A Personal Record of the Partition of India by Major-General Shahid Hamid, published in 1986 by Leo Cooper. The author was Private Secretary, 1946-47, to Field Marshal Claude Auchinleck who was the last Commander-in-Chief in British India from 20 October 1943 to 26 September 1947. Shahid Hamid saw the unfolding of critical events from close quarters as the C-in-C’s office was privy to all matters, military, political or administrative. He kept a record of all important happenings, which is valuable material for history on all vital aspects of the Partition. What is more valuable is the record of striking revelations on sensitive issues. A top issue in this regard is Mountbatten’s role in the carnage of Muslims by Sikhs. His actions that provoked this carnage included deceitfully making changes in the Boundary Commission’s Award and intentionally delaying the announcement of the Award.
The facts recorded in Shahid Hamid’s book are reproduced here. Headings have been added for quick grasp of contents. All dates pertain to the year 1947.
Author’s Introduction—in his own words. I had never met Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck before I was selected to be his first Indian Private Secretary. Why I was selected for the post I do not know… I was fortunate to witness many historic events, and also to meet the men who made them possible. This gave me a unique insight into the character of the leaders and their approach to the national problems that were facing them. I was able to record their opinions, expressed both privately and in the open… I saw small men entrusted with great jobs, playing with the destiny of millions. This book has been written incorporating the diary I kept diligently in those days. It is not just a record of events but includes my reactions to what I saw, what I heard and what came across my desk. [p. vii]
I have come to the conclusion that someday I may publish my diaries as a book, for in it there will be certain facts brought to the light of which few people have knowledge. [p. 240]
The Sikhs’ Reaction to the Partition Plan. 4 June: When Mountbatten announced his (June 3) Plan, the Sikhs promptly perfected their plan for revenge. Led by their warrior class and assisted by their leaders, they have organized themselves into ‘Jathas’ (gangs). They have adopted force and terror tactics. They are now preparing their followers physically and psychologically for the brutalities to be inflicted on the Muslims. The Congress High Command is encouraging them and calls them the ‘sword arm of the Congress’.
Mountbatten at no stage encouraged the Sikhs to come to a settlement with the Muslim League which would have partially avoided the massacre. In fact he encouraged them to stay with the Congress. When the Sikhs became violent he arrested none. [p.180,181]
Radcliffe’s Appointment. 28 June 1947: It had been decided to ask Sir Cyril Radcliffe to be the head of the Punjab and Bengal Boundary Commissions. I think that it is a great mistake as he can be influenced by Mountbatten. It would have been far better to have selected a man from a country outside the Commonwealth. [p.194]
Boundary Commission. 22 July: The Boundary Commission has been set up and has started its deliberations. [p.208]
24 July: The Punjab Boundary Force has been positioned. It is too small a force to be effective. The Sikhs have decided to ignore it and put their plan of vengeance into operation. There have been riots in Dehra Dun, Meerut, Pilibhit, Alwar and Bharatpur. Many Muslims are being massacred. [p.209, 210]
Efforts to Influence the Boundary Commission. 21 July 1947: Baldev Singh* has asked Major Short** to fly out to India and use his influence to get the Boundary Line drawn as much to the West as possible. [p. 208]
* A top Sikh leader; Mountbatten knew Baldev Singh was the treasurer of a fund that
the Sikhs were collecting for buying arms. [p.163]
**Major Short, an old officer of XI Sikh Regiment and a great Sikh enthusiast; arrived on 28 July, stayed with Baldev, attached to Mountbatten’s staff and was their unofficial adviser on Sikh affairs. [p.211]. Short had been introduced to Mountbatten by Cripps as the authority on Sikh affairs. [p.180]
Hindus also for Killing Muslims. 4 August: Evan Jenkins, the Governor of Punjab, says that when the Hindus mention that ruthless action must be taken to restore law and order they mean that every Muslim should be killed. [p.219]
Boundary Award Delayed. 9 August 1947: Everyone is talking about the impending Boundary Award. On many occasions, Radcliffe, supported by his secretary, Beaumont, had said that the Muslim Majority Tehsils of Ferozpore which include the Canal Headworks, Zehra and Moga, will form part of Pakistan. It is said that yesterday (8 August) Radcliffe had finalised the Award. He has now submitted it to Mountbatten, who is trying to keep it a closely guarded secret. Many of its salient points have already leaked out through the staff of the Boundary Commission and through his own staff.
A copy of the Award, unwittingly, and unknown to Mountbatten, has been sent by George Abell* to the Secretary of the Governor of Punjab and is known to many. It is common talk that Mountbatten is busy changing it – giving India a corridor to Kashmir through Gurdaspur as well as the Ferozpore Headworks. The Muslims are very jittery. Radcliffe originally said that he would require one to two years to establish the Boundary Line but Mountbatten has over-ruled him. He wants him to base it on the ‘rule of thumb’. There is continuous consultation between the Congress, the Sikhs, the Princes and Mountbatten. Something is cooking. Nobody knows the date of the announcement of the Award. It is up to Mountbatten.
Governor of Punjab has been asked by Mountbatten for advice as to the date of announcement. It is also said that the Viceroy will not be issuing the Award in the form of a communiqué from the Viceroy’s House. It will be published as a Gazette Extraordinary under the instructions of the Boundary Commission. Mountbatten wants to give the impression to the world that he had nothing to do with it. [p.222]
*George Abell entered the ICS in 1928; Private Secretary to the Viceroy 1945-47.
Rioting by Sikhs. 9 August 1947: Rioting by Sikhs has started. This is in accordance with their plan. [p.223]
C-in-C Pakistan Army—on the Delay in the Award. 11 August: General Frank Messervy is of the opinion that the postponement of the Boundary Commission Award is causing uncertainty and immense bloodshed. [p.224]
Shocking Report of the Boundary Force. 11 August: A report has been received from the Punjab Boundary Force which says that:
■ The refugee problem, mainly from Eastern Punjab to Western Punjab is becoming increasingly difficult.
■ The disturbances are producing an average of two hundred to five hundred killings a day. Raids are organized and usually carried out by well-armed gangs of Sikhs.
■ Derailment of trains is a common occurrence. The Maharajah of Faridkot himself is known to be organizing the operations.
■ On arrival in Amritsar to take over their duties, the non-Muslim Police disarmed the Muslim members of the Police Force. [p.224]
Messervy’s Alarming Report. 11 August: General Messervy has also reported that the situation in Punjab is really bad. The Sikhs are operating large numbers of gangs and timely information about their
movement is impossible. The situation in Amritsar is fast deteriorating as a result of the disarming of the Muslim Police by the Hindu Superintendent of Police. [p.224]
The Sikhs’ Ghastly Behaviour. 13 August: In a conference in Lahore, Jenkins, the Governor, and Pete Rees, Commander of the Boundary Force, gave their views on the prevailing situation. They painted a very gloomy picture. They said that the Sikhs were behaving with ‘pre-medieval ferocity’, and felt the worst had still to come.
The C-in-C made a note. ‘The delay in announcing the Award of the Boundary Commission is having a most disturbing and harmful effect.’ [p.225]
Late Announcement of Award led to the Storm of Killings. 16 August: There was a meeting of the Joint Defence Council under the chairmanship of Mountbatten. It was attended by Nehru, Vallabhai Patel, Baldev Singh and Liaquat Ali Khan. Auchinleck gave his views on what he had seen in the last few days and on the discussion he had with Governor Jenkins and Major-General Thomas Rees. He emphasized that the delay in announcing the Award of the Boundary Commission had resulted in the wildest rumours, even to the extent, for example, that Lahore will be part of India. This has given fresh impetus to the killings by the Sikhs. The Award should have been announced on 9 August, as Jenkins had suggested earlier.
Patel said rioting at Rawalpindi started a chain reaction. He admitted that Tara Singh had made indiscreet and inflammable speeches, which had added fuel to the fire. Liaquat openly said that the whole thing had been carefully engineered by the Sikhs under the guidance of Baldev. Nehru sat depressed and in a daze. He asked whether there was a military escort on every train. If so, why did the massacres take place? He was told that the gangs got on to the train with their arms concealed. Once on, they then attacked suddenly.
Mountbatten tried to humour everyone and admitted that he hoped he had not made too big a mistake by not announcing the Award on 9 August. He said that the storm was not unexpected, but its extent could not have been anticipated. He said he now realized that if he had rounded up the Sikh trouble-makers, including Tara Singh, he would not have had to face this day. [p.234]
Mountbatten’s Underhand Alterations. 16 August: The Award has been shown to the leaders. It is a black day for Pakistan. All the rumours were true about Mountbatten amending the findings, and that he has destroyed the proof. What he did not realize was that, by mistake, a copy was sent to the Secretary of the Governor of Punjab which Jenkins gave to his successor, Francis Mudie, who handed it over to Liaquat. This has horrified Mountbatten.
The amendments Mountbatten made were common knowledge. The Canal Headworks at Ferozepore have been awarded to India on the instigation of his great friend, the Maharajah of Bikaner who, on 11 August, sent his Prime Minister, Sirdar Pannikar, and his Chief Engineer, Kanwar Sain, to see him. It has convinced the Muslims that Mountbatten altered the Award. Finally, Nehru was instrumental in getting the Award altered. A corridor has been provided to Kashmir. [p.235]
The Treacherous Alterations in the Boundary Award. The Pakistan Times, 18 August 1947, reported, ‘In Punjab, the notional division had been unfair but the final Award has gone much further and hacked off some of our richest tracts of land. The blow has been the hardest in Gurdaspur where the two Muslim Tehsils of Gurdaspur and Batala with a Muslim majority have been thrown into Hindustan along with the Pathankot Tehsil, taking away from Pakistan the rich Muslim industrial area of Batala. A part of Lahore has been broken off. Radcliffe has gone to the trouble of drawing a village to village boundary but the Ajnala Tehsil of Amritsar District with a 60 per cent Muslim majority and contiguous to the District of Lahore has been completely forgotten. The Tehsils of Zehra and Ferozepore with a clear Muslim majority have been dismissed with talk of “disruption of communication”.’ [p.236]
Mountbatten Lied about the Alterations. 16 August: Mountbatten says that he received the Award on 13 August and signed it on the 15th. Everyone knows this is not correct. The late announcement has caused havoc because of the uncertainty of which areas would finally belong where. Mountbatten wanted the bloodbath to happen when the two Governments had been established so that the responsibility would not be his. [p.235]
Award Published. 17 August: The Boundary Award was published today. [p.236]
Sikhs on the Rampage. 17 August: A meeting of the Joint Defence Council has been held in Ambala. Rees told the meeting that without the Punjab Boundary Force the slaughter would have been far greater. The Sikhs are burning the country from Lahore to Julundhur and turning it into a battlefield.
Percy Howard wrote in The Sunday Express, ‘It was really the movement of the Sikh community out of the new Pakistan which sparked off the great killings in Punjab and they acted like savages.’ [p.236]
Sikhs’ Private Army. 19 August: Situation in Punjab, especially Amritsar, is bad. Sikh personnel of the (disbanded) Indian National Army (of Subhas Chandra Bose) have formed a Private army for the slaughter of the Muslims. They want to ensure the elimination of Muslims from the Sikh areas of Punjab. The Indian Government is incapable of controlling the Sikhs. Trains to Pakistan are being looted each day and their occupants slaughtered. [p.237]
Appalling Situation in Delhi. 5 September: Situation in Delhi is extremely critical. Muslims are being hunted and butchered in the streets, and the bodies lie rotting. Arson and looting are the order of the day. [p.246]
Bloodshed was Pre-Planned. 8 September: Sikhs in Simla have been slaughtering the Muslims according to a pre-arranged plan. The civil administration in East Punjab is practically non-existent. There too the Muslims are being slaughtered according to a concerted plan. [p.246]
The ban on ‘Kirpans’ Withdrawn. 13 September: (From a letter to Mountbatten by Auchinleck). “I feel I must tell you of my fears about the present situation. I see in today’s newspaper that the ban placed on ‘Kirpans’ has been virtually withdrawn. The general public, here and all over India, can place one interpretation only on this action, which is that the Government does not really mean to grasp this problem of asserting its authority over the forces of disorder. The inference is that it is afraid to deal with the Sikhs as they should be dealt with.” [p.249]
Governor Jenkins’ Official Records were Burnt. Once when I met Jenkins and pressed him to write his memoirs, he replied that ‘It is not in the interest of the Commonwealth.’ It is known that at the time of his departure from India he was warned by Mountbatten not to speak out. He was ordered to burn all his official papers, which included many connected with the Boundary affair, but still, a few papers including the original sketch map demarcating the boundaries between the two Dominions before it was altered by Mountbatten fell into the hands of Francis Mudie, the Governor, who gave them to Liaquat. [p.300]
Clear-Cut Conclusions. Among the several conclusions from the given facts, two must be highlighted. Mountbatten knew the consequences of delaying the Boundary Award, that when announced it will absolutely shock and stun the Muslims in the Muslim-majority Areas, which by the rules of the Boundary Award were to be part of Pakistan, but which he had given to India. The Muslims will be seized with panic and fright and will be powerless against the Sikhs’ onslaught. This is what happened.
Secondly, the plans of the intended massacres that had been made in advance were known to Baldev Singh and Major Short, Mountbatten’s adviser on Sikh affairs. And Nehru and Mountbatten were aware of the coming bloodshed by the Sikhs but did not try to prevent it.
The writer is an analyst of national and global issues and is dedicated to exposing the issues harmful to Pakistan’s security and sovereignty.
Tariq Majeed
Cell: 0301-438-6267
Email: [email protected]
© 2024, All Rights Reserved by Pakistan Think Tank.
