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Posted by Azahir in CURRENT EVENTS on December 20th, 2016
CREATION of Pakistan on the basis of Two-Nation theory was not less than a miracle. It was indeed against the confluence of Hindu majority and British rulers in India. Hindu leadership never desired a division of India and emergence of a Muslim state on the basis of a separate ideology. Under the determined leadership of Quaid-i-Azam, Pakistan became a reality to the dislike of Hindus and British rulers. Hindu leadership presumed that it would be a matter of few months or maximum few years that, this country will fall back to India. Thus, right from beginning, Indian leadership started conspiring against the state of Pakistan. India refused to give due share of assets to Pakistan at the time of independence and created problems like the invasion in Kashmir and Sir Creek.
Following the sudden deaths of the founding fathers, there arose leadership crisis in Pakistan that enhanced its vulnerabilities too. The subsequent leadership lacked the vision, fathers of the nation had for the growth and progress of this largest Muslim country of the world. The weaknesses of the Pakistani leadership were fully exploited by the foes of Pakistan, who kept on conspiring at all levels to destabilize Pakistan. Since it was easy to make in ingress into East Pakistan, therefore, India through its spying network and through other means started creating misleading the Bengali populace. Unfortunately, the Pakistani leadership too was casual to keep an eye over the growing Indian influence in this part of Pakistan.
The continuous Indian involvement in East Pakistan and Pakistani ignorance ultimately lead to the fateful day of Pakistani history, Dec 16, 1971. On this day, Pakistan lost its Eastern part, the former East Pakistan. It is worth mentioning that this tragedy did not happen suddenly. For years, there has been unrest among the masses of East Pakistan, created by two factors; internally, it was bad governance by the successive rulers of this biggest Muslim country and externally, it was the conspiracy of India, which never has the acceptability for the Pakistan and wanted to undo that by all cost. Though Pakistani masses did not reconcile with this loss of half of the country, yet, the Government of Pakistan recognized the Bangladesh in the mid-1970s. On its part, the Bangladeshi rulers are constantly conspiring against Pakistan and even today, incumbent Bangladeshi Govt is targeting those people who wanted to keep Pakistan united in 1971.
Contrary to the blame game of the India and incumbent Bangladeshi Government, famous India writer, and scholar, Sarmila Bose, have revealed some of the realities of 1971 sad incident. She has written an impartial account of the 1971 tragedy, the disintegration of Pakistan. The people of Pakistan have yet not forgotten the sad episode of 1971, once there occurred another sad and a very tragic incident on December 16, 2014, in Army Public School (APS) Peshawar.
While the entire nation was fighting against the terrorism, the enemies of Pakistan planned another incident, killing 150 people in APS, Peshawar in the broad daylight. Those attacked the school had come from Afghanistan and were fully supported by the Afghan spying network (NDS) in collaboration of RAW, the infamous Indian spying network. Those killed by these terrorists include 132 schoolchildren and remaining were teachers and staff members. This was a well-planned attack and date was chosen while keeping in view the tragic day of December 1971. December 16, 1971, was an overt act of invasion and terrorism by the Eastern neighbor of Pakistan and 2014 APS attack was a covert act of terrorism planned and executed from the soil of our western neighbor.
India is in constant search of exploiting any weakness or vulnerability of Pakistan in future too. Just a few days back, Indian Home Minister, Mr. Rajnath Singh threatened Pakistan with dire consequences and said in a statement that, “Pakistan has been divided into two countries. If it does not stop cross-border terrorism, it will soon be in 10 pieces.” Earlier, the Indian Prime Minister gave equally threatening statements about the province of Balochistan, AJK, and Gilgit-Baltistan. India has been running the terrorist and separatist networks in Afghanistan to support the terrorism and separatism in various parts of Pakistan. In last two decades, the province of Balochistan has been the main target of India. Besides, India is providing all out support to TTP and other terrorist organizations in Pakistan. Over and above, Afghan Government is fully onboard and do everything to support Indian terrorism in Pakistan.
There is a growing need that, Pakistan learns lessons from the two worst tragedies of December 16, 1971, and December 16, 2014. At the level of masses, there is a greater need for unity and harmony; rejecting all avenues of the possible divide on the ethnic, sectarian and factional basis. At the level of ruling class, brings political stability and economic prosperity, which will come through good governance and protect national interests of Pakistan.
This all is possible once there is visionary leadership having people and state-centric approach, rather political bargaining and blame games. The internal threats of extremism and terrorism have to be combated as being done by armed forces of Pakistan. Externally, Pakistani leadership must make political engagements and follow a pro-active diplomacy to improve the image and a degree of acceptability among the comity of nations. While doing all this, the national integrity and respect have to be maintained at all cost with a personal character.
— The writer is International Relations analyst based in Islamabad.
Email: [email protected]
Posted by admin in Pakistan-A Nation of Hope on March 22nd, 2014
Drought in Tharparkar in Sindh, which was going on for the last three years, has been worsened recently to a dangerous level, raising the death toll of starving children. It has adequately exposed the real worth of the rulers, uncovering their verbal assertions to reach the poor masses in order to save their lives.
In this regard, Supreme Court of Pakistan, most of the political parties like PTI and even the leader of PPP, Makhdoom Amin Fahim have held Sindh government led by Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah responsible for Tharparkar’s drought tragedy.
But, in order to divert the attention from the irresponsibility of their government in Sindh, PPP leader Shehla Raza has misperceived the ideological foundation of Pakistan. She has tried to hide criminal acts of negligence to create speculations among the loyal and patriotic people of Pakistan by suggesting to them that the very slogan of Pakistan, “Pakistan KA Matlab Kia, La-e-Laha-illallah” was not associated with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. In this respect, Shehla Raza stated on Capital TV that this slogan was never part of Pakistan movement and that she was ready to debate the issue at any forum. She argued that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in his address had said that all sects are free to offer prayers according to their religion. Thus, she expressed her skewed ideas, based on immature and reckless thoughts. She seems totally confused on Quaid-e-Azam’s vision for Pakistan and tried to puzzle the devoted audiences of Pakistan. She not only tried to distort the history, but also injured the feelings of people by attempting to create misgivings about Pakistan.
Perhaps Shehla Raza does not know that Two Nation Theory
which was basis of the Ideology of Pakistan, was kept alive from Sir Syed Ahmed Khan to Quaid-e-Azam. Undoubtedly, Two Nation Theory stated that Muslims of the Sub-continent have their own Islamic culture, traditions and religion which are quite different from those of Hindus.
In accordance with the Two Nation Theory, Allama Iqbal had demanded a separate land for the Muslims, where they could live freely according to their own religion, culture and social norms. Both Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam endorsed the Ideology of Pakistan which is based upon the Islamic principles. Although Muhammad Ali Jinnah had said that that all minorities and sects will live freely according to their religious norms, yet he never rejected the Two Nation Theory or Ideology of Pakistan, as misinterpreted by Shehla Raza.
Notably, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in his sermon at Hajjatul Wida issued directions for protection of life, property and dignity of the whole mankind. The sermon became a charter of democracy which was included in the constitutions of the western elected governments in one way or the other.
However, the Constitution of 1973 which was adopted during the PPP founder, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (The late), was signed by the members of all political and religious parties. It declares the country, The Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and clearly mentions that Pakistan is basically a democracy, guided by the Islamic principles and values—no law would be made contrary to Quran and Sunnah—the government will made efforts to implement Islamic system in future. So, the Constitution itself verifies the Ideology of Pakistan which emanates from the Two Nation Theory.
There is no controversy regarding the foundation of the country, while its ideology is free from Talibanization, as Taliban want to impose their own self-perceived agenda of Islam on majority of Pakistanis. And Islam does not allow elimination of innocent persons through suicide attacks, bomb blasts, beheadings and targeted killings.
Unfortunately, whenever politicians or rulers failed in controlling any crisis, they started crafting baseless stories. Some entities try to translate the Ideology of Pakistan to suite their agenda. In these terms, Shehla Raza has diverted the attention of media and masses to hide her government’s gross negligence, which badly failed in providing food and water to the feminine-hit people of Tharparkar. Following Machiavellian diplomacy, she may save her face at political level, but, in fact, people from all segment of society have well-measured her sincerity towards Pakistan.
PPP politician, Shehla Raza must think that she is also a Muslim and she must feel shy over her ill-conceived thoughts about the Ideology of Pakistan.
In this connection, Orya Maqbool Jan has already invited Shehla Raza to visit Lahore, asking her to educate herself that the slogan, “Pakistan KA Matlab Kia, La-e-Laha-illallah” was correct and was also used by Quaid-e-Azam. So media must denounce her conceit about Quaid’s vision for Pakistan. Media must suggest to Shehla Raza that as a politician, she is the chosen icon of the country. It is her duty to defend the Ideology of Pakistan rather than creating mistrust among people.
Nevertheless, spreading speculations about the independence of Pakistan and promoting the ideals of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad who opposed its creation to earn Hindu approval in India, not only injure feelings of people, but also confuse them. Shehla Raza must correct her perception regarding the values of slogans used by the founder of Pakistan.
In every country, national slogans and symbols are representation of collective national will. At the time of partition of the Sub-continent, the entire nation used the slogan “Pakistan KA Matlab Kia, La-e-Laha-illallah” and through the power of this slogan, they united the people by making Pakistan a tangible reality. Once Pakistan was created, then all minorities and sects were free to follow their own sectarian practices and traditions of their faith. Confusion must not be created among simple people who love this country and its purpose, while believing in the Ideology of Pakistan.
Therefore, Shehla Raza is advised to rectify her misperceived thoughts about the Two Nation Theory and Ideology of Pakistan which are interrelated. She must stopped self-assumed interpretation regarding Quaid-e-Azam’s vision for Pakistan, and instead, concentrates on good governance—resolve the basic problems faced by people of Sindh, especially the masses at Tharparkar.
Email: [email protected]
Posted by admin in TREACHERY OF INDIA:HINDU TERRORISM on December 16th, 2013
Fall of Dhaka – an international conspiracy
Asif Haroon Raja
In united India, Muslim majority East Bengal was the poorest with lowest percentages of urbanization, industrialization, literacy and per capita income. It was kept economically and socially backward by Hindu Zamindars and was a hinterland of Calcutta utilized for 200 years to provide raw materials for the industries in Hindu dominated West Bengal. Division of Bengal and Calcutta becoming part of West Bengal in 1947 further worsened East Bengal’s socio-economic condition.
Bharat detested the ”two-nation theory” ever since its conception and was bent upon disproving it, as this theory ultimately gave birth to Pakistan. India took advantage of the absurd shape of moth eaten Pakistan, in which East Pakistan was separated from the western wing by 1000 miles of Indian Territory and with no land corridor to link the two provinces. There were plans as old as 1947 to agitate the minds of the Bengalis so that the first blow to the “two-nation theory” could be delivered in the form of severing Pakistan’s eastern wing in a matter of one generation from the time of independence. A strong Pakistan – the envisioned fort of Islam – did not suit India, former Soviet Union and Israel, which viewed Pakistan as a future threat to their ideologies.
In order to hide their crimes against the Muslims of Bengal during the British rule in India, Indians worked upon a systematic plan to wash off the memories of the pre-partition days and to put the entire responsibility of impoverishment of East Pakistan on the rulers of West Pakistan. They took full advantage of their geographical contiguity and succeeded in winning over prominent Bengali figures of their choice and also made good use of the affluent Hindu population in that province. They exploited East Pakistan’s differences in language, dress, habits, food and culture from other provinces of Pakistan and subtly convinced them that their cultural links were with West Bengal and not with West Pakistan. They took 24 years to wean away the people of East Pakistan from the concept of united Pakistan and to make them look towards India – their erstwhile tormentors – to help them gain independence.
The Indian strategy to humble Pakistan was drawn out extremely well. The agitation in East Pakistan provided a fertile ground for India to launch a well-orchestrated propaganda to weaken and break up the province from West Pakistan. They established early links with Bengalis, trained them and used them as cannon fodder to wear down the Pakistani troops. The nine months insurgency was fully supported by the Indian Army and their support to the rebels was well known to the world powers. Having failed to realise their objective through the Mukti Bahini, the Indian Army decided to step in at a time when the small contingent of Pakistan Army had been exhausted and suffered from immense tactical, operational and logistic problems. Despite all the advantages to her favour, India still did not want to do it at its own but sought assistance from the former Soviet Union, which gave them all out back up support. Even the US Congress and CIA from whom we expected help were also involved; they took steps that were detrimental for Pakistan.
By that time the insurrection activities in East Pakistan had reached such a high pitch that the Pakistan Army was forced to fight on internal and external fronts concurrently. The Indian diplomacy was also at its best during this period. Mrs. Indira Gandhi through her diplomatic finesse, succeeded in drumming up refugees problem and portraying the military regime in Pakistan as brutal and fascist, thereby justifying India’s military intervention to restore normalcy. India’s superior diplomatic activity had turned this war into heroic act to liberate the Bengalis from the torturous clutches of a militant Pakistan. On the other hand Pakistan was left practically friendless and isolated and its traditional friends neutralised. The whole world quietly and helplessly witnessed the dismemberment process. As a consequence, the inevitable happened. The age-old dream of the Indians came true. Pakistan was brutally disfigured on the fateful day of December 16, 1971. Under the overwhelming odds, no Army in the world could have done any better.
No one doubts that the fall of Dacca in 1971 was the result of machination of the enemies of Islam. Pakistan was made the victim of a methodically planned international conspiracy. Notwithstanding the ignominious role of outside powers, we cannot go on blaming others for our shortfalls. Conspiracies hit governments that are corrupt and lack the character traits of sound leadership. The surrender in East Pakistan was no less than a conspiracy in itself. Those decision-making co-conspirators contributed to the shameful surrender of 45000 Pakistan Army and paramilitary soldiers.
East Pakistan grew up as a misled nation easily swayed by the Hindu brainwashing. Their emotional nature saw Indian Hindus as their saviours against their pre-supposed ‘West Pakistani Masters’. This is where they blundered and demonstrated political naivety and unawareness. The misled emotional Bengali political leaders exploited the poverty and illiteracy of the masses of East Pakistan. Matiur Rehman in his book “Bangladesh Today, An Indictment and a Lament, News and Media Ltd, London N4 3EF, 1978, page 8”, aptly puts across the point. ‘What made both external conspiracy and aggression possible was the existence within of a group of people led by Mujibur Rehman who were prepared to sell their country’s independence’. It is a fact of history that only 9% Bengali Muslims under the sway of Mujibur Rahman wanted independence.
India and the Hindus residing in former East Pakistan sowed the seeds of destruction of East Pakistan and the self-serving politicians of Pakistan nurtured the crop. The circumstances between 1948 and 1971 appearing on the political canvas of Pakistan placed a shallow political and military leadership in the saddle during the 1971 crisis, which could not save the sinking ship. While the sinking could be delayed but the final outcome was inevitable. It is generally believed that prolonging the war by another fortnight or so and allowing the United Nations to find some workable solution could avoid the premature surrender and thus save the honour of Pakistan Army. Unfortunately, we as a nation have failed to carry out true and objective analysis of losing East Pakistan. Hamoodur Rehman Commission Report that had ascertained the military causes of the debacle remained a hidden document till as late as 31 December 2000.
General Yahya Khan’s ill-fated two and a half-year rule from March 1969 to December 1971 hastened the process of fragmentation of Pakistan. Sheikh Mujibur Rehman and ZA Bhutto worked hard to make the Indian game plan of amputating Pakistan succeed. Mujib duly patronised by India misled the otherwise loyal people of East Pakistan from the concept of united Pakistan. Bengali nationalism that had peaked in the wake of postponement of National Assembly inaugural session scheduled for 3rd March 1971 could not be reined in despite concerted efforts by the military regime to assuage their aggravated feelings. Sowing of seeds of conspiracy to its final flowering in 1971 had been leavened by the creed of Bengali nationalism. The military crackdown on 25 March led to parting of ways and from that time onward; the gulf between the two wings kept widening till the tenuous chord snapped in December 1971.
It was irony of fate that the very people who were in the vanguard of Pakistan Movement took up arms to destroy the very country, which they themselves had helped to create. The people of East Bengal accepted India, from whose shackles freedom was achieved in August 1947 after such a long struggle, as a saviour and a mentor. Mujib started a witch-hunt against so-called collaborators. It didn’t take long for the people of Bangladesh to realize that they were duped. A military coup led by Maj Farooq and Maj Rashid killed Mujib and his 23 family members and dumped their bodies in a mass grave in August 1975.
Instead of taking revenge from those who had killed her father and family members, Hasina Wajid chose to persecute Jamaat-e-Islami members who had remained loyal to the concept of one Pakistan till the very end. Hanging aged Jamaat chief Abdul Quader Molla on dubious charges of rape and mass murder after 42 years has saddened everyone in Pakistan and brought the rampaging Islamists in Bangladesh on the streets. They assert that it was a political murder and will be avenged. Hasina’s days in power are numbered and the countdown has begun.
The writer is a retired Brig, defence analyst, columnist and author of ‘Maarka Hilli’ and ‘Roots of 1971 Tragedy’. [email protected]
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