By Prof (Dr. Khurshid Alam) khurshidalam5@hotmail .com Dated 1st October-09
Like any political worker I am following the international political currents and the domestic changes. Just to keep myself up dated, to know the thinking of outside world about of us. We must also know, the opinion of our own political analysts. It is necessary to keep a close watch on our leaders; how they conduct affairs both domestically and internationally. An ordinary political students and worker of Pukhtoons nationalist movement; I study all these views and news with a bit more concentration; as it has profound effect on us. It is our land; where the great game is being played and our people; who are being consumed as fuels. The whole Pukhtoons land is a dump of gunpowder dump. Every player has its own agenda; how to use this dump against us, to achieve their own aims. The question is; did we opt for it? The answer is” NO”. Its just simple logic that no one can sign his own death certificate; secondly we had experienced the first great game and the effect of that, are still looming; thanks to our strategic location.
I am of the strong opinion that internal or external policies of a country cannot be separated. They are always intertwined. After Z.A.Bhutto I think Mr.Mehmood Qureshi is the most vocal and sharp foreign minister. If he cannot make an international impact; it is because of our internal policies. In fact there is nothing; but the country is being run on personal whims and wishes. Take the example of Nawaz Sharif. Why he is hesitating to come in to the parliament. People are not that naïve, which he thinks. He is not ready to speak out his policies on all issues. Under the table his hand is in some one else hands and on the table he is hand shaking with another. The country is passing through a very difficult period. He is shrugging his shoulders from responsibility, due to the fear that it will expose his true face. Under the table he is unfriendly and on the table he is friendly opposition. He terribly lacks the qualities of a political leader. He wants to reap the harvest of both worlds, without sowing any seed.
Internally an unstable and non-viable Pakistan is the gift of our so-called most “non political”, political leadership. Majority of them are either born from the womb of dictatorial regimens or off shoots of Muslim league. Compared to medical science the social science is the most difficult one. Medical science is based on rock hard facts; social science involves society as a whole and the prevailing circumstances around the society; which can directly or indirectly affect that society, so making it more difficult. It demands a person; to go through a long drawn process and climb the stairs according to his mental maturity and power of analysis. Most of our leaders; are the children of the historical blunders. We owe our “today” to them. Politically the country is not trust worthy & financially, it is a nonviable. Our rulers are like private students of kakool political academy. They simply don’t know and cannot see the breaches in the physical body of Pakistan. The government is poor and the governors are few of the richest people of the world.
The political parties are the most undemocratic in nature; with few exceptions. Look at the double standard of Muslim league (N). They were the first to take oath from their candidates to resign; if they change the loyalty to the party; but kept the doors open for the members of M.L. (Q). Even the most vocal Ch; Nisar remained mum; when asked about one of the advisor of Gen; Musharaf; who built an empire out of nothing. Probably his vote and wealth may be of some use in future, to put the chartered of democracy in action. While the respected chaudhri sahib; is the chairman of the most powerful public accounts committee and can prove his strength of character. In my view it was the most unexpected stand, one could expect from him. The said advisor must face the accountability. I am afraid that there is preparation of another game to play; to turn black money in to white.
In this scenario; what could be expected from the international fraternity? Let us be honest to our own selves; where they should place us in this game? Were we forced to be a part of this game or we opted for it? Is it not the fact that Gen.Zia & Musharaf; both gave a surprise to the State Department; by offering their services literally for nothing and put all the agencies at their disposal and mortgaged the whole country for legitimizing their unlawful governments.
They are traitors and must be tried in open courts. The Supreme Court decision is a litmus paper test for the government and Nawaz Sharif. When Americans completed their Jihad and left; our agencies carried their inhuman mission and vicious game, without any guilt complex. Any one; who is defending them is involved in the cover up of their heinous crimes. Gen Musharaf who tried to be the most committed Pakistani and raised the slogan of “first Pakistan” is now in Edgware, London. Once his skin was peeled off by the black coat; he was scared of his shadow and felt more comfortable in London, with a changed slogan, first is UK; singing, “long live the queen” instead of PAK SARZAMEEN SHAD ABAD. He showed the strength of his character.
In the last few weeks I noticed a visible changes in our official language and of our analysts. The government has accepted the drone attacks as a part of the game and now it is no more the violation of our sovereignty. Any way America was morally bound to fight for us. After all we are fighting for them for last three decades. “It is a manifestation of friendship on equality basis.”
But what is surprising for me that some of the most respected analysts; analyze our official decision on the basis of its palatability for Americans; as if we can swallow any thing. I was hoping that some of our brilliant analysts will wean off the country from US dependence. The height of our political immaturity is; that some of our analysts are looking to Barrack Obama policies and his ancestral religious linkage. I am afraid that if it is emphasized too much; on one hand it may start a domestic competition in our sectarian parties; how to win him over and on the other hand it may create difficulties for him. We had a very nasty precedence, when Ahmadies were declared non-Muslim. One of them won noble prize, we jumped to own him & celebrate it. He was the first Pakistani to win the noble prize; according to our official statement and equalized us with India. There was an axing statement from him that he is a British citizen and has nothing to do with Pakistan. Further added that he was victimized on religious basis in Pakistan. That was a very shameful episode. This time, we might do the same to Mr.Obama and expose him for impeachment by a strong Jewish lobby that exists in Washington. Not long ago they played the same game with President Clinton. When ever he touched the issue of Palestinians in Middle East; they created a scandal.
I agree with our analysts that life does leave some prints on human mind; but all that will be secondary to the American national interest. If we recall the late president Reagan; he invariably used some of his films dialogue in his speeches.
President Obama visit to Russia and his subsequent statement that the western world will not allow Pakistan and Afghanistan to fall to Taliban or Al Qaeda. The visit and subsequent statement is self-explanatory and has put us in proper slot, we deserve. It does not need a high degree of analytic knowledge to read between the lines.
Firstly he wanted the regional powers to play their role.
He is also looking for a safe and dependable rout of supply for his troops.
Thirdly it was not only Afghanistan; Obama was worried about; but Pakistan too. One could see from his body language and impressions were easily showing his concerns; about the comparatively bigger fish, Pakistan. This was a clear signal of our questionable capability to safe guard our nuclear facilities and to provide protection to their supply of troops; which is constantly under threat in Pakistan. It was not only a “no confidence” in the government but armed forces too. We stand exactly where we should be if we have a little bit importance, it is not the political stature of our country but the US credibility as super power at stake, we do have some nuisance value.
He didn’t chew words to emphasize the strategic importance of Afghanistan in future and made it abundantly clear, that stability in Afghanistan is not attainable without the support of Pakistan. Pakistan importance in his view was that of a corridor to Afghanistan.
We were asked on several occasions to do more. We were snubbing the world opinion. That was tantamount to play a double game; which in fact we did prove right when we were pushed to the wall. It was our military leadership who had to listen and tolerate the snobbish remarks by American high command. Its effect on our people in
Malakand division and FATA were devastating. Apart from complete destruction of infra structure, loss of revenue and target killings; people started to think that Pakistan army was no better than terrorists. When the military leadership realized or we were forced to accept that that the credibility of armed forces is at stake; it was then that the decision of RAHE-RAST was taken; which proved beyond doubt the capability of armed forces. So we were really misleading the world opinion. In spite of the fact the decision was leaked and 300 top leaders of the terrorist left Swat 24 hrs before the operation but still the world appreciated.
Let us listen to people like Hamid Mir, Ayaz mir, Shafqat Mehmood, Raheemullah Yousuf Zai and young, dynamic Safi and try to learn; not to cheat others and us. If we start experimenting with the truth, we can find the way out of this terrible mess; we are in. After all; GOD did not send these rogues. Our agencies imported them; to fight a war for others, that has engulfed us now. It is a natural phenomenon that fire needs fuel to burn. Gen. Zia, Musharaf, Rahim Gul and the sectarian organizations were the suppliers. Unless they are punished; it will be an insult to the blood of so many innocent Pukhtoons and military jawans. If we stop fueling this fire; the natural phenomenon will come in to action. When there is no fuel; fire starts consuming itself; resulting in ash.
Unless we have put our house in order and narrowed the gulf between the nations, rich and poor; we cannot be a stable country; economically and politically. No one is going to help an unstable country with nuclear ability. We have an international liability rather than a source of stability in this volatile region. Let us boldly accept that beggars cannot be choosers. It is the time to ponder; why our institutions are failing, even in civilian hands. The answer is; the institution needs seasoned politicians to run. Regretfully most of our leadership owes their survival to military establishment or have been groomed by them; there is hardly any difference in their mental make up. Let us stop begging for equality of treatment. It is inviting more shame. If we are internally sound and fair; it will make other realize to treat us on equal basis. To compare ourselves with India, we cannot achieve that importance. The shear size and population of India is a big plus point for big powers. A poor and backward India is a huge market and an advanced India, is a dependable or preferable friend or ally and cannot be ignored in both circumstances. There is no point to look for enemies but to concentrate on our own people. Whether civilians or military we have to make every one accountable. There should not be benefit of doubt.
I do appreciate the concern of some analysts and politicians about the conditionality attached with American aid but what is the alternative?
Asfandiar Wali came out with a long awaited statement. We must bring an end to this dichotomy of administration in our province. This dichotomy has made this province non governable. It is very easy prey for internal or external power or vested interest to create the sort of situation which exits now in this province. It is almost impossible to have peace in districts without peace and writ of law in FATA and PATA. Nor there can be prosperity in this sort of policy, “DIVIDE AND RULE”. One might question my analysis, to support Asfandiar demand. Some will remind me and question my wisdom to have been one of the most active members in the movement of the merger of Swat and now justifying the merger of FATA in Pukhtoonkhwa. I do appreciate their concern. But still feel so; that our national unity is the top most in my priorities, be it under occupation. Whether FATA or PATA, slaves or masters; we are one nation and should be in one administration to convert our regional outlook, in to a national outlook. To me it is of paramount importance. For example; we are made slaves as a nation; my logic tells me; that the day we rise against the master; our rise will be national in character. Our enemies have done so; to destroy our national outlook, which is the main reason of our sufferings today. There is a sizeable group of politician and writers who will be against it and argue that we want to convert “AZAD QABAIL” in to slaves. I beg to differ with them on three reasons.
1) They are only free to have a rifle without license & to kill their own cousin brother.
2) FCR is a draconian law
3) But even then if they are slaves like all of us. It is my honest opinion that we must pay any price to be one nation. This is the core problem of our sufferings.
The other demand made by Asfandiar Wali is; that neither the removal of 17th amendment nor the promulgation of 1973 constitution can solve the country’s problems. Yes; he is very right to point out the real problem. The acceptance of 73, constitution was conditional; it was subject to review after 5 years, particularly the question of the quantum of provincial autonomy. Now it is a 46 years old man made document. With the changing scenario, many things have changed for worse. We do not think that this document will face the challenges of 2009 and alleviate the fear of small nations and the internal threat to the country as a whole. An important point to remember, that the same document failed even at the time of its promulgation. In support of my opinion; I would like to quote Gen. Musharaf,” when he commented on Bugti Killing, that it is not 1972; it is 2009.” So that is exactly, what we feel that we are unsafe in this new Pakistan. We feel that 73; constitution, cannot provide us national and financial guarantees. Even our lives are at stake and the enemy is stronger, as he claimed himself and it is a fact. The governor, C.S. and IGP nomination in the provinces by the centre, is the most apparent violation of provincial autonomy. This is the best time that our leadership should take the control of front seat.
I would request Mr. Asfandiar Wali to put his words in to action and send out his emissaries to different parts of FATA &PATA before the enemy poison our brothers in these areas. He has asked for provincial autonomy with financial autonomy and I would like to add to it, the words of Wali Baba,” provincial autonomy with historical sanctity. Zhob, Quetta and Loralai should also be included.
A stronger union of states with financial and historical autonomy is the only way to hold the country together; not bombs.
At the end I appeal to Islam Abad & Lahore not to ignore the ground realities any more and save the country. There is no point to create Indian- Phobia or the danger to Islam to divert the public opinion. Islam is 1400 years old and had a glorious past. Where does Islam stands today, is the doings of the rulers of Muslim world? Pakistan has just completed 62 years of convulsive life and has never fired a bullet in a holy war but has always fought non holy wars for others; whether it was in Afghanistan or Jordan, where we killed Palestinian to protect a Hashemite king, remembered by Black September. If we are sincere in the self-determination of the nations like Kashmir & Palestine; it is better to accord the same, to the nations in the jurisdiction of Pakistan.
As a political worker I put my services at the disposal of our nationalist movement; where ever I can be of any use for national reconciliation and unification. The biggest and most conspicuous example, is the nomination at present the nomination of the Governor, C,S, and IGP. These are considered the agents of the federal government. It is a naked interference by the centre in the province.
At present we must accept that the stand taken on several key issues of national importance by MQM and the presentation of their point of view in political debate, shows their political maturity and homework. They have covered a long distance in a very short period.
It is easy to criticize but it is difficult to give the alternatives. I may be wrong in my assessment but I feel MQM has got that good acumen. I sincerely hope that the others parties learn from them. Politics is not a part time job; it can be done only with missionary zeal and dedication. I was really impressed by Imran Khan, to emphasize on this point that the election alone does not provide the proof that the system is fair and democratic in nature and cited the examples of Egypt and Syria. With elections a country can be most oppressive and cruel. if elections are taken out of the context of other factors.
By Prof.(Dr.) Khurshid Alam………………….khurshidalam5@hotmail.com
District Shangla. London.
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