THREATS TO THE SURVIVAL OF PAKISTAN.
Sixty-two years history of Pakistan is always of grave concern to every one, whether it will survive or not? Initially we were completely bombarded by state media that India is bent upon to destroy this ideological Islamic state. The propaganda was so forceful that we had no option but to believe. The hatred was a part of our educational curriculum.
With the passage of time the history proved contrary to what we taught, soon it was realised that the real threat to Pakistan is the ruling clique. The logic of disintegration lies with in not outside.
It is the power struggle on the top and the denial of the rights to the lower stratum of the country and smaller nations that is eroding the very basis of the country. The birth of Bangla Desh proved the strengthen this further. Those who were dubbed as anti Pakistan and pro India proved to be correct in their analysis.
As a political worker right from the early sixties I watched the convulsive history of Pakistan and contributed in my humble capacity to the democratic process and federal set up in this country with social justice.
To day when my I am 65, three years older than Pakistan we are still there where we started. Initially we were pro Americans and now some senior analysts think that we are on their contract. From the secret flight of Henry Kissinger to the active involvement in Afghanistan were our contract jobs.
Whether it was Suez Canal in 56 or war between Iran and Iraq our air facilities were used not used only by America but Israel as well. Not only the rulers were for sale but also the country was mortgaged again and again.
It was all due to unaccountability and lust for power. As a political worker I feel Pakistan has three biggest threats to its survival as a state. I used the word survival because political doctors have already diagnosed us as a failed State and failed government. Now do we have the acumen to answer to the question posed by Dr. Tariq Ali,” The death of a State… Can Pakistan survive?”
Those sold cannot be buyers as Bacha Khan told me once. It is befitting for Pakistani rulers. They had never been through a political process and the heights they achieved had nothing to do with their contribution but were installed by armed forces. These political disabled pundits were always on crutches on a slippery floor. They had neither mission nor vision so, were always readily available for sale.
Our political leadership are the product of Kakool political academy and when our generals decide to quit they install their cronies, easy to deal with.
Looking at the leadership none of them had ever been to a prison or police station for a single minute except Sardar Nishtar. He went to jail before he joined Muslim league when he was in Ahrar.
The lack of leadership and institution led us to the state of condition where we are to day. The state has no credibility and the survival is a big question mark?
Even the Indians are not ready to have composite dialogue with us on major issues, because of lack of credibility. They logic is on their side as pacts are made with a sustainable and credible state and government not with persons or personalities. So to expect the same from USA is ridiculousness. No sensible government will put it credibility at stake for non-credible state with most corrupt unaccountable rulers.
If we look at the history the personality were always first than the country. The outsider bidders are bidding on the horses and the country was ignored. This attitude resulted in that the international fraternity dealt with us on daily wages basis. The rulers and journalists were all sailing in the same boat with megalomaniac frame of mind and total disregard for the ground realities.
Pakistan is sitting on a volcano. We have failed to establish institutions and solve the questions of small nations. Our rulers and a strong lobby of analysts having loss of recent memories. Bangla Desh was born, as we had neither of the above.
The process of Bangla Desh creation started in Jinnah lifetime and the mission completed by Yahya and Bhutto. Bhutto was brought by two generals to become martial law administrator and his dead body was flown to his birthplace by two colonels in the pitch dark after his judicial murder. It is painful to note that he was already dead when he was hanged. There were 101 reason to hang him and many others but not the one for which he was hanged.
Baluchistan is on the way out. The ground of fall of Qalat is in progress. The present committee dealing with constitutional amendments and quantum of provincial autonomy is stuck on two three major issues. The name of NWFP, NFC award and constitutional rights of the different nations has become the stumbling blocks. The obstructionists are the Muslim Leaguers particularly Mian Nawaz group.
In my view the very discussion on the name of NWFP is direct an interference in the spirit and meaning of provincial autonomy. It is the unitary form of frame of mind and the Punjab chauvinism at work.
This is totally a provincial subject and the right of the provinces to choose a name as for as it is the in the framework of the true federation. The Punjabi chauvinism has increased in its ferocity since they found a leader of their own in the name of Mian Brothers of Raiwand estate.
Discussion on this topic and creating obstructions are tantamount to absurdity and political bankruptcy. Is it imaginable that while the Quantum of provincial autonomy is being discussed and the right of the naming a nameless province should be the choice of some one else. It speaks volumes of their mentality. They will never surrender their ideas even if they have to surrender Islam Abad.
This is the main reason that the Baloch does not believe in their package and insists first on constitutional national rights and accountability of the killers of their leaders. Same should be policy of our nationalist movement of Pukhtoons too.
It is extremely important to renew our friendship with small nations and build the old alliance stronger in case we are forced by Punjab to go to mountains. It should not be considered as a threat or our option but if the non-violent, political and legal doors are shut on us we have to be ready for the alternatives.
It is not only the question of death and life of Pukhtoons nationalists but a matter of national survival, which include any body claiming to be Pukhtoon. There may be exception to the rule like Maulana Fazlu-r – Rahaman. Nether he is ready to cut his umbilical cord with neither ISI nor he would undo the knot between ISI and the Terrorist. Mahmud Khan Achakzai has put the same question more politely to him, I am sorry to be blunt but the time is running out.
The constitutional national rights according to the UN charter and Pakistan’s resolution are the basis of keeping the federation. Neither MOD nor the constitution can do it. It must be backed by international guarantees.
We are quite open to the demand by M.L. (N) that it is not acceptable to Sardar Mehtab, though a silly argument. It was during his tenure as CM of our province that the resolution of giving the name to the province was moved and was unanimously adopted by the whole house with exception of two Saifullahs, Anwar and Salem proving their genetic mutation.
We were cheated by Mian Nawaz Sharif at that time. He shamelessly counted those votes for his presidential nominee but refused to accept them for the change of the name of the province, showed his political and moral bankruptcy. Now it is a surprising that he is the champion of fair play and democracy. A person who is he a product of foul and non-democratic plays.
Mian Nawaz Sharif mind frame exactly match that of his mentor. Zia dismissed his P.M. late Junejo while he was in the air and Mian sahib did the same to his chief of Staff but couldn’t get away.
Surprisingly he is the second opposition leader who refused to sit in opposition, the first one was late Mr. Bhutto. History has to reveal his intentions?
A new political and constitutional break through which can really satisfy the smaller nations is not in sight.
Zardari bad governance and the cases of corruptions have created new dimensions. There has always been NRO when there was change of government in last 62 years but no name was given to them. The only difference this time is that it is having a name.
There was a NRO between Nawaz and Musharaf and Ayub khan had two NROs, the first one with Sikandar Mirza and the second one with Yahya.
The court has to decide the fate of Zardari political career. It will be a good step at a wrong time if it goes against Zardari. The alternative is worse and will bring the federation near to its logical end. It will be Punjabi chauvinism VS the rights of small nations.
The judicial enquiry and disappearance of Mian Nawaz Sharif rings the bell of another dirty game.
The duty of moderates, democrats, and nationalists is to reach to the people that if constitutional rights are refused, what could be our next action? In the present state it will be impossible to live with respect and honour.
We have no objection if Mr. Nawaz Sharif wants to please Sardar Mehtab. It should be clear to all that we are ready to go re demarcation of the provinces and to restore the pre-colonial boundaries.
There cannot be a greater proof of the artificiality of the present demarcation. If one has to go to Haripur or Abbot Abad he has to travel for 30 kilo meters in Punjab to re enter the present NWFP.
Will it not be a good idea to be Taliban with a name rather than Pakistanis without name? After all Afghan Taliban is a nationalist movement with religious fervour.
Let the Khalistan be restored with its old capital Lahore and Mian Nawaz Sharif, as its P.M. or emperor.
Mian Sahib is a political fish. His survival without power is impossible. Pakistan is of least importance for him he needs a country where he is the ruler.
By Prof.(Dr). Khurshid Alam khurshidalam5@hotmail.com 15/12/2009