A country with no tomorrow

A country with no tomorrow? Life without purpose is a period of time but no life. A country with no today has no tomorrow. An institution with no tomorrow has no goal. A person with no dream is a sculpture. A leader with no manifesto is a thug. An organisation with no target is a lost mob. A man without aspirations is a non entity. Knowledge without light is a satanic virtue. Candle without flame is an eclipsed moon. A day having no tomorrow is the last day. A sinner is better than a saint because the sinner has a tomorrow and the later exists only in today. A bullet with no target is, " to whom it may concern." Intolerance to listen is a confession of ignorance. To be lost is better, than to be misdirected. A purpose has priority over need. The run of a mouse is better than the chase of a cat. As mouse is running for life and the cat is chasing its food. If we translate all this in to the political scenario of Pakistan, we will discover ourselves. Self conquering is more difficult than to conquer the world. He who fails to conquer his own self, always point finger to others for failures and can never excel. If we fail to comprehend that the one who is looking in the mirror and cannot see his only saviour, is a fool, ignore him he is asking for disrespect. If we are not respected internationally its because we don't know how to respect ourselves. Demand is made for a commodity not for virtue. Are we not disrespecting ourselves? The struggle to conquer ourselves is basically the struggle to gain respect from others. If we don't care for our lives or if our living is misdirected, why others should care for our death? A misdirected soul is a threat to the universe at large and having no entitlement to be mourned. The only exit available to us, is to learn to live with respect so to earn mourning on our death. No one mourns a threat or disgrace! If Pakistan really believes in its tomorrow they have to stop politicking and formulate a foreign policy that is in conformity with our internal ground facts, reflect the aspirations of the masses and national interests, based on the golden principle, to win friends not enemies. Tomorrow needs friends and the enemies belong to yesterday. No one is an enemy unless proved otherwise. We have lost a lot in creating enemies and has never achieved in enmity, then why to chase this insanity? Pakistan is standing at crucial juncture. Ups and down is a part of life, be it an individual or a country. The shattered economy can be restored. The political instability can be achieved but lost national respect is very difficult to win,it is like a person without an ego. The betrayal of trust or confidence is equal to a political suicide. We commit it quite often and then expect others to rescue us. The present run and chase policy between US and Pakistan is like the mouse and cat game. We are running for our life and they are chasing us for their food. Ours is purpose, theirs is a need. As I said purpose has priority over need. Will it not be logical to show a bit more sanity and flexibility to save our purpose that is at stake? They have the resources and huge buffering capacity and can attain their needs by other means, with a bit more cost but should we play with our survival? It is a rule of a thumb, equality is between equals. The wise person knows his seat in a forum of discussion. It is also generally true that the governments deals with facts and opposition deals with fiction. The first one is an engineer and the later is an architect. The most incompetent government is the one that cannot take unpopular decisions and the most stupid opposition is the who fails to exploit those unpopular decisions. The one is responsible for the survival of the country while the other is in a rush to capture the chair. The false ego will cost us dearly. The killing of our Jawans was a highly regrettable act. They were there to defend our borders. But the act of killing the state is an unthinkable crime. The existence of the country demands the posting of Jawans on borders to defend the country if I am not wrong in my thinking? But our opposition priorities are not understandable. Vital organs of the state have been targeted by terrorists in close collaboration with anti state elements, present in our own ranks and files. May I ask is it priority no 2 to our bosses of the armed forces,opposition leaders and jurists? Which one should take precedence? What is the criterion? Did our politicised jurists in our free judiciary took so motto action when the nerve centres of the state were hit? Did our opposition went for short march? This is a dump of filth is the result of misdirected policies of our rulers in last sixty years. Comparatively the present government might have added a bit more than they were required to, but no Jim can fix this miss in three months. Jim can be a character in a film or drama serial but in reality these are impossibilities. If their love is so boundless in nature for their country and masses what are they waiting for? To save the country and to alleviate the miseries of the public takes the priority over the chair. Is it not equal to fool the people? Give us chair and we will make heaven for you out of the present hell. What an aching heart? Apology or no apology but the ground facts cannot be ignored. Country's survival is at stake. It is no logic if a disabled person break his crutch for his false ego. For quite some time to come we need aid and trade both. It is good for public consumption that we don't need aid but trade. To start trade tomorrow we need aid today, to find our feet. At present there is nothing except terrorism that we can export. All other industries are grinding to halt. Internally the institutions are at each others throat. The electronic Talibans (TV anchors, with very few exceptions) have a soaring business. Can we expect a sensible government or monetary institution to put down in the drain their investments. Sovereignty belongs to those who are mentally sovereign and have no ban on dreams. The sovereignty is first established on the ground. Every sovereign ground has its own sovereign sky. An occupied land has no sovereign air space. Though bitter but it is the fact. We have to construct today to be entitled to aspire for tomorrow. Thos who have tomorrow can talk of trade not aid not the vice versa. Dr. Khurshid Alam. London 28/5/ 2012

THE CRISIS OF IDENTITY OF PAKISTAN. Country is like a body when multiple organs are failing, the medical scientists consider that the patient is critical. The degree of criticality is assessed by scoring system. Similarly in political science the viability and non viability of a state is assessed by taking many parameters in to consideration. The critical score is 8. Pakistan is standing at 9 presently. Another political jolt might lead to a fatal outcome. There is hardly an institution functioning normally. Every institution is squeaking under its own pressure. Zardari is held responsible for all ills of the country. If we look at the situation without any prejudice we will note that there is hardly any political party outside the government, except few non electable. The arch rival of PPP, is ruling 62 percent of the country with no noticeable difference of a better governance. The party of the so called educated middle class urdu speakers, MQM is in the government for last 15 years but have done hardly any thing for the rest of the province except Karachi. During Musharraf rule, MQM was the sole ruler of Karachi and Karachi was "no go"area for others so that they could hide their crimes inflicted on other ethnic communities. Musharraf was patronising. What I mean to say that the alternative is not really in sight. Imran Khan is the only untested player. But cracks are already appearing in PTI. The political passengers from other sinking boats are jumping in to his boat. It is difficult to say that whether they are joining him for their political survival or being sent to hole the new boat. They have certainly confused the young workers of the party. The tussle between Makhdooms has already surfaced in the second biggest show of strength in Karachi. It looks as if Mr. Khan is extinguishing fire with fire. At this juncture the survival of the country is at stake to avoid the sinking of the ship to the bottom of the sea. There is no time for experiments by an inexperienced captain. In last 64 years of our short history we are still debating the genesis of the country. Many questions are bugging the minds of political workers whether the country was created to be a theocratic state or secular republic? The deeper one goes in to the history, the more one sinks in to the ocean of confusion. The speeches of the founding father are in sharp contradictions to each other. His actions are not in conformity with his words to provide us a lead. But the intentions can be judged by attitudes. Mr. Jinnah was not an Islamist by any standard nor he was a democrat. It will be difficult to prove him as freedom fighter but there is no doubt about his honesty or professional competence as a lawyer were established. It is claimed that carving Pakistan from united India was a democratic exercise for the rights of Muslims.. I am afraid it does not hold ground, as it was a demand of a minority not majority. Jinnah subsequent desire to remain in the Indian union was a second thought and a testimony to my observation, but was aborted by Patel and Nehru. His speech to the Muslim community at Palam air port Delhi, and subsequently his speeches in the constituent assembly and then as a governor general of Pakistan on15th august were completely based on secular philosophy and had no streak of two nation theory based on religion. Had he opted not to be in the government and kept himself above politics and focused his attention to put the country on democratic tract, the situation would have been totally different. But it was against his instincts and was holding the seat of governor general and acting as a prime minister. He was the first one to dissolve the constituent assembly. After his sad demise the autocrats and bureaucrats started to run the country on the same pattern. They were the real culprits to derail democracy and to rob the people of their right to vote,to further strengthen their own position they joined hands with the army. This class taught the tricks of the trade to both civilian and military dictators. As one analyst said that the politicians were so naive that the majority had no knowledge, how to take an oath in the assembly? The date of birth of the new state further increases the confusion. It will be surprising for most of the readers that Pakistan came in to being a day before the British relinquished power. The only explanation for celebrating the 14 August as independence day could be that it was the last day of colonial rule, not of our independence. The speeches of the founding father on 11 and 15 August show that the birth record of the state has also been tampered. The more surprising was, that Bengal was not a part of Pakistan in original plan and was supposed to be an independent state. The Bengalis opposed the idea of two Muslim states and opted to join Pakistan. Unaware that they will be punished for the same. The country was put on a track,that was diagonally opposite to the resolution of its creation. Nations were denied their identities and a new identity was imposed that was given status of dogma. No one has so for logically explained the aim behind the creation of a muslim state and nation building on religious basis, leading to the slaughter of a million and millions were displaced, inhuman atrocities and immoral crimes were committed by the fanatics on both sides. It was an obscured reason that being in minority in India they would be deprived to lead their lives according to their religious faith by the Hindu majority. This reason was disproved in Pakistan where the massacre is going on abated on sectarian basis. Logically speaking in united India the fear of Hindu majority would have stemmed down the mushroom growth of different sects, who are at each others throats in Islamic Republic. Another illogical excuse being given that the British took over India from Muslims and handed over to Hindu majority. If that was the case Mr. Jinnah would have not changed his mind at the end to remain in Indian union. Secondly muslims as an umma never ruled India. It was a power struggle between different Muslim dynasties killing each other for the sake of power and hand nothing to do with religion. If the reason was out of love for religion one fails to comprehend the stance of Muslim league not to support khilafat movement in Turkey, while congress extended unwavering support. The change of mind set in Muslim leadership came between 1920-40. It was a struggle for power at the cost of dividing Muslims. The subsequent creation of Bangladesh Desh further sealed this notion. Pakistan is in search of identity,clinging to the history of moguls, Arabs and Afghans, as when it suits them. In this search for identity they lost the direction how to run the country. No vision of destiny led to the impulsive flashes of thoughts. Whims and wishes were translated in to policies. The collective and institutional leadership was replaced by individuals and families. The army was shown the path to enter the political corridors by civil servants. It was made irrelevant, who is in the chair but the important factor was a particular mind set! From physically disabled to mentally retarded, started ruling the country. It is a total dishonesty, particularly of our media, to square the whole blame on PPP. We did not land in this critical state out of blue but the successive rulers are responsible to land us in the present state. We tend to forget our follies. It is beyond my comprehension that at present no one is in opposition but there is no visible difference in the governance, and every one is shouting of fair governance? It makes no sense, why to blame one out of all? Another delusion is a dream of revolution? To me the mass upheaval is a very distant possibility because it is not one nation but union of nations. The gain of one is the loss of the other. It is further divided on sectarian basis. It is the most fragmented nation. Neither their is a revolutionary organisation nor revolutionary leader with program and vision of a better destiny. In such circumstances, if there is mass uprising it will have the worse consequences than Arabs awakening. What are we witnessing in the middle east is frightening? The revolution has yet to yield its desired results there, the process of counter revolution has already started. If in desperation the people rise it will be total anarchy, instead of patchy and sporadic blood let that is already going on at present. The military intervention cannot be totally ruled out. The recent security set backs have bruised the army establishment. But some time an injured wolf is more dangerous than a sleepy lion. The sectarian and political organisations to the right of the centre are paving the way for the old bones to take over. It sends a cold wave in my spine, if army takes over this time it will be a permanent constitutional dictatorship and stamp of a stable government. To dislodge them will not be an easy task. As for as I can visualise as an ordinary political worker that unless this incompetent civilian rule is allowed to run for a while and the electoral college acquire the experience and realise the strength of their vote, nothing can change for better. I see nothing else but a bleak future. Unless sanity prevails in political parties to the right of the centre particularly in sectarian organisations to stop blowing hot, we are heading towards disaster. The economy is sinking and will hit the rock in the bottom, unless political credibility is restored. There is no hope to recover and may end in the sad demise of the state. No nation can survive in isolation. This is an interdependent world and diplomacy is the name of give and take, having no alternative. I am yet to meet an informed person who has has shown optimism about the future of Pakistan, unless the internal stability is restored. It is unfortunate that internal and external policies of the country are hostage to fundamentalists. Their strong ties with terrorists are no secret to the world. The country is in such a fear that no judge is ready to listen to the case of slain governor of the Punjab. The country is being battered for the misdeeds of ISI and these criminals. I will be the last person to find ifs and buts or excuses in support of the incompetence of the present government. But to be honest they have hardly been given a chance to attend to governmental affairs. They are dealing with scandals on daily basis. They are the victims of the politicised jurists who are exercising judicial adventurism in the name of free judiciary and journalists who are electronic Taliban with few exception. Dr.Khurshid Alam. London. Dated 23/5/2012

Chicago Conference

Chicago conference? (Hopes and fears) Chicago conference is of extreme importance for peace, at global and regional level. Though basically it is a NATO sponsored conference but the invitation to the general secretary of UNO and Pakistan has increased its importance. It is hoped that It will be a big leap forward towards peace in Afghanistan and a step ahead to curtail terrorism in the region. It will be the first one of its nature that top political and military leadership in NATO will jointly discuss the issue. Had they invited military leadership of Pakistan armed forces that would have been more fruitful, as they are the key holder to the problem and having friendly relations the traders of terror? It is unfortunate that our media, sectarian and some political pundits have ganged up once again to sabotage the peace before it gets off the ground. They are the same forces who sabotaged Geneva peace accord. It was expected as they survive in the state of war and terror. In peace, they visualise the drying of foreign revenues to pursue their aim and threat to loose its nuisance value. It is the irony that US has played a very important role in propping up of these forces in Pakistan and radicalisation of the masses in both countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The radicals have substantial support in the armed forces,civilian establishment and masses. The conference is timed as such that will help Barak Obama in its election, but will strengthen the anti peace axis in Pakistan in the forthcoming elections. I agree with New York times that unless Pakistan army establishment and ISI, completely and openly severe their ties with radicals this war has no conceivable end. The looming threat to peace will persist. The shadows of death and terror will chase the peace and stability in the region and the world at large. In this back ground it was of utmost importance that the military leadership of Pakistan should have been invited along with the chief of the agencies. The civilian government is a lame duck set up. The key to the authority and access to the source of threat is via our military establishment. It is a simple logic that unless the god father is tamed and taken in to confidence nothing concrete can come out of this conference and the blood let will go on unabated. Peace will be always on a run,chased by terror. Pakistani public is a highly emotional flock,any Tom or Dick can play with their emotions when it comes to USA and India, our arch ideological enemies. They are shut to logic and ground realities It is said in political circles that it does not need high degree of intelligence to become the head of the state or government in Pakistan, if one is a good orator who can address a mass rally in Lahore and promise that if voted to power the next day Pakistani flag will be flying on red fort in Delhi and the Americans will be kicked out. It carries more than some truth. Pakistan is the second biggest recipient of US aid after Israel but the majority of population has anti American feelings. US was no two when USSR was on the map. About the alternative they have no clue except some religious rhetoric. They want a sudden shift of foreign policy and dreaming of China, Iran, Russia and Pakistan ganging against US but are unable to comprehend the complications and repercussions of sudden shift of foreign policy while the war is on. They are amnesic to the past that we offered our services to US, before we were requested. The first foreign dignitary, received by Jinnah was the American ambassador. Subsequently it was Liaquat Ali who snubbed the Russians. War or confrontation in any form is very easy to start, difficult to carry and impossible to end. In this diplomatic row the major responsibility is lying on Americans. Being a sole super power they have to be more cautious in the conduct of its foreign policy. They are well aware that their most allied ally is the army establishment of Pakistan. US has heavily invested in the army and in grooming them. They are well aware of the fact that nothing is possible in Pakistan without the approval of the establishment. The recent chain of events like chasing the terrorists in Pakistan, Kerry luger bill and memo scandal has upset the armed forces, and were badly timed. Army reputation of professionalism was badly tarnished. To divert the public opinion they distanced themselves from US. On the other hand these sequence of events further radicalised the Pakistan army and public. Our national tragedy is, we really enjoy authority but have no courage to accept the responsibilities. The responsibility was shifted to the parliament on urgent basis. The parliament and the weak civilian government were used as scape goats. I am totally confused that if this white elephant cannot provide us protection from foreign and internal threats then what is the justification to spend so much on this institution without accountability? It is the joke of the century in Pakistani political frame that the parliament was given this honour to chalk out foreign policy, obviously to shift the responsibility to a beleaguered government. After all till November the Drone attacks were carried from Shamsi air base. We have no solid informations of any hidden written or verbal deal between Musharraf and Pentagon. It was one to one political contact and even the foreign office was reduced to a status of post office or forwarding agency. To implement a ban on transit facilities was a calculated step of anti peace forces. It was easy to implement and difficult to lift giving political advantage to the radicals. Ups and down is a part of any policy but to react impulsively is the most dangerous act. We have no technical know how? Our armed forces total dependence on US is not a secret. To put a ban did we intend to bring the Americans to their knees or were harming ourselves in the long run? If we have good relations with China, we know that China is not in a position to meet our needs and will not sacrifice their most favoured status with US for us. They still need Americans technical know how. Is it not silliness to expect them to put their national interest at stake for our sake and was it logical to earn animosity of US to come further close to China? I am in no delusion that this axis of evils (anti peace gang) in Pakistan that was erected by our army jointly with US and UK will yield to logic. It is a plain fact that we need Americans for our survival, unless the Jim of Pakistan, Imran Khan, use his magical stick and fix all the problems in three months. Jamat Islami considers it a political suicide and pushing the country to the brink of disintegration? Facts must be differentiated from fiction. Leaguers are shaking one hand on the table with Americans but under the table holding tightly the hands of unholy warriors. JI is the planner and the other sectarian organisation have logistic responsibility to provide the gun powder by exploiting poverty and religious sentiments of the teenagers to let the blood flow. Dr. Khurshid Alam( London) Dated: 19/05/12

The biggest political robbery

The biggest political robbery? After a long colonial subjugation, followed by decades of authoritarian rule the muslim world at large and the middle east in particular, is swimming in its own blood. Those who had a bit of background knowledge of the muslim world with particular reference to middle east had the fear of "knowingly unknown", as the Arab uprising started.The celebrations of the uprising were mixed with gloom in case the direction of the uprising is changed. The fear was the sectarian fundamentalism and the politically aspiring army that was nagging the minds of the students of history. The long authoritarian rule had created a political vacuum and any thing could happen in this vacuum. Neither there were organised political organisations nor mature leadership, to nip the mischievous role of the two beasts in the bud and give the mass awakening a proper direction and to educate the masses of the possible dangers. Now the masses are paying a heavy price. When the second world war broke the spinal cord of colonial powers and they could no more retain their grip, they made it sure that the new indigenous rulers should be of the same mind set. With little bit geographical changes some old identities were abolished and new were created. The tactics applied were different in different places according to the objective conditions but calculated steps were taken that the required results should be the same by implanting the logic of conflict. The was a fundamental requirement to keep the pot boiling and ensure their interests, when the need arise . Outwardly it should not look to be a clash between east and west to avoid blame and retain a position of truce makers. It was crafted in such a beautiful way that in some places it was sectarian while in others it was a confrontation between the authoritarians vs masses. Basically both were the clashes of mind sets. The clash of mind sets are usually bloody and inhuman. And now this is quite visible in the present blood let, to achieve the desired results by the world's mightiest. They have no sleepless nights for blood shed but each is pushing it's own agenda. The card were played intelligently. The two local leading powers of sectarian doctrine, Iran and Saudi Arabia clashed in Syria, Bahrain and Iraq for hegemony. While authoritarians had a frontal assault on civilians in Egypt and Libya. The tactics used were different but the aim was the same that was to rob the the masses of their freedom and the dream of self governance to shape their own destiny. It is the biggest political robbery of the century and will have long repercussions on history and geography. In the majority Muslim countries the armed forces are the makers of national destiny, having not only a final say in politics of the respective countries but own a huge chunk of the countries economies. They are less professionals and proved their incompetence on many occasions. They have zero tolerance for collective leadership. They are industrial magnets and not ready to surrender their stakes so easily. This is true in the case of Egypt, Syria, Iran, Yemen and Pakistan. Most of the policy makers in the armed forces have been allotted the huge states from public owned land, for recognition to their services to protect the vested interests. They are basically landlords cum industrialists. The most damaging factor is the creation of a mind set, who refuse to surrender their authority. This is a class above law, if there is any and with no accountability. The vicious dictatorial philosophy has many disadvantages but the worst is the political vacuum it creates that sucks in international surrogate criminals and provide a chance to the international players to play their vicious role, in the name of democracy, human rights and peace. They jump in, to end the anarchy to restore calm and stop blood let but in fact it is to mould the situation to suit their national interests. Egypt is the mother of Arab world. I don't see that the army is ready to surrender their unique status they enjoyed for decades and to accept civilian authority of accountability . It looks like, that it is the beginning of a long struggle. The fear of "knowingly unknown" has surfaced. Yemen has a lull that could lead to a storm. Bahrain and Yemen is home to the US naval force. The success of revolution in these two states will be a great set back to American strategists and will shake the foundation of the Saudi Arabian monarchy, the closest ally or crony of US imperialism. They cannot tolerate civilian control at the door step of the most allied ally, the Saudi nor they can afford to put the huge reserves of oil and other energy at stack. The monarchy has acquired over the years a masterly command on spreading sectarian venom and to sabotage the popular uprising. The clergy are readily available to sanctify it. The worry of the western world is the distribution of oil and gas reserves through out middle east which, is a lifeline for western industrialised nations. Looking at the demographic distribution of the energy resources, majority are the in Shia enclaves. The west know that irrespective of the citizenship, their loyalty lies in Iran. They are scared that Iran may take over the control of the energy resources and will dictate its terms. They are lunatics in their pursuits if decided. There are multiple factors at play in this vicious game. The location of the sources of energy, the grip of dictatorial and sectarian mind set are few of them. Adding to this existing complexity is the international tug of war between the stack holders. Lack of the organised political parties with credible support in the masses and an alternative program is another source of concern providing conducive environments to foreigners to push their nefarious agenda. The genesis of uprising was a sudden and an impulsive phenomenon, so is it's march forward, to the logical end. At the moment the focus of world attention is Syria. The blood let is going on unabated. The masses are crushed, butchered by the most repressive regimen in middle east. The mass uprising has changed its character in to sectarian war led by Iran and Saudi Arabia. The opposition is also fragmented on these lines and the movement has been stolen. The poor Syrian have been left to the sufferings of unthinkable atrocities. Though a small country but strategically most important. The most heinous crimes are being committed by Asad government backed by Iranians. The small minority is holding hostage the vast majority at a gunpoint. Aerial bombardment, the use of armoured and artillery against the innocent citizens is a routine. Even if the government claim is true and there are good reasons to believe, that the opposition is being supplied weapons by Saudi Arabia, It is totally condemnable but one wrong does not justify another wrong. Asad is a ruthless dictator. The majority of the Syrian army hails from his clan. They are blood thirsty monsters. It needs the UNO to take a bold initiative and put and end to this butchery. If it is left to saudi and Iranians they will bleed Syria till the last drop of blood as the American. British and Pakistani did in Afghanistan. The failure of Kofi Anan is not the end but the beginning towards the peace. He enjoys tremendous good will off the people around the world. The sectarian killing is on increase every where and having no boundaries. The present unleash in Pakistan against Shia minority in the northern areas is not unexpected but the matter of great concern. So for it was sporadic target killing but now it has assumed the shape of highly organised and systemic cold blooded murders. It is serious matter unless addressed properly may spread across the country. Dr. Khurshid Alam. London Dated: 17/5/2012

INDO Pak relations?

INDO- PAK RELATIONS? Since Pakistan was carved from united India, the relations have never been neighbourly. The process of allegations and counter allegations is continuos process. The two countries have been at war thrice. Followed by an uneasy cease fire. Naturally the questions arise what did we achieve in three wars? If we did not, why should we repeat it? If we did achieve the objectives why can't we have good neighbourly relations? Is it against our national interests? If we assume that the Hindu fundamentalists have nefarious designs that is also a blessing in disguise. This fear is keeping the country together otherwise our rulers have not left any stone unturned to disintegrate the country. We don't need enemies to disintegrate the country, our so called politicians are better qualified for this purpose than any one else. I am sure none of our rulers have logical answers. Being the student of politics I don't remember the war in Kashmir, just after partition. My father also took part in it. The subsequent two wars I remember distinctly. In 1971 I was conscripted to the army. I resisted but couldn't avoid. I failed to convince myself to be a party to the crime of our rulers and support the rape of the then East Pakistan. In 1965 F.M. Ayub declared war to divert the attention of the public from the domestic problems, particularly dis franchising the nation and creating a limited electoral college that could be easily bribed. The 1971 war self imposed, to get rid of East Pakistan and to retain the citadel of power in Islam Abad. What can we achieve by having strained relations with India or to be at war with India or vice versa?The fundamentalists bugs on both sides want the status quo, as it is the only logic for their survival. Unfortunately these war mongering bugs are much stronger on our side, compared to India. Our society has been thoroughly radicalised particularly in last thirty years. Zia is the sole responsible person, for radicalising the army establishment and the public. He was a vicious and wicked person. It was at the expense of loosing professional standard. The chain of sequence of the events in the last few years has proved the public fear. It was the only organised professional institution that was destroyed. It is ironic that we teach our children hatred right from primary level. We poison innocent minds.It is shocking for any logical mind to see the hatred as a part of educational curriculum. I am perplexed what do we really want to achieve by spreading the venom of hatred? Our cricket matches stinking the same foul smell of hatred. There are some unresolved issues between India and Pakistan. But do we have a military solution for them? Let us take Kashmir, our attitude and intentions towards this issue are backfiring on us. Liberation struggle cannot be exported. If we think Kashmir belongs to Kashmiris and are really honest to ourselves, then Pakistan based political parties should stop interference in Kashmir affairs. Let the Kashmiris sort out their problems. The political interference by Islam Abad and heavy presence of our armed forces in Kashmir is counter productive. It sends a signal that we want to occupy Kashmir. I am yet to meet a Kashmiri outside Pakistan who is ready to opt for Pakistan. It is quite logical that we have any attraction for them to opt out of indian union and join Pakistan? They want an independent Kashmir. If our fundamentalist bugs and hawkish generals are really determined to settle the score with India by fire power, they must think twice? The huge buffering capacity of India is strategically against us. Her economic, political stability and shear vastness are the added advantages. To limit the war to Kashmir was tried by Bhutto assuming that India will not violate the international borders, have been tried and badly failed. It is a futile exercise and political insanity to pursue this policy any more. No national will can be crushed by tanks and missiles, if the Kashmiri really want they will ultimately achieve it. Other issues like water can also be resolved by dialogue. Even the wars are ultimately concluded on the table. Pakistan has been taken on ransom by fundamentalists. Both the civilian and military leadership are scared, to sell the idea of peaceful co-existence to masses. There was never been blackout in India in the two wars beyond Agra, because of its strategic depth. To acquire strategic depth Zia invaded Afghanistan, what a silliness? I met the people hailing from south east India who were surprisingly unaware of the massacre during partition and subsequent three wars, I had the opportunity to talk to political personalities and journalists of India on several occasions and was surprised that they consider the destabilisation of Pakistan against their national interest and integrity. T I don't advocate that India will not be interfering in our internal affairs. But to the best of my knowledge that is to check Pakistan. If Pakistan stops this unholy game, India is least likely to do pursue this policy unilaterally. As I was told by an Indian high up smilingly that if Pakistan stops telling lies about us, we will stop telling truth about Pakistan. I feel that India is engaged in a tough competition with China. They are more interested in their industrial, technical advancement, to out play China regionally and globally. They are crystal clear that this competition should be on healthy basis and want to avoid any confrontation with China. India is preparing itself to occupy a central stage in global and regional politics. It is trying to surge out of the cocoon of regional hostilities. Though a developing country but it is ready to play an international role. They have a complete shift of priorities. Their economic growth have given them more confidence while maintaining democratic set up. They have second biggest brain pool in the world. It's technical and industrial advancement is indigenous and cheap. I was surprised that when I went to Sialkot to purchase hospital equipment's and observed the desire of the local industrialists to get an access to Indian market to acquire cheap technology. In spite of having a good sized Kashmiri community they were holding Kashmir dispute responsible for stalling their technical advancement. Our fundamentalists bugs are scaring the public of Indians occupying our market, withholding comments on Chinese occupation who have destroyed our textile and electronic industries. We have to be objective. Pakistan is a protected market for Chinese goods. Our access to cheap Indian technology will be the start of a healthy competition between China and India and we will be the ultimate beneficiaries. War mongering is not the solution to our problems. To maintain the fifth biggest army in the world, is beyond our resources. It is a white elephant for impoverished country like Pakistan, where seventy percent of the population is living below poverty line. It is the time for us to review our priorities and put the internal policies first to our external policy. Let the internal policies dictate our foreign policy. Let the well being of the silent majority over ride any other presumption or assumptions. Fair governance, national credibility and international trust should be our top priorities. International respect cannot be demanded but it has to be earned. In present circumstances I doubt it. Dr. Khurshid Alam, London. Dated 10/05/2012

Provinces in Pakistan

New provinces in Pakistan? To creat an administrative unit, certain factors must be taken in to account. The geo- racial compatibility, historical background, the population and economical viability. In Pakistan nothing is done for the people but every thing revolves around persons. This indicates the political bankruptcy of the politicians. Since they have no program for political, social and economical uplift of the masses so the focal point for them is political scoring and opportunism. I am astonished about our apologetic attitude. Racial approach is more near to natural instincts and has stronger basis. The other factors are important but are associated priorities. I don't understand why we should be on defensive to promote our point of view. If it is a forbidden tree then the resolution of Pakistan looses its relevance. Even the very name of the country becomes controversial. Those who oppose today, why was havoc created in July 1972, when the then Governor of Sindh, Mumtaz Bhutto, declared Sindhi as an official language? What about Jinnah Pur? The opportunists are like ostrich. They refuse to learn from history. Unless they accept Pakistan as a multinational state it's existence will be always shaky and another Bangladesh is bound to become a reality, even if we have gone nuclear. Their role in the creation of Bangla Desh is a part of history. They have lived in India for centuries in no identity status and trying to impose their distorted identity on new Pakistan. They have always been bed fellows of the dictators and are ruling Karachi and Hyderabad for the last 15 years.When their patron in chief, Musharaf, was in chair,Karachi was a close shop, no body could dare to enter. It was their arrival in Karachi after the birth of Bangladesh that decapitations, dead bodies in sacks and bhatta became the order of the day. They were the favourites of Zia to counter PPP. Gangsterism was introduced by MQM. The creation of provinces is not in question. It is the centralisation of power that is playing a havoc. The local governments system should be properly reviewed. Political consideration should be kept aside and local developments should be completely and objectively carried out by the local governments. Musharaf did not devolve the power to the roots but poisoned the roots with political bribes. Otherwise this is a time tested system, if implemented with honesty. It provides of uniform development. It is not the system that should be blamed but the executioners of the system and the lack of transparency and accountability that matters. Political differences apart no one can deny the developments carried out by the ex mayor of Karachi. He was appreciated all over the world. Even then if provinces are needed, the constitutional process should be adopted. If it needs amendments that should be carried out constitutionally. One unit digested the state of Bahawalpur and stole WAPDA from khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The blunders of the past must be rectified to restore the trust of the smaller nations. It is the time to build the trust than to blast the bridges. Pakistani rulers must get rid of the insanity to consider Pakistani as one nation and the dogma of ideology of Pakistan. Pakistan is bouquet of multiple nations, each nation adds its beauty and fragrance by its own culture and history. We are all citizens of Pakistan while still maintaining our culture, history , language and historical heritage. It will strengthen the state on the basis of resolution of Pakistan. The one unit was an experiment of artificial national integration. It was an unnatural political experiment and was one of the reason of the creation of Bangladesh and widened the gulf between the remaining four provinces. As Bertrand Russell has put it that any thing more near to nature is more likely to be stronger even if one has to carve the unnatural borders. He has presented the idea of internationalism by emphasising on nationalism. The denial of national rights has blown out the East European countries in pieces once the iron curtain was unveiled and iron lid was removed. It has proved the worthiness of Russell's philosophy. Where ever resistance has been offered to natural phenomenon there has been chaos, anarchy and bloodshed. The two shining examples are Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia. The first one accepted the natural division now peacefully coexisting and living side by side. The later was offering resistance to the natural ethnicity and went through a horrible anarchy, bloodshed and devastation. And still the chances of lava eruption cannot be excluded. Why we have failed to resolve Baluchistan issue. The main reason is that we have failed to understand that a human being does not need food only to keep him physically alive but need the identity and recognition of his inner aspirations to live physically with honour and dignity. Baluch are asking for national honour and dignity we are offering economical packages. The physical life without national honour means slavery of the worst kind. Physical enchainment is for better than than mental enchainment. It is tantamount to rob some of human dignity. That equates a human to an animal or bonded slavery. Pakistani establishment has to learn to acquire the knowledge to learn about the human needs and differentiate humans from animals. They have to ponder seriously that to rob some one of imagination and process of free thinking cannot be compensated by giving him economical concessions. As a famous English proverb goes if you don't let us dream we wont let you sleep. Humans don't need concessions but rights. Dr Khurshid Alam London. Dated: 8/5/2012

Osama

OSAMA......AN ANGEL OR A DEVIL? A year ago, on second May the most wanted man, Osama, was killed by US marines in the military city of Pakistan. It was one of the extremely guarded and secretive mission ever carried out by US. The air born attack took less than one hour to be completed. Today Osama is as much controversial person, as he was during his life time. To many he was a dedicated international holy warrior. To others he was the father of destruction and threat to humanity. To him life meant nothing, death and terror was his faith. A person can be assessed by his intentions and the ultimate results of his deeds. In Muslim world a huge silent majority consider him the international holy warrior,a soldier of Islam and saviour. His popularity in certain circles was not out of love and sympathy for him but it was expression of hatred for US policies.The reason behind the silence of the majority was their inability to own him and his destructive deeds due to loaded guilt complex. No religious, moral or humanistic grounds could be provided to justify terror. Religiously speaking he claimed to be fighting a holy war against the two super powers who are against Islam. If that was the case then in Islam there are specific preconditions to declare a holy war and the declaration of holy war needs a competent authority. He had none. It was terror and killings randomly. The maximum damage was done to Islam and the Muslims. The main brunt of his holy war was born by Afghanistan and Pakistan. The others who suffered were Sudan, Yemen and Iraq. The victims were almost all Muslims. In Islam does not at all allow to kill or damage the non combatant people in a holy war. God is not only the Creator and sustainer of the Muslims only but of the universe as a whole, that includes even those, who don't believe in him. Allah commands us not to touch non combatants and particularly emphasise on old, poorly, women and children. In Osama's Jihad the most protected were the foremost and main targets A suicidal bomber hardly knows who will be the victims of his devilish act and is unaware that his own act is prohibited in Islam. The poverty and ignorance is very malleable and easily manipulated in any form. His movement of terror and slaughter of mankind has tarnished the image of Islam and the Muslims. It was his devilish movement that made Islam and muslims synonymous to terror and terrorists respectively. Apart from human losses he has destroyed Afghanistan and Pakistan economically and politically. He has created fear throughout the world. Terror breeds terror, violence breeds violence and both result in fear of the known and unknown combined. Fear is the most horrible feelings. Fear kills logic and wrecks free thinking. It is the most heinous crime against humanity and destroys the very basic fabric of a society. Religiously his deeds were condemnable and were obnoxious in totality. Islam cannot be established on the skulls of human beings. The basic principle of Islam that charity begins at home. He should have started a political movement in his native country against the king,as dictatorship in any form is forbidden in Islam. If he had a shred of morality he should have left Afghanistan when it was evident that US is going to hit Afghanistan and Taliban. If Afghans showed the courtesy that their traditions do not allow them to ask a guest to leave the country then he should volunteered to leave Afghanistan to avoid the total destruction. The credit of his popularity in ignorant circles goes to US and it's regional ally Pakistan. The double standards pursued by US in the conduct of its foreign policy prepared the ground for terrorism. The regional ally wanted to use this opportunity for their own interest. Zia radicalised Pakistan so much that it was prepared and receptive womb for the fertilisation of the embryo of terrorism. During the rule of two army dictators Pakistan was pregnant terrorist beast interfering every where and any where. Now the country is paying the price. Apart from collapse of the economy the breaches in the security of Pakistan, are of grave concern. Pakistan is totally exposed to external and internal threats. Neither we have no sovereignty on ground or air space. We have no fool proof arrangement to protect our geographical borders, our strategists are busy to protect ideological borders. The gravity of each incident is such that morality demanded that the top leadership of armed forces and intelligence agencies should have resigned or terminated by the government if it was strong enough. If there was moral courage in the opposition they should have spearheaded a movement to plug in the holes in the security that was threatening the solidarity of the country. For the barbarism carried out by Al Qaeda, the US and it's regional allies carry equal responsibility. The world is extremely unsafe since the collapse of USSR. The counter devil theory needs revival. The most hated country in the globe is USA. And the most hated personalities are Mr. Bush and Osama in sensible circles. If a universal gallop is carried out it will be not surprising that if Bush is ahead of Osama. Both were vicious by nature. Planned mischievousness is a bigger crime than accidental. It shows dishonesty of the mind. Intellectual criminality has roots and persists for a long time to come and difficult to root out, while individual impulsive crime crime dies down after the crime is committed. Bush and Osama legacy will be there for a long time to come and humanity will pay the price. Terror in any form has the same consequences. To categorise and name it differently is a compounded crime and can be termed moral bankruptcy only. The world is in the grip of fear,economical uncertainty and political instability and if the roots are traced, it will lead to the time when terrorism was introduced as a mean to achieve political ends. Dr. Khurshid Alam London 3/5/12