The boiling spots

               
The boiling pots threatening global peace.

There are boiling pots in our region threatening world peace. The vested interests are adamant not to let these flames die down, to maintain their nuisance value and say, internationally and regionally. Their total disregards for human miseries is abundantly clear from their words and deeds.


Since the inception of Pakistan's relations with Afghanistan  have never been good neighbourly. This uneasy truce has waves of cold and hot but never touch normality.  In the Initial days of Pakistan an attempt was made to normalise relations that resulted in Sardar Abur Rab Nishtar and Sardar Hashim accord. But it never saw the light of the day.  It is said that the agreement was sabotaged by Liaquat Ali and khaliquzzaman. The two imported sinister dictators.


Every wound inflicted on Abdal land, if traced back will have its roots in Durand line. This contentious issue was left behind by Britishers. To  keep afghanistan engaged or bring it to knees to accept it as an international border tricks of all kinds have been played.

Pakistan hardly miss a a chance to raise the issue of  Durand Line. They are so myopic politically and diplomatically to realise that Durand line was drawn when even the concept of Pakistan was not born. It was a bilateral issue between British and Afghans and they have to solve it. The line is so thorny in intra Afghan circles that the Afghans have kept this issue for themselves  to decide, not even their government has the right to solve on its own. It was arrogance of British and placidity of Indian congress. Burma, Srilanka, Maldeep, Bhutan, Nepal all were given independence except our region.

After that no serious attempt was made. The relations turned very sour during Bhutto time when he re-initiated the old English forward policy and went on an undiplomatic and abusive campaign against Sardar Daud. To destabilise Afghanistan Mr. Bhutto started an internal revolt to topple Daud. Gulbadin and Ahmad shah Masood were the first to be recruited.

Zia carried it forward and naked military was started in Afghanistan. It is ridiculous notion being forwarded by the Pakistani journalist and government that USSR invasion was the main reason for the on going war . Initially it was the direct intervention by Pakistan and USA just under the belly of USSR to prompt the Russian invasion. If USA could not tolerate Russian presence in its backyard, how could they expect Russian to sit fingers crossed and watch military intervention under its belly.

ISI was not only involved in Afghanistan but Kashmir, Assam, East Punjab, Bombay, USSR and even China. Zia had was obsessed  about Afghanistan  to provide strategic depth to Pakistan. To re establish his paternal country, Khalistan was his obsession. At one stage he decided to lead the insurgency in East Punjab himself. (ref. Gen Rahman Gul). When Rajiv was asked about Khalistan in Islam Abad, he said yes Khalistan was there but the capital was Lahore.

The same policy is being continued till today. Afghanistan has been totally ruined and Pakistan   viability as a state is in serious doubt. Zia had no luck to see his dreams come true. He was brought down by the load of his sins. Afghan war is the only one where small parties have dragged in big powers.

 Pakistan being a surrogate state was receiving a lot of overt and covert international perks and was accorded the non -NATO status. The relation with US were exceptionally good.  The two dictator were cronies of US and it was more easy for USA to deal with  individuals rather than institutions. No one knew what is happening behind the scene. Now the facts are leaking that Zia rented out the sovereignty of the land and Musharaf sold the air space. It makes me laugh that when some of us talk of sovereign air space on a rentier land.

Recently the relations between the countries turned worst. A spokesman of Pakistan declared the Durand line as international border. Afghans hit back in the same vain.  Allegations and counter allegations have reached new heights.

 The killings of ISAF soldiers by Afghan national army have increased in intensity and frequency. Individuals reaction to foreign forces could be one of the reason but ISI manipulation behind the scene cannot be excluded categorically.  It seems properly thought out policy and precisely executed venture.
Pakistan ISI has a reputation in such covert operations and subversive activities. The  difficult task for kabul and other major power is who should they talk to in Pakistan? Where is the nucleus of power and how strong is that nucleus? Has it control over the rabid ISI and sectarian private armies. The nucleus of power is made of heterogeneous elements derived from a broad band that includes professional soldiers and loosely  knitted terrorists sectarian organisation. A huge chunk of civilian politicians derives it's life from the game of death.

Civilian government, army establishment , ISI and it's associated institutions, sectarian parties and the parties on the right of the centre all have their stake . The stake of the stakeholder may vary but none is ready to surrender it. They have to be taken on board and dragged to the negotiating table otherwise peace will remain a dream. Peace move in Afghanistan and KPK cannot be successful unless the little thorny devils cash their stake.

 Afghanistan has always been a focus of attraction for alien aggressors because of its geo strategical location. It is a hub to reach  India, china, central asian states and Russian federation. Economically it is a corridor to the untapped resources of central Asia and gateway to India. Its own natural resources are still untapped.

At the moment it may not be a golden sparrow for industrial nations but if peace prevails it can be in the future if the resources are tapped on both sides of Durand.. The boiling pot of Afghanistan is essential for their  international relevance.

 Those who realise the importance of peace for the evolution of humanity are all holding their breath that peace is not derailed. Mr. Asfandiyar khan visit to Kabul along with a very strong entourage might be a step in this direction. But one should not forget that unless the voice and endeavours are the same in Quetta, Peshawar, Kabul and Qandahar the international fraternity will neither give it due importance, nor their struggle will bear the desired fruit. Our house must be in order and having one agenda peace to stimulate international interest and avoid future anarchy.

Baluchistan:
It is another hot spot. It is unfortunate that the Pakistani establishment and Baluch aspirations are completely out of frequency with each other. Baluch are demanding the acceptance of Baluch as a nation with national dignity and respect. They want to the master of their own destiny,land and history. Pakistan packages as political bribery. Pakistan is offering concessions in return for national heritage that is hurting Baluch more. They have been cheated and bitten several time by Islam Abad. They neither trust them nor believe that they have the strength of character to honour to put in practice what they say?

Mr. Akhar Mengal was right to show his disappointment about Pakhtun but the alternative he has chosen is unnatural. We are natural allies and cousins and victim of the same devilish mental make up.
In another dilemma for Baluch that those who are talking to them is not the real party to deliver, the reigns of power are held by some one else. They want to talk to GHQ and the allied agencies in international forum. In Pakistan there is long history of deception. Baluch may be a small nation but not smaller than Estonia that challenged red army.

Karachi.
That is another foul smelling boiling pot where a havoc is being played with Pakhtuns. The target killing, sectarian clashes, ethnic disharmony, criminal Ganges war if traced back goes to the days of Ayub. The things were cooking but there was strong lid to contain it. During Mr. Bhutto days the foul smell started leaking. I personally feel that no doubt there are many players but MQM hold on the masses cannot be ignored. They have the key to the peace and their head masterly control can deliver peace this unlucky city once, the citadel of peace. I am really perplexed and confused that why the writ of Pakistan government and death travel together as if they are twin brothers? FATA, Swat and norther areas are the glaring examples



Dr. Khurshid Alam
khurshidalam44@hotmail.com
Dated. 31/11/2012

The dream that gone yellow

                                   The dream that gone yellow?

If historical facts,documentary proofs and the unthinkable sacrifices of the people are momentarily forgotten and out of goodwill it is accepted that Pakistan is the result of  Dr. Iqbal dream that was turned in to reality by Mr. Jinnah and his steno. This is being drilled in our minds for the last 66 years, better accept it.

The claim was to avoid subjugation and exploitation of the biggest minority, the Muslims by the larger Hindu majority. The fear was discrimination but our leaders failed to take precautionary measures  that the new country is free of intra Muslims discrimination and prejudices. But unfortunately it became the state policy.

It was advocated that muslims should have a home where they can lead their lives according to their religious beliefs and protect their economical;7, political and social
interests  without fear of the Hindu majority. The salient characters of the state will be a secular, democraticK  and multinational state. The slogan was so attractive that bengali too were tempted to join,though they were not included in the original plan.

Who could imagine that the dream of Iqbal and its realisation by Mr. Jinnah will become the beginning of a long painful journey of the new nation of the purists ruled by the purist?, The dream will remain a dream with no realisation or end. It will be an agonising, traumatic journey with no end insight. There was no organisation behind with vision or well thought strategy and  plan.

The land of the purist  turned to be the most filthy. It was a struggle of an individual helped by his steno supported by a loose group of individuals who had neither knowledge nor vision. Politically dwarf, dropped out  by the school of history with myopic vision. None of them was visionary in his own right but were following a leader.

Those knowing Mr, Jinnah very closely agree on certain characters of his personality. He was honest and hard working but having no streak of democratic thinking. He was blunt and harsh, not ready to listen to suggestions. Personality make up of a person does leave strong impressions on thought process, it was abundantly visible in his conduct of state affairs. The rest were political orphans. The companions of the Quaid were intellectually dishonest.

Jinnah took over as governor general with prime ministerial responsibilities. It was the worst form of centralisation of authority. His followers followed his footsteps without a second thought. Probably they had no capability of thinking or dreaming, if I may say so. Conspiracies, undemocratic culture, despots in different uniforms with same mental make up kept the show running in the name of Islam, national solidarity and Hindu phobia. People were denied the right of vote till 1970, press was gaged and freedom to assembly and speech was crushed with iron fist. The judiciary was the first one to surrender.

The individuals and their uniform changed with time but the mental make up remained the same. Ruthlessly undemocratic and anti- institutional. All means were used to suppress the people by the band of band masters. From physically disabled to schizophrenic ruled the country.

Where we stand today, is not a historical accident but our deeds of the past have led us to this juncture. Having no international standing, bankrupt.. State and government both are failing and the nation is sick.  The masses have been forced by the system to be as corrupt as their masters. Those who claim to be totally honest unluckily did not get a chance. Those who claim to be moralist,  is in fact a middle class morality Incapability to steal or rob is given the name of morality. Clearance loot is going on that brought us to the present sorry state.

Every self proclaimed purist is corrupt and is intolerant according to the status he enjoys  in the society. The system is tailored for corruption. The population is mainly divided in two, vote sellers and vote buyers. The chosen purists instead  legislating, is receiving huge amount for developments but used to bribe the masses. The only employer is the state where the jobs are on sale,  through the touts, to the ever needy purists. Musharaf used to called it democracy from the roots. This rotten system was started by Ayub and reached its zenith during Zia and Musharaf rule.

Democracy has three salient characters. We practice government "by" the people but it is never "for" the people or "of" the people. There is no mechanism to make it work according to the spirit of democracy. The electoral system is tailored to serve the buyers and let the selling community remain the seller of their vote.

I have a gut feeling that  individual awareness is pretty high but the political workers have failed to give it a collective direction. The specie called political workers is disappearing  and being replaced by political qawals, chorus singer. The same applies to the political parties they are most undemocratic in nature. In the name of discipline every dissident voice is choked in the throat before it reaches lips.

Some of the political parties have very short life. What happened from 1947- 1971 sends a electric  wave in the spinal cord of any one with feelings. The rulers were the most barbaric and were enjoying divine status like caliph or messenger. They ruled in the name of Islam, solidarity and  threat from Hindu Bharat. It was strange paradox that numerically there were Muslim in India. It was the darkest period of Pakistan's history. People were killed randomly and tortured to death. But still some people continued the struggle of democracy.

In religious discrimination we have left India for behind. This is the sole aspect of life that we can tell Indians "catch if you can." It is unfortunate that intellectual corruption have compounded the problems. Pakistan is an infectious  syndrome and any part that accept its writ is a new market sectarian killings like. Gilgit and northern areas once the most peaceful area are now the valleys of death. FATA must think twice before taking any step.

The nation is sick. Every stratum of the society is corrupt, dishonest and criminal minded. Not only the institution but the individuals too are unaware of their jurisdiction. The word jurisdiction is a bitter pill,every one refuse to take.

The electoral system needs radical targeted changes. The nation building process should go hand in hand. The system has forced the lower class to accept criminality or they commit crimes on behalf of the higher class. The higher class is genetically corrupt and survives on corruption. Majority of them are those least aware of legislation and master of all possible treacherous dishonesty. If one is a security risk the other is danger to federation. Some chosen went to the house on bike and returned in cars worth millions. To them dishonesty is trick of the trade and the best trade is election with no fear of loss. Carry on cleo game is on.

Dr. Khurshid Alam
khurshidalam44@hotmail.com
1/9/2012