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

The threat to the federation and the foreign policy

Any federation stands on three pillars. Parliament, judiciary and army establishment. They are walking on a tight rope that needs perfect equilibrium. To maintain equilibrium without encroaching on each other's jurisdiction needs mutual respect that is needed to keep the federation intact but at the same time it is also essential not to be so independent to be unaware of each others. There should not be political divorce. In Pakistan it may sound difficult. Since out of the three the only established institution is armed forces. The other two have to go through a long process to root itself in the soil. They are on shaky grounds. Extreme care should be taken, not to allow the last two institutions to be politicised. It will lead to a disastrous consequences in case. Unfortunately the situation is not that easy in Pakistan, as we consider. Army has been in politics since the inception of the country. To extricate army from political process and make them more professional is not at easy task. It needs high degree of brinkmanship and political acumen, we lack both. We have seen the recent most disastrous results of the politicisation of the army. The loss of more than half the country is a matter of the past but the recent loopholes in our security should be considered seriously. The involvement of the army in politics is always at the cost of professionalism, needed for the security of the country. The three debacles by Egyptian army had the same reason behind. And now we are experiencing the same phenomenon. It has exposed the country to external and internal threats. Uncertainty and sensitivity in of the public about the survival of the state has increased. Unfortunately the Judiciary has chosen the same path. The civic societies regained their sovereignty after a long struggle. It was the judiciary itself to surrender its sovereignty. Day to day problems of the common man are piling up while judiciary is busy to solve the political problems. This judicial adventurism will take some time. The jurists have to digest the newly found liberty and to do its introspection and define its exact role. The parliament and the government has to take a long time to assert itself. It is a fledgling civilian government. The constitutional amendments will have a significant positive repercussions in future if allowed to blossom but needs time. Turkey is the latest example of such change. In the present circumstances the balance is heavily tilted towards the military establishment and the judiciary is at play in this breach. The public feel exposed to internal and external threats and at the same time there is no impartial and literally free judiciary to deliver justice judiciously and inexpensively. Both pillars are eroded by politicisation and have lost professionalism. The parliament and executive are squashed between the two. They need to cleansed and made functional without fear of the two giants. The apex courts have become army garrison. The core commanders are to fall in line at the command. Few politicians have added a fourth pillar, journalism. TV cafe have been established for evening discussions, for those who cannot get audience any where else. It is another mode to ridicule the politicians. It is an electronic parallel government and courts. They have superseded the actual courts in dispensation of the cases and giving verdicts. In this drop back we are faced with diplomatic isolation. The external policy is the reflection of the internal policy. Not only to reflect each other but to supplement each other. We don't have both. Scandaliesm is the corner stone of internal policy and double game of the external policies. The civil and military leadership is scared to admit that our relations with US is equally important as with China. They both are equally critical in its nature and sensitive, having long term political repercussions. The trade with India and improvement of other relations is of vital interest to Pakistan . I can't make any sense to put all the other issues in the freezer, till Kashmir problem is resolved or we capture Delhi and raise Pakistani flag on Lal Qilla. There is a terrible lack of realisation that we can be friends with both as for as it serves our national interests. The same could be applied to to the neighbours. Our foreign policy is based on surrendering one friend for the sake of the other and the nucleus is in delhi. There was a time that we were so close to Iran that we handed over the defence of Karachi to Iran during 71 war. To please the Saudi we put Iran on ice slab. Our foreign and domestic policies are bring run on sectarian basis. The sectarian policies in and abroad are eating up the security of the state like maggots. No one puts all the eggs in one basket. USSR never use to carry it's cosmonauts in one car after return from the space due to fear of an accident on the road and loosing both. It does not need high degree of intellectualism and statesmanship but simply needs common sense, though it is a rare sense. Should we go for confrontation with US till they apologise? It is beyond any comprehension that we could impose our parliamentary suggestions on another country? Our military and civil leadership both lack courage to explain to the public that we need American as much as they need. The civil government is looking towards military establishment and establishment is in a fix because they have played a big role in the radicalisation of the public. Apology is not really the core issue but it is the fear of the known. Have we framed our policy to put it on the table for discussions? Without framing the future relations we have confined our policy to sovereignty and apology. I honestly feel,it is an exercise to divert public opinion. We would have buried both, if it could serve the interest of the establishment The electronic mafia has blown out every thing out of proportion. They have passed the verdict on PM before the process is complete. Mian bothers have taken the responsibility to implement the decision of the court. Both are ridiculing the courts. But our courts take so motto actions in "special" circumstances. The army is tight lipped. Mian sahib is about to start long march on Islam Abad. Sindh and southern Punjab is ready to march on Lahore. I am afraid India may decide to march in Pakistan to settle the issue between north and south as we have no Abraham Lincoln to settle the issues.If Zardari is threat to democracy, Mian is threat to the federation. Once tried he can be trusted again.. Dr. Khurshid Alam London. 27/4/12

The Foreign Policy of Pakistan in doldrums?

The Foreign Policy of Pakistan in doldrums? The international relations of a country are tailored according to the national interest. In the conduct of the foreign relations there is no foe or friend. Today's friend can be tomorrows adversary. The successful foreign policy is the one that create more friends,explore the market for the foreign trade and promote national credibility. We have no such thought out guide lines, the whole country is being run on ad hoc basis since its inception. Ad hoc ism is being defined as the addition of extraneous hypotheses to a theory to save it from being falsified. To save one falsified theory requires endless falsifications. The internal and external policies are formulated to supplement each others. Generally the experts set up the guide lines and the parliament rectifies. In our history, parliament has never been given this honour. The present parliamentary exercise was against the established code of conduct. The horse was tied behind the cart. The parliament formulated a policy and handed over to diplomats to implement. To involve the parliament on this occasion was not due to sudden change of mind set. Parliament was used as a scape goat because the establishment was licking its wounds. The professional image of the establishment was tarnished by successive lapses in the security. The attack on GHQ and naval Head Quarter had multi demential significance and was not easy to swallow. The subsequent two incidents that strained our relations with USA were picked up,for point scoring and public consumption, but handled foolishly. We are not in the present awkward state just out of the blue. There is a chain of events going back to Liaquat Ali. Neither the present incident was the first one of its nature. Our air force facilities in karachi were used in Suez canal conflict and the same facilities were given to Israel during Iraq-Iran war, in return Israel was helping and training mujahideen in Afghanistan. It is silliness to squarely blame US and let our rulers go scot free.. The American action is deplorable but not unexpected. We are strategic ally and US access to our air and ground facilities was an open secret. It was not possible without the tacit support of our rulers. Pakistan was a launching pad to attack Afghanistan. We were in bidding race with India. to keep her out and to rob them of any future regional role, particularly in Afghanistan. We were milking two cows at the same time, as a strategic ally and to be front line state but the front line province was totally ignored. If we presume that there was no memorandum of understanding withUS, then how our land and air facilities were used by USA for the last three decades? And why the establishment let it go unchecked? If the memorandum of diplomatic and strategic understanding was there that should be made public and we should stop to fool the public. After all ISI and CIA were involved in Afghanistan before the invasion of USSR and according to Gen. Hamid Gul, the game was started by Bhutto. USSR invasion was prompted by our rulers to jump in. It is intellectual dishonesty and rape of history that we attach the bloody big game in Afghanistan,to the invasion of Russia. Unfortunately the focal point of our foreign policy is lying in Delhi.The only guiding principle is to oppose any thing that is supported by Delhi irrespective of the ground realities. We as a nation suffering from the delusion of grandeur. We are eating barley but shooting rice. In the conduct of external relation the dependability and trust of the international fraternity are important factors. The responsibility that we have shouldered to be international warriors has discredited us globally. We have stretched ourselves beyond our limits. To us double game is the second name of diplomacy And every time we have been caught red handed. Our Afghan policy had four main aims. The first and foremost was to legitimise illegitimate governments. Second was to go for the lowest possible bid to exclude India. The third was to attain strategic depth. If the last one is not materialised, then, to have a stake in the future of Afghanistan. In other words to impose a government of our cronies and export a sectarian religious philosophy to Afghanistan. We wanted the success of our internal failures in an another sovereign country. And to cash Afghanistan instability to stabilise our country, ignoring that to milk the international players we have to pay back. Money does not speak but if it speaks, it says one word "bend." The most holy and sacred mission was kept secret. The rulers assumed that if the facilities are provided to US and in return whatever is given, will be used in Kashmir and khalistan liberation struggles and training of terrorists for this unholy cause. The terrorism was sown under official patronisation. We rented out our air and ground facilities and they promised to look after our defence needs. It was a straight deal and with no conditionality attached, you scratch my back, I will scratch yours. They were political dwarf to understand that rented launching pad has no sovereignty. Their political acumen of our leaders can be judged that in bipolar world they picked on a superpower that was having the closest proximity to us and now when the world is unipolar we have chosen to go for head on collision with the other super power that was once our saviour and non atheist bed fellow. We ignored a simple fact that if you marry a gorilla for the sake of money when the money is finished the gorilla will still remain gorilla. US played a very negative role. They helped in radicalising the masses and establishment of Pakistan. Though none of the fundamentalists are in power but still they are controlling the government, press and masses. In our this crazy ideological race we didn't even spare China, our great friend? India is of course a sworn in enemy. Our foreign policy is responsible for the brutal crushing of Muslims in eastern China and is creating socio-political problems for the Muslims in India. We defeated the cause of Kashmir due to our own follies. We claimed to be the champions of the right of self determination for Kashmir. The logic demanded that our political parties should keep out of Kashmiri politics. And let Kashmiris rule themselves. But we opted to have Kashmiri government subordinate to Islam Abad. That was self defeating and ferociously contradictory to our so called principled stand, on Kashmir. We should have contributed to the economical and social uplift on our side of Kashmir, to induce an urge and desire in Indian held Kashmir for unification. But it is the opposite, Indian held Kashmir have substantial autonomy and the election are held on regular basis. We should have proved ourselves better than Indian, but...? Siachin is another holy war against nature. One hundred and forty lives perished under the icy slab of snow. Our civil and military leadership is enjoying photo sessions and political scoring. I don't advocate that we are the sole wrong doers but comparatively we contributed more. India is also having Hindu fundamentalists. But there institution are so established and civil bodies are so strong that they have have gone far ahead of us in every sphere. They have six hundred million vibrant class of technically educated youths. They have a broad based strategy to build their economy and their agricultural and industrial growth is far ahead of us. It is beyond comprehension that if we cannot be friends with India, Israel, Russia and US why should we be the enemies? We can play a positive role in Palestinian cause if we are internally stable and internationally credible. Let us be honest to ourselves, can we engage US on air or ground? Who will be the looser? Or if we have trade relations with India, will we not get access to cheap technology? Who will be the beneficiary?If Saudi can understand this simple fact why can't we? The governments keeps on changing but the national policies are continued. We haven't learnt from yesterday, care less for tomorrow and play with today as there is no tomorrow. The three pillars of the government have divorced each other. The fourth newly born pillar, the free press, is adding fuel to the fire. Some time, patience for a while can thwart catastrophe. To blow out the two incidences out of proportion was the most ill conceived idea of point scoring. Our DG of ISI with complete disregard for the protocol, rushed to construct memo scandal and but unaware of two operations conducted in our air and ground spaces, each lasting for two hours. Doesn't it smell foul? The bigs confessed on the floor of parliament that they have the capability and expertise to counter such violations but need permission of the civilian government, as if they always sought the permission of the civilian government? It is the other way round. Had we pursued the path of quite diplomacy we would have avoided exposing our weak points. In my view, there were many options opened but we opted for the path of confrontation without considering the long lasting political repercussions. One of the option was joint action with US against terrorists hot spots. Or we should have taken the total responsibility to target them and asked for technical know how and financial help in return. This would have left US with no alternative but to apologise. It does not fit in any frame of logic that we stop them not to target the terrorist who are threatening their men and women in uniform and do nothing ourselves. Let us show a bit of serenity, logical approach and experiment with truth and honesty. Flexibility is a better alternative to rigidity as it does not lead to a point of no return. Dr. Khurshid Alam London 22/04/2012