The 63rd Independence Day was celebrated as usual but not with the same great zeal and fervour as witnessed in the country in 1947-48 and the following years.
The city elders explained to the young generation the circumstances in which independent and sovereign Pakistan was achieved. They recounted the factors behind non-achievement of the object — making Pakistan a social welfare state as envisioned by Mohammad Ali Jinnah and the millions who struggled and hundreds of thousands who sacrificed their lives for it.
The aim has not been achieved yet. Is it because of slow pace of socio-economic and political progress, if any, and the lack of unity wherein lies the strength of a nation, or is it because of what the common man says the failure of the new administrative set-up to meet the expectations of the masses?
Whatever the reason behind such a change of mood of masses on the eve of the Independence Day, the fact is that the latest mind-boggling foodstuff price hike, selfish motives of most of politicians, confusion and chaos and unemployment on account of power load-shedding, and nepotism saddened the people who think of the country’s future seriously. And the reported incidents of women being gang-raped and young men tortured to death by policemen and labourers run over by minor sons of the wealthy persons, exploitation of peasants and molestation of their daughters and sisters by landlords added to the cheerlessness of people of the twin cities.
So, frankly speaking, such happenings cast a pall of gloom over the enthusiasm of the people filled with patriotism to their back-bone. A true defender of the country, with a spirit of brotherhood, can understand and share the sorrow and joy of the suffering majority in moments of the Independence Day celebration.
Will it not be in fitness of things to tell ‘The News’ lovers that in the early period of the country’s life Radio Pakistan played a vital role in highlighting and boosting patriotism among the masses in co-operation with the armed forces, intellectuals, journalists, poets, singers and film artists? Many military men and women composed poems and songs of national interest. They participated whole-heartedly in singing ‘naghmas’ for the masses.
The message — “keep moving forward, time is calling you, why be afraid of death, you the brave and bold, march forward, the nation is with you” — was well delivered. The unity thus created and cemented by purity of love between the armed forces and the people was manifested by the joint effort to defend the country against armed aggression by India in September 1965. That unity now seems on the way to rebirth in the wake of new internal and external challenges to the motherland in the shape of extremist and terrorist activity in Swat and Malakand as well as insurgence in Balochistan at the instance of the enemies of Pakistan.
The credit to tackle such a situation with the co-operation of the people of the areas concerned goes to valiant soldiers, many of whom sacrificed their lives for a right cause.
The uncontained hoarding and profiteering dominated gossips on the Independence Day this time. The lower-middle class and poor parents could not buy the crescent and star flags and buntings for their children at a 100 per cent higher cost. They are already pressed hard by unprecedented price rise. The people had to buy potato, onion, tomato, ‘tori’, ‘bhindi’, ‘baingan’, ‘ghia’, pulses, rice, sugar and wheat flour at rates increased by 40 to 60 per cent.
For example, sugar jumped to Rs55/60, potato to Rs80 and wheat flour to Rs560/600 per 20-kilogram bag, although the year has been of bumper crop.
Unhappy over the unsatisfactory performance of the government, the common man prayed to God on the Independence Day for help and provision of a kind-hearted, selfless and devoted bold leader to save the downtrodden from economic misery.
The youths are more loyal than politicians, they have developed in them true patriotism. They want to gain higher knowledge abroad if supported by the federal and provincial governments on merit, not on basis of political connection, or family ties, or wealth. On return, they wish to serve their parents and motherland. That’s how they think to make Pakistan strong in all respects. They are against begging, they argue there’s crisis of leadership. If wrongdoings in portals of power are not stopped they foresee an unimagined revolutionary change. One can say an intellectual change is sweeping across the country — slowly but steadily. Who will win the race?
Zafar Alam Sarwar
zasarwar@hotmail.com
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Indian Nuclear proliferation remains unchecked
Nuclear power is inevitable but the way India has acquired it in violation of international agreements, refusing to sign the NPT and the use to which it is raises the question: Would India be using the material for the development of its nuclear arsenal? There is no doubt about that. Yet it appears to be continued to be rewarded by USA despite having been caught by USA withits hand in the till. Indian nuclear and chemical safety record requires close examination.
The following is a list of its unsafeguarded research rectors: A decade ago, a nine-month long AERB (Atomic Energy Regulatory Board) safety study of Indian reactors documented more than 130 extremely serious safety issues warranting urgent corrective measures in the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre; Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR); Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited; Uranium Corporation of India Limited: Indian Rare Earths Limited; Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), and the Heavy Water Board. Cirus, 40 MW has history of developing radiation leaks. Candu reactors suffering from massive leakage of heavy water. Waste tanks at BARC habitually develop major leaks. Dhruva suffers from design problems, fuel leakages. The Fast Breeder Test Reactor of 40 MW at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, built with French assistance, was rated ‘not safe’, and discarded. Similar reactors, like Super Phoenix of France and Monju of Japan, were also discarded because of safety hazards. A brief look at its power plants reveals the following discrepancies: Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) 1986—The inlets of its reactors cracked. 1988—MAPS was shut down after heavy water leaked. 1991—Tons of heavy water burst out, had frequent break downs. Rajasthan Atomic Power Plants (RAPP), Rawatbhat. Suffers from severe design faults. Reactors de-rated from 220 MW to 100 MW. Shut down number of times from 1980 to 1994 due to cracks.
Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS). On March 1993, a fire in NAPS, 180 km east of New Delhi, nearly caused a melt-down. Kakrapar Atomic Power Plants (KAPP), Gujarat – Unsafeguarded. The radiation leakages from the plants are a usual practice. Concrete containment dome of KAPS collapsed in 1994. Tarapur Atomic Power Plants (TAPP), Maharashtra. A high dosage of iodine was found in seawater around.
In 1995, the radioactive waste contaminated the water supply of nearly 3000 villagers living nearby. Russian VVER Light Water Reactors. The potential radiation leakage remains a high probability. IAEA has expressed doubts about the safety of these plants. Nuclear Fuel Complex, Hyderabad (NFC). None of facilities at NFC are under IAEA safeguards. On 17 Nov 2002, an explosion took place at a nuclear fuel plant. Now let us take the cases of Indian nuclear proliferation. The following incidents have been gleaned from International media: 1974. India tested its first nuclear weapon by diverting plutonium from nuclear supplies made by the US/ Canada (for peaceful purposes). 1980s. Heavy water imported by India from US and smuggled from USSR, China and Norway, which allowed its use to make weapon grade plutonium. 1992. India supplied thiodyglycol and some other chemicals to Iran. 1992 – The case of Black Diamonds. For over 20 years, some senior BARC scientists were involved in making money by using the research reactor to irradiate natural diamonds and selling them international market. 1993. 30 tones of trimethyl – phosphite supplied to Iran. Nov 1993. India made an effort to ship chemicals to Iraq. 1994. Four containers of phosphorous penta sulphide were detained by Sri Lankan authorities at Colombo Port, en-route from Bombay to Israel. 1994. On a CIA tip-off, a shipment of beryllium was caught in Vilnius. July 1998. India’s CBI seized eight kg of stolen nuclear material from Arun, an engineer in Chennai along with two other engineers. Nov 7, 2000. As per IAEA, Indian police seized 57 pounds of uranium and arrested two men for illicit trafficking of radioactive material. Sep 1998 to Feb 2001. M/S NEC Engineers Private Limited shipped out 10 consignments of sensitive and prohibited material to Iraq. Jan 26, 2003. NEC shipped 10 consignments of sensitive equipment to Iraq. Aug 2003. Large quantity of radioactive material stolen from Tata Steel. Feb 2004. 29 Titanium Alloy Rings stolen from LPSC – Bangalore. June 12, 2004. BNC, a US company fined US $ 300,000 for exporting a nuclear component to the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in India. Dec 2005. US imposed sanctions on two Indian firms for selling missile goods and chemical arms material to Iran. 2005. Indian scientists, Dr. Surendar and Y S R Prasad had been blacklisted by the US due to their involvement in nuclear theft. December 2006. A container packed with radioactive material had been stolen from an Indian fortified research atomic facility near Mumbai. 1989 – 2006. Indian authorities seized about 80 kg stolen Uranium. 1984 – todate. About 152 theft cases of uranium reported.
The list of Indian nuclear scientists involved in cases of proliferation is endless. Some prominent cases are enumerated: Oct 2003. An Indian Sitaram Rai Mahadevan arrested for sending blueprints of specialized valves, a critical part for nuclear plants to North Korea. 2004. Rabinder Singh, director RAW fled to US with sensitive documents. Dr Y S R Parsad helped Iran in building nuclear power plants. Dr C Surrender helped in transferring missile technology to Iran. Dr Mahesh and Mr. Panth helped Iran in enrichment technology of Uranium. June 2004. Akhtar Hussain Qutbuddin Ahmed, an Indian businessman working in Dubai was deported, on charges of selling India’s nuclear secrets. Nov 2006. Director of Uttaranchal Space Application Centre, Dr Anil Kumar Tiwari was shot dead by an unidentified person near his residence. Mar 2007. FBI arrested two Indians, P Sudarshan and M. Gopal for smuggling of US electronic components used in missile guidance system. Mar 2009. Ravi Mule, an employee of Nuclear Power Corporation of India was found killed under mysterious circumstances, while on morning walk.
If after indulging in such gross cases of nuclear proliferation, irresponsibility and discrepancies, India remains the darling of the west, then the yardstick for measuring proliferation is suspect.
Sultan M Hali
The following is a list of its unsafeguarded research rectors: A decade ago, a nine-month long AERB (Atomic Energy Regulatory Board) safety study of Indian reactors documented more than 130 extremely serious safety issues warranting urgent corrective measures in the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre; Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR); Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited; Uranium Corporation of India Limited: Indian Rare Earths Limited; Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), and the Heavy Water Board. Cirus, 40 MW has history of developing radiation leaks. Candu reactors suffering from massive leakage of heavy water. Waste tanks at BARC habitually develop major leaks. Dhruva suffers from design problems, fuel leakages. The Fast Breeder Test Reactor of 40 MW at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, built with French assistance, was rated ‘not safe’, and discarded. Similar reactors, like Super Phoenix of France and Monju of Japan, were also discarded because of safety hazards. A brief look at its power plants reveals the following discrepancies: Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) 1986—The inlets of its reactors cracked. 1988—MAPS was shut down after heavy water leaked. 1991—Tons of heavy water burst out, had frequent break downs. Rajasthan Atomic Power Plants (RAPP), Rawatbhat. Suffers from severe design faults. Reactors de-rated from 220 MW to 100 MW. Shut down number of times from 1980 to 1994 due to cracks.
Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS). On March 1993, a fire in NAPS, 180 km east of New Delhi, nearly caused a melt-down. Kakrapar Atomic Power Plants (KAPP), Gujarat – Unsafeguarded. The radiation leakages from the plants are a usual practice. Concrete containment dome of KAPS collapsed in 1994. Tarapur Atomic Power Plants (TAPP), Maharashtra. A high dosage of iodine was found in seawater around.
In 1995, the radioactive waste contaminated the water supply of nearly 3000 villagers living nearby. Russian VVER Light Water Reactors. The potential radiation leakage remains a high probability. IAEA has expressed doubts about the safety of these plants. Nuclear Fuel Complex, Hyderabad (NFC). None of facilities at NFC are under IAEA safeguards. On 17 Nov 2002, an explosion took place at a nuclear fuel plant. Now let us take the cases of Indian nuclear proliferation. The following incidents have been gleaned from International media: 1974. India tested its first nuclear weapon by diverting plutonium from nuclear supplies made by the US/ Canada (for peaceful purposes). 1980s. Heavy water imported by India from US and smuggled from USSR, China and Norway, which allowed its use to make weapon grade plutonium. 1992. India supplied thiodyglycol and some other chemicals to Iran. 1992 – The case of Black Diamonds. For over 20 years, some senior BARC scientists were involved in making money by using the research reactor to irradiate natural diamonds and selling them international market. 1993. 30 tones of trimethyl – phosphite supplied to Iran. Nov 1993. India made an effort to ship chemicals to Iraq. 1994. Four containers of phosphorous penta sulphide were detained by Sri Lankan authorities at Colombo Port, en-route from Bombay to Israel. 1994. On a CIA tip-off, a shipment of beryllium was caught in Vilnius. July 1998. India’s CBI seized eight kg of stolen nuclear material from Arun, an engineer in Chennai along with two other engineers. Nov 7, 2000. As per IAEA, Indian police seized 57 pounds of uranium and arrested two men for illicit trafficking of radioactive material. Sep 1998 to Feb 2001. M/S NEC Engineers Private Limited shipped out 10 consignments of sensitive and prohibited material to Iraq. Jan 26, 2003. NEC shipped 10 consignments of sensitive equipment to Iraq. Aug 2003. Large quantity of radioactive material stolen from Tata Steel. Feb 2004. 29 Titanium Alloy Rings stolen from LPSC – Bangalore. June 12, 2004. BNC, a US company fined US $ 300,000 for exporting a nuclear component to the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in India. Dec 2005. US imposed sanctions on two Indian firms for selling missile goods and chemical arms material to Iran. 2005. Indian scientists, Dr. Surendar and Y S R Prasad had been blacklisted by the US due to their involvement in nuclear theft. December 2006. A container packed with radioactive material had been stolen from an Indian fortified research atomic facility near Mumbai. 1989 – 2006. Indian authorities seized about 80 kg stolen Uranium. 1984 – todate. About 152 theft cases of uranium reported.
The list of Indian nuclear scientists involved in cases of proliferation is endless. Some prominent cases are enumerated: Oct 2003. An Indian Sitaram Rai Mahadevan arrested for sending blueprints of specialized valves, a critical part for nuclear plants to North Korea. 2004. Rabinder Singh, director RAW fled to US with sensitive documents. Dr Y S R Parsad helped Iran in building nuclear power plants. Dr C Surrender helped in transferring missile technology to Iran. Dr Mahesh and Mr. Panth helped Iran in enrichment technology of Uranium. June 2004. Akhtar Hussain Qutbuddin Ahmed, an Indian businessman working in Dubai was deported, on charges of selling India’s nuclear secrets. Nov 2006. Director of Uttaranchal Space Application Centre, Dr Anil Kumar Tiwari was shot dead by an unidentified person near his residence. Mar 2007. FBI arrested two Indians, P Sudarshan and M. Gopal for smuggling of US electronic components used in missile guidance system. Mar 2009. Ravi Mule, an employee of Nuclear Power Corporation of India was found killed under mysterious circumstances, while on morning walk.
If after indulging in such gross cases of nuclear proliferation, irresponsibility and discrepancies, India remains the darling of the west, then the yardstick for measuring proliferation is suspect.
Sultan M Hali
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Bruce Riedel strikes again
After Bruce Riedel's May 30 irrational Op-Ed Pakistan and the bomb in Wall Street Journal, which was cogently refuted by this scribe and Naeem Salik, separately for its conjectures, it would have been fair to assume that Mr Riedel would have let the matter rest. However, Naeem Salik explains Riedel's grouse against Pakistan in his Op-Ed Riedel and the Pakistani bomb: "He came to Pakistan as part of Strobe Talbott's team in an emotionally charged atmosphere after the Indian nuclear tests in May 1998 on an impossible mission to persuade Pakistan from following suit. Unfortunately for him and his team, they were meted out very roughshod treatment by senior Pakistani diplomats and he still carries the scar of that experience." Apparently Mr Riedel's agenda is beyond settling personal scores with Pakistan. His lure for India is expressed in his Op-Ed Breaking more naan with Delhi: the next stage in US-India relations. Like a teenage lover smitten by the charms and guile's of a brazen paramour, he blurts out: "We are now at the cusp of another great Western adventure with India. Visions of fabulous new markets for everything imaginable are again entrancing businessmen and entrepreneurs around the globe. Some of the statistics are indeed amazing. With a population of over a billion, Indians are a sixth of mankind. More than half are under 25 years of age. India has enjoyed growth rates of 9 percent and 9.4 percent in the last two fiscal years, and its economy is now the third largest in the world in terms of purchasing power parity. Moreover, the lure of the Indian marketplace is complemented by the attraction of its politics. India is the
largest democracy in the world and since independence has had a history of freedom almost unique in the post-colonial world." Now it is clear why Mr Riedel has become India's spokesperson. Thus his 4,374 words long tirade Armageddon in Islamabad carried by July/August 2009 issue of The National Interest should not come as a surprise. Its editorial gist is: "Don't be fooled by the recent positive news from Islamabad. We face the potential of a nuclear-armed state run by Islamic extremists. The head of Obama's AfPak policy review shows us the devastating consequences of a Taliban-led takeover of Islamabad."
Riedel compares the situation in Pakistan to Armageddon; which is mentioned in the Bible's Book of Revelation in the New Testament at Rev 20:1-3, 7-10; Rev 19:11-20. According to traditional interpretations, the Messiah will return to earth and destroy the Antichrist at the Battle of Armageddon. Like a "fire and brimstone" preacher, using a misplaced quote from Pakistan's martyred former PM, Riedel paints a gloomy picture of the Taliban taking over the reigns of the government in Islamabad. He talks about the terrorist leaders tapping into the "deep anger among the landless peasants" and anti-landlord agitation sweeping the government from power. Mr Riedel's blinkers have prevented him from observing that such a movement is prevalent in India at the hands of Maoists/Naxalites and not in Pakistan. He goes on to infer that since many in the Pak Army favour jihadists, "a deal with an Islamist movement would be attractive." He further conjectures that disaffected parts of PML-N and PPP along with LET and Taliban would form the new government. Bin Laden, Mullah Omar and Al-Zawahiri would be welcomed to come out of hiding. "Large numbers of educated and Westernised Pakistanis would try to
flee a new Islamic Emirate of Pakistan. They would find it difficult to find a port to take them..." Mr Riedel's fertile imagination maliciously postulates purging the army and ISI of secularists and setting up "a new military force to act as a counterweight to the regular army, akin to the role of the SS in Nazi Germany or the Revolutionary Guard in Iran."
The "erudite" scholar's flight of fancy comes to nightmarish conclusions: "In the end, we would be left with an extremist-controlled Pakistan, infested with violence, an almost completely dysfunctional economy, harsh laws and even-harsher methods for imposing them, and above all a nuclear-armed nation controlled by terrorist sympathisers." He then depicts a doomsday scenario of the terror unleashed by the use of nuclear weapons, with Israel "coming into the Emirates crosshairs as a major target." He warns that since Pakistan does not have delivery systems capable of its nuclear weapons reaching America, it could certainly destroy cities and bases in Afghanistan, India, the Gulf States and, if smuggled out ahead of time, perhaps the US.
The remainder of the Robert Ludlum/Frederick Forsyth/Heather Graham/Brad Thor style thriller is dedicated to recommending actions by USA to preempt/deal with such a grim situation. He rules out engagement as nearly impossible under the plea that "Islamabad would have no faith and little interest in any dialogue with Crusaders and Zionists." The options recommended are far-fetched and harsh ranging from regime change by a coup or naval blockade to outright invasion. Of course he does present the pros and cons of each option but leads to the ultimate coup de grâce: "Our goal should be to convince Pakistanis that the existential threat to their liberty come not from the CIA or India, but from Al-Qaeda."
Let me borrow from Euripides (480-406 BC), the Greek playwright whom Aristotle called the most tragic of the Greek poets, who said: "Whom the Gods destroy, they first make mad." Surely the terrorists, who are targeting Pakistan have gone stark raving mad, but the response of the Pakistani military, under the guidance of the democratically elected government is anything but "reluctant" which Riedel suggests. The people of Pakistan, its government and the Parliament are in unison for rooting out the evil of obscurantism, extremism and terrorism.
Surely good will triumph over evil, not in the way outlined by Riedel with reference to Armageddon but in accordance to the Qurànic injunction: "Despair is anathema for the righteous!"
S M Hali
(sm_hali@yahoo.com)
largest democracy in the world and since independence has had a history of freedom almost unique in the post-colonial world." Now it is clear why Mr Riedel has become India's spokesperson. Thus his 4,374 words long tirade Armageddon in Islamabad carried by July/August 2009 issue of The National Interest should not come as a surprise. Its editorial gist is: "Don't be fooled by the recent positive news from Islamabad. We face the potential of a nuclear-armed state run by Islamic extremists. The head of Obama's AfPak policy review shows us the devastating consequences of a Taliban-led takeover of Islamabad."
Riedel compares the situation in Pakistan to Armageddon; which is mentioned in the Bible's Book of Revelation in the New Testament at Rev 20:1-3, 7-10; Rev 19:11-20. According to traditional interpretations, the Messiah will return to earth and destroy the Antichrist at the Battle of Armageddon. Like a "fire and brimstone" preacher, using a misplaced quote from Pakistan's martyred former PM, Riedel paints a gloomy picture of the Taliban taking over the reigns of the government in Islamabad. He talks about the terrorist leaders tapping into the "deep anger among the landless peasants" and anti-landlord agitation sweeping the government from power. Mr Riedel's blinkers have prevented him from observing that such a movement is prevalent in India at the hands of Maoists/Naxalites and not in Pakistan. He goes on to infer that since many in the Pak Army favour jihadists, "a deal with an Islamist movement would be attractive." He further conjectures that disaffected parts of PML-N and PPP along with LET and Taliban would form the new government. Bin Laden, Mullah Omar and Al-Zawahiri would be welcomed to come out of hiding. "Large numbers of educated and Westernised Pakistanis would try to
flee a new Islamic Emirate of Pakistan. They would find it difficult to find a port to take them..." Mr Riedel's fertile imagination maliciously postulates purging the army and ISI of secularists and setting up "a new military force to act as a counterweight to the regular army, akin to the role of the SS in Nazi Germany or the Revolutionary Guard in Iran."
The "erudite" scholar's flight of fancy comes to nightmarish conclusions: "In the end, we would be left with an extremist-controlled Pakistan, infested with violence, an almost completely dysfunctional economy, harsh laws and even-harsher methods for imposing them, and above all a nuclear-armed nation controlled by terrorist sympathisers." He then depicts a doomsday scenario of the terror unleashed by the use of nuclear weapons, with Israel "coming into the Emirates crosshairs as a major target." He warns that since Pakistan does not have delivery systems capable of its nuclear weapons reaching America, it could certainly destroy cities and bases in Afghanistan, India, the Gulf States and, if smuggled out ahead of time, perhaps the US.
The remainder of the Robert Ludlum/Frederick Forsyth/Heather Graham/Brad Thor style thriller is dedicated to recommending actions by USA to preempt/deal with such a grim situation. He rules out engagement as nearly impossible under the plea that "Islamabad would have no faith and little interest in any dialogue with Crusaders and Zionists." The options recommended are far-fetched and harsh ranging from regime change by a coup or naval blockade to outright invasion. Of course he does present the pros and cons of each option but leads to the ultimate coup de grâce: "Our goal should be to convince Pakistanis that the existential threat to their liberty come not from the CIA or India, but from Al-Qaeda."
Let me borrow from Euripides (480-406 BC), the Greek playwright whom Aristotle called the most tragic of the Greek poets, who said: "Whom the Gods destroy, they first make mad." Surely the terrorists, who are targeting Pakistan have gone stark raving mad, but the response of the Pakistani military, under the guidance of the democratically elected government is anything but "reluctant" which Riedel suggests. The people of Pakistan, its government and the Parliament are in unison for rooting out the evil of obscurantism, extremism and terrorism.
Surely good will triumph over evil, not in the way outlined by Riedel with reference to Armageddon but in accordance to the Qurànic injunction: "Despair is anathema for the righteous!"
S M Hali
(sm_hali@yahoo.com)
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Military must win endless war
Since September 11 (2001), Pakistan military has been engaged in a complex war against foreign backed militants in different parts of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) as a part of the global war on terror. Already it has 110,000 troops in the war-torn areas and countless para-military forces also conducting operations to defeat the enemy of the country’s security. In reality, the present war is likely the most problematic crisis in Pakistan’s history. It is a morally ambiguous conflict from the start, ostensibly a war against foreign and social subversive elements which are trying to damage the integrity and sovereignty of state, system and society. The military elites have awareness that present war or crisis is not an isolated incident but it is a crime committed on a day-to-day basis by foreign trained militants and impossible to describe exactly what happened in troubled areas. It is not easy to explain emotions and feelings of victims and the feelings of the families who suffered severe experiences in the on-going crisis. Simply, militants relived the absolute horror in all areas where military and militants’ confrontation is in its final stages. The brutal and tragic treatment of militants with the armless and helpless people is still alive in many minds that at times when militants raped women, cut off ears, cut off heads, taped wires from portable telephones to human genitals, blew up bodies, randomly shot people, razed villages in fashion reminiscent of Ghengis Khan, and generally ravaged the towns. The militants are product of India, the United States and Afghanistan and targeting innocent people, destroying villages, schools and public property in order to create ungovernable situation. So, the militants’ action of war is rife with paradoxes but now it has become the war of country’s survival. People are right to comment that the participation in the war was poorly defined and after eight years (2001-2009) surprisingly, a profound sense of confusion still pervaded in the entire conflict. There is no doubt that Pakistan military has bailed out the civil government and presently they are playing their role from the larger context of the new Cold War. Ever since the incident of 9/11, Pakistan is in the midst of a struggle to protect national security and national cultural, political and ideological values and also struggling that the conflict should not spread or expand to other parts of country. The enemies of the country escalated conflict in a way that there is no option to avoid from emerging threats which become more serious through proxy forces. The unfortunate situation has appeared that some enemy’s friends propagated against the role of military in Pakistan but majority of population are fiercely proud of backing military because they want that their forces must eliminate paid militants and are willing to fight against foreign elements for the solidarity of country. There is no doubt that India, Afghanistan and the US left no option to antagonize Pakistan’s integrity but credit goes to the military which is playing a role in extreme difficult circumstances than any other country had faced in the past. Moreover, the situation is not usual tentative dance of brinksmanship with the enemies and military leadership is determined to face courageously the imposed environment as well as US intervention. The people have enough trust and believe that the country’s forces with its professional commitment would save the people and country’s sovereignty from any serious disastrous or oppression. The civil-military leadership used all diplomatic and non-diplomatic options to prevent escalation of war and drones bombing campaign, which has killed many innocent people and also destroyed countless homes in North and South Waziristan. The evidence is available that since 2002, the US has used more than 700,000 tons of bombs on the tribal areas (FATA), more than all the bombs dropped on Europe and Japan during World War II. The ultimate human cost of the tribal areas is staggering for all sides: an estimated 8,000 tribal people, 1800 Pakistan military Jawans (soldiers) and officers and only 300 US soldiers have been killed and injured. The “War on Terror” has also a tremendous impact on Pakistan’s society, which are more serious than the ten years long (1979-1990) Afghan war. The country is facing various socio-cultural, political, strategic and economic problems and distrust on the government have been a mainstay of society. So, the time is not far away when the war will figure prominently in Pakistani culture and literature and it will be one of the most potent symbols of national loss. In larger part it is the first war in which Pakistan is facing multi-dimensional threats to its security and the country forces are playing significant role in the war, especially in the arena of great and regional (Indo-US alliance) powers. The people of areas concerned, photographs, videos, and opinions of journalists, coupled with the simple fact that young army personnel are dying for the country’s soil and committed to fight to achieve the desired end to reestablish the writ of the state. Moreover, army has full support of local people and tribal elders (Maliks or Khans). They have urged the army to use power to flush out foreign backed and local militants from their territory. The most satisfactory omen is that Pakistan’s armed forces are well-equipped and trained to fight any war. They have shown their professional ability as international peacekeepers and also demonstrated in the most recent war. So, the military has the capability to move forces anywhere and defeat adversaries in relatively short period of time with relatively low casualties. They are able to conduct operations against the militants and hidden enemies. However, the time will come when our forces will defeat enemies and they will win war for the survival of country and the nation. Thus, the massive drive has been launched to free the country from militants siege and there seems to be no reason that the army cannot win war. So, if the present determination will continue and that will is manifested in strategy and tactical operations then enemy will suffer and face devastating defeat. No matters about the number of casualties because there is a need to absorb in order to achieve victory. According to Paul Johnson (renowned historian), “the experience of the 20th century shows that self-imposed restraints by great power are worse than useless. They are seen by friend and enemy alike as evidence of guilt and of lack of moral conviction.” In my opinion, the “war on terror”, strategically and politically gain tremendous achievements but it perceive that Pakistan lost war on the propaganda battle, at home and abroad. It is also reality that the most powerful country in the world (USA) did not have the will-power to meet the situation and it is the Pakistan army who was whole-heartedly fighting against many random targets. However, the United States does have a role to play in helping Pakistani forces to cope with the current situation and become a successful nation. That role may even be in the form of facilitating to curb militants through training and material support. They should also provide drone technology, logistics support and communications capabilities. In this regard, they must avoid sending ground troops to the tribal (FATA) areas not because the US should not help Pakistan but because sending American troops is not the best way to help rather than it will be a worst decision. Nonetheless, Pakistan cannot afford long war because it will be simply pointless as well as one of the most fruitless bloody mess. It is also much longer and more intense than any previous conventional conflict in the region. It will be disastrous if the war was turned into one of the longest conventional wars of 21 century from the standpoint of achieving no objectives. Moreover, it must be remembered that a military victory is the only option for permanent peace and lasting political solution. The world experience tells us that a “war for peace” approach inevitably means more war for absolute peace. However, once violence will be longer then the cost will be high but military should ensure minimum loss to life and damage to property. The military leadership also carefully handles the situation because the “war on terror” should not become part of Pakistan’s national psyche, characterized by self-doubt and self-blame with profound implications regarding the current War on Terror.
A Z Hilali (A Z Hilali is professor of IR and Political Sciences on the faculty of National Defence University Islamabad hilali007@yahoo.com)
A Z Hilali (A Z Hilali is professor of IR and Political Sciences on the faculty of National Defence University Islamabad hilali007@yahoo.com)
Saturday, November 21, 2009
A new spring in Swat
“We are not the Afghan refugees. We were living a better life in Swat. We are eager to go back to our homes; we are the Swatis.”
I remember the remarks of a young man Mukarram Khan who met me in a refugee camp for internally displaced persons of Swat near Islamabad. These remarks made me believe strongly that these people of Swat would one day succeed in getting their homes back from the cruel clutches of the terrorists; it all was about a month ago. Now it is the second half of July. The IDPs have started returning to Swat. Though this returning of the natives is a very long and tedious process and the life there in Swat might not be as comfortable for them as it used to be in the past but the feelings of being at home are always pacifying and soothing.
The IDPs surely had to face hard times during their stay at the refugee camps. The government of Pakistan did its best for making their stay much easy and less painful in spite of its limited sources. The people of Pakistan also played a very memorable role while hosting these displaced Pakistanis. The role of different NGOs and the media, particularly the electronic media has set new examples of patriotism and love for humanity. All these helping hands very warmly joined together to show the world that we, the Pakistanis are a nation not a stray crowd of people.
The story of afflicted valley of Swat has yet not come to an end, the sky is still cloudy and the stormy winds are still blowing indignantly. The Swatis still need our umbrellas. The most important element which could be disastrous for the peace loving people of Swat is the possibility of another wave of terrorism in the valley. The Pakistan army has decided to stay there in Swat for the time being to support and strengthen the local administration but the overall responsibility of keeping the extremists out of the valley falls on the shoulders of the local people. They will have to take care of their own security by keeping an eye on their surroundings.
Returning of life to the normal in Swat is certainly not something very pleasing for the forces who have always been dreaming of destabilizing Pakistan. The CIA, the RAW and the Mossad have been strongly supporting the miscreants in Swat as per planned in the recently exposed Operation Blue Tulsi. According to details this operation was planned to destabilize Pakistan by balkanization. Whatever happened in Swat was the outcome of this operation. Just a few days back the security agencies of Pakistan recovered a lot of weapons which bore the Indian stamp. Some of the arrested culprits told the investigators that they were rewarded in US dollars and even in Indian currency for what they had been doing to please their masters.
Now it is the second half of July. Things are changing. Those who were dreaming of changing Pakistan into a barren wasteland have gone somewhere in the depths of inferno. Some of them have fled to the lands they belonged to and the remaining are lying injured searching for someone to take care of them; they have nothing around but a pathetic and miserable shadows of death. Of all these culprits the most dangerous are those who have gone to their masters’ laps. Their benefactors would certainly try their best to give them a new zeal of life and ask them to go back and complete their assignments. The people of Swat will have to be very much conscious of their expected activities. However, one thing is very much positive that so many young accomplices of these so-called extremists have realised the real face of their leaders. They have found the truth that these extremists are in fact terrorists and they have nothing to do with religion. That is why most of such youngsters have said good-bye to their leaders. They say that they were exploited in the name of religion and they feel sorry for cutting the throats of their own Muslim brothers. Recently Fazlullah Farooq, the son of Maulana Sufi Mohammed of Tehrik-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM) said talking to a media channel that he has cut off with his father and all his activities. He declared that he has nothing to do with the TNSM or the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). It is the high time to take such youngsters into confidence and make them realise of the role they could play in the rehabilitation of the people of Swat. The police department in Swat should also be given special attention. New and more funds must be allocated for their training and for the provision of latest weapons. Pakistan army must not leave the valley unless until things return to the ultimate normal.
The bloodshed in Swat was a bloody nightmare. So many innocent lives wasted for nothing. Mothers lost their sons, the children became orphan and women widowed. Swat, once a paradise for the tourists, is now presenting the picture of human cruelty and brutality. Lush green fields have turned into the heaps of ashes; fruit laden trees are mere lifeless skeletons and the river waters tinged with the smell of human blood; all was done in the name of religion. But it does not mean a full stop to life. The Pashtuns are a very hard nation. They have a lot of forbearance and a very strong stamina of defeating the hardships. They can easily overcome all the forces going against them. All they need is a strong support from the nation. The NGOs and the prosperous segments of society must lend them a helping hand. The most important thing not to be ignored is the reconstruction of educational institutions which had been the hot favourite target of the miscreants. For this purpose the government of Pakistan must take revolutionary measures.
Bad weathers are an integral part of life. Always a plain sailing deprives life of a very charming colour; the colour of adventure. Successful are those who have courage to face the challenges around them with determination. A hard journey becomes less tiring and less painful if the trees along the path are comforting and welcoming. The people of Swat are determined to bring back the beauty of their paradise but they need the shadow of prayers and well wishes from the whole of Pakistani nation.
Ali Sukhanver
Email: alisukhanver@hotmail.com
I remember the remarks of a young man Mukarram Khan who met me in a refugee camp for internally displaced persons of Swat near Islamabad. These remarks made me believe strongly that these people of Swat would one day succeed in getting their homes back from the cruel clutches of the terrorists; it all was about a month ago. Now it is the second half of July. The IDPs have started returning to Swat. Though this returning of the natives is a very long and tedious process and the life there in Swat might not be as comfortable for them as it used to be in the past but the feelings of being at home are always pacifying and soothing.
The IDPs surely had to face hard times during their stay at the refugee camps. The government of Pakistan did its best for making their stay much easy and less painful in spite of its limited sources. The people of Pakistan also played a very memorable role while hosting these displaced Pakistanis. The role of different NGOs and the media, particularly the electronic media has set new examples of patriotism and love for humanity. All these helping hands very warmly joined together to show the world that we, the Pakistanis are a nation not a stray crowd of people.
The story of afflicted valley of Swat has yet not come to an end, the sky is still cloudy and the stormy winds are still blowing indignantly. The Swatis still need our umbrellas. The most important element which could be disastrous for the peace loving people of Swat is the possibility of another wave of terrorism in the valley. The Pakistan army has decided to stay there in Swat for the time being to support and strengthen the local administration but the overall responsibility of keeping the extremists out of the valley falls on the shoulders of the local people. They will have to take care of their own security by keeping an eye on their surroundings.
Returning of life to the normal in Swat is certainly not something very pleasing for the forces who have always been dreaming of destabilizing Pakistan. The CIA, the RAW and the Mossad have been strongly supporting the miscreants in Swat as per planned in the recently exposed Operation Blue Tulsi. According to details this operation was planned to destabilize Pakistan by balkanization. Whatever happened in Swat was the outcome of this operation. Just a few days back the security agencies of Pakistan recovered a lot of weapons which bore the Indian stamp. Some of the arrested culprits told the investigators that they were rewarded in US dollars and even in Indian currency for what they had been doing to please their masters.
Now it is the second half of July. Things are changing. Those who were dreaming of changing Pakistan into a barren wasteland have gone somewhere in the depths of inferno. Some of them have fled to the lands they belonged to and the remaining are lying injured searching for someone to take care of them; they have nothing around but a pathetic and miserable shadows of death. Of all these culprits the most dangerous are those who have gone to their masters’ laps. Their benefactors would certainly try their best to give them a new zeal of life and ask them to go back and complete their assignments. The people of Swat will have to be very much conscious of their expected activities. However, one thing is very much positive that so many young accomplices of these so-called extremists have realised the real face of their leaders. They have found the truth that these extremists are in fact terrorists and they have nothing to do with religion. That is why most of such youngsters have said good-bye to their leaders. They say that they were exploited in the name of religion and they feel sorry for cutting the throats of their own Muslim brothers. Recently Fazlullah Farooq, the son of Maulana Sufi Mohammed of Tehrik-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM) said talking to a media channel that he has cut off with his father and all his activities. He declared that he has nothing to do with the TNSM or the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). It is the high time to take such youngsters into confidence and make them realise of the role they could play in the rehabilitation of the people of Swat. The police department in Swat should also be given special attention. New and more funds must be allocated for their training and for the provision of latest weapons. Pakistan army must not leave the valley unless until things return to the ultimate normal.
The bloodshed in Swat was a bloody nightmare. So many innocent lives wasted for nothing. Mothers lost their sons, the children became orphan and women widowed. Swat, once a paradise for the tourists, is now presenting the picture of human cruelty and brutality. Lush green fields have turned into the heaps of ashes; fruit laden trees are mere lifeless skeletons and the river waters tinged with the smell of human blood; all was done in the name of religion. But it does not mean a full stop to life. The Pashtuns are a very hard nation. They have a lot of forbearance and a very strong stamina of defeating the hardships. They can easily overcome all the forces going against them. All they need is a strong support from the nation. The NGOs and the prosperous segments of society must lend them a helping hand. The most important thing not to be ignored is the reconstruction of educational institutions which had been the hot favourite target of the miscreants. For this purpose the government of Pakistan must take revolutionary measures.
Bad weathers are an integral part of life. Always a plain sailing deprives life of a very charming colour; the colour of adventure. Successful are those who have courage to face the challenges around them with determination. A hard journey becomes less tiring and less painful if the trees along the path are comforting and welcoming. The people of Swat are determined to bring back the beauty of their paradise but they need the shadow of prayers and well wishes from the whole of Pakistani nation.
Ali Sukhanver
Email: alisukhanver@hotmail.com
Friday, November 20, 2009
Commemorating Black Day in Kashmir, Silent Agony
If I die in exile, think of me…there is a corner… out there in Kashmir…where my soul sill comes to rest.
History is mother of all social sciences. In short, the knowledge of history is made of billions of strands woven together of human achievements, suffering, economic prosperity and downfalls. It is a catalogue of political rise and fall of various regimes, detailed accounts of various wars and pacts of alliances. It is also a reflection of rejoicing or triumphant moments of happiness and tragic episodes since ages. In the chain of events, the sacrifices made by the 22 Kashmiri Muslim on July 13, 1931 proved a turning points in the annals of major historic developments that subsequently erupted like a volcano of pent up public anger. The wounds, it inflicted still bleed and are posing critical risks to the regional and world peace, even after the passage of 77 years. The pulse and pain of the bygone days still haunts Kashmiris’ spirit, when this black day is commemorated with the same zeal to pay homage to their heroes. Special editions, published by the Newspapers and magazines, full of memoirs about martyrs’ sacrifices hold the torch of valiant deeds to inspire every youth of the Kashmir Valley.
Good old days in Kashmir or a blissful aura during the Muslim rule in India has left its indelible imprints on the Kashmiris’ reminiscence – a glory of most fascinating tradition of complete harmony during Muslim and Sikh rules. As the time passed, the insurrection and rebellious movements sowed the seeds of communal sentiments. The silence of Muslim majority reeling under the economic dominance of Maharaja Hari Singh, forced them to remain subjugated and yoked with indignation. They perhaps had no other choice except to bear this silent agony due to multitude of other factors e.g. trauma of over-whelming British rule, lack of unity among various factions, leadership dilemma, culture of intrigues, complexity of relationship among various ethnic and religious entities, double standard of the ruling elites and certain religious bodies like Ahmadis, sheer poverty, impending fear of unknown and mist of skepticism that helped the rulers to keep their subjects firmly under their thumbs.
During this most ordeal moment, Muslims bore this silent insult, with patience; not knowing what all conspiracies are being hatched. Their sixth sense, a virtue of Almighty Allah transcended, what all was being conspired against them. A stage reached, when trouble mongers and power hungry oligarchs set on fire Kashmir, every now and then with dubious motives. The recent jargons of track II or back channel diplomacy, plans of creating soft borders, placing Kashmir under the UN trusteeship and of finding some amicable solution, prescribed by the United Nations during 1948, through plebiscite are nothing but to betray the Kashmiris, or dupe the people of Pakistan. This is the jugglery of political spin-doctors, to steal the show of freedom movement under one pretext or the other to set the regional peace in tail spin once again. .
The tides of events, narrated above, took a strange turn when on 19 April 1931, Choudhri Ram Chand banned the Eid and Juma Prayers’ congregational address in Jammu. Later on, Dogra troops indulged in the desecration of the Holy Qur’an. In Srinagar, people demonstrated against growing tendency of blasphemy practices and demanded appropriate action against the culprits. To register their feeling against the ongoing government policies, a public meeting was organized in Khankah-e-Mo’ullah in Srinager. During its proceeding one Qadir Khan – a cook/ servant employed by one of the ruling families, pointed toward Maharaj’a official residence and angrily shouted with full throat to crush every brick of his palace. He was arrested, charged under the sedition act and locked up in the Central Jail of Srinager. On July 13, 1931, around 5000 people thronged to the Central Jail to watch the court trial, which were arranged there, in view of impending threat of Muslim attack on the court premises. On the orders of Dogra Governor, police contingents opened indiscriminate fire that resulted into the martyrdom of 22 Kashmirs, while dozens of other sustained injuries. Carrying the coffins of the dead and the injured, angry protestors paraded through the highways and streets of Srinagar, chanting slogans against the Hindu Dogra misrule. This tragic episode precipitated into `Quit India Movement’.
Muslim martyrs of Kashmir laid the foundation of freedom movement to make the independence of India a reality with their own blood. It is significant to mention that Indian media campaign against Pakistan, over the change of heart of Kashmiris is in fact an attempt to turn public sentiments against our leaders by creating disillusionment among youth, by harping on the theme, such as dichotomy of words and deeds of our rulers – which in reality is a product of different anomalies, lack of confidence, double speaks or standards of have and haves-not, poor governance, prevailing injustice and total hotchpotch created out of selfish and eccentric outlooks, due to capitalist bent of mind of decaying social values. The side of story being painted by the Indian intellectuals, in reality, paints far more agonizing picture in India than Pakistan. But the young readers are shown only one side of the picture for their brain-washing and radicalization. It is like a drop of rain gushing into the streams to join the furious flood to create havoc with all its fury and devastation. It is time for our media managers to highlight the inner dynamics of Indian society to dispel negative bearing of Indian blame game and keep the valley freedom movement in its true perspectives.
By Ibn-e-Rehmat
History is mother of all social sciences. In short, the knowledge of history is made of billions of strands woven together of human achievements, suffering, economic prosperity and downfalls. It is a catalogue of political rise and fall of various regimes, detailed accounts of various wars and pacts of alliances. It is also a reflection of rejoicing or triumphant moments of happiness and tragic episodes since ages. In the chain of events, the sacrifices made by the 22 Kashmiri Muslim on July 13, 1931 proved a turning points in the annals of major historic developments that subsequently erupted like a volcano of pent up public anger. The wounds, it inflicted still bleed and are posing critical risks to the regional and world peace, even after the passage of 77 years. The pulse and pain of the bygone days still haunts Kashmiris’ spirit, when this black day is commemorated with the same zeal to pay homage to their heroes. Special editions, published by the Newspapers and magazines, full of memoirs about martyrs’ sacrifices hold the torch of valiant deeds to inspire every youth of the Kashmir Valley.
Good old days in Kashmir or a blissful aura during the Muslim rule in India has left its indelible imprints on the Kashmiris’ reminiscence – a glory of most fascinating tradition of complete harmony during Muslim and Sikh rules. As the time passed, the insurrection and rebellious movements sowed the seeds of communal sentiments. The silence of Muslim majority reeling under the economic dominance of Maharaja Hari Singh, forced them to remain subjugated and yoked with indignation. They perhaps had no other choice except to bear this silent agony due to multitude of other factors e.g. trauma of over-whelming British rule, lack of unity among various factions, leadership dilemma, culture of intrigues, complexity of relationship among various ethnic and religious entities, double standard of the ruling elites and certain religious bodies like Ahmadis, sheer poverty, impending fear of unknown and mist of skepticism that helped the rulers to keep their subjects firmly under their thumbs.
During this most ordeal moment, Muslims bore this silent insult, with patience; not knowing what all conspiracies are being hatched. Their sixth sense, a virtue of Almighty Allah transcended, what all was being conspired against them. A stage reached, when trouble mongers and power hungry oligarchs set on fire Kashmir, every now and then with dubious motives. The recent jargons of track II or back channel diplomacy, plans of creating soft borders, placing Kashmir under the UN trusteeship and of finding some amicable solution, prescribed by the United Nations during 1948, through plebiscite are nothing but to betray the Kashmiris, or dupe the people of Pakistan. This is the jugglery of political spin-doctors, to steal the show of freedom movement under one pretext or the other to set the regional peace in tail spin once again. .
The tides of events, narrated above, took a strange turn when on 19 April 1931, Choudhri Ram Chand banned the Eid and Juma Prayers’ congregational address in Jammu. Later on, Dogra troops indulged in the desecration of the Holy Qur’an. In Srinagar, people demonstrated against growing tendency of blasphemy practices and demanded appropriate action against the culprits. To register their feeling against the ongoing government policies, a public meeting was organized in Khankah-e-Mo’ullah in Srinager. During its proceeding one Qadir Khan – a cook/ servant employed by one of the ruling families, pointed toward Maharaj’a official residence and angrily shouted with full throat to crush every brick of his palace. He was arrested, charged under the sedition act and locked up in the Central Jail of Srinager. On July 13, 1931, around 5000 people thronged to the Central Jail to watch the court trial, which were arranged there, in view of impending threat of Muslim attack on the court premises. On the orders of Dogra Governor, police contingents opened indiscriminate fire that resulted into the martyrdom of 22 Kashmirs, while dozens of other sustained injuries. Carrying the coffins of the dead and the injured, angry protestors paraded through the highways and streets of Srinagar, chanting slogans against the Hindu Dogra misrule. This tragic episode precipitated into `Quit India Movement’.
Muslim martyrs of Kashmir laid the foundation of freedom movement to make the independence of India a reality with their own blood. It is significant to mention that Indian media campaign against Pakistan, over the change of heart of Kashmiris is in fact an attempt to turn public sentiments against our leaders by creating disillusionment among youth, by harping on the theme, such as dichotomy of words and deeds of our rulers – which in reality is a product of different anomalies, lack of confidence, double speaks or standards of have and haves-not, poor governance, prevailing injustice and total hotchpotch created out of selfish and eccentric outlooks, due to capitalist bent of mind of decaying social values. The side of story being painted by the Indian intellectuals, in reality, paints far more agonizing picture in India than Pakistan. But the young readers are shown only one side of the picture for their brain-washing and radicalization. It is like a drop of rain gushing into the streams to join the furious flood to create havoc with all its fury and devastation. It is time for our media managers to highlight the inner dynamics of Indian society to dispel negative bearing of Indian blame game and keep the valley freedom movement in its true perspectives.
By Ibn-e-Rehmat
India’s wishful thinking
P.K. Upadhyay, a Consultant for its Pakistan Project, with the Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies and Analyses (IDSA), an Indian think tank, has come up with his latest report titled: ‘Talibisation of Pakistan: Implications for Jammu and Kashmir’. He claims that the Taliban represent a present and clear danger to Pakistan. This is because, firstly, they seem to have finally lost faith in Pakistani commitment towards their cause and are not willing to accommodate any more its policy of running with the Talibani hare and hunting with the American hound. Pakistan’s continuing failure to either come out of the US-led ‘War on Terror’ or at least prevent drone attacks from its soil, has convinced the Taliban–-Pakistan, as well as, perhaps, Afghani ones—that whether under a military regime like that of Musharraf’s or under a civilian set-up like the present Zardari/Gilani one, Pakistan has no desire to give-up the American financial and military goodies for jihad, which they seem to have concluded, is an expendable commodity for the Pakistanis.
He infers that it is no surprise that Mustafa Abu al-Yazid, alias Abu Saeed al-Masari, al-Qaeda Commander in Afghanistan has recently spoken of his hope that “Pakistan Army would be defeated (in Swat) and that would be its end everywhere.” Secondly, he continues to conjecture, Taliban, and the al-Qaeda, have a clear Islamist agenda, which is to introduce a strict Shariat-based order. It spares no quarters for such hybrid Pakistani ideas as ‘Islamic democracy’, exemplified by concepts like Nizam-e-Mustafa. They seem to have assessed that a large number of Pakistanis support their call for a strict Shariat-based Islamic order and that those who oppose it could be tamed. Therefore, they have begun to call their current conflict with the ‘oppressor Pakistani Army’ a ‘jihad’.
The “erudite” scholar’s punch line, putting words in the mouth of the al-Qaeda commander in Afghanistan Abu Saeed al-Masari, is wishful thinking that the Pakistan Army would be routed in Swat, which would spell its annihilation. To support his flight of fancy, he surmises: “Between 2001 and 2007, there have been many ‘confrontations’ between Taliban and the Pakistan Army. On many occasions, the Pakistani media showed ‘columns’ of Pakistan Army moving into FATA areas to ‘quell’ the Taliban. However, nothing much was heard of those operations subsequently and there invariably were truce deals brokered by one or another mediator between the two sides.
Then there was also the case of Maulana Akram Awan of Chakwal, Sheikh of the Naqshbandiah Owaisiah order, threatening to lay siege to Rawalpindi in April 2001, demanding the imposition of Shariat in Pakistan. He was also supported by some former Army officers. General Musharraf had to negotiate with the Maulana and assure him that he would try to accommodate his demands in return for the former pulling out his men from Rawalpindi.” Mr. Upadhyay could not be further from the truth, since the Pakistan Army has already mopped up most of Swat and is fighting a grim battle to clean up FATA of the miscreants. Indeed the Pakistani Army is engaged in a struggle in which it has displayed extreme valour, especially its officer cadre, which has made the supreme sacrifice of its life in the line of duty. Various analysts have pointed out that this is the highest ratio of officer/soldier casualties in any war anywhere on the globe. This by itself depicts the obligation and commitment of the Pakistani Army, the courage, bravery and the audacity of its planners and fighting arms. It is surely destined for victory.
The other aspect which Mr. Upadhyay, speculates is the implication of terrorism in Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Indeed the AJK has been peaceful and devoid of terrorist activities till the June 26, 2009 event, when this threshold was crossed by a “pro-Taliban suicide bomber”, who blew himself-up in Muzzafarabad’s Shaukat Lines, killing two Pakistani soldiers and wounding three others. Hekimullah Mehsud, a Pakistani Taliban leader claimed responsibility for the attack. Mr. Upadhyay states that apparently, Pakistan Army establishments in AJK are ‘soft’ targets for Taliban and one may expect an increase in the number of such attacks on them in the days to come, in tandem with the Pakistan Army’s increasing pressure on Taliban in FATA and other areas.
Perhaps the informed scholar knows something, which we do not. The knowledge he is apparently privy to is that India, which is reportedly sponsoring the miscreants in Swat and FATA, exasperated by the trouncing its surrogates have received on these fronts, now wants to open a new front in AJK through its infamous spy agency RAW in an attempt to destabilize Pakistan. Mr. Upadhyay “concludes” tongue in cheek: “There have been reports in the past about the presence of Pashtun gunmen in various parts of the Kashmir Valley along with local militants. An ‘al-Qaeda Jammu & Kashmir’ materialized after the July 2006 Mumbai train attacks. Taliban coming into J&K (Indian Occupied Kashmir) is not unthinkable. Whether they come or not, India has to gear itself up to deal with the situation by encouraging a build-up of Kashmiri Sufi sentiments—the Kashmiriyat-– as an antidote to religious radicalism of Taliban variety. This exercise, if successful, could pay rich dividends by strengthening Kashmir’s bonds with the rest of the country, whether Taliban come or not.”
Indian state terrorism has already wreaked havoc on the lives of the Muslims in Indian-held Kashmir; it has reneged on its promise to the UN to adhere to UN Resolutions to hold a plebiscite for the Kashmiris to decide their fate and instead turned them into cannon fodder. In the process it has massacred nearly a hundred thousand of them, raping their women, wounding and maiming millions and burning and looting their property. The world has remained oblivious to their plight. Now the harbingers of doom and gloom of the Saffron brigade want to repeat their atrocities and war crimes in the erstwhile peaceful valley of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. This should be taken full cognizance of and thwarted with might.
Sultan M Hali
E-Mail: sm_hali@yahoo.com
He infers that it is no surprise that Mustafa Abu al-Yazid, alias Abu Saeed al-Masari, al-Qaeda Commander in Afghanistan has recently spoken of his hope that “Pakistan Army would be defeated (in Swat) and that would be its end everywhere.” Secondly, he continues to conjecture, Taliban, and the al-Qaeda, have a clear Islamist agenda, which is to introduce a strict Shariat-based order. It spares no quarters for such hybrid Pakistani ideas as ‘Islamic democracy’, exemplified by concepts like Nizam-e-Mustafa. They seem to have assessed that a large number of Pakistanis support their call for a strict Shariat-based Islamic order and that those who oppose it could be tamed. Therefore, they have begun to call their current conflict with the ‘oppressor Pakistani Army’ a ‘jihad’.
The “erudite” scholar’s punch line, putting words in the mouth of the al-Qaeda commander in Afghanistan Abu Saeed al-Masari, is wishful thinking that the Pakistan Army would be routed in Swat, which would spell its annihilation. To support his flight of fancy, he surmises: “Between 2001 and 2007, there have been many ‘confrontations’ between Taliban and the Pakistan Army. On many occasions, the Pakistani media showed ‘columns’ of Pakistan Army moving into FATA areas to ‘quell’ the Taliban. However, nothing much was heard of those operations subsequently and there invariably were truce deals brokered by one or another mediator between the two sides.
Then there was also the case of Maulana Akram Awan of Chakwal, Sheikh of the Naqshbandiah Owaisiah order, threatening to lay siege to Rawalpindi in April 2001, demanding the imposition of Shariat in Pakistan. He was also supported by some former Army officers. General Musharraf had to negotiate with the Maulana and assure him that he would try to accommodate his demands in return for the former pulling out his men from Rawalpindi.” Mr. Upadhyay could not be further from the truth, since the Pakistan Army has already mopped up most of Swat and is fighting a grim battle to clean up FATA of the miscreants. Indeed the Pakistani Army is engaged in a struggle in which it has displayed extreme valour, especially its officer cadre, which has made the supreme sacrifice of its life in the line of duty. Various analysts have pointed out that this is the highest ratio of officer/soldier casualties in any war anywhere on the globe. This by itself depicts the obligation and commitment of the Pakistani Army, the courage, bravery and the audacity of its planners and fighting arms. It is surely destined for victory.
The other aspect which Mr. Upadhyay, speculates is the implication of terrorism in Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Indeed the AJK has been peaceful and devoid of terrorist activities till the June 26, 2009 event, when this threshold was crossed by a “pro-Taliban suicide bomber”, who blew himself-up in Muzzafarabad’s Shaukat Lines, killing two Pakistani soldiers and wounding three others. Hekimullah Mehsud, a Pakistani Taliban leader claimed responsibility for the attack. Mr. Upadhyay states that apparently, Pakistan Army establishments in AJK are ‘soft’ targets for Taliban and one may expect an increase in the number of such attacks on them in the days to come, in tandem with the Pakistan Army’s increasing pressure on Taliban in FATA and other areas.
Perhaps the informed scholar knows something, which we do not. The knowledge he is apparently privy to is that India, which is reportedly sponsoring the miscreants in Swat and FATA, exasperated by the trouncing its surrogates have received on these fronts, now wants to open a new front in AJK through its infamous spy agency RAW in an attempt to destabilize Pakistan. Mr. Upadhyay “concludes” tongue in cheek: “There have been reports in the past about the presence of Pashtun gunmen in various parts of the Kashmir Valley along with local militants. An ‘al-Qaeda Jammu & Kashmir’ materialized after the July 2006 Mumbai train attacks. Taliban coming into J&K (Indian Occupied Kashmir) is not unthinkable. Whether they come or not, India has to gear itself up to deal with the situation by encouraging a build-up of Kashmiri Sufi sentiments—the Kashmiriyat-– as an antidote to religious radicalism of Taliban variety. This exercise, if successful, could pay rich dividends by strengthening Kashmir’s bonds with the rest of the country, whether Taliban come or not.”
Indian state terrorism has already wreaked havoc on the lives of the Muslims in Indian-held Kashmir; it has reneged on its promise to the UN to adhere to UN Resolutions to hold a plebiscite for the Kashmiris to decide their fate and instead turned them into cannon fodder. In the process it has massacred nearly a hundred thousand of them, raping their women, wounding and maiming millions and burning and looting their property. The world has remained oblivious to their plight. Now the harbingers of doom and gloom of the Saffron brigade want to repeat their atrocities and war crimes in the erstwhile peaceful valley of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. This should be taken full cognizance of and thwarted with might.
Sultan M Hali
E-Mail: sm_hali@yahoo.com
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