Creation of Pakistan
Given the deep seated alliance between the ruling British and the Hindu Congress and their aversion to the idea of independent Pakistan, and division between All India Muslim League, further exacerbated by the hostile role of Muslim religious leaders, creation of Pakistan was a miracle of the 20th century.
Quaid e Azam’s Role
It was owing to the towering personality of Quaid e Azam, his steadfastness, his dextrous handling of the opposers of Pakistan, which made the impossible possible.
It was rightly stated, that without him Pakistan would have remained a dream and wouldn’t have appeared on the map of the world.
Pakistan’s Teething Problems
Pakistan started its journey from scratch and its problems were accentuated by India by loading it with a plethora of problems.
Pakistan’s troubles began to grow in dimensions after the sad demise of Quaid e Azam in Sept 1948 and the tragic murder of Liaqat Ali Khan in Oct 1951.
Thereon, provincialism raised its ugly head in the less developed and backward provinces. NWFP (later on named as KP), East Pakistan, Sindh and Baluchistan simmered with fissiparous tendencies, autonomy and separatism.
At the federal level, passage of 1949 Resolution triggered a tussle between the Islamists and seculars, each projecting MA Jinnah in their own way, and arguing how to shape the destiny of Pakistan. Jinnah’s 11 Aug 1947 speech has been the major plank of the seculars, upon which they plead their case to declare Pakistan a secular State.
The Islamists have their version and quote dozens of Quaid’s speeches in which he preferred the Islamic system and declared the Qur’an as the best model and constitution for the newly born country.
Bureaucracy-Politicians Tussle
Power tussle brewed up between the bureaucrats and the politicians led by GGs Ghulam Muhammad and Iskandar Mirza, both excelling in palace intrigues.
Punjab and Bengal tussled for power. The feudal lords of East and West Punjab in Punjab province clashed with each other to get a bigger share in the power cake.
One-Unit Scheme in 1955 which created only two provinces of East and West Pakistan, was the outcome of making the Centre strong and to deny EP its demographic edge.
The East-West wrangling and distrust delayed the making of the constitution by nine years and weakened the federation and democracy. It resulted in a change of seven PMs and paving the way for the first martial law in 1958.
Role of Other Countries
India, which had never reconciled to the existence of Pakistan, indulged in never-ending conspiracies to destabilize and unravel Pakistan in its infancy. It was assisted by the USSR , Britain and the USA.
Afghanistan had its own ambitions and remained hostile. It didn’t accept the Durand line, laid claims over the Pashtun regions in Pakistan’s KP and Baluchistan provinces and supported the Pakhunistan stunt.
Iran’s warmth with Pakistan diluted after the fall of Reza Shah Pehlavi and takeover by Imam Khomeini in 1979.
Dependence upon the US
Due to extreme security threats from India, Afghanistan and the USSR, Pakistan was compelled to abandon NAM and to join SEATO and Cento in 1954/55. This alliance with the US made Pakistan fully dependent upon Washington.
Thenceforth, it was forced to frame its foreign, defence and economic policies in accordance with the wishes of the USA.
This handicap prevented our policy makers from making any long-term policy on Kashmir and on Afghanistan. It remained excessively embroiled with India. Nor, there has been any long term strategy on how to tackle these monumental challenges, and to convert vulnerabilities into strengths.
Pakistan’s Reactive Stance
Unfortunately, our policy on the two core issues has been reactive, defensive and apologetic based on fear. This became evident during the two decades war on terror fought by Pak security forces at the behest of the USA.
Like in 1954, Pakistan once again fell into the deceptive web of the USA in Sept 2001 in order to make Pakistan economically strong and secure. Pakistan followed the US commands submissively, as was amply seen in its ‘Do More Policy’, and treating India and Karzai/Ghani regimes in Kabul as friendly allies.
Likewise, Pakistan policy makers do not know how to deal with the not so friendly Iran, which is our strategic southern depth, and has forged defence and strategic agreements with our arch enemy India.
The IPI gas pipeline project signed in 2006 could have helped in building a trustworthy relationship with Iran, but the all-important energy project was abandoned by Pakistan under the US coercive pressure.
Pakistan’s support of Sunni Mujahideen in Afghanistan fighting the occupying Soviet forces in the 1980s became another factor in straining Pak-Iran relations.
Attitude of the Elites
With the USA, the Pakistani elite class remains submissive, docile and obedient. This class had been groomed and patronised by the British. From 1990 onwards, successive regimes remained wholly dependent upon the blackmailing IMF, duly controlled by the US.
Role of Judiciary
In the first democratic era, not only the bureaucrats and the military had jointly formed an oligarchy, the judiciary had also joined hands and has been certifying each and every military takeover and illegal and unconstitutional acts.
The Supreme Court resorted to judicial activism from the time of CJP Ch Iftikhar, and it was politicised by the later CJPs.
Role of Bigwigs
The politicians, the bureaucrats, the big industrialists, businessmen and landlords remain in collusion with the criminals, smugglers, drug peddlers, hoarders, profiteers, tax evaders, human smugglers, women traffickers.
No regime has been sincere in reforming the corrupted , incompetent and decayed institutions since the status quo suits them.
The politicians have been using the people as dumb driven cattle. Their rosy promises of alleviating poverty and bettering their lives remained confined to the election campaign only. No sooner they entered the corridors of power, they snapped their links with their voters.
The elites have always raised pro-poor slogans, but did nothing for their betterment. The rich and the poor live in different orbits.
Islamic System Decried
Ironically, Pakistan was established on the basis of Islam, and Quaid e Azam dreamed of making it a truly Islamic welfare state. After Quaid, pygmies ruled the roost.
Each and every system was tried, but not the Islamic system. All the political and military regimes remained tied to the British models, and brought no change to modify the systems to suit the aspirations of the people.
General Zia was a Mujahid
General Zia ul Haq was the only leader who made sincere efforts to Islamise the society, to make Kashmir part of Pakistan, to create Khalistan State, and to form a friendly regime in Kabul. His efforts were hindered by the Jayala culture.
Before he could accomplish his dreams, he and many generals who were part of his core team were martyred in a mysterious plane crash in Aug 1988.
Core Issues Put on Back-burner
After his death, Pakistan began to falter over its policies in Afghanistan and Kashmir. Afghan and Kashmir desks in ISI were closed and the long arm of ISI was cut to size. Instead of taking advantage of the liberation movement in occupied Kashmir, a defensive policy was adopted.
Afghanistan slipped out of Pakistan’s hands after 9/11, and it came under the heavy influence of India. Kashmir was lost in Aug 2019. The Pak-Afghan relations have dipped to the lowest ebb in recent months.
Dichotomy
Tragically, we call Pakistan Islamic, and governed by the Qur’an and Sunnah. This obligation is enshrined in our 1973 Constitution, but practically Pakistan has always remained a secular state.
This serious dichotomy has created an identity crisis, and is exploited by our enemies. It has been the biggest obstruction in the way of national integration.
As a consequence, Pakistan stands divided on the social, political, religious, ethnic and sectarian platforms. For the first time, division in perceptions have occurred in the rank and file of armed forces as well as the veterans due to the curse of cultish culture.
Sham Democracy
The so-called democrats are the biggest enemies of democracy. Due to their poor conduct, Pakistan could never enjoy the fruits of real democracy and the people have suffered on account of sham democracy.
And yet we claim that Pakistan’s sovereignty and integrity is independent. Sailing in two boats at a time will never take the country out of the choppy waters towards the shores of safety, security and prosperity.
What is the Way out?
Reverting back to the fundamentals of Islam, bridging the societal gaps, reviving our old ethics, values and principles of brotherhood, building character and national patriotism and achieving unity and cohesiveness are the only way to deter external and internal enemies of Pakistan which have ganged up to keep Pakistan in a lurch.
Apart from speeding up reforms and development agenda, accountability and judicial systems will have to be made effective. It must be ensured that laws are implemented in letter and spirit in order to re-establish rule of law. The bad hats, spoilers and anti-Pakistan elements will have to be dealt with sternly.
Those in power will have to shun personal and selfish interests, and focus wholly on promoting and safeguarding national interests. The rulers must act as role models to be able to make Pakistan a hard State, and to redeem its honour and dignity.
Many are expectantly looking towards Gen Asim Munir to revive the golden era of Ayub Khan, and to usher in the green revolution to free Pakistan from the clutches of the IMF, massive debt burden and the perverse dependence upon double-dealing USA.
