Situation in Pakistan

Source: www.nation.com.pk

Vision of the Future	15th November 2007
by M. Shafi Khan

Pakistan has been and is being upset by step sons of the soil besides the enemies. The only peg to hang all the problems on is the SC, which also got divided (September 28, 07) on the issue: that an officer in uniform cannot hold office of the president or become a candidate for that office. The general also had announced that he will doff the uniform only if elected on October 6. What if he is not successful, then he will exercise his will to keep the office of the chief. The president is elected only by the electoral college. There is no alternative channel or a bypass.

The threat of gun does not alter the basis or requirement of the constitution: there is no cover to the de facto status. Exercising authority on made up grounds, is an act of high treason punishable by death. The authorities are responsible to ensure security of the state and the people: failing this the leader is responsible for what he does or fails to do.

Justice Falak Sher one of the six justices who rejected the case of dual offices held by General Musharraf expressed his opinion through a press release on October 5, after quoting oath for members of the armed forces presented his point “consequently, in view of the fore-going, I am of the considered opinion that President General Musharraf is not qualified to contest the ensuing Presidential election.” The election of General Musharraf by the out-going assemblies and his being in uniform has created many serious situations.

There is agitation in the public. The situation has been made good for the international level conspiracies. The game is about occupying the saddle to rule over the millions who have/had the bad luck to see the windfall of the misdeeds of those who ruled for their own pleasure. The axe has a wooden handle; that is the relationship of the civilian leadership cadre with the army’s hierarchy. This awkward game has gone on for 60 years. There is insecurity in all walks of life and absence of challenge against the enemies. What good would, it be to call the kettle black?

There was a beginning to this beginning. We had a glorious victory of Kargil but the exhilaration was short lived. The operation did not have the needed endurance. The classic fiasco was immediately followed by our begging for peace and abandoning of our national cause of Kashmir and Kashmiris who were left in lurch to be killed as terrorist by US and India. Pakistan had to accept all the conditions laid down by India, imposed by the US president. Our principled stand on Kashmir supported by the UN Resolutions was given up, so was the cause of Kashmiris demanding their right of self-determination. We saw US openly helping and enhancing Indian interests. This one event marks a headlong fall from great heights.

Finding Pakistan buckled under the classic failure in Kargil, it was harnessed by US into service in its war against Afghanistan. As a result, Pakistan’s territory and people on the homes-side of the boundary are being bombed as part of ‘coordinated operations’ which Pakistan cannot own nor disown but NATO and US say loudly that Pakistan has to ‘do more’ or ‘even more’ and if they were not satisfied then they will rather do it themselves. A grievous hurt has been caused to the sovereignty of Pakistan. Pakistan is now involved in war against its own people which is a horrible. Still the US also is blaming Pakistan for failing to perform to the satisfaction of NATO and US. Pakistan is exposed to most serious potential developments in the future. Only a miraculous solution can help towards the honourable survival of Pakistan.

We had lost the direction of establishing the state on basis of the ideology which had inspired the common people to demand a state of their own. The refugees’ claims, fictitious ones also, spread like a plague. The situation drifted from concern for honourable survival to economic well being or prosperity by any means. The inspiration to emulate an Islamic way of life got relegated. Now, we find ourselves as born-Muslims and ignorant believers exposed to an open rush of western culture, secularism, an aversion towards religious looking people being blamed as traditionalists, extremists, radicalists and fundamentalist needing heavy dose of ‘enlightened moderation’; favoured by the west: new-cons and Zionists. What has surfaced after 60 years, the nation is being led by a class of bad leaders in the assemblies which could not parade many capable and moral men.

More than half of the time the country was fouled by martial-law regimes. The intervals were filled by selfish and poor quality civilian leaders whose conscience was/is in deep slumber. Both, the military and civilian leaders took turn to aggravate the situation and put Pakistan on slippery grounds. The army now is in bad light for involvement in politics and power-game. No one can escape the blame for such a situation: more than the enemy’s work. We have failed to perform as good and responsible citizens of the Islamic State. » Let us see some of our Himalayan-size failures. First: the giving away of three Eastern Rivers (1960) to India, against the international law which does not permit change of course and flow of rivers. The replacement works were to receive ‘unrestricted water from the Western Rivers’, mandated by IWT ‘for exclusive use of Pakistan’. India violating IWT constructed and continues to construct numerous dams and powerhouses on the Western Rivers. The Indian grand strategy was spelt out (2002) in a formal conference by the Indian Minister of water and power: “If we scrap IWT, Pakistan will be in a state of drought and Pakistanis will cry for drops of water”. The noose has been wilfully and openly planned and arranged. Seeing the network being established by India in Kashmir, our governments left the matter to the specialists ....a criminal failure.

» Kalabagh and Bhasha Dam are local water-management schemes and not the substitute of waters from the western rivers. Any neglect or failure to protect our rights clearly spelt out in IWT will bring disaster - even nuclear bombs cannot destroy. Despite the Indian plans being implemented on ground, Pakistan did not raise alarm, instead we continued to negotiate on ongoing or planned projects by India: e.g. wullar Barrage which will spell death to Mangla Dam that keeps Pakistan green and prosperous. The negotiations on Kashmir continued also despite Indian unrelaxing position.

» I want to substantiate the fact of failures by recalling some events pertaining to the delineation of LOC. Following the Simla Conference in 1972 events had revealed what sort of rot had gone into our psyche, attitude and orientation or even loyalty of some towards our country. Immediately after the Simla Accord, the Indian forces at the borders took measures to prepare themselves for the delineation conferences. In our case, only a day before the conference at Wagah, claims were prepared at higher HQ in a hurry and shoddy manner. The ‘wizards’ proceeded to Wagah for the top-level conference of country reps: generals on both sides. The facts given below cover only one sub sector - out of many other sectors.

» The claims on De facto-Control-Areas were omitted thereby causing loss of territory: Pakistanis were turned over to India.

» Orders were received to hand over villages and areas which were not even claimed by India. When questions were raised regarding displacements of civilians and turning them into permanent refugees - the taunt came through a signal ‘displacement of civilians none of your business’: facts are on record.

» During the process of delineation of LOC, a senior general gave direction to ‘let go’ a sizeable area (Battal - 2300 families living there even during the wars). The concept was based on avoiding clashes of patrols hence placing the river in between the Indian and Pakistani troops: safety measure at what cost? Implications were explained but without effect.

» Indians resorted to intensive shelling, months after the cease-fire: using field and medium artillery for two days, to occupy a post in our possession. When this serious and an aggressive enemy action was reported, there was no response from higher HQ. When an effective retaliation causing serious casualties to the Indians was resorted to, orders came promptly (within 45 minutes) to cease-fire and proceed forthwith for conference. A general spoke to me, demanding cease-fire and run for the conference. Till this day I remained seriously touched by the weaknesses in our minds and the tendency not to face or even to please the enemy. When the meeting was held with the Indian general at midnight - it was decided to meet on ground next day. By mutual agreement, we used sophisticated Indian equipment to decide the issue. Indian General Kundan Singh agreed to concede the very commanding post to Pakistan. The matter was settled on ground. When I returned to the base, I was ordered to go back again to ‘decide the case of the post after a thorough re-survey’. Once again face to face with the Indian commanders. Brigadier Hari Singh said “we had agreed with you that the post in question was yours but GHQ Pakistan did not agree hence this meeting again.” It was too much to believe or to hear GHQ Pakistan’s orders for me via Delhi. I said “I represented Pakistan day before, so am I today. I will not discuss the issue already settled between us. Thank you.” The incident was covered by the Foreign Office (Pakistan) and broadcast in national news on October 1, 1972. Following the situation described above, two light aircraft on an urgent mission tried to land at the Brigade HQ in the field. The gusty wind did not permit the landing - the DUO had undertaken the journey to remove me from my command. Following the failed attempt by air, the senior staff officer, visited my Brigade HQ to say “Mr Bhutto was seriously annoyed on private wars being waged by the Brigade Commander.” A written report on the issue was demanded. It was provided exposing the truth but nothing was heard again about the issue.

On July 27,1977 the COAS, during his visit to Sialkot was told “if those guilty officers were not punished much greater harm will come to the country.” He was also told “I had withdrawn the case from the army authorities and am waiting for Allah’s judgement.” General Zia said “I know the case. There are few persons who make sacrifices for the country, you are one of them...I am sorry, I could not help you.” I pointed towards the army’s logo on the wall and said nothing more. I have not given vent to my grievances (of course out-dated), these were part of recorded history, for lessons. May be some men with conscience may in the future make words and oaths meaningful and real. All what has been said about the affairs forms part of the record: statutory complaints and official letters addressed to the Prime Minister and the Army Chiefs: ‘The cover-up’ by the guilty men was the name of the game.

The history of the Pakistan’s defence forces has been excellent. They have fought against the enemy four times their strength and kept the country safe. Such devoted and wonderful result-producing men of the forces have no match in the world yet they have/had a bad luck to have been involved in messy situations. What I have to say to, my people is that Pakistani forces will perform wonders only if the nation is in good shape and the troops are kept away from non-military involvement’s.