Pakistan Army is ready to take over the country again: Shiraz Paracha
Tonight, Pakistan’s most organized political party with gun power appears to be winning again, this time through its proxies. Scenes outside the Parliament building bring to mind dark memories of July 05, 1977 and October 12, 1999 when timid and traitor generals had removed elected Prime Ministers at gun point.
On October 12, 1999, images of army soldiers breaking into PTV Islamabad Center gate had flashed round the world and on August 30 and 31 2014, the Parliament and the prime minister house are under attack by proxy mobs. The aim of this manufactured drama is not reform, but the removal of a man who no longer accepts dictation.
Visionary Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto had laid foundations of Pak-China strategic relationship. This special relationship is now entering into a new phase and Pakistan’s “owners & masters” want to be in the driving seat during this crucial period. It is quite possible that one reason of the two-week-long protests in Islamabad is: Who should control Pak-China relationship?
For the most part of the Cold War China, Pakistan and the West were on the same page. In the 1970s, Pakistan had facilitated the establishment of relations between the United States and China. During the 1980s, China and Pakistan had supported the CIA’s proxy war against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan.
The post Cold War period realities, however, are different. U.S economy is declining while China has emerged as a new economic power on the world stage. China is capturing new markets, investing in prime locations, building strategic partnerships and communication infrastructures. These advances have made China one of the biggest rivals of the United States. The U.S is concerned because China is flexing its military muscles as well.
From the day one of its inception, Pakistan had aspired to be a U.S client state. Pakistan was always in the U.S camp. It has been a receiver of U.S military and economic aid. Military links between Pakistan and the U.S are stronger than the political relationship between the two countries. When Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto had established relationship with China it was not a matter of great concern for Pakistan’s paymaster, the United States, because at that time the Soviet led Eastern Block was America’s major problem.
But at the dawn of the 21st century China became a rival for the U.S. This rivalry is turning into hostility now. The new situation has affected Pakistan as Islamabad is closely tied to the both rivals.
With time Pakistan-China relationship has matured. They are trusted partners in many ways. Now China wants to invest in infrastructure development of strategically important Pakistan.
With time Pakistan-China relationship has matured. They are trusted partners in many ways. Now China wants to invest in infrastructure development of strategically important Pakistan.
The U.S would be concerned by China’s growing influence in Pakistan because it can reduce Pakistan’s dependence on the United States. The U.S has deep roots in Pakistan through military cooperation that spreads over a period of six decades. Pakistan depends on the U.S financial and technical support.
Nearly 15 years ago Pakistan-China relations entered into a new phase. Few years later, mistrust between the U.S and Pakistan grew over the ‘war on terror’. In this backdrop, Asif Ali Zardari was elected as Pakistan’s next President. Mr. Zardari was an intelligent leader with vision. He paid more attention on consolidating Pakistan’s relations with China as he had realized that Pakistan would benefit more by deepening its economic and strategic partnership with China. Building of the Kashghar-Gawadar Economic Corridor is a very significant outcome of Mr. Zardari’s efforts. Under this deal Gawadar port was given to China. This changed the game.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has rightly decided to continue Asif Zardari’s policy of consolidating relations with China. The Chinese President coming visit to Pakistan is a part of the Pak-China joint strategy to achieve common goals.
However, the new dimension of Pak-China relations could be a cause of concern for the United States. Also skeptical and worried military circles think that sensitive and crucial issues like Pak-China relations or dealing with the U.S can’t be left to uncontrollable civilians such as Nawaz Sharif.
Perhaps for this reason the emphasis is on the Nawaz Sharif’s resignation by leaders of Islamabad protests.
It seems that Imran Khan and Tahir ul Qadri have provided their shoulders to someone with an agenda to get rid of Nawaz Sharif---the person…!
Perhaps for this reason the emphasis is on the Nawaz Sharif’s resignation by leaders of Islamabad protests.
It seems that Imran Khan and Tahir ul Qadri have provided their shoulders to someone with an agenda to get rid of Nawaz Sharif---the person…!
Dharna Politics and Pakistan: Ashir Azeem
It is safe to stay aloof or make popular statements, to a point i followed this policy. But beyond a point it is cowardice not to speak your mind, specially when the future of my country is at stake.
I humbly and truly feel that IK is wrong in doing what he is doing today. He is setting up precedent and trend where mobs in future will derail elected governments. Pakistan needs rule of law not anarchy, Pakistan needs stability not civil war and that is my biggest concern. If IK continues, very soon other parties will also start calling there dharna’s and my country men will die.
There are powers that want Pakistan to be Iraq and Syria where people are fighting each other. Pakistan must not descend into that chaos. It is time to cool sentiments. IK has made his point there has to be electoral reforms and everybody agrees, but there is no need to go beyond this.
As a patriot I am concerned for my country and if my view makes me unpopular then so be it. My loyalty is to my country, not to an individual or a party.
Btw. I stood all day in the sun and voted for PTI with my wife, but I will not sit in a dharna or support it, just because its a popular thing to do.
The solution is:
1. Electoral reforms b4 next elections.
2. Enquiry into the last elections by a judicial commission of supreme court judges.
3. PM will resign only based on report of Judicial commission. (Allegation is not conviction, its not fair)
The government shud agree to the above and dharna’s shud be over. Think of the economy, the image of the country and millions of daily wagers.
This is my humble view and i don't force it on anyone.
Ashir Azeem
https://www.facebook.com/ashir.azeem
DHUWAN Fame
Collector Pakistan Customs
Time to Accept Civilian Mandate…! By Shiraz Paracha
Before it is too late, Pakistan needs a radical change in terms of reorganizing internal power centers. Adventurous former or serving generals should no longer be allowed to impose outdated foreign policy perceptions. As a significant stakeholder, the military can advise on foreign policy but it must not solely shape or dictate the contours of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
A country’s foreign policy is not formulated on the basis of paranoia and true or false security concerns. Trade and economic interests are corner stone of a successful foreign policy. A country can’t change its neighbors; she has to live with them. A country which can’t establish friendly or at least working relationship with its neighbors loses credibility.
Pakistan has credibility problem because its generals, not politicians; have been controlling the country’s foreign policy. The time has come that for the survival of Pakistan, and to restore its own credibility, the military restrains itself from dictating the foreign policy.
Civilians are not a heard of sheep. We need an army that serves the people of Pakistan, an army that follows law of the land and submits to the writ of an elected representative government. Foreign policy ought to be formulated by the elected civilian government in consultation with Parliament, military commanders, trained professionals, academia etc.
The military is not the sole interpreter of Pakistan’s national interests. The military is not the institution which should set the national or international agenda for Pakistan.
In the past, the people and all institutions of Pakistan were hostages at the hands of their own military. Indeed because of generals’ horrific blunders lives of millions of Pakistanis had been at risk. Intellectually confused generals like Ayub Khan, Sher Ali Khan, Zia-ul-Haq, Aslam Bag, Hamid Gul, Akhtar Abdur Rahman, Naseerullah Khan Baber, Javed Nasir, Pervez Musharraf and many others tried their flawed perceptions and philosophies in Pakistan by force and manipulation.
Professionally incompetent generals, some of whom were also corrupt, had put their personal greed and ambitions above Pakistan. Today, the Pakistani society is a sick society due to paranoia and confusions created by few retired generals.
The Pakistani military was involved in clandestine operations and often the country’s civilian leadership was kept unaware of such adventures, Kargil operation is one such example. In fact an independent investigation would reveal that some in the Pakistan military have been pursuing their own agendas at the cost of Pakistan and its people. Military coups and generals’ unlawful interference in foreign and domestic affairs have harmed Pakistan. Some Pakistani generals think only they know what is good for Pakistan. This approach has hurt Pakistan.
A few years ago, the tone of discussions at Corps Commanders’ meetings was not appropriate. During the PPP government, Corps Commanders acted as a parallel cabinet and presented themselves as defective rulers of Pakistan. Due to such behavior and internal divisions, Pakistan suffered humiliation on the national and international fronts.
The current military leadership can turn the page. General Raheel Sharif is a professional solider. So far his performance and leadership abilities are admirable. He has an opportunity to change the culture of contempt that has existed in the military ranks for Parliament and elected governments. I personally know few generals in General Raheel’s team. They are competent, decent and open minded professionals, who are only interested in transforming the Pakistan armed forces into one of the best professional forces in the world. They also want a soft image of Pakistan and its military. We need such professional soldiers, not politicians in uniform.
The military doesn't have the mandate to change governments or conduct the foreign policy. Nevertheless, as the organization which defends the country’s integrity and sovereignty, the military will remain a key stakeholder in formulating security and foreign policies. An elected Prime Minister and his government should not ignore the military’s professional advice on security and foreign policy. But there is difference between advice and dictation.
Half of the Pakistan’s troubles will end if military commanders recognize and respect, both in letter and spirit, the mandate and write of the elected civilian leadership, and the civilian leadership genuinely accepts military’s expertise by following their professional advice on security and foreign policy. Final decisions about internal and external affairs, however, are responsibility of the elected representatives of the Pakistani people.
Shiraz Paracha is a journalist and analyst. He is also an expert on Afghan, Central Asian and Russian affairs. His email address is: shiraz_paracha@hotmail.com
Naltar Valley Pakistan: An amazing place to visit
Naltar Valley, located in the northern Pakistan is amazing place to visit. The Naltar lake is one of the most beautiful in the world with crystal clear water having reflection of everything above it. It is 40km away from Gilgit and can be accessed via Jeep ride apart from 30kms trekking to the lake.
Source:
http://yehpakistanhai.com/detail.php?placeid=59#.U-RSvOOSzCs
Is there any magical solution with Imran Khan for Pakistan
Imran Khan declared the May11, 2013 elections are the most rigged in the history. He claimed that all the judiciary, election tribunals, election commission are helpless in addressing their reservations and in return launched a long march to topple the PML-N government and declare mid term elections.
In case Nawaz Sharif set aside his personal and party interests and declared mid term elections; can Imran guarantee free, fair and transparent election in the existing electoral system? Is there any homework on the side of PTI or they have any magical solution that the mid term elections will be free and fair? Isn't it better to go for homework instead of depriving people of a great holiday?
Parliament's elections reforms committee was a great initiative where PTI could have done much better in establishing a sound and better electoral system that could have guaranteed future elections free and fair. Unfortunately Imran Khan has failed badly on this side.
In case PTI came into power, do they have the solution for economic problems of the country? so far there is no homework and strategy drafted.
Is there any health and education related policy but so far there is nothing and the current actions either guarantee their power or not, but it certainly guarantees further crisis in the country.
There is no policy for peace, unity and stability of the country and one thing is guaranteed in case they came into power that they will cry for the past mistakes of other governments instead of doing something good and concrete for the country like they do in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Who will go for march against PTI intra party fake Elections:
PTI Tsunami out of control in KPK, opponents... by PTISocial
PTI members fighting during intra party... by tvpakistanpolitics
pti intra party election in lahore canal today by tvpakistan
Justice of PTI: Naji Ullah Khattak appointed on... by imrankhanptl
Three groups of PTI clashed at Quetta airport... by scandalsnews
Islamic identity, militancy and modernity: Pakistanis need soul searching By Shiraz Paracha. March 11, 2011
We, Pakistanis, are talented and intelligent people but many of us have an unrealistic approach towards life and a naive world view, even so we wish to impose our view upon the rest of the world. The case of U.S spy agent, Raymond Davis, has once again exposed that Pakistanis are reactive and emotional.
The Pakistani society has the potential to become a model society because of the unique characteristics and qualities of its people. In fact, no one in Pakistan has tried to introduce the strengths and beauties of the Pakistani society to the world.
As opposed to broken Western societies, Pakistani people are connected through bonds of love and responsibilities. They are spiritual and humane. Sharing pain and happiness is a way of life in Pakistan. Generally Pakistanis are very brave people. They are loyal and can sacrifice their own interest for their loved ones, or for a cause. Family is central and the strongest unit in Pakistan. People of Pakistan are hardworking, warm and generous and are famous for their hospitality.
However, despite their qualities, Pakistanis can be easily manipulated, especially in the name of Islam. Religion has been an effective tool to exploit emotions in Pakistan.
The military in Pakistan has been using Islam to justify its strategies and policies. Military planners believe that by playing the religious card they can motivate soldiers and officers to be defenders of Islam, and this also wins the military a wider public support.
The Indian threat has been a major excuse for the Pakistani military to keep expanding its role, powers and expenses. The military portrays India as an enemy of Muslims without acknowledging that more Muslims live in India than in Pakistan.
Kashmir is an interesting case to explain the military’s calculated strategy of using religion. Kashmir is a strategically important region for India and Pakistan both. But Pakistan is more sensitive over Kashmir because water sources in Kashmir are crucial to Pakistan’s agriculture based economy. Perhaps, from the military’s point of view, only economic and strategic importance of Kashmir is not enough to persuade the Pakistani public to carry on supporting a dispute that has so far caused four conflicts with India. Therefore the Kashmir issue is presented to the people of Pakistan as a war between Islam and Hinduism.
Similarly, the Arabic word Jihad means ‘struggle’ and a struggle can be non-violent. But perception managers of the Pakistan military adopted, ‘Jihad-fi-sabilillah’, as a motto and translated it as ‘fight in the way of God’. The translation might not be accurate but it suits the military as it prepares ordinary soldiers to give their lives in the way of God. Hence fighting Hindus, Russians, Americans and other non-Muslims becomes sacred.
During the 1971 military operation in East Pakistan, Pakistani soldiers would arrest Bengali people thinking that they were arresting Hindu enemies, but often after the arrests it would turn out that captured Bengalis were actually Muslims. Many Pakistani soldiers were shocked by the revelation because they had been told that the Bengali people were Hindus and enemies of Pakistan. Lives of hundreds of Bengalis were spared just because Pakistani soldiers had found about their faith.
Following the fall of East Pakistan and massacre of hundreds and thousands of innocent Bengalese, the Hamood-u-Rahman Commission, which investigated the military operation in East Pakistan, had suggested fundamental changes in the syllabuses taught at schools and training centers of the Pakistani military. It did not happen. A few years later, the Pakistani military was engaged in the CIA led Afghan War that was fought in the name of Islam.
The very cause of the so-called Afghan Jihad was based on lies. But the Pakistan military together with the USA manipulated the public by declaring it a sacred war in the way of God. The CIA and the Pakistan military manufactured the menace of terrorism and hatred using drug and blood money.
The evil military dictatorship of General Zia-ul-Haq in the 1980s promoted an utterly wrong interpretation of Islam to maintain its control over Pakistan. In the name of Islam, the state patronized hatred and hypocrisy. During the Zia-ul-Haq era, a new breed of confused military officers, preachers, so-called Islamic scholars as well as religious parties and organizations had emerged.
The media and education sector were filled with Zia’s loyalist. Top writers, reporters and editors in many Urdu language newspapers were either members or supporters of the Jamat-e-Islami or other similar religious groups. Most Urdu language newspapers still have regiments of such ‘journalists’. Now many of them appear on our television screens as well.
The majority of the youth born in the post Zia-ul-Haq Pakistan seems confused about their identity and place in the world. They can be easily manipulated by those who use the Western imperialist policies as an excuse to wage holy wars. Pakistanis are led to believe that they have been victims of foreign conspiracies. They are told that the past was good and the present is evil therefore the past must be revived.
In the absence of logical and scientific self analysis, a large number of people in Pakistan tend to hide their insecurities behind strong opinions and extremist views. Emotional and irrational attitude is common even among the young and educated. Lack of critical thinking and rationality has given birth to intolerance, narrow-minded and racist tendencies. Consequently, violence is approved in today’s Pakistan.
Also Pakistan has failed in developing a modern, efficient and transparent governing system. Justice is in the hands of subjective and unaccountable judiciary. Accountability has been a tool of political victimization. In this backdrop, everything is left to Allah and corrupt and opportunist industrialists, traders and civil and military officers, who have been engaged in the loot and plunder of Pakistani resources. Injustice, economic hardships and corruption are eating up good characteristics of the Pakistani society paving way to selfish and greedy attitudes.
The Pakistani society needs deep soul searching. The first step would be to address the issue of Islamic identity because, in my view, it is our weakest point and the root cause of our irrational behavior and flawed thinking.
Islam is the final holy message from God but many of us have little understanding of what it means. It is so because in Pakistan Islam is presented as a set of very rigid, stagnant and inflexible rituals and rules where the stress is on fear and punishment. Consequently, there is a huge confusion in our minds and our actions are contradictory. Many of us are double-faced hypocrites. The irony is that we are not aware of our dichotomies. We believe that performing religious rituals and displaying our Muslim credentials is enough and give us a license to violate rules and impose our beliefs upon others.
As Muslims we believe that Islam is the perfect and final religion for the mankind. But we also ought to understand that the scope of Islam is not limited to a particular region, people or period. As a universal faith Islam has to be dynamic and accommodating. It cannot be rigid, limited or stagnant.
Islamic principals are based on commonsense. The purpose of Islam is to facilitate human beings in creating peaceful, just and modern society. Such a faith cannot approve hatred and violence. It cannot approve illogical and irrational behavior. Islam encourages learning and exploration. It advises its followers to expand their intellectual faculties and travel to seek knowledge. It does not restrict people irrationally. Indeed the very directness, fairness and simplicity of Islam make it attractive to all people.
The Pakistani society is suffering due to the confusions in understanding Islam and defining a Pakistani identity. Pakistan can either slide further into chaos and anarchy or it can start afresh by dealing with the above issues in a mature way.
One possibility is to declare faith as a private affair and the state has nothing to do with it. But who would take such a radical step, especially in the present circumstances?
The other option is to leave the things as they are and wait that with time the situation may change. This, too, is not a solution because hate-mongers and extremists will keep dividing the society until it collapses.
Perhaps we can consider establishing a scientific commission that should examine objectively and critically historical and social narratives followed in Pakistan. This Commission should redefine and interpret themes, which are imposed in Pakistan, and recommend changes, improvements, corrections to historical narratives and education system.
Besides parliamentarians, scholars with degrees from reputable international universities should be members of the Commission. For example, Islamic scholars, professors of Islamic history and religious studies, anthropologists, psychologists, Arabic language experts as well as scientists from several disciplines should also be part of this institution. Representatives of other faiths and experts and scholars from Muslim and non-Muslim countries, too, should be invited to sit at this institution.
The Commission should explore and discover the spirit of Islam and provide guidance on complex, controversial and challenging issues of the modern day life. No other body, organization or individual should be allowed to issue fatwa or orders. The said body should suggest changes to education syllabuses and qualifications for mosque Imams that may include passing a psychological test.
Shiraz Paracha is a journalist and analyst. His email is: shiraz_paracha@hotmail.com
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