The two things hurting Pakistan : Ayaz Amir

[-blitzkrieg-]

The two things hurting Pakistan

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/155489-The-two-things-hurting-Pakistan

Islamabad diary



The first is the army’s perceived soft corner for such outdated jihadi outfits as the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad. Why is it that when a Pathankot or Uri takes place Pakistan is automatically blamed, even before any evidence comes in? It is thanks to these outfits, their presence on Pakistani soil considered by Pakistan’s detractors as sufficient evidence of Pakistani involvement.

We can cry to the high heavens that India is committing atrocities in Occupied Kashmir, which it is, but one Hafiz Saeed and one Maulana Masood Azhar are enough to give a different spin to our distress. We then bemoan the world’s indifference.

The second thing doing incalculable harm to Pakistan is the unstoppable greed and corruption of the ruling elite, the tip of this corruption revealed by the Panama leaks. A corruption-tainted leadership, working overtime to deflect the arrows of accountability, cannot exercise leadership, let alone inspire the masses. A financially corrupt leadership is certainly in no position to give a lead to the army about the pros and cons of outdated jihadism.

Because of these twin factors Pakistan has been unable to adequately draw world attention to the plight of the Kashmiri people. Where we talk of Indian repression India raises the flag of ‘cross-border terrorism’. We may shout that this is a canard but the jihadis associated rightly or wrongly with Pakistan steal the thunder from our shouting.

The army under Gen Raheel Sharif’s command has big achievements to its credit – rolling back the tide of terrorism in Fata and dismantling to a large extent Altaf Hussain’s terror network in Karachi – a network receiving, let us not forget, unstinting moral and other support from that great bulwark against terrorism, the United Kingdom. But as he prepares to walk off into the sunset, the reluctance to call in the jihadi card will be counted as Gen Raheel’s biggest failure.

Let it be said again, if Pakistan’s ruling circles had any imagination, Hafiz Saeed by presidential decree would be appointed czar of all relief and rehabilitation agencies, his Lashkar-e-Taiba or its other incarnation, the Jamaat-ud-Dawaah, having shown a great capacity for relief work after floods, earthquakes, etc. Its trained and committed cadres should be put to good use.

And it is time to wean away Maulana Masood Azhar from the siren call of jihad and make him honorary instructor or consultant to the Special Forces at Cherat. He and his men have fought Indian forces in Kashmir and while we can take issue with the aims and methods of jihad, it is not easy to question the idealism and selflessness of those who are ready to die for their cause, whatever that may be.

In a society whose increasing hallmark is wealth and its accumulation by fair means or foul, selflessness of any sort is an all too rare quality. Most of us for petty gain willingly sacrifice our souls, not once but over and over again. So even while questioning the politics and ideology of jihad let us refrain from passing easy judgement on the moral conscience of the foot-soldier who for his beliefs can look death in the face without flinching.

Courage of any sort has to be admired…even the courage of the bigot and the fanatic. It is the snivelling coward who refuses to take any risk, refuses to take any side and whose lifelong passion is to sit on the fence, for whom, if there is any justice in hell, there will be reserved some of the choicest corners of purgatory.

So reach out to them and bring them into the mainstream of national life – avoiding the easy prescriptions of sofa samurai. Ask the Americans about this whose proconsul in Iraq, the clueless Paul Bremer, was quick to disband the Iraqi army and by this one senseless act paved the way for the breakout of the Sunni insurgency against the American occupation army.

We don’t have to go down the same path but it should be clear to the Clausewitzes of the general staff, and to the national school of ideology otherwise called the ISI, that the days of jihad are over and even the barest hint of an association with these outfits carries a heavy price for Pakistan, as we are seeing for ourselves at the present juncture.

Equally damaging for Pakistan is the unappeasable greed of the highest echelons of civilian power. What’s wrong with these guys? Haven’t they amassed enough wealth? Don’t they have property and assets everywhere? Haven’t they already ensured not the livelihood but the prosperity of not just their coming generation but their next twenty generations? Yet to look at them and their hectic profiteering in all directions and all sectors – from the steel and poultry industry in Pakistan to the plush real-estate sector in London and other equally salubrious places – the conclusion is unmistakable that they will never be satisfied.

What is the use of such wealth which leaves you perpetually craving for more? What is the use of ablutions and prayers, and prostrations at holy places, when such holy activity is sandwiched between one commission-begetting deal and another?

A fine mess Jinnah’s Pakistan is in – one side cannot curb the craving for jihad; the other side cannot curb its appetite for money-making. If Pakistan is to know peace both appetites have to be curbed. Hafiz Saeed and Maulana Masood Azhar have to be brought in from the cold and for Pakistan’s sake the engines of accountability have to be set in motion over the revelations stemming from the Panama leaks.

Enough is enough…how can the ruling echelons keep dodging the issue? Details of offshore accounts and Mayfair properties are there in the leaks, assets concealed and not declared, thus making their beneficiaries – in this case the prime minister and family – liable for action/prosecution under the law.

If jihad has reached the end of the road, and a good thing that it has, dodging over the Panama leaks should also come to a closure. But who will set the dynamics of accountability in motion? There’s no clear answer to this question. The courts are playing a passive and lifeless role, seemingly reluctant to take up in any energetic or decisive manner the Panama-related issues coming up before them. Institutions like NAB and FIA are under the government’s thumb. So we are at an impasse. Something needs to be done. Which Salvation Army will do it?

Pakistan faces a leadership crisis. We have tanks and missiles and a nuke inventory and a people ready to rise to any challenge. But our leadership ranks are empty – or in those ranks are trader-politicians who can only look out for themselves. We do have a leader on the military side and he’s proved his mettle over the last three years but he is about to depart into the sunset. On the civilian side there is Imran and just him but he is on the fringes of power.

These are seminal times. Pakistan either makes a new beginning by working on: a) jihad and b) the Panama leaks. Or it does nothing and remains stuck in the mess of the past. That will conclusively prove there is something wrong with our destiny.

His Pay cheque come from India..Ab kuch toh karay ga to save Modi govt. from the recent embarrassment of Sir Jee kal Strike

 

[Lurch Adams]

Who cares about democracy or secular government when your people are living like kings.

Living standards in the major cities are quite good, I agree. I have visited Turkey several times in the past 4 years. Also, they have an extremely sophisticated urban population (so does Tehran BTW). But that urban population is now increasingly at loggerheads with the core base of Erdogan supporters, who are low-income urban or rural folk. And that the people who make Turkey a strong nation are the ones who resent the fact that it is now less democratic and secular than it used to be.

Something to be considered....

 

[Tiger Genie]

The military is last of Pakistan's problems. I am very sure of this. Too many liberal and secularists (I count myself as one) blame the military. I treat that as fashion. Some of the fundamental disasters in making of the Pakistan DNA was in civilan governments. Foremost being the Objectives Resolution which was like injecting into the bloodstream of Pakistan slow but potent virus. It would over time slowly eat away Pakistan causing many of the problems Pakistan faces. Second the Bhutto governments appeasement of the mullahcracy by getting involved in certifying who is a Muslim and who is not a Muslim. General Zia merely crowned a process began decades earlier but delayed by President Ayub Khan.

Pakistan Army for all it's failings is saviour of Pakistan. Without it Pakistan would end up looking something between Iraq and Afghanistan. A non ending land of ethnic and religious civil war. The army brings the sufficient gravitas to rise above these divisive forces.

I am a distant follower of events in Pakistan so certainly not as well versed in its history and under currents as natives and residents such as yourself. With that said ...

Everything you have written, which I do not challenge at all, explain possible enablers / even causes, to how the military got to where it is in the power structure...heck, not just power structure, even in the social structure and how many Pakistanis seem to feel about it. What I mean by the last part is that while in most military commanded nations, the military's power comes from the fear of the population, in Pakistan I kind of perceive a trend over time, of parts of the population actually believing that they are benefactors. Perhaps they also look at the reports of how the US is being nasty towards them and China showing kindness, and so a military based command nation such as China (with nominal differences) does not seem villanous.

BUT is that the desirable long term? Will the military commanded nation be able to 'use' this structure only up to the point of getting rid of its current social cancer and then be able to send the military back under civilian power and mandate?

In my opinion, Musharraf actually wanted to accomplish that in his second innings but could not overcome the assault on his credibility (which ofcourse wasn't perfect, but certainly better deserved than say Trump or Zardari or MM Singh II). But I think there is sufficient erudition within Pakistani society, ever under threat but non-trivial so far at least, to help the right leadership, if it comes along, to a position of sufficient influence to check the military and even make it regress to where it should be.

It is IMO a race against time. A slow race but a race all the same

 

[mdcp]

Threat to Pakistan is coward liberal traitors. For 70 years Pakistan is begging to UN to allow Kashmiris their right of self determination but no avail but when it matters for East Timur and South Sudan we know result.

These so called traitors must be brought in justice. Look what they did to peaceful muslim countries of Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen etc

 

[PurnaBrahma]

An acquaintance merely enjoys your company, a fair-weather companion flatters when all is well, a true friend has your best interests at heart and the pluck to tell you what you need to hear.

I think Indians and Pakistanis really need to learn how to take constructive criticism and work on it.

In India we have mastered the art of shooting the messenger (especially recently with Bhakts infesting our whole social media) and I see the same on this thread too.

 

[PurnaBrahma]

I am game. But we can't play without asking the owners permission. China.

*Wondering what I am on about. Okay geography 101 for you. Indus headwaters (source) is in China. Flowing from China Indus merely passes for short while through IOK then moves through the entire length of Pakistan. Asides from the fact that you can't steal something that your "renting". There is the almost Herculean task of diverting the short interval in IOK that flows through deep gorge. If India can do it China can do it in doubletime.

Checkmate - mate !

I love all your posts, very rational (rare for Indians or Pakistanis in this forum) and to the point except when it comes to India. Here I see the hate overshadowing the intellect.

No point in comparing India and Turkey which the huge population difference and the different paths of capitalism/socialism taken by each throughout its history.

The earlier post was excellent by the way till it came to India

 

[wiseone2]

I am game. But we can't play without asking the owners permission. China.

*Wondering what I am on about. Okay geography 101 for you. Indus headwaters (source) is in China. Flowing from China Indus merely passes for short while through IOK then moves through the entire length of Pakistan. Asides from the fact that you can't steal something that your "renting". There is the almost Herculean task of diverting the short interval in IOK that flows through deep gorge. If India can do it China can do it in doubletime.

Checkmate - mate !

Just because a river originates in China it does not mean water originates there

Where do Jhelum, Ravi, Chenab, satlej and Bea's originate?

There is only one root cause that has done considerable harm to Pak State.


The religious element and corruption are just byproduct of this aillment.


We need to visit the beginning first...


Under British Rule the hindu nationalism found a refuge to flourish...be it Arian Society or RSS same thing different covers...all the shapes the indians of the plains have taken or will take will hide only one Form.


The former rulers of india were in existential angst...they correctly saw the mob mentality of the plains' hindu extemism rising... roits and killing becoming more often. Mob gets its strength from numbers...


Different leaders of this former rulers of india tried to formulate different solutions...However, in absence of a overriding framework nothing substantial came about... apart from support for the Ottomans....

indian cogress tried and to some degree succeeded in creating an illusion of secular movement for takeover of British India... it was a stealth tactic compared to openly agressive RSS affiliated orgs.


Long story short... Professional/educated Class came together and Pak State came into being.

Pak peoples need to keep this moment in mind...


At this stage there was a sense of Statehood....committment and some vision. Not long term vision as the RSS/Congress had but there was a Statehood Vision for Pak.

When the First PM of Pak was assasinated...that Sense of Statehood also got killed.

50's and 60's were great decades because the Pak populace was still alive to there sense of Statehood...not because of any dictators....

71' created a deep trauma and internal establishment disorientation which is still evident till today.

From this time on you had feudal lords becoming socialists and generals trying to become democrats...utter chaos whithout any continuity of policy of State progress. Reactions and more stupid reactions..not plan and no vision.


AFG war really destroyed the deep Pak Statehood Spirit as the country was turned into play ground of the global opposing froces...

After that came the regional actors to play their proxy secterian wars and killing Pak citizens.

Go back in time and you will find NO secterian strife in Pak social fabric. This artificial.

2nd AFG war is still killing Pak citizens... and now you have indian empire on your western flank as well.


So the question is...how come a country which when came into being had NOTHING and is still standing despite all the injuries that its ruling fools have inflicted on it?


It is the DEEP Spirit of Pak Peoples and the Geo-position of the Pak State.

This State and Spirit has always been there from time immemorial....


All what needs to happen is the realisation of this FACT by Pak peoples and the True State Narrative of Pak to be written.

When that happens all the symptoms of religious hijacking and corruption will not have oxygem to breath.

The Spirit of Pak Peoples is in their DNA not because of any religious conviction or political party.

Never forget your Heritage that goes back Thousands of Years... Just claim it, own it and take back your stolen Heritage, your Birth Right!

A people who are not Alive to their Heritage are like leaves in water...powerless to be manipulated by elite..be it religious or political....

Lame excuses
Lots of Countries have horrible elites. Still they do not whine like the way I see here

 

[niaz]

The BIGGEST threat to Pakistan is liberal traitors within and corruption politicians. If we could get rid of them all by firing squad then Pakistan would be like Turkey on a bigger scale.

1. Honourable sir,

You write that:

"For 70 years Pakistan is begging to UN to allow Kashmiris their right of self-determination but no avail but when it matters for East Timur and South Sudan we know result."

Firstly, everyone must realize that "Might has always been right" Indonesia & Sudan were weak, hence lost out as we did our Eastern Wing.

Secondly, while liberal traitors have been begging the UN, what would brave one like you do? Fight the entire Security Council for not listening to you?

Pakistan tried to liberate Kashmir by force in 1965, did we manage it? First get yourself strong enough to look the likes of the US & Russia in the eye before even thinking to fighting them. Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar have done irreparable harm to Kashmir cause by their action. Attacking Indian parliament or killing 18 Indian soldiers at Uri won’t liberate Kashmir. Unless managed by the Kashmiris themselves; it would take a very long drawn out war with India with possible nuclear exchange to resolve the issue by force.

You want to go ahead and capture the Red Fort, who is stopping you? But don't be surprised being totally destroyed in the process.

You write:

"These so called traitors must be brought in justice. Look what they did to peaceful Muslim countries of Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen etc".

Who are the traitors that destroyed Iraq, Libya, Syria & Yemen? Let me remind you:

Iraq: It was Saddam Hussein who invaded Kuwait. It was the Kuwaitis & the Saudi Arabia who asked for & paid for the US liberation of Kuwait and destruction of Iraqi forces.

Libya:

“The outgoing head of the Arab League and a frontrunner to become president of a democratic Egypt has voiced reservations about Nato's bombing campaign in Libya, calling for a ceasefire and talks on a political settlement while Muammar Gaddafi remains in power.

Amr Moussa, the veteran Egyptian diplomat who played a central role in securing Arab support for Nato air strikes, told the Guardian he now had second thoughts about a bombing mission that may not be working. "When I see children being killed, I must have misgivings. That's why I warned about the risk of civilian casualties," Full article:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jun/21/arab-league-chief-libya-air-strikes

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...gue-calls-for-United-Nations-no-fly-zone.html


Syria:

“Minority religious groups tend to support the Assad government, while the overwhelming majority of opposition fighters are Sunni Muslims. Although most Syrians are Sunni Muslims, Syria's security establishment has long been dominated by members of the Alawite sect, of which Assad is a member.

The sectarian split is reflected among regional actors' stances as well. The governments of majority-Shia Iran and Iraq support Assad, as does Lebanon-based Hezbollah; while Sunni-majority states including Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and others staunchly support the rebels.” Full article:

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/05/syria-civil-war-explained-160505084119966.htmln


Yemen:

"Events in Yemen are viewed as part of Saudi Arabia's "cold war" with Iran.

Saudi Arabia shares a long porus border with Yemen, and it fears what it sees as Iranian expansionism through its support for Shia armed groups. Commentators in the Arab Gulf states often claim that Iran now controls four Arab capitals: Baghdad, Damascus, Beirut and Sanaa.

In Syria, Saudi-backed rebels are fighting against Bashar al-Assad's government, which is supported by Iran. Lebanon is another arena of conflict: Iran sponsors Hezbollah, the Shia militia and political movement, while Saudi Arabia supports the predominantly Sunni Future Movement.

Tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran were ratcheted up even further earlier this year, when Saudi Arabia executed Shia Muslim leader Nimr al-Nimr and Iranian protesters attack the Saudi embassy in Tehran.

Full article:

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/06/key-facts-war-yemen-160607112342462.html


It is not ‘Liberal Cowards’ who are responsible but the regrettably Muslims who are weak but arrogant, ignorant but hot headed and with sectarian intolerance who are responsible for all of the above calamities. Sddam Husein & Saudi regime is not liberal in any sense of the word.

Naturally you are free to believe whatever you want, however one would expect an intelligent person to get his/her facts right.

 

[PAKISTANFOREVER]

1. Honourable sir,

You write that:

"For 70 years Pakistan is begging to UN to allow Kashmiris their right of self-determination but no avail but when it matters for East Timur and South Sudan we know result."

Firstly, everyone must realize that "Might has always been right" Indonesia & Sudan were weak, hence lost out as we did our Eastern Wing.

Secondly, while liberal traitors have been begging the UN, what would brave one like you do? Fight the entire Security Council for not listening to you?

Pakistan tried to liberate Kashmir by force in 1965, did we manage it? First get yourself strong enough to look the likes of the US & Russia in the eye before even thinking to fighting them. Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar have done irreparable harm to Kashmir cause by their action. Attacking Indian parliament or killing 18 Indian soldiers at Uri won’t liberate Kashmir. Unless managed by the Kashmiris themselves; it would take a very long drawn out war with India with possible nuclear exchange to resolve the issue by force.

You want to go ahead and capture the Red Fort, who is stopping you? But don't be surprised being totally destroyed in the process.

You write:

"These so called traitors must be brought in justice. Look what they did to peaceful Muslim countries of Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen etc".

Who are the traitors that destroyed Iraq, Libya, Syria & Yemen? Let me remind you:

Iraq: It was Saddam Hussein who invaded Kuwait. It was the Kuwaitis & the Saudi Arabia who asked for & paid for the US liberation of Kuwait and destruction of Iraqi forces.

Libya:

“The outgoing head of the Arab League and a frontrunner to become president of a democratic Egypt has voiced reservations about Nato's bombing campaign in Libya, calling for a ceasefire and talks on a political settlement while Muammar Gaddafi remains in power.

Amr Moussa, the veteran Egyptian diplomat who played a central role in securing Arab support for Nato air strikes, told the Guardian he now had second thoughts about a bombing mission that may not be working. "When I see children being killed, I must have misgivings. That's why I warned about the risk of civilian casualties," Full article:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jun/21/arab-league-chief-libya-air-strikes

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...gue-calls-for-United-Nations-no-fly-zone.html


Syria:

“Minority religious groups tend to support the Assad government, while the overwhelming majority of opposition fighters are Sunni Muslims. Although most Syrians are Sunni Muslims, Syria's security establishment has long been dominated by members of the Alawite sect, of which Assad is a member.

The sectarian split is reflected among regional actors' stances as well. The governments of majority-Shia Iran and Iraq support Assad, as does Lebanon-based Hezbollah; while Sunni-majority states including Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and others staunchly support the rebels.” Full article:

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/05/syria-civil-war-explained-160505084119966.htmln


Yemen:

"Events in Yemen are viewed as part of Saudi Arabia's "cold war" with Iran.

Saudi Arabia shares a long porus border with Yemen, and it fears what it sees as Iranian expansionism through its support for Shia armed groups. Commentators in the Arab Gulf states often claim that Iran now controls four Arab capitals: Baghdad, Damascus, Beirut and Sanaa.

In Syria, Saudi-backed rebels are fighting against Bashar al-Assad's government, which is supported by Iran. Lebanon is another arena of conflict: Iran sponsors Hezbollah, the Shia militia and political movement, while Saudi Arabia supports the predominantly Sunni Future Movement.

Tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran were ratcheted up even further earlier this year, when Saudi Arabia executed Shia Muslim leader Nimr al-Nimr and Iranian protesters attack the Saudi embassy in Tehran.

Full article:

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/06/key-facts-war-yemen-160607112342462.html


It is not ‘Liberal Cowards’ who are responsible but the regrettably Muslims who are weak but arrogant, ignorant but hot headed and with sectarian intolerance who are responsible for all of the above calamities. Sddam Husein & Saudi regime is not liberal in any sense of the word.

Naturally you are free to believe whatever you want, however one would expect an intelligent person to get his/her facts right.

The ultra Religious Pakistanis have betrayed us as well. There is no doubt about that. When I say liberal traitors I'm talking about those Pakistanis who advocate Pakistan disarming our nukes and becoming a weak docile nation. That's all.

 

[Lurch Adams]

The ultra Religious Pakistanis have betrayed us as well. There is no doubt about that. When I say liberal traitors I'm talking about those Pakistanis who advocate Pakistan disarming our nukes and becoming a weak docile nation. That's all.

Let me tell you something about Iran. Everyone marvels at how despite crushing sanctions, Iran has been able to hold on to its nuclear program and has not crumbled. But little thought is given as to how that has been achieved. It is not due to the religious brigade, but rather due to the abilities of the sophisticated technocrats and urban professionals. These people are by and large (though not all) secular and liberal, and have no dealings with conservative politics.

Same applies to Pakistan. If today, despite all setbacks, Pakistan has been able to survive, it is on the back of secular and liberal people who have nurtured and manage to sustain institutions despite everything.

Look, be it any country, including India - the right wing elements excel at making noise, waiving flags and being jingoistic. But after the dust has settled down, the centrists and secular liberal forces have to do all the work. Mullah and Priest can only preach, and are no good for anything else.

 

[Village life]

Hi to all respectable members ,I am new here I have question for you ,All the current political leaders of pak are more or less molded by Pakistan establishment but on the day of need they are just putting hurdles for them, isn't it true that Pakistans establishments choices were not to create patriotic politicians but but a time tapao solution and in the end they created a bomb to which they don't know how to diffuse and that bomb is now saying if u put a foot on me I will explode and no one is here to Kik that bomb out of circle,

 

[Nanga Tarzan]

Turkey is the example Pakistan should be following.

You mean Pakistan should become a secular country??

 

[PAKISTANFOREVER]

You mean Pakistan should become a secular country??

Not secular but the power of the Religious organisations and leaders NEEDS TO be drastically reduced in Pakistan. In terms of infrastructure, economy, development, living standard and technological & scientific prowess, Pakistan must CARBON copy Turkey. General Musharraf even suggested as such in 2006.

 

[Nanga Tarzan]

Not secular but the power of the Religious organisations and leaders NEEDS TO be drastically reduced in Pakistan. In terms of infrastructure, economy, development, living standard and technological & scientific prowess, Pakistan must CARBON copy Turkey. General Musharraf even suggested as such in 2006.

If only it were so simple to copy another country and become an economic and scientific leader. And moreover in the specific case of Pakistan, who exactly should take the lead in copying Turkey. And why it has not been done till now.

 

[PAKISTANFOREVER]

If only it were so simple to copy another country and become an economic and scientific leader. And moreover in the specific case of Pakistan, who exactly should take the lead in copying Turkey. And why it has not been done till now.

Pakistan Army and the large number of Turkish NGOs working in Pakistan. The Pakistan military and our special relationship with Turkey should be used to this effect. Turkey only recently became a developed nation (say around 2010/2011) so we have not had enough time to assess the whole situation till now. Now is the best time to implement the reforms Turkey did in the 1990s.