A Fissure in a Dam

Sohail Parwaz

Mark Twain gave a famous quote that "whisky is for drinking; water is for fighting over". No one would have ever given a serious thought to it but unfortunately a series of reports from intelligence agencies and research groups indicate the prospect of a water war is becoming increasingly probable. It’s not very far off. In fact a little more than a decade away, as a report from the office of the US Director of National Intelligence suggests that the risk of conflict would grow as water demand is set to surpass sustainable current supplies by 40 per cent by 2030.

Some connoisseurs believe the only recognized case of a "water war" happened about 4,500 years ago, when the city-states of Lagash and Umma went to war in the Tigris-Euphrates basin. However, Adel Darwish, a journalist and co-author of Water Wars: Coming Conflicts in the Middle East, says modern history has already seen at least two water wars and he quotes former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon confessing on record that the reason for going to war [against Arab armies] in 1967 was for water," Yet another example is of Senegal and Mauritania also, who fought a war starting in 1989 over grazing rights on the River Senegal. And then Syria and Iraq too, have fought minor skirmishes over the Euphrates River.

The seasoned and mature forecasters from the world over are showing lost sleep for wars of the future, those will be fought over blue gold, as thirsty people, opportunistic politicians and powerful corporations, battle for diminishing resources. Nevertheless, here in the Subcontinent, the Indians are least pushed about the hovering conflict clouds and rapidly building dam after the dam. Out of 13 dams or hydroelectric projects, under construction in Indian occupied Kashmir, seven are on River Chenab; one is on Jhelum and one on the Indus. 

Sunita Narain, soon after receiving her 2005 Stockholm Water Prize Award from King Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden, at a formal ceremony in Stockholm said, “I am not here as a pessimist saying that India is doomed and that water wars are going to happen, and we are going to destroy ourselves. I am saying very clearly that if India continues on this route, yes there will be water wars…and we will become more and more crippled in our growth,” When Sunita said that, “Water wars are not inevitable. It lies in our hands and in our minds…,” (to obviate them) it was not just to receive $ 150,000 and a crystal sculpture. She said this as a conscientious director of the Centre for Science and Environment in New Delhi and as the publisher of a highly praised environmental magazine Down to Earth. If some political experts hold the view that the world’s future wars will be fought over water and not over oil, they are not wrong in saying so. The only difference is that while most of the nations will fight to get water, some ill-fated nation like ours will continue to fight not to have water, as is being done these days.

Deforestation in hilly areas, the urbanisation of flood plains, the sea level rise due to global warming, increased melting of snow and exceptional rainfall, are not phenomena exclusive to one or the other region. Rather, these are problems faced globally by every country. Water is the sole reason for which almost over 10,000 dams have or are being constructed in the US, and over 300 water storage facilities are being constructed in India and China.

The people of Alwar, a district in Rajasthan, have done wonders by nursing the rebirth of a dried river Arvari. In the initial phase they nursed the rebirth through local rainwater collecting schemes, and in a subsequent phase they formed their own river parliament for the management of the river. This parliament turned out to be so effective that they adopted eleven articles that bind them to a set of laws. This is the nationalism and romance displayed by the people who chant the mantra, ‘I love my India’, from the bottom of their hearts. By contrast, in Pakistan, nationalism is forcefully shoved into the backseat and regionalism is brazenly and masochistically brought to the front. The types of catchphrases and rhetoric chanted are, ‘Dam over our dead bodies’, ‘The drowning of the Frontier will not be allowed’, ‘Down with Punjabi chauvinism’ and much more.

The need to provide food and water has not been relegated to the back burner elsewhere; hence new dams are being planned and constructed throughout Asia. There are presently about 99 dams under construction in China, 100 in Turkey, 81 in Korea, 25 in Iran and around 292 in India. Nearly 3200 major / medium dams and barrages had been constructed in India by the year 2012. As compared to that only 9 dams and that too disputed one, have been planned by Pakistan. Imagine the political instability in these countries if there was half as much disinformation against these dams as is the case against the Kalabagh Dam (KBD). Do we still need to find out what makes all these other dams feasible while ours is a disaster?

The hubbub and hullabaloo of those so-called nationalist parties, that don’t even have proper district representation, is totally baseless and purely meant to grab attention. Their sightless efforts are geared towards opposing the KBD at any cost, come what may. What they are forgetting is that “Damn the Dam” is no solution. There is a famous Pashto saying — and who knows it better than Asfand Yar Wali, the self-acclaimed champions of Pashtun rights — ‘You cannot have a head without a headache.’ When a dam is being built there will always be some drawbacks and negative fallouts. But these are not restricted to KBD only. There are thousands of dams being built the world over and not one of these would be without complexity or convolution.

The opposition has deliberately refrained from evolving a consensus. Not a single political leader has picked up the courage to come forward and drive some sense into the minds of others except for Imran, who has been dragged into another kind of nuisance in KPK, hence is quiet on the issue. Those, whose contribution to the freedom movement was zilch, are now trying to be the flag-bearers of regional rights. When they are invited to the table to talk, they refuse to sit across and listen to others’ points of view. If they have some valid trepidations about the flooding of the Peshawar valley or Nowshera town, water-logging and salinity due to the drainage of surrounding area of Mardan, Pabbi and Swabi plains, the adverse effects on Mardan’s SCARP, and dislocation of a large number of people, they should shun prejudices and listen to others’ assessments as well. I am certain that the nation’s water experts have a solution for their ‘headaches’.

Ironically this handful of nationalists appears to have exactly the same objectives as the Indians. In April 1948, India diverted the flow of the Ravi, Sutlej and Beas rivers, an act that threatened to destroy irrigated cultivation in Pakistan. Today, why divert, rivers allocated to Pakistan under the subsequent water accords and construct dams like Baglihar on them unless the intention is equally malafide?

It is very unfortunate that all the main opposition parties who claim a national stature seem to have been hijacked by a handful of misguided people. Another tragedy is that the Punjab is irrationally being dragged into the controversy. The moot question is why those who can unite for any specious cause cannot unite for their motherland? It is high time that everyone teams up for this national project and militates against the jingoistic and intolerant attitudes. These mainstream political parties and the so-called nationalist parties will have to muster the courage to choose the right side to be on for their own and the country’s salvation before it is too late.

The Egyptian army still has jungle warfare brigades, even though they have no jungle, only for the reason, because the Nile is another potential flash point. In 1989, former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak threatened to send demolition squads to a dam project in Ethiopia while here in Pakistan we are happily allowing our enemies from within and out to asphyxiate our jugular vein.

I can never forget the story of that patriotic, dutiful and daring Dutch boy who put his finger in a hole in a dyke’s embankment to prevent his village from suffering a deluge. But here, we are purposely and calculatedly making a fissure in a dam which is still on paper. Aren’t we really asking for a drought before a famine, and not giving a damn about it?

Putting the Youth on Right Direction

Sajjad Shaukat

While disagreeing with the past thinkers who say that human nature is aggressive, which radicalizes the youngsters, modern sociologists and psychologists agree that a number of factors such as historical background, cultural setup, education etc. play a key in putting the youth on right direction by de-radicalizing them. They opine that these factors including some other ones are essential for nation-building of a country, so that a positive national character could emerge.

In these terms, the youth in Pakistan constitutes valuable endowment and valid heritage of the nation. Fortunately, Pakistan is blessed with highly motivated and incredibly talented youth having sense of purpose and firm resolve to realize their potential. They are exceptionally eager to make positive contributions for the well-being of this country. In this context, provision of right opportunities, social justice, balanced guidance and respect for merit are the key features to guide the youth towards right path. As regards Pakistan, besides other factors, family background, peer group interactions and grooming treasures of educational institutions play vital role in character building, attaining professional grace, developing positive attitude and acquiring sense of compassion. 

Educational institutions like colleges and universities besides providing the young adults to improve their mental faculties and enhance technical prowess also guide them to build moral strength and learn ethical values, essentially required to handle practical spells of life. Every nation desires to maintain its social order, develop orderly socio-political structure to observe its esteemed traditions, customs and perpetuating moral standards. Hence, balanced curriculum and standards of excellence are developed by the educational institutions to encourage the students to learn and demonstrate socially approved conduct, desirable etiquette, sense of tolerance, respect for law and holding teachers and parents to adhere the social values with high esteem. Quality education and exemplary models will enable the youth to internalize values through a socialization process.  

At this crucial juncture, Pakistan has been facing multi-faceted problems such as acute financial crisis, poverty, unemployment, so­c­ial inequities, lack of security, loadshading of electricity and gas in wake of continuous acts of terrorism. But, our young persons have shown a greater enthusiasm and energy in coping with these multiple problems. So, their vitality and power of determination is praiseworthy.

On the on side, enemies of the Pakistan are using various schemes to manipulate the youth by provocating them to join the militants in order to conduct subversive activities, on the other side, a majority of the Pakistani youth is well-determined in thwarting the nefarious designs of the terrorists who are involved in brutal acts of terrorism and have brought embarrassment to the entire nation. 

Regrettably, some political and religious entities including some media analysts are misguiding the youngsters that it is elseone’s war, not Pakistan’s war, but the youth is well-aware that it is our own war against terrorism, as the militants are being supported by external enemies of the country. However, the youth in certain segments of our society has been misled by few selfish and greedy individuals who tend to exploit them through their money, status and knowledge. 

Prevalent political instability and social disorder caused by growing extremism and radicalism have increased the level of frustration among the youngsters who have now been wavering been fact and scepticism. Therefore, they show signs of deviant behavior by disregarding social norms, cultural values and time-tested traditions. Today, one end of social continuum points at extreme liberals who appear to have lost respect for every norm, custom and value, while extremist elements advocate radical philosophies. 

Resultantly, obscenity and vulgarity demonstrated by liberals lead to offensive disposition, while radicals mark their signatures through criminal acts of violence. Society as a whole bears the brunt, as repulsive behavior of liberals brings sense of shame and guilt—while painful bloodshed is caused by extremists and radicals.

Despite all of this, the Pakistani youth is fully aware of the dangers which lurk ahead and the impediments which lie in the path of realizing their full potential and a brighter future. In this respect, the government of Pakistan needs to take serious measures to positively exploit the enthusiasm and energy of the youth not only in coping with the political instability, social strife and economic problems, but also menace of terrorism in the country. 

For the purpose, our own media must show courage by denouncing all acts of terrorism, and stop providing space to these terrorists, as media statements by the spokesmen of the militant groups simply glorify the cause of terrorism in one way or the other. Thus, media reports must stop misguiding the youngsters. They must point out that these terrorists have accelerated their anti-social, undemocratic and un-Islamic practices in the country where their merciless activities continue unabated. Hence, they must motivate the youth by emphasizing the necessity of unity to fight the ruthless enemy.

It is notable that education and research are very essential for the development of a country, as we can see in the west. So, strenuous efforts for peace and an atmosphere conducive to the pursuit of education, research and vocational interests are of prime importance in relation to the youth. For the purpose, educational institutions must develop balanced curriculum and an appropriate guidance-system to sublimate the talent of the youth towards triumphant and glorious ends. Teachers must act as role models, setting personal examples in every decision making process.

In this regard, a system must be developed to enhance character building capacity, which should entails formulation of behavior and a monitoring mechanism. Students must become active participants of monitoring schemes, encouraging rule of law, learning leadership tasks and offering meaningful and positive criticism.

Merit must be respected and sense of positive competition be enhanced among students. Trends and tendencies having temptations of immorality must be curbed through open debates, while provost system in the educational institutions must operate with assertive vigor to guide the radicals and extreme liberals so as to draw balance in their outlooks optimistically. 

Particularly, academic institutions must develop the curriculum in order to enhance moral values and quality attributes having lifetime sustainability. Balanced guidance must be provided to the students with the aim to develop professional goals and to build character qualities.

It is the duty of teachers and educational institutions to mould their students into refined individuals—capable of analyzing any issue, construing relevant conclusions and taking correct decisions. Sense of compassion and mental capacity to tolerate dissent must be inculcated amongst the young students. Such grooming would make them responsible and useful citizens of Pakistan. 

No doubt, Pakistani youth which is full of enthusiasm and energy has already expressed firm resolve to fight the menace of terrorism, and to play their role for the security of Pakistan, while helping the country in diversified fields for nation-building purposes. Inspite of it, there is a dire need to put the youth on right direction by providing balanced guidance to them, enabling them to follow the correct path, realize their full potential and make positive contributions for the well-being of the society and the country.

Why Deadlock in Peace Dialogue?

Sajjad Shaukat

While the committee of the Pakistan Government was conducting peace dialogue with that of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a deadlock occurred when Taliban claimed responsibility for the brutal massacre of the 23 personnel of the Frontier Constabulary in Mohmand Agency. This heinous act which was strongly condemned by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, leaders of other political and religious parties including Imran Khan and Munawar Hassan who are sympathizers of these Taliban, came as a blow from the sky, giving a greater setback to the peace process. It exposed the secret intentions of the Taliban who are employing dual tactics. Although the government has suspended the peace dialogue, yet it is still optimistic in restoring the same, as it has demanded the TTP to give explanation and clearly condemn this terror-act.

Earlier, Taliban militants targeted the Rangers, Police and anti-polio workers in Karachi in wake of the peace talks. On the one hand, TTP spokesman has condemned the latest terror-events which also took place in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, on the other; he has accepted responsibility, while stating that the outfit will continue assaults on the security forces and law-enforcing agencies. So, contradictory statements of the TTP-led Taliban have endorsed that the militant group is sabotaging the peace dialogue by playing double game because it is being supported by some anti-Pakistan foreign powers.

In this regard, a report of the Interior Ministry said on February 19, this year that Islamabad is at high risk and has become target of the banned organizations-TTP and Lashkar-e-Jahngvi (LeJ). The report disclosed, “Arms and terrorists are making their way into the country through Eastern and Western borders, and cross border terrorists are also conducting terror activities in Pakistan.” 

It is notable that when the TTP Chief Hakimullah Mehsud was killed by the US drone strikes on November 1, 2013, leaders of the ruling and opposition parties including prominent figures and Ulemas (Religious scholars) took the event as a plot to thwart the peace process with the insurgents. In this context, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali openly stated that that killing of Hakimullah Mehsud was a conspiracy to sabotage peace talks with the Taliban.

Now, some political and religious entities—even Imran Khan and Munawar Hassan have been pointing to some external elements which are thwarting the peace process between the TTP and the government. In this connection, without naming US, some are hinting towards the “third power”, and some are saying that Indian secret agency RAW is castigating these peace talks.

It is of particular attention that the TTP new Chief Maulana Fazlullah had dismissed the proposed peace negotiations with the government as a “waste of time”, and vowed to target the prime minister, chief minister, chief of army staff and corpse commanders. During Swat and Malakand military operations, Fazlullah fled Swat and took shelter in Afghanistan. 

Well-established in Afghanistan, with the tactical support of the US, in connivance with Indian RAW and Afghan spy service, the National Directorate of Security (NDS) and Pakistani Taliban, Maulana Fazlullah—and these foreign agencies have been conducting target killings, bomb blasts, suicide attacks, beheadings, assaults on civil and military personnel, installations and forced abductions including ethnic and sectarian violence. By sending heavily-equipped militants in Pakistan, these entities are also assisting Baloch separatists.

Particularly, the captured TTP leader Latifullah Mehsud by US Special Forces (USF) in Afghanistan confessed that Afghanistan and India were waging proxy wars in Pakistan, and terrorist attacks on Gen. Sanaullah Khan Niazi in Upper Dir, at Peshawar Church, in Qissa Khawani Bazar and elsewhere had been planned by Indian and Afghan intelligence agencies. 

Unfortunately, terrorists led by the TTP use Islam as their most effective mask. Their main demands include enforcement of Islamic system of governance by imposing Shariah laws (Islamic jurisprudence) in the country, ending diplomatic relations with US and western world and undertaking Jihad against the non-Muslims. They have become self-proclaimed campaigners of Islam, rejecting all dissenting views. 

Notably, the victims of terror-attacks in Pakistan have been innocent men, women, and children. While ruthless beheadings of the people, assaults on security personnel and prominent religious figures—blowing children schools and attacking the female teachers in order to deny education to girls, the militants also targeted cinemas and the places of worships. Their nefarious acts resulted into killings of several persons in Pakistan. 

However, Jihad is a sacred obligation, but its real spirit needs to be understood clearly, as murdering innocent women and children is not Jihad. In fact, by implementing the instructions of their external masters, these Taliban and their banned affiliated groups are defaming Islam, concept of Jihad, and are weakening Pakistan.

As terrorists have accelerated their anti-social, undemocratic and un-Islamic practices, therefore, people from all segments of life and majority of politicians want that a handful of terrorist elements must not be allowed to dictate their agenda and to impose their self-perceived ideology on the majority of Pakistanis, while supporting military action against these culprits. 

During the peace process, our domestic media bluntly opined that dialogue would not succeed. Some of them cynically commented that both Taliban and the government seemed to buy time, as military operation was imminent against the former. The aim was to dishearten the mediators and the public. Media was projecting trivial details which permitted the extraneous elements to promote their own agenda through acrimonious arguments so as to spread a sense of discontentment. Consequently, the secrecy of dialogue was exposed to compromising risk. Media reports resorted to hasty coverage of all happenings, neglecting the confidentiality of contents and sometimes objective reporting was also overlooked. 

On the other hand, negotiating process is likely to confront intricate impediments and extraordinary encounters for which the mediators need to develop the stamina and skills to hold information and avoid over-indulgence of media leaks of dialogue process. Thus, due to media trial, the dialogue process runs into contemptuous ridicule. It also serves the agenda of anti- Pakistan forces which have been propagating against the peace dialogue.

Since media is not suitable instrument to contest issues to reach a settlement, therefore, it must be kept away from future dialogue process. Surely, maturity and negotiating skills could enable the negotiators to decently handle media and be able to maintain confidentiality of vital aspects. 

Live coverage and indication of the location of the government’s dialogue committee also created security hazardous situation, therefore extra-care needed to be exercised to keep the location secret. Media must also realize that the state is confronted with complex dilemma of terrorism. An opportunity had emerged to give peace a chance. 

Nevertheless, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had initiated peace process with the Taliban in accordance with the decision of the All Parties Conference (APC) in which leaders of the mainstream political parties had participated. Contrarily, now, situation has entirely changed after the fresh wave of terror-attacks by the TTP and its ambivalent approach which shows its connections with the external enemies of Pakistan. So, instead of wavering between fact and scepticism by following the policy of appeasement towards all the militant groups, especially the TTP, our rulers need to devise a comprehensive strategy to deal with the terrorists with iron hands by acting upon a timely action against terrorism, as any delay in this respect will further embolden these militants who will further intensify their subversive activities.  

No doubt, deadlock in the peace dialogue is owing to dual policy of the Taliban because they are quite non-serious to observe ceasefire or to conclude any agreement with the government, as TTP is pursuing the agenda of anti-Pakistan powers to destabilize our country.

Foreign Designs against Balochistan

Sajjad Shaukat

 

Located on the southwestern coast of Pakistan, Balochistan’s Gwadar deep-seaport is close to the Strait of Hormuz from where more than 17 million barrels of oil passes every day. Its ideal location among three key regions, South Asia, the oil-rich Middle East, and oil and gas-resourced Central Asia has further increased its strategic significance. Its development with Chinese assistance and latter’s bilateral agreements with Islamabad has shifted the great game of Central Asia to Pakistan.

Besides, Balochistan’s abundant mineral resources like gas, coal and gold, entailing Pakistan’s close ties with China pinches the eyes of the US, India, Israel and some western countries which intend to destabilize Pakistan for their collective aims. These hostile powers are trying to create fissures between Islamabad and Beijing so as to sabotage their strategic alliance.

In this regard, Balochistan’s business and trade opportunities have also made it important for US, EU, Russia, China, India, Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics to play the great game, while anti-Pakistan powers are secretly working to create conditions to control and influence the resource-rich zones, disregarding the compulsions of mainland integration.

While terror-acts and human rights violations are already keep on going in Balochistan, but without grasping reality, and using the existing political predicament in the province as a pretext to encourage separatism, external enemies raise voice on human rights violations over projection of mass graves which were found in Tootak area of Khuzdar on January 25, 2014. And Baloch Sub Nationalists (BSNs) have unleashed false allegations against Pakistan by purporting fabricated figures of bodies over 150 and declaring these bodies as missing Persons—articulated voices of external enemies to alleged enforced disappearances, holding Pakistan’s security forces and law-enforcing agencies responsible for every wrong which takes place in Balochistan. It seems ridiculous when some of them allegedly say that security agencies are behind terrorist activities in Balochistan. Nevertheless, on 30 January 30, 2014, US Congressman Louie Gohmert delivered a highly venomous speech at US House of Representatives on Balochistan Situation, citing his meeting with BSN leadership, which was broadcasted live on Cable Satellite Public Affairs Network in US. Senator Gohmert also read out the article of Tarek Fateh (Canada based BSNs’ sympathizer), published by Toronto “SUN” on January 28, criticizing US for ignoring the mass graves issue during US Senator John Kerry’s meeting with Pakistan’s National and Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz. 

Notably, India, US and Israel have been internationalizing the Balochistan issue in accordance with their secret goals. In this respect, in connivance with the Baloch separatist leaders who have taken refuge in Switzerland, Sweden, US and London, these external elements use media, various NGOs and human rights organizations for false propaganda against Pakistan’s security  agencies in relation to extrajudicial killings, mutilated bodies and the missing persons. 

As regards the deteriorating situation of Balochistan and the missing persons, everyone knows that Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and their affiliated outfits including another group, Jundollah (God’s soldiers) which have been fighting for secession of the province gets logistic support from American CIA and Indian RAW—these militants kidnapped and killed many innocent people and the security personnel in the province. They also massacred many persons through suicide attacks, bomb blasts, targeted killings and sectarian violence. Therefore, they are responsible for dumped bodies and extrajudicial killings in the province. On a number of occasions, these insurgent groups claimed responsibility for their subversive acts. A majority of the disappeared individuals are also in the detention centers (Farrari Camps) which are being run by Baloch feudal lords (Sardars) who want to continue old system of feudalism in the province.

Unfortunately, BLA and BSNs are also in collusion with some US Congressmen to get foreign support so as to animate the scheme of separatism in Balochistan. In this context, dissidents like Khan of Kalat Mir Suleman Khan, Hyrbyair Marri, Mehrab Sarjov and others are busy in Europe and US to project Balochistan issue on international level. For the purpose, these leaders and especially, Baloch feudal lord, Khan of Kalat planned to take the issue of Balochistan to International Court of Justice (ICJ) and expected that India would pay $2.4 million lawyers’ fee to contest their case in ICJ. As Indian support did not get materialized, these leaders contacted to US officials to forward their case.

In February 8, 2012, three Republican Congressmen including Dana Rohrabacher, Louie Gohmert and Steve King tabled a bill before US Congress stating, “Balochistan is currently divided between Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan with no sovereign rights of its own. In Pakistani Balochistan the people are subjected to violence and extrajudicial killings.” The bill favoured Baloch rights of self-determination, having a sovereign state—and must be afforded the opportunity to choose their own status.

Earlier, the US subcommittee on ‘Oversight and Investigations of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs’ convened a hearing on extrajudicial killings and violation of human rights in Baluchistan. Rohrabacher chaired the meeting, while Lt. Col. (R) Ralph Peters testified.  Lt. Col. (R) Peters is the architect of infamous 2006—New Middle East map and is an advocator for the disintegration of Muslim states on sectarian and religious lines. His map shows a number of Islamic countries including Pakistan as truncated. While writing in the June 2006 issue of The Armed Forces Journal of the US, he had suggested Washington about the creation of a “Greater Balochistan” which would integrate the Baloch areas of Pakistan with those of Iran—and the Frontier Province (Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa) should be incorporated into Afghanistan.”

Although the US Administration quickly distanced itself from Congressional hearing by Rohrabacher and Peters’ testimony, yet US denial does not augur well with ground reality, as American think tanks, NGOs and websites go on instigating the separatist elements in Baluchistan. US State Department which funded National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and Voice of Baluchistan (VOB) have been instrumental in fomenting dissension and nationalistic feelings in the province. It has been pressurizing Pakistan to allow opening of a US consulate in Quetta. The aim is to execute US covert designs against Islamabad.

It is mentionable that the Tea Party members in US Congress, especially Dana Rohrabacher, Louie Gohmert and Steve King are reportedly working to create an independent Balochistan. Their leaders are angry with Pakistan on the self-created presumption of sheltering Osama-bin-Laden, and intend to teach a lesson to Islamabad by assisting the Baloch separatists. These Tea Party members who currently back the idea of a sovereign Balochistan were in the forefront of Afghan Jihad against the former Russia. They also held meetings with dissidents in London. 

As a result of the general elections 2013, the government led by a nationalist leader Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch was established. And on December 7, 2013; local bodies elections were largely held in a peaceful manner in Balochistan. However, these elections proved that majority of the Baloch are loyal to the federation, as they have rejected the case of separatists, being projected by Dana Rohrabacher including other entities. 

Now, the right hour has come that Pakistan’s internal entities, particularly media must expose the foreign sinister aims against Balochistan. They must indicate that Baloch dissidents are being supported by external forces which are actually having devouring eyes on Balochistan’s mineral deposits. US Congressmen must also not encourage separatist elements in the province to advance their own agenda to usurp resources of Balochistan. US government must not muddle in the internal affairs of Pakistan, otherwise it will lead to dangerous consequences.  

Pakistani media, civil society, political parties and judiciary must realize that Balochistan is being plotted as part of the great game in which US and its allies plan to fulfil their strategic interests at the cost of Pakistan and China. Hence, all Pakistanis must get united to negate and defeat the greedy designs of US, EU and India. 

Political instability in Balochistan must come to an end and present government in Balochistan must be supported by media, civil society and political parties. Our media must denounce the intriguing designs of US members of the Tea Party, who are showing their hypocrisy and double face regarding Balochistan. Media should point out that these hostile members draw sanctified reference from British colonial era of the 18the century when a protest in Boston against absurd taxation on Tea (product) was held by a Tea Party as a measure of raising voice for human rights. The situation in Balochistan presents an internal issue of Pakistan which has mainly been addressed by the political leadership.

The issue of mass graves is under court investigations and official findings are being completed through DNA testing. Hostile propaganda by BSNs that actual number of bodies found was much higher than 13, as officially reported, must be countered. Foreign propaganda should not be allowed to encourage the separatists who are in minority. 

Media must also indicate that besides protecting mega projects, and promoting other developments works, Pak Army set up a number of institutes in Balochistan, which have been providing especially technical training to thousands of Balochis. Pak Army has also been imparting military training to the Baloch youth. The purpose is to bring the Baloch people in the mainstream of the country. Particularly, our missions abroad must counter foreign designs and denounce meetings between Baloch dissidents and US Congressmen by exposing the connivance of anti-Pakistan forces against Balochistan.

Creating Fissures between Pakistan and China

Sajjad Shaukat

From time to time, shift occurs in international politics, depending on the relationship of big countries and their strategic rivalries.In this regard, Pakistan has a strategic geo-political location at the corridor of world’s major maritime oil supply lines, and has close proximity to oil rich Central Asian countries. Its location could influences Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East. Besides, Balochistan’s mineral resources and geo-strategic location with deep Gwadar seaport, entailing Islamabad’s close ties with Beijing pinches the eyes of the US, India, Israel and some western countries which intend to destabilize Pakistan for their common interests. These hostile powers are trying to create fissures between Pakistan and China so as to sabotage their alliance.

Availing the opportunity of the western propaganda, secret agencies like CIA, RAW and Mossad have also increased their secret activities against Pak-China relationship by supporting subversive acts in various regions of Pakistan, and by backing the insurgents of Balochistan.

In 2013, a day before Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Islamabad; Chinese engineers being driven through Clifton Block-1 in Karachi escaped a major bomb attack. Afterwards, foreign-assisted Baloch separatist elements targeted Chinese engineers, working at Gwader. In fact, external supported-militant groups such as Balolchistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Jundollah (God’s soldiers) including other insurgent groups are fulfilling the secret strategic designs of the US-led countries at the cost of Pakistan and China. In the past few years, these militants abducted and killed many Chinese and Iranian nationals in Pakistan. On a number of occasions, these insurgent groups claimed responsibility for their heinous activities.

Plot by foreign elements against Balochistan and China could also be judged from the “Indian Defence Review,” of Jan-Mar 2009. The Review, while suggesting the disintegration of Pakistan, wrote that for New Delhi, “This opens a window of opportunity to ensure that the Gwadar port does not fall into the hand of China. Afghanistan will gain stability…India’s access to Central Asian energy routes will open up.”

It is due to covert strategic aims that the US which signed a nuclear deal with India in 2008 seeks to dismember both Pakistan and Iran—particularly to counterbalance China by making India superpower of Asia. During his visit to India in 2010, US President Barrack Obama signed multiple agreements with New Delhi in various fields. Owing to these agreements, India has also been purchasing C-17 and F35 aircrafts along with latest defence-related arms and equipments from America and other western countries, especially Israel. 

Setting aside the Indian irresponsible record of non-proliferation, defence agreement signed between the US and India on July 20, 2011 as part of the deal about civil nuclear technology, agreed upon by the two countries in 2008. America also pressurized International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Suppliers Group to grant a waiver to New Delhi for obtaining civil nuclear trade on larger scale. 

Especially, on July 20, 2011, while hinting towards Pak-China ties, the then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged India to be more assertive in Asia, saying that as American ally, the country should play more of a leadership role. She explained, “India has the potential to positively shape the future of the Asia-Pacific.”  

The United States seems determined to keep around 10,000 troops in Afghanistan permanently after the withdrawal of NATO forces in 2014. Besides, US has also planned to maintain Indian role in Afghanistan to complete hidden agenda against Pakistan and China.

Taking cognizance of the enemy’s intentions, during his trip to Beijing, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang signed eight agreements on July 5, 2013 in various fields. The most important one envisages the establishment of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) between deep Gwadar seaport of Balochistan and the historic Silk Road city in western regions-Xinjiang of China—connecting to Gilgit-Baltistan through Khunjerab Pass. Beijing has also offered to build an international airport, while the roads infrastructure in Gwadar would be connected with the communication network of rest of the country to facilitate transportation of goods. By rejecting US growing pressure, Pakistan has handed over the control of Gwader seaport to China.

In fact, Pak-China relations signify manifestation of mutual deference, deep feelings of affinity and natural political alliance. Their ties are based on principled pledges. Consequently, both the countries honorably supported each others proposals, plans and interests at regional and international levels including conventions at the UNO and global trade forums—resolution of regional and international disputes and initiatives to espouse ethical and legal issues. In this respect, China courageously supported Pakistan on its righteous stand on Kashmir and related UN resolutions. Both countries are still in consonance with each others strategic and policy framework. Pak-China relations simply reflect all-seasoned friendship free of petty prejudices and arid localized notion. History of Pak-China friendship and enhanced sense of mutual compassion enable them to reap the fruits of their all-weather strategic partnership. Due to fresh avenues of development and economic opportunities in commerce, trade, business etc., Pak-China friendship seems to attain new optimism.

Unfortunately, regional and international powers including US, Western powers, India and Japan, driven by their sense of economic competition, imperial designs to seize and grab energy, gold and other natural resources, and power motives to augment their political influence, are trying to create a wedge between China and Pakistan. Their misleading analysis and skewed reports using irritating jargon and threatening hunches are targeting the general public to create a sense of mistrust and mis-perception among them.

A recent analysis titled, “China in Pakistan: An Awkward Relationship Beneath the Surface,” published by Royal United Strategy Institute (RUSI Newsbrief, on January 15 2014) is a case in point. US and some western powers, being economic rivals of China are trying to create suspicions between Beijing and Islamabad, while the two friendly countries are planning to undertake mega economic projects like CPEC, construction of dams and Chinese investment in Pakistani textile, energy, banking, trade and industrial sectors including numerous other development projects.

It appears as if evergreen Pak-China friendship has become a major source of concern for anti-Pakistan elements and economic adversaries of China. In this context, Shaheen Sehbai in his article titled, “Cheen Ki Wikileaks,” published in a renowned Urdu daily, on January 27, 2014 also expressed bitterness over Pak-China cooperation claiming that rampant corruption in China will be hazardous for Pakistan—suggested that the Pakistan Government should not place all eggs in Chinese basket. His article has frightening contents for Islamabad as Chinese are likely to be misguided. Although he claims to have picked up details of Chinese corruption from foreign Website (The Global Mail and International Consortium of Investigative Journalists), yet timings of such reports clearly point at a mindset and a game-plan to create disappointing impressions of Chinese partnership with Pakistan. However, external propagandists are launching their anti-China campaign through multifaceted drive involving Pakistani writers like Shaheen Sehbai to gain credibility.

As a matter of fact, CPEC seriously irritates China’s rivals, while slow progress provides them an opportunity to comment negatively on the agreement. Chinese security in Pakistan is being blotted to stop Chinese investment in Pakistan. This is incorrectly linked to anti-Chinese sentiments in Pakistan which holds Beijing in high esteem, considering it as an all-seasoned friend and so is the case in China.

Propagandists are falsely trying to link issue of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) in Xinjiang (insurgency in China) to Pakistan and Taliban. The truth does not validate such allegations as Islamabad is not involved in any scheme detrimental to Beijing, as India is supporting the militancy in Xinjiang. Pakistani media must assert that linking Pakistan in such fundamentalist ideologies is totally erroneous and unjust.

Sino-Pakistan relations are being propagated in terms of trade, while it is argued that China has also invested in other regional countries like India and Afghanistan, and there is nothing special about Pak-China friendship. Our media must also project that both China and Pakistan cherish their friendship and consider their relations as everlasting. Chinese affinity towards Pakistan is jealously, felt by the rivals who lead to propagate against their companionship.

Besides, false corruption reports, published by selected group of journalists in West regarding China need to be responded by our media commentators. They should also indicate that Pakistani writers like Shaheen Sehbai must not promote foreign propaganda against China—a strategic partner and all-weather friend of Pakistan, while Pakistan must make efforts to enhance ties with China. Sino-Pakistan old partnership must exploit regional economic opportunities and complete mega development projects to realize the dream Chinese and Pakistani peoples. This will automatically counter anti-China propaganda. It is the right response to those lobbies which are trying to create fissures between Pakistan and China with a view to negatively impact their time tested friendship.