Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Pakistan's National Security Dynamics
By Tariq Rizwan
Pakistan came into being in 1947, the only second country in the name of Islam after the state of Madina. It was strong desire of the founder of the nation to have a true democracy in the country and make Pakistan a welfare state. Almost 70 years have lapsed but we failed to improve our governance system. During our short history, we have experienced a very confused system of governance. Institutional vendetta is rampant prompted by the evils of personality and family based politics coupled by rampant corruption in almost all spheres of life. Indeed, Pakistan is considered one of the most resourceful countries in terms of geostrategic location, strong agriculture sector, cheap labor and the unexplored mineral reserves. Apart, Pakistan has a diverse society which has never been transformed into an opportunity rather remained a menace to our national security.
We have inherited a very diverse society from the scratch and some watchful enemies in the neighborhood. Our diversity has remained a soft target and our staunch enemy has never missed any opportunity. Occupation of major portion of Kashmir in the beginning and the separation of East Pakistan in 1971 are the cases in point. Our consecutive governments have miserably failed to cover up its fault lines and are being exploited till today by the regional and extra regional powers to their advantage. Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Gilgit Baltistan, Balochistan, Sindh specially Karachi and southern parts of Punjab continued to be Pakistan’s problem areas under the watchful eyes of regional enemies.
During his recent speech on Independence Day 15 Aug, 2016, Indian Prime Minister Nerender Modi crossed all the limits and opened alleged gross violation of human rights in Balochistan, Gilgit - Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. It was part of India’s tit - for - tat policy to the growing indigenous resurgence in Occupied Kashmir in recent weeks where more than 80 innocent Kashmiris have been killed and hundreds other injured as a result of Indian Army’s use of force against the peaceful protestors. Pakistan foreign office spokesman has termed Modi’s speech as ‘crossing of a red line’.
FATA, the semi-autonomous tribal lands consist of seven Agencies "Bajaur, Mohmand,
Tribal people joined Pakistan rather than India in 1947. The narrow strip ‘FATA’ is being ruled through a centuries old black law called ‘Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR)' made by the Britishers. This brutal law like collective responsibility was introduced by the Colonial Empire to punish the tribals for their disobedience and armed resistance. These tribals were later on instrumental in liberating the Azad Kashmir from the Indian clutches. They fought bravely against the Indian occupational troops. Instead of rewarding them, Pakistan has not brought any change in FCR except the introduction of adult franchise and extension of political act through ordinances by former PPP Presidents Farooq Ahmed Khan Laghari and Asif Ali Zardari respectively. People of FATA are deprived of basic rights including political, social, economical, educational, legal etc. Even the elected representatives have no say in the parliamentary and administrative affairs of their areas via a vis the Political Agents. The later are considered as uncrowned kings due to their absolute powers in FCR.
There is no writ of government in the area. FATA remains like an open field. History shows that incursion of Mughals, Soviets, Taliban militants etc took place at ease and remains a source of trouble till today. It is an open secret that most of the terrorism in the country comes from FATA due to lack of government writ. Though Pakistan Army has improved the road infrastructure to a greater extent, yet the ongoing cosmetic measures are not the ultimate solution. Tribal populace is stuck up between the devil and deep sea. They are the sufferers by end of the day due to military operation, US drone strikes and militant activities. Their culture, traditions, economy and housing infrastructure specially in operational areas has been destroyed completely. due to flight of capital due to insecurity of life and property. Being hub of militant activities, hundreds of thousands of innocent tribal people have lost their lives and displaced in the ongoing war on terror.
Despite FATA Reforms Committee report, Pakistan has yet to extend law of the land to FATA and bring it into the mainstream. It does not augur well for the multi billion dollars CPEC. However, inclusion of FATA reforms in National Action Plan (NAP) is an encouraging step to change its administrative status, introduce political activities and bring socio economic development in the area.
Balochistan too remained backward due to such criminal negligence on the part of the state. Masses are deprived of basic rights. Though the law of the land prevails yet due to the meager resources provided by the state, the province remains extremely backward. Being a huge landscape, Balochistan is laden with plenty of mineral resources but remained unexplored either due to state neglect or due to security reasons coupled by the corrupt and exploitative attitude of local Nawabs, Sardars and those who were on the helm of affairs. Unprofessional handling of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti added fuel to the fire. As a result, the locals became a soft target to be exploited by the enemies for their vested interests. The self exiled rebel Baloch leaders including Khan of Kalat, Hairbyar Marri and Brahmdagh Bugti continued to be exploited by the foreign powers specially the Jewish lobby and RAW-NDS nexus at their convenience to achieve their agenda of destabilizing Pakistan. The recent suicide attack in Quetta and interview of Brahmdagh, thanking Prime Minister Modi for showing sympathies for Baloch are evident in this regard. The enemy is using mercenaries to undermine CPEC.
Situation in Gilgit - Baltistan and Karachi is also fragile. The area remained backward and lacks development in the field of infrastructure, health, education, industrialization etc. Apart from the security measures taken for CPEC, government has to transfer more funds to these areas to bring it at par with Punjab, change the political status of FATA without wasting any more time and take the political parties on board. Pakistan is going to lose a golden opportunity as China has huge potentials in terms of finances, technology, human expertise and ready to provide all these. Indeed, Pakistan has to take bold steps and convince China of its sincerity in developing the shortest Western CPEC route. Otherwise all will be in vain and our coming generations will curse us as usual.
The writer is a freelance journalist based in Islamabad
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
From isolation to triumph: Pakistan’s journey to the top
By REUTERS
Pakistan have long been regarded as a talented yet inconsistent side, but through a combination of sheer hard work, application and a little help from some inclement Caribbean weather, the South Asian side sit atop the test rankings for a first time.
Misbah-ul-Haq´s men thrashed hosts England at the Oval, the venue of one of the country´s darkest moments in cricket, earlier this month to earn a 2-2 draw in the four-test series and prove to many that they can compete on any surface.
Last Wednesday, Sri Lanka completed a 3-0 whitewash of table-topping Australia to allow India to go top of the ICC rankings and when four straight days of rain denied the Indians a 3-0 series win in the West Indies, Pakistan were elevated to the top of the pile without bowling a ball.
"This is what cricketers play for and want to achieve in their careers. It is a reward for something we had planned as a group a few years ago and have worked extremely hard to achieve it," Misbah told reporters of the rise to the top.
Unable to play at home since a 2009 militant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore and shorn of bowling prospect Mohammad Amir in the wake of a damaging spot-fixing scandal at the Oval in 2010, Pakistan have ploughed a lonely furrow in cricket´s wilderness.
Undaunted by the isolation, Amir has returned after serving a five-year ban and immediately added fire to a formidable pace attack that, supplemented by the guile of imposing leg-spinner Yasir Shah, can run through any batting order.
Led by the evergreen Misbah and his able aging cohort Younus Khan, their vital experience has enabled a younger generation of batsmen to shine as Pakistan have capitalised on the dust bowl pitches in their UAE surrogate home to see off all-comers.
In the last two years, Pakistan have beaten Australia and England at home, drawn with New Zealand, and earned impressive away series wins in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh before the 2-2 draw against the English gave the world notice of their class.
"For us, the number one ranking is not a destination but part of a journey," Misbah added. "Our long-term objective and strategy is to remain competitive, continue to challenge the top sides with good cricket and once again become the most followed side like the Pakistan teams of yesteryear.
"While climbing to the top has been a long and arduous journey, the real challenge for Pakistan is staying there and test series in New Zealand and Australia at the end of the year will be the biggest indicator of just how far they have come.”
Modi raises the stakes
Shahid M Amin
The last few days have seen a marked deterioration in relations between Pakistan and India. Moreover, Indian influence is growing in Iran and Afghanistan, giving Pakistan a sense of encirclement. On the other hand, Pakistan’s ties with China have taken a quantum leap with the launching of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is likely to transform Pakistan’s economy and will strengthen Pakistan in other sectors as well. Such a prospect does not suit India. The enhanced Indian hostility towards Pakistan couild be motivated by a desire to sabotage or minimise projects under CPEC. These developments need careful evaluation by Pakistani policy-makers.
India is the second most populous country in the world and the fourth largest military power. It has a huge market, which gives it considerable leverage in international relations. India has made rapid economic progress but about 30% of its people still live below the poverty line. India is a democracy and has maintained political stability. It enjoys considerable political influence in the world. But India has all along sought to dominate its neighbours. Only Pakistan has stood in the way of Indian domination of South Asia. India also has had a troubled relationship with China with which it is in an undeclared competition for leadership of Asia. After the collapse of Soviet Union, its old ally, India has established a strategic alliance with USA in which the driving force is a common rivalry with China. Pakistan’s alliance with China is a particular eyesore for India.
India-Pakistan relations remain a hostage of history and religion. For a thousand years, Muslims held power in India, although Hindus remained the majority. Despite living together for centuries, genuine integration did not take place and the two communities maintained their distinct national identity. In the 20th century, irreconcilable differences between Hindus and Muslims on the constitutional setup eventually forced the Muslims to demand the division of India and setting up of Pakistan in Muslim-majority areas. Since their independence, India and Pakistan have remained pitted against each other despite periodic efforts to improve bilateral relations. Behind platitudes about secularism in India and desire for good relations with Pakistan, the underlying problem in India remains resentment against Muslims who had ruled over Hindu majority for a thousand years. After independence, Hindu supremacy in India is unchallenged but Pakistan is seen by many Indians as the continuation of that Muslim past. Besides, it is the only country in region opposing Indian ascendency. The hard-liners in India, including the ruling BJP, want to cripple or destroy Pakistan.
Kashmir remains the most serious problem between India and Pakistan. It has a Muslim majority and should have become a part of Pakistan but, through deceit and use of force in 1947, Kashmir is largely under the control of India. The Kashmiri people remain unreconciled to Indian occupation. The latest situation is that mass anti-India demonstrations are taking place in Kashmir since July 2016, after the killing by Indian military of Burhan Wani, a young Kashmiri militant leader. India has used brute force, including pellet guns that have blinded many protestors. The scale of unrest is unprecedented.
Turning a blind eye to realities in Kashmir, India is accusing Pakistan of abetting the current unrest. Pakistan maintains that the Kashmiri struggle is purely indigenous. Pakistan has openly sympathised with Kashmiri protestors and is raising the Kashmir issue in international forums. The current turmoil in Kashmir has aroused international concern. This is clearly pinching India and it has now adopted a new strategy to strike back against Pakistan.
In his speech on India’s Independence Day, Prime Minister Modi raised the temperature by publicly supporting the secessionists in Balochistan. He also claimed that the people in Pakistani-held Kashmir are being oppressed by Pakistan. But Modi’s claims fly in the face of realities. There is no sentiment in Azad Kashmir to separate from Pakistan or join India. So far as Balochistan is concerned, the whole world recognises it as a Pakistani province. India’s support for Baluch secessionists is a flagrant violation of international norms and constitutes interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs. In the words of a Pakistani spokesman, India has crossed a ‘red line’.
Pakistan can retaliate by supporting secessionists in several states in India like Punjab, Nagaland and Mizoram. However, it would be wiser for Pakistan to remain on the moral high ground and adopt a low-key response to Modi’s provocations on Balochistan. Any tit-for-tat policy would merely divert world attention from the Kashmir situation. This is what India would welcome and this could well be the reason why Modi raised the Balochistan bogey. Modi’s comments corroborate Pakistan’s view that India has been involved in subversive activities in Balochistan. This was also proved by the arrest of Yadav, an operative of RAW, who admitted being involved in subversive activities there for about ten years. In the words of Nirupama Subramanian, an Indian journalist, Modi has given Pakistan “a huge helping hand to drive home its India-hand claim about the Baluch struggle. Perhaps worse than this is that in one swoop, Modi has discredited the struggle’s indigenous moorings.” Nirupama added that in Pakistani Kashmir, “there is no popular unrest. Much as India might wish, there is no people’s movement. Most people living (in Azad Kashmir) think of themselves as Pakistanis. As for Gilgit Baltistan, being united with India is not on their wish-list. What Gilgit-Baltistan wants most is to become Pakistan’s “fifth province” so that it has the same constitutional rights that the other four enjoy.”
It is possible that Modi is playing internal politics by employing anti-Pakistan rhetoric, with an eye on the forthcoming UP elections. His party is dedicated to Hindu fundamentalism. This has been a key reason behind its popularity in India, where such mentality appeals to many Hindus. In any event, Modi is playing with fire and must not forget that Pakistan is a nuclear power with missile capability. The strategic reality is that a nuclear confrontation is in the interest of neither country. The nuclear deterrent will ensure Pakistan’s survival, irrespective of any Indian intrigues. Another strategic reality is that Modi’s words will not bring about the separation of Balochistan where the secessionists have been further discredited due to India’s open support for their cause.
— The writer served as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, the ex-Soviet Union, France, Nigeria and Libya.
India is the second most populous country in the world and the fourth largest military power. It has a huge market, which gives it considerable leverage in international relations. India has made rapid economic progress but about 30% of its people still live below the poverty line. India is a democracy and has maintained political stability. It enjoys considerable political influence in the world. But India has all along sought to dominate its neighbours. Only Pakistan has stood in the way of Indian domination of South Asia. India also has had a troubled relationship with China with which it is in an undeclared competition for leadership of Asia. After the collapse of Soviet Union, its old ally, India has established a strategic alliance with USA in which the driving force is a common rivalry with China. Pakistan’s alliance with China is a particular eyesore for India.
India-Pakistan relations remain a hostage of history and religion. For a thousand years, Muslims held power in India, although Hindus remained the majority. Despite living together for centuries, genuine integration did not take place and the two communities maintained their distinct national identity. In the 20th century, irreconcilable differences between Hindus and Muslims on the constitutional setup eventually forced the Muslims to demand the division of India and setting up of Pakistan in Muslim-majority areas. Since their independence, India and Pakistan have remained pitted against each other despite periodic efforts to improve bilateral relations. Behind platitudes about secularism in India and desire for good relations with Pakistan, the underlying problem in India remains resentment against Muslims who had ruled over Hindu majority for a thousand years. After independence, Hindu supremacy in India is unchallenged but Pakistan is seen by many Indians as the continuation of that Muslim past. Besides, it is the only country in region opposing Indian ascendency. The hard-liners in India, including the ruling BJP, want to cripple or destroy Pakistan.
Kashmir remains the most serious problem between India and Pakistan. It has a Muslim majority and should have become a part of Pakistan but, through deceit and use of force in 1947, Kashmir is largely under the control of India. The Kashmiri people remain unreconciled to Indian occupation. The latest situation is that mass anti-India demonstrations are taking place in Kashmir since July 2016, after the killing by Indian military of Burhan Wani, a young Kashmiri militant leader. India has used brute force, including pellet guns that have blinded many protestors. The scale of unrest is unprecedented.
Turning a blind eye to realities in Kashmir, India is accusing Pakistan of abetting the current unrest. Pakistan maintains that the Kashmiri struggle is purely indigenous. Pakistan has openly sympathised with Kashmiri protestors and is raising the Kashmir issue in international forums. The current turmoil in Kashmir has aroused international concern. This is clearly pinching India and it has now adopted a new strategy to strike back against Pakistan.
In his speech on India’s Independence Day, Prime Minister Modi raised the temperature by publicly supporting the secessionists in Balochistan. He also claimed that the people in Pakistani-held Kashmir are being oppressed by Pakistan. But Modi’s claims fly in the face of realities. There is no sentiment in Azad Kashmir to separate from Pakistan or join India. So far as Balochistan is concerned, the whole world recognises it as a Pakistani province. India’s support for Baluch secessionists is a flagrant violation of international norms and constitutes interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs. In the words of a Pakistani spokesman, India has crossed a ‘red line’.
Pakistan can retaliate by supporting secessionists in several states in India like Punjab, Nagaland and Mizoram. However, it would be wiser for Pakistan to remain on the moral high ground and adopt a low-key response to Modi’s provocations on Balochistan. Any tit-for-tat policy would merely divert world attention from the Kashmir situation. This is what India would welcome and this could well be the reason why Modi raised the Balochistan bogey. Modi’s comments corroborate Pakistan’s view that India has been involved in subversive activities in Balochistan. This was also proved by the arrest of Yadav, an operative of RAW, who admitted being involved in subversive activities there for about ten years. In the words of Nirupama Subramanian, an Indian journalist, Modi has given Pakistan “a huge helping hand to drive home its India-hand claim about the Baluch struggle. Perhaps worse than this is that in one swoop, Modi has discredited the struggle’s indigenous moorings.” Nirupama added that in Pakistani Kashmir, “there is no popular unrest. Much as India might wish, there is no people’s movement. Most people living (in Azad Kashmir) think of themselves as Pakistanis. As for Gilgit Baltistan, being united with India is not on their wish-list. What Gilgit-Baltistan wants most is to become Pakistan’s “fifth province” so that it has the same constitutional rights that the other four enjoy.”
It is possible that Modi is playing internal politics by employing anti-Pakistan rhetoric, with an eye on the forthcoming UP elections. His party is dedicated to Hindu fundamentalism. This has been a key reason behind its popularity in India, where such mentality appeals to many Hindus. In any event, Modi is playing with fire and must not forget that Pakistan is a nuclear power with missile capability. The strategic reality is that a nuclear confrontation is in the interest of neither country. The nuclear deterrent will ensure Pakistan’s survival, irrespective of any Indian intrigues. Another strategic reality is that Modi’s words will not bring about the separation of Balochistan where the secessionists have been further discredited due to India’s open support for their cause.
— The writer served as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, the ex-Soviet Union, France, Nigeria and Libya.
RAW forms new anti-Pakistan cell: sources
NEW YORK (Dunya News) – Indian intelligence agency RAW is ready to become more active in Pakistan as it has formed a cell with the name ‘Baloch Operation’ to intensify its actions in the country, reported on Monday.
Sources told that a Canadian 25-year-old Baloch refugee Mujadik Dilshad and his wife are nowadays residing in India. They were called by RAW to establish a group consisting of Baloch immigrants living in US, Canada, Australia, Afghanistan and Iran.
Military training would also be given to the members of the group.
Mujadik Dilshad is a son of famous filmmaker Ghulam Mustafa who was taken into custody in 2006 over illegal activities after which the whole Dilshad family was shifted to Canada.
A report, urging to use Balochis living overseas against Pakistan by training them under commando action as Pakistan’s military forces are busy in National Action Plan and operation Zarb-e-Zarb, was submitted to Indian PM Modi.
The report said that such people would be helpful for Indian bad intentions in freedom movement of Balochistan. A new desk to monitor Baloch operation has also been arranged in RAW headquarters.
Under the operation, those supporting Balochistan’s freedom are being contacted for a nefarious purpose.
Sources told that Mujadik has given secret information to the Indian forces and is ready to go against Pakistan Army for the independence of Balochistan. He has also been instructed to form a group of rebels that will be completely funded by RAW.
It was also learnt that RAW wants to launch major operation against Pakistan Army to divert its attention from Zarb-e-Azb operation.
Reported by Nadeem Sulehri
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