Some told, some untold reasons of Pakistan’s miseries

Saturday, December 20, 2008
By Tariq Javed Khan
The writer is president of Overseas Investors Forum of Pakistan

Unlike other countries, in the case of Pakistan, one can see very clearly a number of major blunders our leaders made which proved very costly for the nation. The reason we are where we are is because of these blunders otherwise by now we would have been the 3rd biggest nation in the world in terms of population and 8th or 9th largest economy of the world with similar ranking as a military power. South Korea, which was following our model of economic development up to 1965, is already the 5th largest economy of the world. Hope we learn some lessons from these blunders and avoid them in future. My list of such blunders, in a chronological order, includes the following:

1. Urdu as a national language:

Declaration of Urdu as a national language for all of Pakistan: This blunder was made despite knowing very well how strong Bangla language was. In 1905 the British created East Bengal with Dhaka as capital. However the Bangla nationalism proved so strong that the Muslims of East Bengal who gained a lot by having their own majority provinces; struggled and got the division reversed in 1911. Keeping that in mind only insane persons could try to impose Urdu as a language on a people who loved their rich language that much! In 1951 language riots broke up and kept building momentum with each killing. This blunder became the far most important reason for break up of Pakistan.

2. Withdrawal of troops from Fata in 1947:

Decision to withdraw all the troops from Fata and to close cantonments and depend fully on tribes to protect our western border was a childish decision. To expect unorganised tribes to protect an extended international border and also keep internal peace and law and order was naive to say the least. The so-called free area or “illaqa-ghair” became a heaven for miscreants of the world. Nowhere in the world exist such areas in the modern times. First as a centre of arm production and sale, then as the drug capital of the world followed by world headquarters of Al-Qaeda and other wanted elements from all over the world, brought untold misery on Pakistan leading to 9/11.

Despite Tora Bora and capture of Afghanistan by Nato and USA, all kinds of criminal activities continued in Fata. Following attacks in 2004 on American interests in Saudi Arabia, in which terrorist trained in Fata were caught and details of their training camps in Fata became available, Pakistani troops had to enter Fata, for the first time since 1947. It is likely to take another year or so to clean up the area and incorporate it into Pakistan.

3. Considering India weak and 1965 war:

A Pakistani think tank was able to convince Ayub Khan that Indians (Hindus) by nature are not a martial (fighting) race and that their defences in occupied Kashmir, was so weak that Pakistan could capture Srinagar in a surprise attack. While all this could be true but the real amazing part of the foolish argument was that as Kashmir is a disputed territory and we would only be crossing the LoC and not any international border this will not lead to an all-out war. That India will not retaliate and attack Pakistan and let us have Srinagar. The foreign minister and president were convinced and so the action started with expected successes and all cheered. However, when India struck Sialkot and Lahore only the super human sacrifices of our soldiers, who blew themselves up under Indian tanks that we were able to stop Indians from capturing Lahore and Sialkot. This war had cost us our close relationship with USA, who up to 1965 was paying 67 per cent of our defence budget and provided us with latest weapons far superior to what Indians had. The cost of war crippled Pakistan ‘s economy and our extraordinary economic growth rate since 1947 came to an end.

4. Defence of East Pakistan not necessary:

During 1965 war a realization dawned on the nation that while a lot of defence preparation was made for West Pakistan; almost nothing was done for the defence of East Pakistan. The Army’s rationale was that in case India attacked the eastern wing, an attack from the west would make them stop the aggression or in other words the defence of East Pakistan lay in West Pakistan. While this strange and twisted logic amazed the people of West Pakistan it enraged people of East Pakistan who felt cheated and betrayed. From that point they started to think of separation more seriously. Their logic was that while they had no conflict with India, why they should suffer from war with India, created by the stupid leadership of West Pakistan. They had no interest in Kashmir and were not ready to die for it. On top of Urdu issue this issue became a major cause of separation of East Pakistan.

Thus the people of East Pakistan voted in one voice for 6 points programme of Awami League in the next elections.

5. No need to develop East Pakistan:

The planners and leaders of West Pakistan it seemed were convinced within themselves; that East Pakistan would breakaway one day so they decided not to allocate development funds to the Eastern wing. The Western aid and loans meant for both the provinces were mostly spent on West Pakistan. This created resentment against Pakistan among the people of East Pakistan and they started to support a set-up in which their resources and due share would not be transferred to West Pakistan. They sought a separation of economy but not the country. This was a reasonable demand under the circumstances.

6. Non-acceptance of people’s mandate:

Although enough conditions were created for justifying a separation move in East Pakistan, the Awami League through its 6 points sought autonomy in line with the original idea of Pakistan i.e. to leave only defence, foreign policy and currency in the hands of centre, while rest to be in the hand of provinces. However, the people’s mandate was not accepted and a civil war ensued.

7. We only need the land not people and USA is with us:

When General Tikka Khan landed in Dhaka, in the midst of civil war, he reportedly said, “He will kill all the Bengalis and retain the land of East Pakistan.” This kind of illogical and barbarian thinking went in the mind of military and civil leaders in West Pakistan, in continuing the civil war for nine months and not accepting any compromise. In the process some 250,000 people of East Pakistan suffered and 90,000 Pakistani troops became prisoner of war (POWs) following a most dishonourable surrender. Any other solution could have been better than this. A number of UN resolution were torn apart with a cry of continuing the war for 100 years. In the midst of one of the worst genocide of modern history our Army’s expectation that USA will come to rescue us, was simply absurd.

8. Nationalization of small industries, schools and colleges:

In the process of curbing the so-called 22 families; the nationalization programme in 1972 extended to small industries, schools and colleges with disastrous results. While we have a problem running ministries honestly and efficiently; to take on the task of managing all banks, insurance companies and large industries was a Herculean task. On top of this government decided to nationalize a large number of small industrial units and educational institutions. This resulted in massive inefficiency, corruption and disincentive for investment for the next 20 years. This blunder caused a lot of unemployment and people slipped to such level of poverty that they were compelled to either migrate to the Middle East on very bad terms or work for terrorist organizations and die so that their families could survive.

9. Non-implementation of Land Reform Act of 1977.

This act was passed 31 years ago but was blocked from implementation with the help of a Fatwa declaring such redistribution of land as unIslamic. During the same period in Iran all land as well as more than one house was redistributed under the Islamic Revolution. No wonder people in Pakistan were up in arms while people in Iran were happy. If land were distributed in 1977, by now the poverty level as well income disparity would have reduced substantially and society become calmer.

People are hoping that the new PPP government will muster some courage and implement the law, which of course will be opposed by the landed class. Government has to decide who it wants to please, millions of people or a handful of landlords. The PPP’s decision will determine their fate as party in next election.

10. Introduction of medieval Islamic punishment and laws:

Soon after the introduction of 1977 Land Reform Act, the landed class with the help of religious parties and the military managed to hang Bhutto. During the movement Bhutto introduced the law banning the Qadianis as the Muslims, banned sale and consumption of alcohol and closed down nightclubs. However, this did not save him. Zia introduced the hudood ordinance reducing the status of woman and harsh punishment like lashing for illicit relationships. This was an instrument mainly used to crush democratic forces. However, in the process the lack of entertainment and personal freedom made Pakistani society very tense after 1978. Police was able to make a lot of money catching people drinking or from couples found courting outside and not possessing a Nikah-nama. Instead of preventing crime and catching thieves and murderers they got busy sniffing people’s breath and chasing couples.

Successive democratic governments have only managed to reverse some of these provisions. It is hoped that this democratic government which appears to be the strongest; will repeal most of these laws and restore harmony in the society. Rehman Malik’s recent instructions to police to stop sniffing people’s breath and concentrate on their real duty of crime prevention, is a bold and laudable move. This will improve law and order.

11. Unnecessary involvement in Afghanistan:

When in 1978 progressive forces in Afghanistan invited USSR to come and assist them and we should have treated this as an internal matter.

The revolution bought fundamental positive changes like improving the status of women, better provision and emphasis on healthcare and above all redistribution of land breaking the hold of landlords. If Bhutto had remained in power Pakistan’s reaction would probably have been different however the bigoted and anti-people dictator Zia ul Haq with the help of Afghani landlords and the US launched a massive attack on Afghanistan and dragged Pakistan in a civil war which continues till today. The oppressed minority tribes who gained from the revolution refused to let the old Pushtoon dominated ruling class comeback and rule again and undo all progress made during the revolution. In the process Pakistan not only received 3 million Afghan refugees who refused to go back and are now found involved in all kinds of crimes due to their extreme poverty but Pakistan is also awash in arms and drugs.

This has changed the character of Pakistani society fundamentally and tarnished its image in the international community. The economic opportunity loss as a result of this policy is estimated at dollars 5 to 6 billion which is far more than what USA gave us during the so-called Jihad during period 1978-88.

12. Kargil war to punish India:

As Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Nawaz Sharif were greeting each other at the border near Lahore; smart military planners were polishing a grand scheme to bring India to its knees. Like 1965, the idea was that we could launch an attack on the LoC and there will be no retaliation on the international border. India will come to its knees and beg forgiveness for all excesses done in the past. Indeed the plan was brilliant and India did suffer heavily, however, the flawed logic of no retaliation was bound to fail again.

Thus in June 1999 when India assembled one of the largest tank formation near Bhawalpur with a view to cutting Pakistan into half Nawaz Sharif had to rush to Washington on 4th of July to arrange a halt on the attack and agreed to withdraw from Kargil. This move was not liked by the Army and they removed him in October.

13. Complete surrender after 9/11:

Although on the face of it American said: “you are with us or against us” and we had to agree to be with them to escape from the massive attack which would follow for letting 9/11 happen, yet there was a lot which Pakistan could have negotiated instead of giving in unconditionally. Logistic support from Pakistan was a pre-requisite for any successful operation in Afghanistan, therefore, in a cool-headed negotiation Pakistan could have succeeded in convincing USA on a number of things, which would have made the surrender more honourable.

14. Cheating the West in war against terror:

After joining the war, a dual policy was followed whereby all the actions required for stopping terrorism were not taken while a lot of lip service was given. This was with a view to continuing the massive inflow of USA funds in the name of war on terror. If effective action was taken in Fata as a continuation of bombing of Tora Bora all rogue elements in Fata and rest of Pakistan could have been nabbed within a year or so. However, the stupid dual policy allowed these elements to operate freely in Fata and become bolder with the passage of time. Pakistan became their target and they threatened and killed Benazir Bhutto, who had promised a more transparent operation in Fata in the form of combined action with USA.

The people mandate of Feb 2008 and final removal of Musharraf has for the first time allowed real action in Fata and it is expected that this operation will lead to clearing the area from international and local criminals within a year form now. American drone attacks in Fata should be welcomed and not opposed; as this is likely to help in this task. The cleanup will be more in the interest of Pakistan than the USA or the West. Our borders would in real meaning extend to Durand Line and Pakistan will become bigger and secure.

15. Allowing Jihadi elements to operate in Pakistan:

The recent attack on Mumbai has also revealed another blunder by the previous government of letting Jihadi elements like Jamaatud Daawa operate freely in Pakistan. Their actions almost brought India and Pakistan on the brink of war at a time when the democratic government is getting ready to take some giant steps towards a permanent peace with India.

Probably the new government did not know about such elements or did not have enough time to nab them.

However now they have acted and tensions will ease and the two nation’s march towards peace will go on in defiance of fool hardy arguments which are in favour of a nuclear exchange by warmongers on both the sides.