Saturday, October 23, 2010

Perspective on Pakistan

Terrorism is a global scourge.

Pakistan is a nation which is suffering the most. As per SATP 8235 Civilians, 3081 Security force Personnel’s and 16410 Terrorists (Most of them Pakistanis) have been killed since 2003. There have been 218 Suicide attacks in the period between 2002 and 2009. In 2010, so far there have been 28 suicide attacks.

The operations launched by Pakistani Army in Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) (consists Bajaur Agency, Mohmand Agency, Khyber Agency, Orakzai Agency, Kurram Agency, North Waziristan Agency, South Waziristan Agency) ( Operation Rah E Nizat) and North West Frontier Agency ( Amb,Swat, Dir, Chitral, Bajaur, Phulera) (Operation Rah e Rast) resulted in mass internal displacement. As per latest UN OCHA update, some 1.9 million Internally Displaced People, (IDPs) has so far been confirmed by Pakistani authorities. About 260,000 IDPs are living in 27 camps and the remainders are with host families.

Pakistan is torn with internal strife and sectarian Violence. (116 People Killed in 26 Incidents in 2010), The Shia- Sunni Divide is enlarging day by day. Pakistani Economy is in tatters. It is needless to say that the county is undergoing a crisis situation.

Agreed, the Pakistani establishment and ISI are to be blamed. But it is the common people who are facing this wrath. They are being grinded d between the terrorist and the Government.

The Anti India Obsession is a state function. The common people of Pakistan have no time to engage in this rhetoric. They have more crucial issues to fight for. (Inflation remains the top concern among the public, jumping from 7.7% in 2007 to 20.8% in 2008, and 14.2% in 2009…CIA World Fact Book).

We should, see the things in clear perspective. There are three variables here: - The Pakistani Establishment (ISI, ARMY, and Politicians), the Fundamentalists and the Common People. The majority i.e. Common People of Pakistan are being misguided by Establishment by use of Fundamentalist as an effective deception for their failed policies.

We should stand for People of Pakistan.

We should expose the deceit of the Pakistani Establishment by directing our protest against it directly. No reference to Nation of Pakistan should be made directly in loose term.
We respect sovereignty of our Neighbour Pakistan. We want Peace, stability and Harmony. We are prepared to work for it. But we stand against those in Pakistan who pose challenge to Indian sovereignty.

(Contribution - Mr Skand Nayal Khan)

Pipe Pipers of Jihad…

In the apple orchard of
Pahalan, Pattan Kashmir
Children
young and tender
played
Terrorist –Army
………
Sharik and Umer were Mujahidins
They established a Hide in the Barn
And Army
Ilakh,Abdu,Yakub and Salim
Were informed to
Spin a fool proof yarn
The hide was cordoned
Mujahidin opened fire
With planks of apple chest as mock guns
The army fired too
And Umer was judged shaeed
But Sharik escaped to
Continue his deed
……..
Cheater said Sailm
We fired at you
We killed you Goon
You cannot escape alive
Stupid
Said Sharik
a Cat has Nine lives…

Friend they were
Thick bum chums
They played,
They wandered around
They bunked the school
Till one day the headmaster
Caught them loafing around
He reprimanded them
He told them to
Come to school with parents

The friends were shocked
How to tell their parents
They were not attending school
What to do
How to get out of this impasse that ruled

Lets tell them the truth
Said Yakub
And plea for mercy this time
Sissy you Said Salim
We will not bend nor beg
Umer said there is no way
Lets tell our parents and see
Whatever will be will be
Whatever will be Abdu retorted
We will be beaten to pulp and blue
This is certainly not the thing
I will agree to do
What is the way out?
Said they together in doubt

There is one way Sharik said
Wit twinkle in his eyes
But you all are a bunch of softies
For you it holds no tie
I will at dawn tomorrow
Cross LoC at closest
and reach Pakistan
Will become a Mujahidin then
And return with Gun and fame
You kids will see
My Charisma and my name

Ha said Umer,
is it easy as you said
The snow on hills is Fresh and deep
Soon we will be dead

No, replied the Wise Sharik
Do you think I am naive?
We will cross Not from Gulmarg
But Tangdhar and get save
I overheard my uncle who
Works over ground
Lot of gaps in LoC fence
Are there to be found
But all this will cost some money
Said Yakub
We have nothing
… it is funny

Hold, said Sharik
Tuning his pockets out
Fished currency notes
Now is there any doubt
From where you got so much of money
Asked all his friends together
I help few Mujahidin
Sharik Replied
With beaming Proud In his eyes
When they were in rough weather
I guided them
From village to Jungles
Away from army camp
I even carried an AK
And held it close to my heart
They smiled at me
And hugged me close
And gave this to me
Did when we part

The boys watched him
With surprised gaze
Their eyes lit
With hopeful Rays
So
Sharik Asked
Who all are Men Enough?
To come with me
…………………………….
And who is a eunuch…
One by one
all agreed to go
early morning tomorrow they shall leave
it was decided so….
…………………………….

Journey from Pattan to Kupwara
Coasted fortune they had
They sat on the main market
Hungry heartbroken and sad

Now what shall be done?
was there any way
to cross the Samshabari
they asked Sharik in Dismay?
Sharik replied with conviction
We will go to the nearest Mosque
And when people come for namaz
Implore them
that we are holy warriors
And ask for Zakat

They walked to the Mosque
And found no one there
It was 9 30 in Moring
So no one offered prayer
Sharik in zest to prove him
Gave premature Azaan
And Maulvi Sadakat
Came rushing with chagrin and disdain
But when he saw these children
He was perplexed as can be
Who gave the Azan he inquired
Without asking me
The boys confused by now
Pushed Sharik ahead
And frightened, told the Maulvi
What he had sad
Amazed was the Maulvi
And told them to sit down
Walked out to arrange some food
With an anxious frown
After the children had eaten
He asked Sharik the reason
To lead this group of novices
For an act of treason
Treason! Shouted Sharik
You are a man of faith
How dare you dissuade holy warriors?
Who tread the path of Jihad

Jihad,
The maulvi smiled
He told Sharik to sit down
And ask the children
Why they had quit their homes
When he came to know
Their plight
He spoke to them
“You are running away from you primary duty
This is to obtain education
And grow up as responsible Humans
This is your Jihad
Islam stands for Brotherhood
Islam stands for belief
Islam teaches Compassion
Islam teaches Peace
What brings you here is not pious
Go back to your homes
You children
And spread smiles
Around
Spread hope
Be Allah the Merciful be with you
………
The children were sent back home
Their parents were amazed
A thousand Questions in their conscious
Were raised
……………………………………..


This is a true incident. These children ran away from their home to escape from punishment at the school. What is unusual here is these children wanted to go to POK (Azad Kashmir, Whatever you want to call it), and get enrolled as Mujahidin. This is a sad situation, wherein the children who should be groomed as future of Kashmir are made to think such things.
The Kashmir movement now is fully controlled by Pakistan. Mostly Pakistani terrorists operate within the valley with impunity. Most of these are criminals, who have been given an option to choose between Gallows or Kashmir. They come here, stay for two to three years, enjoy what all can be pleasured. Some are killed and some go back. What is left behind is for Kashmir to suffer.


(Contribution - Mr Skand Nayal Khan)

Now Or Never

British were always obsessed with their superiority. Their failure in Second World War gave them a bloody nose. To sustain the empire “Where the sun did never set,” become economically unviable.
America was the new God, Basking under the glory of its victory in Europe. Together, the Brits and Yaks feared the neo Devil, Communism.
Oil was important for the recovery of war torn Europe. It was Middle East from where the oil came from. At this juncture ceding independence to India was a strategic risk. But if India was not liberated, it would have been direct pronunciation of Hypocrisy of western ideology of Liberty and Freedom. After all it was this philosophy for which Americans have fought the war.
Churchill administration was certain that an India under leadership of Mahatma will not allow them to operate military bases in South Asia. And these were needed.
So the conspiracy of partition of India was hatched. What all they needed was Baluchistan and NWFP. Since Baluchistan was technically Afgan territory and Pathnas were allied to Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan it was a difficult task.
The Idea of Pakistan saw light of the day.
It was a result of ambitions, distrust, misunderstanding on both sides; the Congress and the League, that partition of India became viable.
Radcliff did a brilliant Job. On close observation one can decipher the sinister design of the boundary. Kishangarh Buldge, juts into Pakistan where it is narrowest. Chicken neck, threaten Indian communication with Kashmir, Siliguri corridor is 80 Km wide and the Bay of Bengal is just 60 Km from Lungetlai salient.
The events during partition left a stigma which will take generations to wane. Who so ever stated it; both nations suffered, and are still suffering. To top it all Kashmir was invaded. Now if the British Commanding general of Indian and Pakistan army pleads ignorance, he is a liar. The nascent Pakistan was convinced by British that Kashmir or Part of it is necessary for their existence. One way it was. But the method employed in haste entangled the two nations in a 63 years old animosity.
We were Brothers and we could have settled it amicably.
If a policy for 63 years has produced no result. The policy has resulted in four wars. It is high time we need to relook at it. 63 years of hatred, why not give chance to love?

Now let us have a look at some facts.
In 2008-09 Pakistan allocated a sum of Rs 296 billion for defence. India laid down a defence budget 1.42 trillion rupees (28.4 billion dollars) in year 2010. Over the next 12 years, India is set to spend a whopping US$200 billion on defence acquisitions to replace its outdated inventory. This Money can be utilized for better purposes.
Here are some more recent comparative indicators:

One out of every three illiterate adults in the world is an Indian, according to UNESCO. Pakistan stands fourth in the world in terms of illiterate adult population, after India, China and Bangladesh.

One out of very two hungry persons in the world is an Indian, according to World Food Program. Pakistan fares significantly better than India on the hunger front.

Poverty:

Population living under $1.25 a day - India: 41.6% Pakistan: 22.6% Source: UNDP

The reason for higher levels of poverty in India in spite of its rapid economic growth is the growing rich-poor disparity. Gini indexmeasuring rich-poor gap for India is at 36, higher than Pakistan's 30. Gini index is defined as a ratio with values between 0 and 100: A low Gini index indicates more equal income or wealth distribution, while a high Gini index indicates more unequal distribution. Zero corresponds to perfect equality (everyone having exactly the same income) and 100 corresponds to perfect inequality (where one person has all the income, while everyone else has zero income).

Nutrition:

Underweight Children Under Five (in percent) Pakistan 38% India 46% Source: UNICEF

Health:

Life expectancy at birth (years), 2007 India: 63.4 Pakistan: 66.2 Source: HDR2009

Education:

Youth (15–24 years) literacy rate, 2000 to 2007, male Pakistan: 80% India 87% Source: UNICEF

Youth (15–24 years) literacy rate, 2000 to 2007, female Pakistan 60% India 77% Source: UNICEF

Economics:

GDP per capita (US$), 2008 Pak:$1000-1022 India $1017-1100

Child Protection:

Child marriage under 15-years ; 1998–2007*, total Pakistan - 32%India - 47% Source: UNICEF

Under-5 mortality rate per 1000 live births (2007), Value Pakistan - 90 India 72 Source: UNICEF

The time has come for us to make a choice. Weather we continue our attitude of mutual distrust and spend money preparing for a battle that is costing future of our nation.Or we reconcile our difference and work together for progress.
It is not that difficult also.
We start with India taking the initiative. Revamp Indus water treaty to establish Joint Hydro Electric Projects in Kashmir. India will provide Investment and Expertise and Pakistan will get Electricity and water. With a Hydroelectric potential of 28000 MWin Kashmir, Pakistan can easy get up to 8-10 Thousand Watts.
This should be followed by Pakistan closing its terrorist infrastructure. A joint commission for investigation of Anti India and Pakistani activities should be established hereafter.
Pakistan to provide India the status of most favored Nation. India should provide soft lone for revitalization of economic activity. India should invest in Pakistan. This should be followed by establishment of common free market, and if possible unified currency.
The visa regulation is next. Like EU a common citizenship card should be established for both nations.
During this period Military to military interaction should increase. Exchange program for Military establishment should take place. Further a joint command should be established for UN operations. Later this can be extended into joint South Asian Command.
We should aim at field a Joint team in 2023 Olympics.
Then we can talk about Kashmir.

(Contribution - Mr Skand Nayal Khan)