National interest should reign supreme

By Mohammad Jamil

In 1950s, Pakistan had joined defence pacts with the West, and the nation was told it was done in the best national interest. However, meaninglessness of the pacts became obvious during the wars with India in 1965 and 1971 when our allies became neutral. In 1979, Pakistan became a frontline state after Soviet army invaded Afghanistan, what it said on the request of Afghan Government, the then Pakistan’s government said it was in the national interest. After 9/11 events, joining the war on terror was also said to be in the national interest. If one dispassionately examines the above cases, they did not promote or advance national interests; rather the results were just the contrary. The term national interest connotes nation’s survival, territorial integrity and political independence.

Nevertheless, for a visionary leadership in a nation-state, the criterion is being unemotional and taking pragmatic decisions keeping in view the ground realities. However, nation’s very existence/survival often ranks at the top of all other interests. Indeed, for survival there is need for strong defence; and to achieve this objective stable and strong economy is an indispensable condition. In case of Pakistan, there are other factors that need to be kept in view while defining national interest. Pakistan was created on the basis of two-nation theory, and negation of this concept would mean striking at the very foundation of the state. Whereas, for hegemonic states national interest lies in coercing other nations, Pakistan seeks good relations with the neighbouring countries; however, other states should not get involved in acts that roil friendly relations. 

National interest also lies in achieving self-reliance and internal reform in order to avoid foreign pressure of all sorts. It is unfortunate that Pakistan a resource-rich country has been brought to the present pass due to ineptness of a pack of incompetent leaders. It was because of dependency syndrome that Pakistan was coerced into joining the war on terror and suffered in men and treasure. When Irani border guards were killed by the terrorists, Iran warned that in case Pakistan failed to rein in terrorists, Iran would cross over to Pakistan to take action against them. Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai had also issued a similar warning, as if Pakistan was a banana republic. Today, national political power in the state is shared between multiple power centres and is passing through a defining phase. 

The military, judiciary, national and provincial governments, political parties, media and civil society are all stakeholders, and have to work in unison to define and protect national interest. Of course, military top brass have expertise in security-related matters, as during their long tenures spanning over three decades they have first-hand knowledge about security paradigm, which is often related to foreign policy paradigm. Against this backdrop, the government has to take decisions on the basis of their input. Finally, there is need to end proxy wars in Pakistan that engender sectarian conflict and terrorism. Former director general of Inter Services Intelligence Lieutenant General Ahmad Shuja Pasha (R), during in-camera briefing to Parliament had told that some Pakistani clerics were receiving funds from Saudi Arabia. 

Iran on its part has been trying to counter by supporting its own proxies inside Pakistan. Tehran and Riyadh are embarking on a very dangerous course, and both countries are equally responsible for stoking the sectarian fires in Pakistan and elsewhere. Some commentriat, analysts and politicians present doomsday scenario and express the fear that in case Pakistan would not meet Saudi demands the future of over a million Pakistani workers would be in jeopardy. They should understand that decision to join a war on friendly country’s request is not taken on the basis of how much that country has invested and how many workers are employed there. 

After a unanimous resolution adopted by joint session of Parliament to stay out of the conflict in Yemen, UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Muhammad Gargash has said: “Pakistan was required to show a clear stand in favour of its strategic relations with the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, as contradictory and ambiguous views on this serious matter will have to pay a price.” It has to be mentioned that Parliament’s resolution has backed the government’s resolve to protect Saudi Arabia’s territory in event of threat to its territorial integrity. Since Saudi Arabia has not been attacked, Pakistan cannot join the coalition against Yemeni Houthis. Meanwhile, Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Arab Parliament in the Arab league expressed his disappointment with the Pakistani parliament’s decision to remain neutral in the Yemen conflict. 

If one considers these statements as a note of warning, then it has to be mentioned that Pakistani expatriates are working hard to earn their living and not receiving dole. As regards foreign investment in Pakistan, they invest in Pakistan for profit and not for the love of Pakistan. In 2006, Emirates Telecommunication Corporation (Etisalat) acquired a 26 per cent stake in Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) in a deal for $2.6 billion. Nowhere in the world is management of the company or corporation given to 26 per cent share-holder. We are grateful for Saudis’ help after Pakistan detonated nuclear devices in May 1998. But Pakistan must have given something in return, as there is no free lunch in international relations. 

Iran had also helped Pakistan during wars with India in 1965 and 1971; but after 1979 revolution in Iran late Ayatollah Khomeini had reportedly said that shias were being persecuted in Pakistan. And that people of Pakistan should rise to get rid of military dictatorship. The question is if Iran and Saudi Arabia can take decisions on the basis of its national interest, why Pakistan can’t do it? For decades, Saudi Arabia had supported Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir; but now it has taken the position that Kashmir dispute should be resolved through bilateral negotiations. Pakistan never complained about kingdom’s change in stance. It is hoped that Saudi Arabia would understand that Pakistan faces threats to its internal and external security, and cannot show laxity on eastern or western borders by diverting troops to Saudi Arabia. 

Wars perpetuate violence

By Ali Sukhanver

Must Pakistan jump into another hell of trials and tribulations by becoming a party to the war between Saudi Arab and Yemen as a few of the so-called analysts are suggesting? Has Pakistan not learnt any lesson from its involvement in Afghanistan during the days of USSR’s interference there? Did Pakistan earn anything else but blames and allegations along with an unceasing torrent of terrorism by standing with US in its so called war on terror? All these questions are very painful in nature.

It is time to realize that by stepping into the issues, which do not belong to us, we do nothing but create problems only for our own country and for our own nation. It is also a fact that we don’t have a very cordial atmosphere around us in the neighbourhood, so keeping in view the whole scenario, we as a nation, will have to be very much careful in our decisions and assessments. The only important thing we need at present is peace. 

We have a lot of problems within our own boundaries; our army is engaged in a very intense war against the terrorists; our law-enforcement agencies are doing their best to eliminate Karachi from all type of criminals and our political government is trying its best to get rid of chronicle crisis like lawlessness, energy shortage, water scarcity, unemployment and inflation. The only aim and objective is to create a peaceful atmosphere so that Pakistan may attract foreign investment which is no doubt the most urgent need of time. 

Peace is essentially the basic ingredient for a prosperous society; unfortunately the world of today is lacking this ingredient the most. Injustice, prejudice and unfairness in attitudes are the fundamental elements which mar the process of peace everywhere, at every level. We see that the societies where there is supremacy of justice, people are living a peaceful life and the societies which lack justice and accountability are passing through a continuous process of social and economic deterioration. The situation is ever worst in the South Asian countries. We have the examples of countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, India and even Pakistan where law is just an outworn book of rules and regulations and the only rule in practice is that of ‘ Might is right’. Lawlessness has become the part of national temperaments. 

The worst example of lawlessness is that a culprit admits he has committed a crime, but he is not punished for his crime. In such circumstances, it will not be a wise decision to step into another war as we are already in a warlike situation with India. The most important requirement of time is to put our own home in order. 

May 28: Pakistan Became Nuclear Power

                                          

By Sajjad Shaukat

With national zeal and fervour in different parts of the country, Youm-e-Takbeer (The day of greatness) is celebrated every year on May 28 as a national day to mark the conduction of nuclear tests when on the very day in 1998; Pakistan became the first Muslim and the 7th nuclear power in the world.

While showing aggressive designs, on May 11, 1998, the then Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee surprised the international community by announcing that India has conducted 3 nuclear tests earlier that day. On May 13, 1998, India conducted two more nuclear tests.

However, both the neighboring countries have waged three wars, especially on the issue of the Indian occupied Kashmir, so Pakistan’s arch rival compelled Islamabad to follow the suit. In this regard, it took only 17 days for Pakistan to successfully carry out its five nuclear tests which were done on May 28 and the sixth one on May 1998, at Chaghi in Balochistan in response to five nuclear explosions detonated by India, threatening the security of Pakistan. For the purpose, about five thousands scientists including Dr Samarmand Mubarik and especially Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan had worked day and night and made the defence of the country impregnable.

As regards Pakistan’s atomic experiments, renowned journalist, Majid Nizami said, “Pakistan faced tremendous pressure from India after it detonated five nuclear devices and America in this scenario also did not want Pakistan to become a nuclear power. US President Clinton telephoned the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif five times besides offering him billions of dollars to refrain him from nuclear tests. In this perspective, he further stated, Nawaz was receiving opinion from different sections of society, and in the same connection, he also convened a meeting of the editors wherein he (Majid Nizami) also gave the input.”

New Delhi’s war-mongering strategy against Pakistan could be judged from the fact that in 1974 India conducted first nuclear test at Pokhran Range in Rajhistan so as to pressurise Islamabad.

It is mentionable that when ZulfikarAli Bhutto, (The late) came to power, he paid much attention to the nuclear programme of Pakistan, as he knew that India would apply its coercive diplomacy on Islamabad or could attack our country. In this context, while talking on a TV channel on May 28, 2012, Pakistani nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan appreciated the efforts of former Prime Minister Shaheed ZulfikarAli Bhutto for providing the opportunity to make the nuclear programme of Pakistan successful.

He also made it clear that Pakistan’s nuclear programme was totally indigenous, but acquired materials from some Western countries.

During many crises such as Kargil issue of 1999 and attack on the Indian parliament by the militants in 2001, New Delhi concentrated its troops across the Pakistan’s border, with the intention to attack Pakistan, while raising a series of false allegations against Islamabad. Pakistan was also compelled to deploy its Army along the Pak-India border. But, India did not dare to initiate a war because of Pakistan’s ‘Nukes.’ Similarly, in the past, Indian rulers had intended to implement their doctrine of limited war in Kashmir, but they could not do so owing to our nuclear weapons.

Particularly, in the aftermath of Mumbai terror attacks of 2008, India accused Pakistan’s spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of supporting the militants. Although Pak diplomats denied Indian self-fabricated story regarding Mumbai catastrophe, but New Delhi adopted a threatening posture against Islamabad. It one again deployed its troops across the Pakistani border. Again, Islamabad also concentrated its military in order to give a matching response to India.

Notably, when US special forces killed Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan on May 2, 2011 in violation of Pak sovereignty—though Islamabad had repeatedly made it clear that its government and intelligence agencies did not know anything about Bin Laden’s whereabouts including any official involvement regarding the 26/11 Mumbai catastrophe, but, New Delhi continued its aggressive style which could be judged from the statement of Indian Army Chief Gen. VK Singh who claimed on May 4, 2011 that if situation arose, the Indian defence forces were competent to undertake a US-like operation inside Pakistan, which killed Al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden. Indian army’s Northern Command chief also expressed similar thought.

In this respect, Indian top civil and defence officials clearly said that their country could conduct a US-type military operation or surgical strikes inside Pakistan.

Nevertheless, in the aftermath of Mumbai attack, India left no stone unturned in frightening Pakistan through a prospective invasion. Violation of Pakistan’s air space by New Delhi had created an alarming situation, as Islamabad had also taken defensive steps in response to meet any aggression or surgical strikes by India. Situation was so critical that Pakistan started moving thousands of military troops from the Afghan border and the tribal areas to its border with India. But, India failed in implementing its plans of any military action or aerial strikes on Pakistan due to the fact that the latter also possesses nuclear arsenal which could destroy whole of India.

It is noteworthy that America dropped atomic bombs on Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as Tokyo had no such devices to retaliate. After the World War 11, nuclear weapons were never used. These were only employed as a strategic threat. During the heightened days of the Cold War, many crises arose in Suez Canal, Korea, Cuba and Vietnam when the US and the former Soviet Union were willing to use atomic weapons, but they stopped because of the fear of nuclear war which could culminate in the elimination of both the super powers. It was due to the concept of ‘mutually assured destruction’ that the two rivals preferred to resolve their differences through diplomacy.

Political strategists agree that deterrence is a psychological concept that aims to affect an opponent’s perceptions. In nuclear deterrence weapons are less usable as their threat is enough in deterring an enemy that intends to use its armed might.

While both the neighbouring adversaries are nuclear powers, Indians should not ignore the principles of deterrence, popularly known as balance of terror.

In these terms, India is badly mistaken, if it overestimates its own power and underestimates Pakistan’s power. As our country lacks conventional weapons vis-à-vis India, so it will have to use atomic devices during a prolonged conflict which would result into national suicide of the two countries. So India may apply its blackmailing diplomacy on the non-atomic states of South Asia in exerting psychological pressure, but it is useless in case of Pakistan whose deterrence is credible, making its defence invincible, as it possesses a variety of nuclear weapons and missiles which could be used against India as the last option, if the latter attacked our country.

Moreover, it is due to atomic bombs that Islamabad can talk to New Delhi with honour and dignity, discouraging India from casting an evil eye on our motherland.

Furthermore, as Pakistan is the only declared nuclear country in the Islamic World, hence, it has become special target of some western top officials and media persons who continue their propaganda against Pakistan’s nuclear programme. They have especially hired the services of media anchors and writers who work on their payroll and have been creating doubts about the safety and security of Pakistan’s atomic weapons and nuclear plants. Particularly, in 2009 when the heavily-armed Taliban entered Swat, Dir and Buner, US high officials and their media had exaggerated the ‘Talibinisation’ of whole Pakistan, while showing concerns about Pakistan’s atomic arms. In that regard, the then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had warned that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists. But, when Pakistan’s armed forces ejected the Taliban insurgents out of these areas by breaking their backbone, She started appreciating the capabilities of Pakistan Armed Forces.

Similarly, when terrorists had attacked on Pakistan’s Naval Airbase in Karachi on May 23, 2011, US-led some western countries including India and Israel exploited the situation through disinformation about the security of Pak nukes. And, terrorists’ assault on Kamra Base was successfully foiled by the personnel of Pakistan Air Force, but, a baseless report, published in the New York Times had indicated that suspected militants attacked a major Pakistani Air Force base where some of the country’s nuclear weapons were considered to be stored in the early hours of the militants’ attack. The ex-US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta also stated day, “There is a danger of nuclear weapons of Pakistan, falling into hands of terrorists.”

Undoubtedly, Pakistan’s nuclear assets are in safe hands-well-protected and are under tight security arrangements, having the best command and control system.

Nonetheless, May 28 is celebrated as Youm-e-Takbeer by various political parties and social organizations including general masses with a pledge to make Pakistan a stronger country, militarily and economically, among the comity of nations. No doubt, on this very day of 1998, Pakistan became nuclear power.

Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations

Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com

Pakistan Armed Forces’ Role in UN Peacekeeping

                                  

 By Sajjad Shaukat

Every year, International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers is celebrated on May 29 to pay tribute to all those who served in the UN peacekeeping operations and to honor the memory of those who lost their lives in the cause of peace. This very day also reminds Pakistan Armed Forces role in UN peacekeeping measures, during war and peace time. 

Pakistan Armed Forces are considered the best organized institution, and are highly respected in the country, as since the founding of Pakistan, its military has played a key role in holding the state together, promoting a feeling of nationhood and providing a bastion of selfless service.

Since its creation, Pakistan has played a significant role as UN member, in bringing peace through active diplomatic, moral and material support in various regions of the world. Today, Pakistan’s position as one of the largest troop contributing country in the world with one of the highest peacekeepers’ casualty figure is testimony to its commitment and endeavours towards promoting the noble cause of global peace. It is not easy to achieve peace in world’s conflict ridden areas. But Pakistan Army’s history is replete with sacrifices, services to humanity and promoting collective security for human prosperity.

In this regard, Pakistan is a big player in UN peacekeeping forces. Pakistan joined the United Nations on September 30, 1947. Since 1960, it has been actively involved in most of the UN peacekeeping missions. Major contributions of Pakistan Army are in Congo, Liberia Somalia, Ivory Coast, Western Sahara, Sierra Leone, Bosnia, Kosovo, Georgia, East Timor Haiti etc. Even, at present, more than 8200 troops of Pakistan Army are engaged in different peacekeeping missions across various volatile countries.

The performance of Pakistani peacekeepers has been recognized worldwide by several world leaders including those of the UN. An undeniable professional standing of Pakistani forces has made them the passion of every special representative of Secretary General and Force Commander in each of UN peacekeeping operations. In this respect, Pakistan’s dedication towards UN has been acknowledged by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon who himself visited Pakistan and inaugurated the Center for International Peace and Stability (CIPS) on 13 August 2013 and praised Pakistan’s efforts in UN peacekeeping missions.

However, Pakistan has participated in 41 UN missions in 23 states where total 142,542 Pakistani personnel engaged, taking start from UN Congo Operation in 1960. Pak army delivered its services there, and contributed in ordnance, transport and staff. It is still present in Congo, and provided a Battalion Group comprising one infantry battalion and supporting elements.

For maintaining and monitoring ceasefire during transition of West Irian from Dutch rule to Indonesians, Pakistan contributed 1500 infantry troops from October 3, 1962 to April 30, 1963. In a rare acknowledgement of excellent role done, Chinese Premier Chou-En-Lai had said, “The only example in United Nation’s history, when United Nations force had gone in…performed its role honestly and came out, was Pakistan’s military contingent to Indonesia.”

Besides, Pakistan’s contribution was in United Nations Yemen Observer Mission (UNYOM) as a military observer from January to September 1964. Yemen entered into a state of civil war in 1962. To ensure that this conflict did not escalate into global incident, the UN set up its Yemen Observation Mission. And, United Nations Transition Assistance Group in Namibia (UNTAG) was established to assist the special representative of the UN Secretary General to ensure the early independence of Namibia through free and fair elections, and to carry out a number of other duties. For the purpose, 20 military observers from Pak Army performed their duties from April 1, 1989 to March 21, 1990 in Namibia.

Notably, Pak Army played a positive role in the Middle East, and was on forefront for peace restoration. United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observer Mission (UNIKOM) was set up in April 1991, following the forced withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait. Its task was to monitor the demilitarized zone along the Iraq-Kuwait border and deter border violations. Pakistani forces which helped continuing their services there from April 1991 to 2003 were assigned the most difficult area in the north of Kuwait city—reclamation of Bubiyan Island was also entrusted to them. The operation was carried out by a task force of Pakistan Army Engineers. The professionalism and dedication displayed by this force was praised at international level.

While, inside the United Nations Transitional Authority on Cambodia (UNTAC), the Pakistan’s military forces carried out peacekeeping operations in the most thorny and remote areas during the period-May 1992 to August 1993. They overcame enormous logistic and operational problems, and proved their courage and determination by defending themselves and those for whom they were sent. Coping with the odds, they handled crisis after crisis and persuaded the warring factions to lay down their arms.

And, on the request of the UN in Latin America under the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH), Pakistan provided one infantry battalion, ‘PAKBAT’ which arrived in Haiti in March 1995 and was deployed in Cape Haitien—the area faced extremely volatile security situation and was also the hotbed of political agitation. ‘PAKBAT’ discharged its duties with an extensive patrolling program, covering various regions there.

Nevertheless, Pakistan’s army has worked in difficult terrains and situations for the global peace. Now, inside the country, although Pakistan Armed Forces are facing a tough situation in wake of war against terrorism, yet they are contributing to global peace and prosperity; having still a large number of their presence in various parts of the world.

Now, the major powers must abandon their false propaganda against Pakistan and its Armed Forces, as the latter did more in response of international demand of world peace.

Nonetheless, in pursuance of Pakistan Army’s unwavering commitment towards international peace, 130 Pakistani soldiers have sacrificed their lives. In this connection, Pakistan Armed Forces’ positive role in the UN peacekeeping measures reflects Pakistan’s desire to see the principles of human dignity, freedom and self-determination.

Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com

Balochistan needs careful handling

By Khalid Iqbal

A lot has been written about government intervention to stop a discussion in one of the private sector universities about the situation in Balochistan. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said in a statement issued on April 17: “It is extremely unfortunate and highly condemnable that the discussion on Balochistan scheduled for April 9, under the re-mapping justice series at LUMS, had to be cancelled on the orders of the government”. This scribe is of the considered opinion that such an exchange should be encouraged in academic environment; but is also in the know that how such discussions carried under similar noble banners go astray and, advertently or inadvertently, serve the political agenda of pay masters of such events—academic freedom does not mean unregulated behavior and conduct. No state allows this. A renowned architect of modern social science, Max Weber, stated: “A state is a human community that claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of force within a given territory”. Any government worth the name has to establish the writ of the state.

Since the start of the Gwadar port project, a lot of loose money has been readily available from some of the foreign NGOs and think tanks for sensationalizing the Balochistan situation. It will be worthwhile for the prestigious university to look into the timing of such an event. Maybe the organizers unknowingly walked into trap of holding the event just prior to the visit by Chinese President, who is expected to sign a number of mega projects for Balochistan. It is being portrayed that the reason for stopping the event was the inclusion of Mama Qadeer Baloch, leader of the Voice of the Baloch Missing Persons, in the list of speakers.

Not a long ago, Mama was given a freehand to carry out a long march from Quetta to Islamabad and he has also been allowed to organize sit-ins at various major cities. Last year, Mama Qadeer Baloch, had a meeting with UN officials in the United Nations office in Islamabad, and presented a memorandum for the UNSG. The document demanded of the UNSG to investigate issues of missing persons, target killings, enforced disappearances and alleged involvement of agencies in heinous crimes. By doing so, he disappointed all those who had been supporting the cause of missing persons all along. 

Besides international intrigues, anti-Pakistan elements are also conspiring against the province of Balochistan with a view to destabilize the province by exacerbating dissent, sectarian violence and stirring sentiments of separatism. Balochistan is resource-rich province of Pakistan, and its geostrategic location has significance for international business and transit trade. Thus world powers and regional countries, including some ostensibly friendly ones, have designed their respective Balochistan specific game plans. Most of them are covertly working to create conditions to control and influence the resource rich zones.
As a great majority of the people of Balochistan are patriotic Pakistanis, a relentless effort is being made to create confusion in their minds by floating horror stories about Balochistan. Balochistan has been a battlefield of mischievous interests of anti-Pakistan elements for the last many years. Most of the time there is an artificially created atmosphere of lawlessness, chaos and anarchy. Innocent people are killed, sometimes in the name of sectarian conflict and sometimes in the name of linguistic and ethnic differences; ethnic cleansing is another sorry state of the overall picture. The state does not subscribe to any such activity. Terrorists are doing their best to enforce the impression that the law-enforcement agencies and the intelligence agencies are behind the bloodshed in Balochistan. Keeping in view the mega projects planned for Balochistan; vested interests both domestic and international are working overtime to keep the pot boiling so that such projects do not translate in to on-ground infrastructure.

The National Commission on Missing Persons/Forced disappearances, headed by Justice Javed Iqbal, in 2010, had put to rest exaggerated claims of missing persons in Balochistan. Findings brought to light that the number was less than one hundred, and the other three provinces and AJK each had a larger number of unaccounted for persons. Later, a delegation of the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances carried out its ten-day official visit to Pakistan on government’s invitation. During the visit, the Working Group held a number of meetings with representatives of all sectors of the civil society including NGOs, activists, lawyers and a number of relatives of disappeared persons in all parts of the country. It reported: “The invitation extended by the Government to us and other special procedures of the Human Rights Council is a testimony of its will to cooperate and take human rights issues seriously…Meanwhile, Pakistan is facing important security challenges…The State has to deal with multiple threats, coming from terrorist movements or violent groups. The conflicts taking place in neighbouring countries or territories is an additional factor of insecurity. The Working Group acknowledges these threats and the need for the State to ensure the right to life of their citizens”. Working group received a number of complaints, but found nothing close to fairy tales of “hundreds of thousands of missing persons”. 

On April 11, twenty construction workers were killed and three others injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire on them in a pre-dawn attack on a labourers’ camp near Turbat. The victims belonged to Sindh and Punjab. The banned Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) promptly claimed responsibility for the attack. Chief Minister Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch believes that RAW is behind all these; he has stated that terrorists, receiving funds from RAW, were involved in this heinous act. In a recent interview with the Oneindia portal/website managed by the RAW, Dr. Allah Nazar, chief of BLF spelled out in detail various issues ranging from the attempts made by the Chinese to have foothold in Balochistan with the help of Pakistan, and also the role that India could play in Balochistan. In 2004 also, the BLF had claimed responsibility for attacks on Chinese engineers in Gwadar. 

In a follow up to the April 11 incident, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif along with Chief Minister and Governor Balochistan attended a briefing at FC Headquarters Quetta on April 15. During his trip the General warned foreign governments and intelligence agencies against meddling in Balochistan and thereby sustaining the insurgency that he vowed would be defeated “comprehensively”. He said: “We will unearth terrorists, their abettors, sympathisers and financers. None of them will find any place in the country to hide.”
Well, the nation has had enough of rhetoric over the last decade or so, it is time for the General to walk the talk, show tangible results and let the results speak for themselves. And at the same time it’s also time for self-reflection for prestigious institution— LUMS; it should not lend its forum for such contentious events. Human Rights is a sacred concept, but has increasingly become a political tool at national and international levels applied selectively to achieve some other objectives. This misuse of the banner of HR as a carrier of additional agenda has lowered the credibility of some of the HR watchdogs. These entities tend to operate in a static environment, losing sight of broader dynamic ground realities. Due to its peculiarities and complexities, Balochistan certainly needs careful handling. 

Challenges to China-Pakistan cooperation

By Khalid Iqbal

China’s investment plan in Pakistan, with a special focus on the development of infrastructure, is a part of China’s overall initiative for Asia in general and South Asia in particular. China is also working on another regional connectivity plan to link with India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. China and Pakistan have formalized the setting-up of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). China has a lot to gain from its economic corridor arrangement with Pakistan; its centuries’ old vision of reaching the warm waters through the shortest route is coming to fruition through peaceful ways. It’s a win-win situation for both.

China’s emerging role in Afghanistan, in unison with Pakistan, and its announcement of $46 billion investment in Pakistan, have created panic in the Indian policy making circle. “China’s footprint to our west will continue to grow bigger as it seeks access to the waters of the Arabian Sea through Pakistan, the energy resources of Iran and the mineral resources of Afghanistan,” said Vikram Sood, an Indian strategist. Now India is bracing up for a counter-corridor—India-Iran-Afghanistan corridor. This undue criticism and alarm is despite the fact that China is opening up all sectors of its economy to all countries of Asia; and India is very much a beneficiary. 

Pakistan has, in recent years, felt constantly slighted by the world. President Barack Obama avoided visiting Pakistan during both his trips to India. But by virtue of its strategic location, it is difficult to keep Pakistan away from the dynamics of global geopolitics. Sensing the opportunity, China has set out to compensate Pakistan for the US tilt towards India. Huge Chinese investment drawfsthe American assistance package to Pakistan of $7.5 billion that began in 2010, under the infamous Kerry-Lugar-Berman Act. However, it is important to understand that Beijing it prefers to see the US maintain its support for Pakistan. Moreover, Pakistan also does not see China as a substitute of the United States. The Chinese investment programme focuses on ambitious projects that shall transform global trade flow patterns and extend China’s global influence, notwithstanding the military dominance of the US. 

India will keenly watch how this surge of Chinese investment shapes Pakistan’s economy. It is likely to employ all means at its disposal to impede the speed of these projects, and would also try to disrupt some of these. Indian media coverage of President Xi’s visit was rather negative. While commenting on negative media projection in India, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson responded coolly: “As regards the Chinese President’s visit to Pakistan, we conduct our relations with other countries on the basis of mutual interests. The Chinese engagement with Pakistan, and in this region, contributes to stability. We welcome China’s increased role in SAARC. No country has veto over bilateral relations between countries. Hence, we would not like to comment on the Indian media reports”.

President Ashraf Ghani is in India for two days. The two leaders will discuss the final tripartite transit agreement involving India, Afghanistan and Iran centred on the Iranian port of Chabahar. India’s access to landlocked Afghanistan, and potentially on to Central Asia, Russia, and Europe, is either through Pakistan, or via Iran. The route via Pakistan is the cheapest and shortest. Unlike his predecessor Hamid Karzai, Ghani has reached out to Pakistan to help negotiate a settlement with Taliban insurgents, and to China to add clout to the fragile peace process as well as to invest in the Afghan economy. China is also working with Pakistan for intra-Afghan reconciliation. This has heightened the realization in India about its down-slide in South Asian affairs.

Karzai era tall-talk of India-Afghanistan strategic partnership, including significant sales of military equipment, is becoming a distant memory. Earlier this month, India delivered three light helicopters to Afghanistan, behind schedule by three years, and fell well short of Karzai’s requests for field guns and battle tanks. Likewise, Iranian comments on the pace of India’s investment in Chabahar are also interesting: “We are trying to take the steps, but Indians are very patient people, sometimes more than enough... It is very obvious that Chabahar is even more important for India than for Iranians. Strategically for India, you can access Afghanistan, Central Asia, (on) to the Caucasus, to Russians, to Turks, to North Europe,” said an Iranian source privy to negotiations on the port project. Iran has also not forgotten that India had walked away from the IPI gas pipeline project.
Developing the Economic Corridor from Gwadar to Kashgar shall open up the hinterlands of both countries to connectivity and trade, internally, with other regional countries, and across the seas, cutting down distances, duration and costs of travel. Another objective is massive investment in Pakistan’s infrastructure, which has been unable to keep pace with the country’s needs. This will be done by prioritizing energy generation in hydro, coal, solar, wind and IAEA safeguarded civil nuclear power, transportation, including improving highways and upgrading the main North-South railway line.

Despite efforts, 450 kilometers stretch of road from Gwadar up northwards has not yet been constructed due to the law and order situation. Ethnic Baloch rebels, who oppose Gwadar’s development, have in the past blown up numerous gas pipelines and trains and attacked Chinese engineers. The rebels want to scare off investors and developers. They are being lavishly funded by India and they use Afghan soil for sanctuary and regrouping. Suppression of rebellion by force has proven dicey. The political process to resolve the issue needs to be strengthened and fast tracked.

Window of opportunity is not unlimited for the leadership and people of Balochistan. If the portion of the road planned for Balochistan does not come up within a reasonable timeframe, alternative routes exist. If so, the province’s benefits from the economic corridor shall stand significantly curtailed. At the same time, the federal government should embed people friendly schemes all along the corridor to so that common people become stake holders in the economic corridor related projects. Notwithstanding the setting up of special security outfit for the corridor, the ultimate key to sustainable security rests with the local population adjoining the corridor and its associated projects.

Success and long term sustainability of cooperation would largely depend on how effectively and speedily Pakistan can implement these projects and utilize new investment windows such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Silk Road Fund. It is all easier said than done and the onus of creating conducive environment is on Pakistan. First and foremost, there should be a diplomatic campaign to allay the fears of neighbouring countries that the economic corridor is against the interest of any third country. Second, Pakistan must approach Iran and UAE for joint management of three ports—Chabahar, Dubai and Gwadar. Third, national consensus about advantages of the corridor must be strengthened. Fourth, the Baloch leadership and public must be on board so that province can benefit from the project. 

INVITATION TO A BULL

BY Ali Sukhanver

Must Pakistan jump into another hell of trials and tribulations by becoming a party to the war between Saudi Arab and Yemen as a few of the so-called analysts are suggesting? Has Pakistan not learnt any lesson from its involvement in Afghanistan during the days of USSR’s interference there? Did Pakistan earn anything else but blames and allegations along with an unceasing torrent of terrorism by standing with US in its so called war on terror? All these questions are very painful in nature. It is the time to realize that by stepping into the issues, which do not belong to us, we do nothing but create problems only for our own country and for our own nation. It is also a fact that we don’t have a very cordial atmosphere around us in the neighbourhood, so keeping in view the whole scenario, we as a nation, will have to be very much careful in our decisions and assessments. The only important thing we need at present is peace. We have a lot of problems within our own boundaries; our army is engaged in a very intense war against the terrorists; our law-enforcement agencies are doing their best to eliminate Karachi from all type of criminals and our political government is trying its best to get rid of chronicle crisis like lawlessness, energy shortage, water scarcity, unemployment and inflation. The only aim and objective is to create a peaceful atmosphere so that Pakistan may attract foreign investment which is no doubt the most urgent need of time.

Peace is essentially the basic ingredient for a prosperous society; unfortunately the world of today is lacking this ingredient the most. Injustice, prejudice and unfairness in attitudes are the fundamental elements which mar the process of peace everywhere, at every level. We see that the societies where there is supremacy of justice, people are living a peaceful life and the societies which lack justice and accountability are passing through a continuous process of social and economic deterioration. The situation is ever worst in the South Asian countries. We have the examples of countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, India and even Pakistan where law is just an outworn book of rules and regulations and the only rule in practice is that of ‘ Might is right’. Lawlessness has become the part of national temperaments. The worst example of lawlessness is that a culprit admits he has committed a crime, but he is not punished for his crime. The situation becomes graver if the committed crime is not against some individual but against a neighbouring country. The Samjhota Express tragedy is also one of such examples where we see the helplessness of law at its worst.

This sad incident took place on 18th February, 2007. The Hindu extremists set off bombs in two carriages of the Samjhota Express train which connects Pakistan and India twice weekly.Sixty-eight passengers, mostly Pakistanis, were killed and dozens more were injured. As per tradition, the Indian government and media initially began pointing the finger at Pakistan for the terror attacks. The Bharatiya Janata Party did all its best to drag Pakistan into this terrorist activity but later on somehow or the other it appeared that various Hindutva militant groups were involved in this terrorist activity.
The Central Bureau of Investigation arrested a former Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) activist from India, Swami Aseemanand, for his involvement in various terrorist activities. On 24 December 2010, he was handed over to the National Investigation Agency where he admitted in front of a magistrate that he was directly involved in planning terror attacks on Samjhota Express. In his statement he said, “It is not Muslims, but Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) activists who planned and executed the bomb blasts on the Samjhota Express in 2007.” Swami Aseemanand further said that it was his interaction with one of the ‘innocent’ Muslim youths in jail that led him to his confession but in spite of his confession of involvement in various terrorist activities Aseemanand was granted bail on August 28, 2014. On the other hand, instead of taking to task the terrorists who have openly confessed their involvement in Samjhota Express blasts, India is continuously blaming Pakistan for favouring and supporting the terrorists involved in Mumbai Blasts. In such circumstances, it will not be a wise decision to step into another war as we are already in a warlike situation with India. The most important requirement of time is to put our own home in order. 

Karachi People! Pakistan Looking Towards You

By Aasef Chauhdry

The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is very clear, précis and unambiguous. The Article 6 of it elaborates in detail about people who fall under the High Treason category, thus liable to a punishment. The article 6 is hereby quoted,

“Article 6: High Treason

1.     Any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance, or attempts or conspires to abrogate or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance, the Constitution by use of force or show of force or by any other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason.

2.     Any person aiding or abetting or collaborating the acts mentioned in clause (1) shall likewise be guilty of high treason. 2(A). An act of high treason mentioned in clause (1) or clause (2) shall not be validated by any court including the Supreme Court and a High Court.

3.     Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) shall by law provide for the punishment of persons found guilty of high treason.”

After having said this all, a question lurks in everyone’s mind that why a Psychological patient in the name of politics be allowed to make hostage the public, hijack the airtime of electronic channels and provoke the peaceful citizens of the country to rise against the state, while himself living comfortably abroad and enjoying all the perks and privileges as a citizen of that country? It’s not difficult to understand that we are talking about MQM Chairman Altaf Hussain, who was particularly and the rest of the MQM leadership generally, were earlier vociferously seeking direct involvement of Army, made a somersault and unexpectedly changed their stance and started criticizing Pakistan Army and intelligence agencies with hollow allegation of partiality. Military exercised restraint but venomous campaign against Army / ISI / Pakistan Rangers continued unabated. So finally the army had to rebut his nonsensical allegations in a befitting and strong manner. Hours after a strong reaction from the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) over a speech by Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain in which he ‘criticised’ the Pakistan Army, the party came up with a dilly dally excuse that their chief actually did not condemn or criticize the armed forces and in fact applauded the leadership of army chief General Raheel Sharif. This joke has happened many times before also and not a new thing.

Apart from the armed forces the general public of Pakistan showed strong resentment to his abhorrence for the army and largely condemned Altaf Hussain and his blind followers. Finding no other way out and under the growing condemnation and pressure from public and political circles, MQM leaders resorted to plead for forgiveness and regretted his remarks. It is his usual way and political jugglery which he has been repeating quite often. Why he is allowed to appear on microphone at that crucial time when he is not in his senses, and permitted to waste public’s precious time? The gentleman claims to be a visionary and a self proclaimed Quaid. Does this ludicrous behaviour suits to a person who has placed himself on a higher-tier?

In the latest episode of Altaf Hussain’s comical and absurd behaviour, he crossed all the limits of ethics and morality to demonize the institutions of Pakistan and even sought help from RAW but that was not the end. The irony was that like slaves, MQM leadership in Pakistan, without realizing, that in which tight corner their insane leader has placed them, launched a campaign to defend him. Public pressure once again forced him to seek apology.  It is imperative to question political leadership in Pakistan, how many times he would rebuke the nation and its sons in uniform and how many times the State would remain silent and bear his insolvent posture. There is a big question mark pinned on the ruling elite’s indifferent behaviour.

At the moment it sounds as if this is the armed forces’ issue and not a matter of national concern. Pakistan Army spokesman, General Asim Bajwa, through his tweets of 30 April 2015, termed Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain’s speech as “uncalled for and disgusting” and signaled legal proceeding against him. In one of the tweets he said, “Such reference to Army or its leadership as reaction to arrest of criminals, who may have links with any political party, won't be tolerated”. In his other tweets, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) General Asim Bajwa reacted against MQM chief’s speech, saying the statements against Pakistan Army are unbearable and the court will be approached in this connection. He tweeted, “Irresponsible remarks and using media to incite the people of Pakistan to rise against the state- the matter will be pursued legally.” He was of the opinion, “Such reference to Army or its leadership as reaction to arrest of criminals, who may have links with any political party but will not be tolerated.”

This is one side of the story while on the other side, Britain where Altaf Hussain is living since decades, is surprisingly quiet. The is the duty of our government to ask the UK Govt whether they would allow such a controversial series of hate speeches from a foreigner into their country, who is accused of having been involved in a serious money laundering case and for which he can be sentenced to jail for years? The most disappointing things are coming from the British and Pakistan governments. The former is not stopping her citizen from creating anarchy and restlessness through his live hate speeches, while the latter is criminally quiet over this disastrous conspiracy and neither taking any legal action nor banning such lethal speeches on electronic media. Its known to all and sundries that the LAEs (Law enforcing Agencies) Operations in Karachi are across the board and are without any like or dislike, nevertheless, the shady stance taken by Altaf Hussain creates suspicions and indicates MQM’s involvement in destabilizing Karachi. The role of LEAs to restore peace in Karachi is evident through its acts and it should be applauded and encouraged in true spirits without making biased references.

No one claims or alleges that the whole MQM is a band of criminals. It has, in fact, many balanced, sane and patriotic personalities. But it’s time for those personalities to think over it as to why should they remain the part of a lost, disgruntle and mischievous hoard? Knowing well, that a person sitting outside of Pakistan, having jolly good time while creating hurdles for them here by his hate speeches, has no right or reason to be followed or supported. Making a choice isn’t very difficult for them. O one side they have to follow a person whom they have not seen in decades and who is living on their party funds lavishly, abroad while on the other hand they have a holy motherland and its guardians, who should, logically be more important and dear to them. Pakistan Armed Forces are pro national in character without having any provincial inclinations. For them anyone who is against the State is their number one enemy, may he be a Punjabi, Pakhtun, Baloch or Sindhi. Mohajir otherwise sounds an out of place and out of time word as the last mass migration that took place was by the Afghan brethren. After decades some returned to their motherland and the others who preferred to stick around opted to change their nationalities and liked to be called as Pakistanis. If that’s so then why the people who migrated about 68 years back should be taken as the ‘Mohajirs’? Even the infants of that era are now senior citizens who have seen their wonderful time here in Pakistan. Many of them have called it a day and the rest are living peacefully in hibernation, then why this card of Mohajir is being played again and again when a meager number of actual Mohajirs is left alive and point to remember that when we call someone Mohajir its not only Urdu speaking class. The history suggests that Mohajirs from East Punjab suffered more at the hands of brutal Sikhs and gave far more sacrifices than anyone else.

My question is to the patriotic people of Karachi as to how long they will continue to stay mum and seal their tongues? And for how long they are going to tolerate lunacy of leadership? It is the first and foremost obligation of MQM workers to call Altaf Hussain’s oratory as sadistic, aggressive and treasonous. They should remember that as patriotic Pakistanis it’s their crucial test. What happens from here on would be entirely the responsibility of people of Karachi. They have to join their hands irrespective of their political parties’ alliances and have to raise a flag of unity and nationalism. Karachi is Pakistan’s lifeline. Pakistan as an independent state has stepped into seventh decade and third generation is enjoying the perks of independence.  How long we will continue to be Mohajir, let’s not negatively portray the image of residents of Karachi in a wrong way, they are now the proud natives of Sindh and majority of them is living happily. The loyalty and patriotism of Urdu speaking is beyond any doubt and it’s as pure and genuine as it is of a Punjabi, Pakhtun, Balochi, Kashmiri or Sindhi, however the same of a group within MQM is debatable. A big responsibility lies on the shoulders of the Karachites. It’s time for them to show their immense love for the motherland and let the history to write their names in the golden words. The armed forces are doing their duty and will keep discharging their responsibilities diligently and selflessly but it’s the people of Karachi who can stop Karachi from becoming Dhaka, when a handful bunch is hell bent upon playing into the alien hands.  

MQM Chief’s Blame Game against Key Security Agencies

                            

By Sajjad Shaukat

In the past few years, gang warfare, criminal activities and target killings have taken the lives of thousands of persons including the personnel of the Rangers and Police in Karachi. A number of terror-related incidents including sectarian violence have also resulted into several casualties.

Therefore, the Present Government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif launched the targeted operation in Karachi after obtaining consensus of all stakeholders like political parties, business community and members of civil society. For the purpose, Karachi was particularly handed over to Pakistan Rangers with power to take action against the culprits without any discrimination.

But, leadership of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and particularly its Chief Altaf Hussain who was earlier vociferously seeking direct involvement of Army in Karachi abruptly changed his stance and started criticizing Pakistan Army and intelligence agencies with hollow allegation of partiality. Military exercised restraint, but venomous campaign of self-assumed blames against Pakistan’s key security agencies—Army, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Pakistan Rangers continued unabated. Under the growing condemnation and pressure from public and political circles, MQM leaders resorted to plead for forgiveness and regretted his remarks. It is his usual way, and political jugglery which he has been repeating quite often.

In the latest episode of Altaf Hussain’s ludicrous behaviour, he crossed all the limits of ethics and morality to demonize the key institutions of Pakistan, and even sought help from Indian secret agency, RAW. Like slaves, MQM leadership in Pakistan launched a campaign to defend him. Public pressure again forced him to seek apology.  However, like his previous contradictory statements, Altaf Husain again apologized for his derogatory remarks against Army and ISI, while praising the latter. He also backed out from his statement about seeking help from RAW. And his Karachi-based leadership also started presenting various clarifications to conceal the real face of its chief.

It is imperative to question political leadership in the country, how many times, he would rebuke the nation and its sons in uniform and how many times, the state would remain silent and bear his insolvent posture. At the same time, the British government may also be questioned—would they allow such a controversial series of hate speeches from a foreigner into their country.

It is notable that MQM’s leaders were already confused when on March 11, 2015, in a targeted operation, Rangers’ forces carried out a raid at Nine-Zero, the headquarters of the party in Karachi, and a large cache of illegal weapons were recovered and several criminals had also been arrested. In order to hide the anti-Pakistan activities, Altaf had again targeted Pak Army and ISI. Afterwards, he again admired these security agencies and Army Chief Gen. Raheel Sharif.

However, the real character of the MQM Chief Altaf Hussain needs analysis. In this context, it is notable that sometimes, he blames Pak Army and ISI for harassing his party workers, calling the residents of Karachi to defend themselves, sometimes, he admires these security agencies, sometimes, he threatens to separate Karachi from the federation, sometimes, he shows a strong sense of patriotism for Pakistan, sometimes, he suspends the membership of his party’s committee or sector incharges, sometimes, he restores the same, sometimes, he submits his own resignations, sometimes, he takes it back, sometimes, he instructs his party to join Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, and sometimes, Pakistan Peoples Party, especially when these parties are in government. He also blackmails these mainstream parties for the advantages of MQM at the cost of peace in Karachi.

While, law-enforcing agencies’ operations in Karachi are across the board and shady stance taken by Altaf Hussain indicates MQM involvement in destabilizing Karachi by its armed wing.

Notably, MPA of MQM, Nadeem Hashmi was arrested on September 10, 2013 owing to firing at a police mobile in the Haideri area of the city in which the two policemen were killed. In the same month, some MQM workers were arrested, who were found involved in criminal activities, while the founder and leader of MQM Altaf Hussain had condemned the raid on MQM’s offices.

Recently, the paramilitary force proved that the MQM was behind the Baldia Town factory fire in which 250 persons were killed. On February 8, this year, the Rangers also arrested a senior MQM worker namely Rafiq Rajput who not only ran a team of ‘hit men’ but was also involved in the May 12, 2007 carnage in the Karachi.

On February 10, 2015, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan disclosed that MQM Chief Altaf Hussain based in London has let loose a “reign of terror” in Karachi. He elaborated, “Nobody is safe at the hands of the party’s armed wing…with the revelation of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report in which Hussain’s party has been held responsible for the killing of over 250 Baldia Town factory workers.” Earlier, Imran Khan also pledged to take Altaf Hussain to the British court, as he is also behind the killing of PTI’s leader Zahra Shahid and journalist Wali Babar in Karachi.

Nevertheless, some developments need attention, as these have proved that traitors are within the MQM. On April 30, this year, during a press conference, while presenting two terrorists who he claimed belonged to the MQM, SSP Malir, Karachi Rao Anwar revealed, “Key MQM leaders have connections with Indian spy agency RAW”, adding that the arrested MQM workers had received training from RAW. He further said that the MQM was actively working against Pakistan, should be banned.

It is of particular attention that a recent report of the JIT disclosed that Saulat Mirza, the former MQM’s worker, who recorded his statement before the JIT said that MQM had links with RAW. Mirza confessed to killing 13 people, yet he was implicated in two murders only, and was executed by the court order.

It is mentionable that Zulfiqar Mirza, Sindh Home Minister and Senior Vice President of the then ruling party—PPP claimed on April 9, 2011 that he had been relieved from his ministry owing to pressure from the government’s coalition partner, the MQM. Mirza pointed out that the issue of target killing and extortion was just a ruse to remove him from his post.

As regards “Batha khauri”, everyone in Karachi knows that MQM has been collecting this illegal money from the local businessmen who are afraid of threats and terror-related actions of this party’s militant wing. While a majority of the innocent people of the city and followers of the MQM do not know the malpractices and criminal acts of this political party and are being misguided by their old leaders who act upon the directions of Altaf Hussain.

Meanwhile, on May 13, 2015, at least 45 people were killed after gunmen brutally opened fire on a bus of the Ismaili community in Karachi. Without any doubt, besides previous terror-attacks, Karachi bus incident is a handy work of RAW to sabotage the China-Pakistan economic Corridor (CPEC) by showing that if Pakistan government is not able to provide security to its citizens, how it can protect CPEC. Ismailis belong to Hunza (Gilgit/Baltistan) or have a spiritual linkage with this area, are Pakistanis. The CPEC would also originate from the same region.

Now, questions arise, how long the people of Karachi will continue to stay mum and seal their tongues? How long will the Muhajir cause of equality of representation, of economic opportunities be sabotaged by leaders like Altaf Hussain? And how long people of Karachi will continue to tolerate lunacy of its leadership?

Hence, it is the first and foremost obligation of MQM workers to call Altaf Hussain’s rhetoric as violent and treasonous. What happens from here is entirely the responsibility of people of Karachi. The loyal Pakistanis, living in the city must know that Karachi is Pakistan’s largest port and financial hub with the largest commercial markets, collecting 70 per cent of the country’s tax revenue. So, besides causing unrest in the city, creating instability in Pakistan, another aim of the MQM leaders is to cripple the economy of the city which is intermittently brought to a halt with shut-down strikes—many shops including other business centers are forced to be closed. And, old leadership of MQM, especially its chief misguide the people by propagating that national institutions are not made to develop other areas of Pakistan like Karachi, alleging that the establishment is once again doing the ethnic cleansing of Muhajirs.

In fact, Pakistan as an independent state has stepped into seventh decade and third generation is enjoying the perks of independence. How long we will continue to be Muhajir, let’s not negatively portray the image of residents of Karachi in a wrong way, they are now the natives of Sindh.

The residents of Karachi must be aware of the fact that Pakistan Army had given countless sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, while its top priority is to restore peace in the city. In this regard, Army Chief Gen. Raheel  vowed on April 29 to finish ‘all mafias’ in Karachi and made it clear that indiscriminate operation in the city would continue till its logical conclusion.  Pakistan Armed Forces are pro national in character without having any provincial inclinations. Hence, MQM chief’s blame game against key security agencies must be condemned by the patriot people of Karachi.

Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations

Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com