Pakistan Army : Is it the only solution?

People are overwhelmingly talking about re-birth of democracy in Pakistan. It is a real pride that we are resilient people and keep on coming back which gives the confidence that my country Pakistan would outlive its rivals .

Some people are challenging the will behind signing the SWAT peace deal. I would partly agree as my only question is that legally a deal could only be implemented in letter and spirit if it has the will of both the parties . The question is whether our dear Sufi Mohammed is sincere to it or not. I doubt as he may retract his statements which for me is nothing more than an after thought he challenged not only the constitution of Pakistan but also democracy in our country .

Some might agree with the later of his concepts to a certain extent but not in the form as he explain and wish to implement . I feel that Pakistan was formed for all the Muslims of the sub-continent irrespective of their sects , castes and creed . So much so room was given for even minorities in this country for which the white of our flag portrays.

This is what Pakistan is . We have an ideology as given initially by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan , envisaged by Allama Iqbal and brought in place by our founder Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah and this is how it is going to be . We might be a nation with its flaws but would learn from our experience. All the great nations in the world became what they are today after going through the learning curve over a couple of centuries. With the luxury of science and technology ; we could do it much more quickly.

Unfortunately looking at certain forums the picture is given that the Taliban way is that of salvation and that some of the thought leaders of our country are interestingly agreeing to it. Such unfortunate . Daring statements showing resilience appear from Taliban every day . Like they have names of the people against them on their hit list etc is quiet intriguing especially in a democratic country like Pakistan . Do we need to remind them that we are not living in the wild wild west .

I have a few suggestions for our Pak Army . A mistake I think we have done is that we should have given extra attention to the IDP’s (Internally Displaced People) . We have a recent example in front of us that is the ongoing conflict with Tamil Tigers of the Sri Lankan Army where they are sticking to their aggressive posture but at the same time are showing sensitivity to their IDP’s ; the message is clear that their war is not with all Tamils but with LTTE only . I think the same should apply here .

Pak Army should be strong in its resolve . The people of Pakistan are with them . They should safe guard the constitution of the republic and send a strong message to this group of people . The message should be and I quote “ We fight not the Pashtuns of NWFP but those who have decided to raise weapons in the name of Talibanization . We would not allow a state within a state in this country”. At the same time do more on the humanitarian side for those IDP’s to win their hearts and minds .

Further , the main reason these Taliban’s easily gain ground is that they manage to form groups of the like minded people in their respective areas and even if a few manage to get together ; with assurance of support they become a force . With local enlistments and a dozen men to guide them is enough to declare control . I think that we should announce establishment of Pakistan Militia where people are given self defense training in wake of a threat from these Taliban’s as this is becoming an extending threat as days pass by. Pak Army which is pre-occupied at a lot of fronts should command these . People might say that this might trigger a civil war in the country . I feel that if we recruit people from different backgrounds on merit without a bias with equal representation if possible. It would have the ownership of the masses of this militia . I am not a war expert and I am sure there would be some who could expedite on the idea better.

At the same time the world should support us to re-construct the destruction resulting as an outcome of this conflict wherever in Pakistan so that people should return to their normal lives quickly .

The strategy of Taliban’s is that of fear and I agree that it is difficult to cover full ground with limited resources. I think that the people of Pakistan would have to chip in to support our army .

Please understand this idea is to unite Pakistan . The first step is to safe guard the basics for which this country was formed . We should not only rely on Pak Army to safeguard us but all the people of the country would have to step forward to offer their contribution.

Long Live Pakistan

Is the Cat out of the bag?

Well Bravo for the new government . Yet another remarkable decision . Maulana Abdul Aziz is out of the custody (protective). The question is that we are practically undoing every decisions made in the past. Maybe some of em were right though . But again I wish some sense would prevail or at least the government would show some decisiveness in its approach not retreating on every issue.

A few years ago during the glory years of the red mosque when I used to visit Isloo as well I lived almost a year there as well . I could see these smartly attired maulvis with a glamorous piece of stick in their hands walking in groups. Probably just keeping guard of our dear capital. Of course the hub of these activities was the red mosque as we all know . I would not want to discredit or support it ; as every one knows the true picture themselves for what we may want to believe but the truth is that it was not anymore a center of education only or worship . It was slowly becoming a force to reckon with and a nightmare for our agencies ; some of them atleast.

But the point I am trying to make is obviously not to let the red mosque down but to say that have we let another cat out of the bag and would be negotiating with him in a few days time to allow peace and harmony in our cities maybe Isloo or Pindi and surrounding areas this time at their terms and conditions. The Maulana Sufi's release a year or so ago and the influence of that decision which we have seen today in our assemblies where we proudly passed the hasba bill with a great majority . With only party distinctively walking out against it; the rest though kept on speaking against it in different talk shows yet did not had the courage to step forward and endorse their views when it mattered . I wish this is the right formula and would take us not further down as I could not see the respite in the war . Rather just a lull before a storm.

Are we soon going to draft yet another bill for other areas of Pakistan? Islamabad maybe is next on the list . I fear that this radical face of Islam would slowly take over piece by piece the whole country . And we would be losing it all; by being defensive to save our governments or otherwise.

What I know about Pakistan is that we as a nation are already respecting a lot of religious practices in our country even without a hardcore form of Islamization to be influenced upon our heads . There are other Islamic countries around may be not as tough but that doesn't stop them from being called Islamic .

I fear that our religion which is a progressive religion is being overshadowed by these miscalculated steps which I feel are coming out of emotions only . I would appeal to the people of Pakistan and to the people of Islam that to grow our religion by winning over the hearts and minds of the world by practising truly our religion . Rather than otherwise showing our intolerance and fundamentalist image. We should not forget that our Holy Prophet (PBUH) spread the religion with his character and leaves a lot of examples for us to follow. I am sure that there are better ways in influencing the world rather than by the gun.

I wish that our 160 million population whose reference each and every politician comes and give ; realizes the pitfalls of their decisions today . Islam could be practiced and grown in better ways than what we have shown to the world . I wish a genuine leadership with a sincere agenda stands up from our ulema community and take us forward positively around the world where we are seen as a good examples rather than otherwise.

Longlive Pakistan!

Are we the next monarchy?

This is the first of the series of my thoughts I would be putting across. Would look forward for your participation if you agree with me and if yes help me spread the word to the masses.

More than a year ago I was traumatized as well as horrified to see how things developed in Pakistan. We lost one of our great leaders to terrorism . A leader who being a woman had the spirit to come forward knowing the danger eye to eye . Rather than our other set of plum politicians who chose to be more protective of themselves . The murder of BB was a great tragedy and a waste of a great leader. But hey! we are used to wasting our heroes alive or otherwise as a nation and this ain't the first one rather than third . Investigations, conspiracy theories , claims , allegations and protests followed . The real killers are yet to be brought to task. Not a single of these terrorists have been tried till date. The clock is ticking.

The above part was the one for which I was traumatized . But I was horrified to see the other trend. Part II's of our leadership Yes! I mean Mr. Bilawal Zardari or Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. No offence to the great Chairman but the fact of the matter is though you made a good statement at UK . But you would have to prove your worth for this coveted position.

My expectations from the Generation Next of PPP is immense. But when I saw our great Chairman sitting in the gallery with their foreign friends sitting to the right and the left and the aura created around it . For a moment it seemed and I would be honest that you are the king of our country overseeing the proceedings of his people. For starters , now as you have gotten the coveted post please act a little maturily and avoid such acts of showfulness for later .

I would stop here for you and please take this as an advice as I really respect your grand father and mother a lot and hope you would take my humble suggestion and play behind the scenes to strengthen your troubled party and prove your mettle and than act as you may want.

Here I must say where Bilawal's accession was accidental but there is another young aspiring son gearing to be the next PM and I am sure he would lay claim to it in a few years time as his birth right . That is Mr. Hamza Sharif . Too big for his boots I suppose.

What is going on ? Are these people preparing to handover their dynasties to their posterity . Their kingdom to their children . A country called Pakistan with a population of 180 million strong people . People who after all the problems in their life are still doing a great job globally . Keeping our country alive. For what so that these Kings and Princes rule us for good.

Is there no one who could raise as a genuine leader amongst us ? Is there no one who has stopped believing? Are we going to sit quietly and watch the handing over of our next generations to the set of people who are just sons of XYX rather than true politicians. Have we forgotten that we ceased to be part of monarchy more than 6 decades ago .

Personally , I would wish a genuine leader rise as it would be painful for me to see my children grow under the same set of principles carried forward by their successors .