- In 77 years of sovereignty, the nation contemplates its complex history of external influence, internal challenges, and the enduring quest for stability and integrity
Every year on August 14, Pakistanis celebrate Independence Day, when the British Raj decided to quit the subcontinent after ruling this piece of land and ripping it off as much as they could.
Muslims of South Asia passed a resolution on March 23, 1940, for the formation of an independent country. They worked hard under the charismatic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
Pakistan was the first-ever state created on the basis of ‘ideology’ rather than geographical proximity or common language that appeared on the map of the world in 1947.
Since independence, opponents of Pakistan connived and tried to prove that the ‘two nations’ theory was wrong and finally succeeded by carving Bangladesh out of East Pakistan.
One still hears slogans like ‘we don’t want Pakistan’ (Pakistan Na Khappay), Sindhudesh, Greater Pashtunistan and Greater Balochistan. All these ideologies are being sponsored by those adamant about fragmenting Pakistan. All these pursuits are fully sponsored and funded by the regional and global superpowers in the name of a ‘new world order’.
The politicians in power or in opposition have been saying for decades ‘Pakistan is standing at crossroads’, ‘It is the most critical time for Pakistan’, ‘challenges are enormous’ and ‘third hand is busy destabilising Pakistan’. Regretfully, even a Pakistani of average wit strongly believes that since independence conspiracies have been going on to erase Pakistan’s name from the world map.
Many of the external forces have embedded their agents in Pakistan. These agents not only have access to power corridors but often succeed in occupying key positions. They have attained the capacity to influence decision-making.
Ironically, politicians seeking key positions are ready to be the ‘most obedient servants’ of superpowers. They make many decisions which are not in the interest of Pakistan but help them build personal wealth.
Believers of conspiracy theories say that soon after independence reins went into the control of the operators working for the external masters. The first-ever notable incident is said to be the assassination of Liaquat Ali Khan.
Many critics still insist that Quaid-e-Azam was also assassinated because no one pulled him out from the ambulance which remained stranded for hours.
Then came the hanging of deposed Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the assassination of the first-ever lady prime minister of Muslim Ummah, Benazir Bhutto.
If it could not be found out who sent an ambulance without a spare wheel to carry seriously ill Quaid-e-Azam and killers of Liaquat Ali Khan and Benazir Bhutto remained at large. The same elements have also refused to make public details of the Hamood-ur-Rehman Commission Report on the fall of Dacca.
From the early Cold War era the United States has its bases in Pakistan. These bases were used for spying the USSR. It is on record that at one time the USSR threatened to attack these bases operating within Pakistan’s jurisdiction.
Some outfits are also involved in cross-border terrorism in Iran, the most notorious being Jundullah. Its chief was caught while flying over Iranian airspace in a chartered flight.
One can also recall that at a hearing of the Congress Committee, it was demanded that Pakistan should allow Balochs the right of self-determination, being part of the grand agenda.
It may not be wrong to say that not only ruling junta of Pakistan remain subservient to super powers but the situation is even worse in other Muslim countries.
Saddam Hussain of Iraq was kept in power to kill his fellow citizens, encouraged to invade Iran and fight a war for almost a decades. He was also encouraged to attack Kuwait but once he became redundant, he was hanged. Many other rulers have also faced a similar fate be it Anwar Sadat or Hosni Mubarak of Egypt.
Despite an atomic power, Pakistan is dependent on the support of multilateral lenders, especially the International Monetary Fund. Pakistan a long history of borrowing from the IMF, during this period many ‘Structural Adjustment Programmes’ were introduced. However, the lender of the last resort says, “Pakistan needs structural adjustment programmes.” One fails to understand if it is the failure of Pakistan’s economic managers or “It is part of the strategy to keep Pakistan dependent on the IMF.”
Last but not least, a loud talk is going on about “IPPs ripping off Pakistan”. Without mincing words, it can be said that the sponsors of these IPPs, ruling political parties and bureaucrats are part of this mega corruption.
It is often said that Pakistan has enormous resources, but bad decision-making by rulers, having vested interests have ruined the country. Many of the analysts is of the view that “Pakistan suffers due to the lack of good governance in every sphere of the life.” Pakistan has to weed out the culprits before it is too late.