Current Affairs: Pakistan Studies
Another Dismemberment...?
(Syed Muhammad Waqas)
We Pakistanis know no moment in our national history when we heard that Pakistan was not in crisis. In fact, 60-year period is a very young age in the history of nations, but we have seen more twists and tragedies in these 60 years than nations with 200 years of age. Today, Pakistani layman doubts whether his lot will ever better; perhaps, he thinks, the world has only one face—that of crises and unrest; or perhaps he believes it to be the sign of fast approaching Apocalypse. On the other hand, our youth’s frame of mind is simply incapable of accommodating the vision of a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan. It is why we have witnessed a large-scale migration of industrious youth and intellectuals towards safer and more promising habitats during last 2 decades.
It was not 1947 when Pakistani-Muslim Nation was born, but it was in fact the year when that already existing nation acquired a territory to erect a modern, sovereign State, so that the Muslim nation could practically test its long-aspired ideals. The Muslims of Subcontinent named that land of their dreams “Pakistan”, ‘Holy Land’. However, it was not long after the demise of the great Founder of Pakistan that the “petty politicians”, as Quaid himself termed them, busied themselves in the unholy game of ‘vested interests’. The broader canvas of national interests devolved into communal, provincial and, at length, personal interests. The worst period of a nation’s history approaches when its individual members place personal or regional interest above the larger national interest. Unfortunately, that worst period of Pakistan’s life set in immediately after the Great Quaid departed. The same zealous nation of 1947 got frustrated within 24 years with the idea of ‘Muslim nation’ and the legend of “Holy Land’ ended up in a shameful ousting of Pakistanis from the same city of Dhakka that was the nucleus of Pakistan Movement.
The nonsensical politics of 1970 with a gloomy background of military dictatorship should have taught us, the remaining nation, a lesson of redemption, for tragedies and crises only purify and unite living nations. We Pakistanis had, however, a reverse effect of it and Mr. Bhutto’s “New Pakistan” suffered and stumbled with the same ubiquitous plague of pre-Dismemberment times. Neither military coups ended nor did political system improve. The cycle of military and civilian governments’ induction and abdication never since ended, and it has always so happened that every new regime held “previous” responsible for all national problems.
As the new century dawned, Pakistanis were still stuck in the political anarchy they first experienced during 1950s. The joy they savored in May 1998 after country’s going nuclear was soon felt no more, for the deliverer turned wretched. Thusly, the innocent folk, to their misfortune, found again their savior in the uniform of Army Chief. We were again in October 1958 to wait another decade for deliverance and another political take off.
The present political scenario with Peoples Party in the government office is, if not worse, in no way better than 1969 post-Ayyub national scene. Chroniclers have well documented the role demonstrated by Peoples Party before, during and after 1970 elections, and it appears that history is probably going to repeat itself. History is indeed a witness that Peoples Party has always appealed to communalism to come into power. The racist, but anarchic, rule of the present government is yet again yielding its favors to Sindh Province. ‘Sindh Card’ is the most clearly heard echo today in the arena of Pakistan’s revengeful, communal politics. Seeds of hatred are again being sown with little realization that it can endanger the very integrity of Pakistan. In the absence of a true leader of national standing, the present government appears to be callous towards other provinces. If the existing rift grew, it would bring us back to the verge of civil war and even dismemberment. It is exactly what every true Pakistani has feared since 1971, but, unfortunately, it is exactly what Peoples Party seems to be accomplishing again.
The people of Pakistan have tested every available option and now they are completely hopeless. They, however, still reserve a last chance for salvation, but there is a condition to avail that chance, namely they must not err this time.
It was not 1947 when Pakistani-Muslim Nation was born, but it was in fact the year when that already existing nation acquired a territory to erect a modern, sovereign State, so that the Muslim nation could practically test its long-aspired ideals. The Muslims of Subcontinent named that land of their dreams “Pakistan”, ‘Holy Land’. However, it was not long after the demise of the great Founder of Pakistan that the “petty politicians”, as Quaid himself termed them, busied themselves in the unholy game of ‘vested interests’. The broader canvas of national interests devolved into communal, provincial and, at length, personal interests. The worst period of a nation’s history approaches when its individual members place personal or regional interest above the larger national interest. Unfortunately, that worst period of Pakistan’s life set in immediately after the Great Quaid departed. The same zealous nation of 1947 got frustrated within 24 years with the idea of ‘Muslim nation’ and the legend of “Holy Land’ ended up in a shameful ousting of Pakistanis from the same city of Dhakka that was the nucleus of Pakistan Movement.
The nonsensical politics of 1970 with a gloomy background of military dictatorship should have taught us, the remaining nation, a lesson of redemption, for tragedies and crises only purify and unite living nations. We Pakistanis had, however, a reverse effect of it and Mr. Bhutto’s “New Pakistan” suffered and stumbled with the same ubiquitous plague of pre-Dismemberment times. Neither military coups ended nor did political system improve. The cycle of military and civilian governments’ induction and abdication never since ended, and it has always so happened that every new regime held “previous” responsible for all national problems.
As the new century dawned, Pakistanis were still stuck in the political anarchy they first experienced during 1950s. The joy they savored in May 1998 after country’s going nuclear was soon felt no more, for the deliverer turned wretched. Thusly, the innocent folk, to their misfortune, found again their savior in the uniform of Army Chief. We were again in October 1958 to wait another decade for deliverance and another political take off.
The present political scenario with Peoples Party in the government office is, if not worse, in no way better than 1969 post-Ayyub national scene. Chroniclers have well documented the role demonstrated by Peoples Party before, during and after 1970 elections, and it appears that history is probably going to repeat itself. History is indeed a witness that Peoples Party has always appealed to communalism to come into power. The racist, but anarchic, rule of the present government is yet again yielding its favors to Sindh Province. ‘Sindh Card’ is the most clearly heard echo today in the arena of Pakistan’s revengeful, communal politics. Seeds of hatred are again being sown with little realization that it can endanger the very integrity of Pakistan. In the absence of a true leader of national standing, the present government appears to be callous towards other provinces. If the existing rift grew, it would bring us back to the verge of civil war and even dismemberment. It is exactly what every true Pakistani has feared since 1971, but, unfortunately, it is exactly what Peoples Party seems to be accomplishing again.
The people of Pakistan have tested every available option and now they are completely hopeless. They, however, still reserve a last chance for salvation, but there is a condition to avail that chance, namely they must not err this time.