Pakistan being a victim of terrorism itself, was
amongst the first few countries to condemn terrorism
By Lt. Col. (R)
SALEEM AKHTAR
Oct 29 - Nov 04, 2001
Pakistan is once again facing a situation; it would
not like to be in, especially under the pressing economical
circumstances.
It must be clearly understood honestly and
impartially by every one as to why the present situation has arisen and
what is the solution to avoid such situations in future? Well, the
simple answer is.... global socio-economic injustice, non-implementation
of those UN resolutions that were not in the national interest of USA
and shortsighted policies of USA i.e. abandoning allies once US
interests were served. But is it as simple as said? To find the
solution, the global events and turning points in history of last few
decades must be studied and analyzed carefully for this purpose.
Let's start from the era of cold war and Soviet
occupation of Afghanistan. It was a long cherished desire of USA to make
USSR bite the dust. Here was a chance when former USSR made the mistake
of occupying Afghanistan. Pakistan too could not accept Indo-Soviet
axial on its both flanks. Due to Pakistan's geo-strategic location and
its compulsions, Pakistan accepted US patronage to eject USSR from
Afghanistan. Pakistan and USA masterminded the plan and executed it to
perfection by organizing, training, financing and equipping Afghan
freedom fighters — the Mujahidin, to defeat USSR. Once USSR was
defeated, no effort was made by USA to rebuild Afghanistan or to provide
political and economic stability thus leaving a vacuum resulting in
anarchy and infighting within Mujahidin groups for the total control of
the country. Pakistan did not have enough resources to do it. Hence
Afghanistan became a sanctuary for most of the Muslim
"desperados" from world over - victims of western injustice.
This was the most crucial juncture in the regional
politics of Central Asia, South Asia and Middle East; Afghanistan being
the hub.
Being of no use any more, USA abandoned Pakistan like
a fired cartridge, leaving its close ally high and dry after nearly ten
years of association. Pakistan at that stage was already suffering from
heavy burden of hosting nearly three million Afghan refugees. On the
domestic front it was suffering from political corruption, poor economy,
negative growth rate and political instability. Pakistan was at its
worst, call it rock bottom. Clamping sanctions by USA was the last nail
and the finishing touch. The people of Pakistan were left with limited
options.
Too heavy a price to pay for serving US interests in
Afghanistan.
The Kashmir issue that was dormant for quite some
time became alive after Sayad Salahuddin and other Kashmiri Muslim
leaders of Indian Occupied Kashmir were defeated in Kashmir State
Assembly election by rigged results. This was the last excuse for the
outburst by long oppressed Kashmiris. Enough was enough. Having realized
how the Kashmiris were denied freedom and basic human rights and having
suffered brutal treatment at the hands of central government since
independence, Kashmiris were forced to rise in revolt against India
demanding the right of self-determination and freedom according to UN
resolutions. Hence a fierce indigenous freedom struggle started in
Kashmir. Provision of legal cover to extra-judicial killings by Indian
army, BSF and State Police was the latest and the meanest insult to the
injuries. Their resolve strengthened in reaction to Indian army's
barbaric and inhuman acts against innocent civilians. Having defeated
USSR, the Afghan, Arab and few Pakistani Mujahidin opted to join their
Kashmiri brothers in freedom struggle against illegal occupation of
Kashmir by India.
During this period, having won the cold war and
consequent disintegration of USSR, the USA apparently turned its
attention towards nuclear non-proliferation and Eastern Europe.
A considerable number out of three million Afghan
refugees, was of ex-Mujahidin. These ex-Mjuahidin and their children
ultimately emerged as Taliban and took control of Afghanistan by
conquering 90% territory. Militarisation of Muslim extremists at home,
rapid emergence of Taliban and conquest of Afghanistan in quick time
still remain mysterious. Government of Pakistan either ignored the rise
of Taliban and induction of militancy amongst religious organizations or
was too busy in its internal politics to heed to the new development and
its long-term effects. It is generally believed that creation and
emergence of Taliban was facilitated, financed and supported by USA.
Pakistan having a bitter and mean enemy with
malicious and territorial expansion designs on the eastern flank, could
not afford to have an unfriendly neighbour on the western flank as well.
Hence it was Pakistan's compulsion to have friendly Taliban in
Afghanistan. Pakistan had already suffered a lot by Indian sponsored
terrorism since independence.
During the same period Israel was committing all
sorts of atrocities on Palestinians, making permanent settlements in
occupied Arab land, flouting UN resolutions and all peace accords with
the total support and backing of USA. Israel was using most advanced and
lethal American military against slingshots, shot guns and AK47s.
Killing flies with shot guns. This was also the time when USA and allied
forces were continuously pounding Iraq resulting in death of millions of
innocent civilians. USA had also killed Libyan president's daughter in
military attacks and had destroyed a pharmaceutical factory in Sudan.
All these events added together to alienate Muslims of the world from
USA and her western allies. Thus Jihadi groups came into being in
various Muslim countries, including Pakistan. When USA suffered a few
retaliatory attacks, these were promptly classified as
"terrorist" acts. The bogie of international terrorism was
exploited to maximum by the western governments and blown out of
proportion by their electronic and print media, essentially to harness
Muslim freedom struggles and retaliatory attacks by Jihadi groups around
the globe. India took the lead and used all its propaganda machinery to
malign Pakistan by involving her in the so-called "international
terrorism" and "cross border terrorism" in Kashmir that
was in fact indigenous freedom struggle in character.
Pakistani leaders were busy in making money and
buying properties abroad.
In last 10 years India has killed nearly 70,000
Kashmiris claiming them to be "Pakistani Atank Vadees". The
so-called terrorists killed by India are buried in Kashmir; not in
Pakistan. No body bags ever came to Pakistan. India claims that they
were Pakistani "terrorists". The best part is that no one has
ever reported in Pakistan about his/her brother, father, husband or son
missing since so long. Loss of 70,000 lives means some thing for any
country; it should have created a huge uproar in Pakistan had they been
really Pakistanis.
Then came the tragic and the most barbaric event of
this century on Sept 11, 2001. Many Pakistanis too lost their lives. The
root was suspected to be in Afghanistan. Once again Pakistan was to face
the brunt of becoming the Front Line State due to its geo-strategic
location. Pakistan being a victim of terrorism itself, was amongst the
first few countries to condemn terrorism and offered total support to
international war against terrorism.
Pakistan is a moderate Muslim country struggling for
its own survival besides fighting against Indian sponsored terrorism and
military aggression. It can ill afford to indulge in luxuries of
terrorism for obvious reasons.
Pressing some one against the wall and expect him not
to hit back is a childish desire. Once the oppressed hits back, calling
him terrorist is even more childish.
As envisaged, state terrorism and suppressive actions
in Indian Occupied Kashmir, Palestine, Chechnya, Philippines and Balkans
etc and brutal use of power in Libya, Iraq and Sudan were bound to have
negative reactions. In all these cases USA was the lead player therefore
retaliatory action against USA were imminent, which finally did occur in
the most terrifying form. The incidents of 11 Sept may be termed as
such. It is hoped that the world community now realizes and is prepared
to make use of present situation to solve all unresolved global
problems/disputes like Palestine, Kashmir, Chechnya and Moro etc
according to the will of the people, UN resolutions and ensure that
justice is done.
UNO was too quick and swift in case of East Timor.
By killing few persons or changing a government in a
country will once again be a shortsighted approach. To eliminate
terrorism once and for all, justice must be done to all irrespective of
colour, race, region, religion and individual or national/international
interests. Pakistan was at the verge of being called a terrorist or a
rogue state. Events of Sept 11 were a turning point in the history of
Pakistan — a blessing in disguise. The present government led by
General Pervez Musharraf has done commendably well to project Pakistan
in its true character — as a moderate Islamic state, ready to fight
international terrorism. Hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder.
Ironically Pakistan has always been stable and progressed well under
military rule.
Unfortunately the religious extremists at home are
damaging Pakistan's image and interests, destroying public and private
property besides providing opportunities to India to further malign
Pakistan. The world is united and fighting a war against terrorism and
Pakistan is on board, right in front.
So far so good but where do we go from here?
The situation is still unpredictable.
Will world community understand that state terrorism
and suppressive actions are bound to create "terrorists"
capable of retaliatory action? Every action has equal and opposite
reaction, at times more sever than equal and opposite reaction.
Where the USA is leading the world to?
What are those circumstances which motivate and
drive people to bang themselves into buildings, flying at a speed of
400-500 NM killing themselves and thousands more?
Why always discriminatory treatment with Muslim
countries?
Pakistan is the only Muslim country having nuclear
capability, will it be Pakistan's turn after Iraq and Afghanistan, if
India succeeds in its war of propaganda against Pakistan?
Will USA keep creating
extremists by alienating Muslim world?
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