Saman Hamid
Pests are a species that is not only common in insects, there are many forms that survive and thrive within our own country. The biggest damage caused to Pakistan over more than 70 years has always come from within. The people who live here, call the country a mistake, thrive here and criticize everything while sitting in their drawing rooms. Hussain Haqqani, former Ambassador from Pakistan to the US fits into such a category. His latest book, Reimagining Pakistan — Transforming a Dysfunctional Nuclear State.
His insights signify the reason why he is booked for two sections of the Pakistan Penal Code were applied by the police in the FIRs — 120B (hatching a criminal conspiracy) and 121A (waging a war against Pakistan), an arrest warrant is also issued in his name. Mr. Haqqani wonders why this is the case during his book launch. The answer is very simple; there is a very clear difference between freedom of speech and damaging the country. One wonders why during public service why did Mr. Haqqani not think of making these views public? At that point it was important for him to not give into the propaganda machinery? Why make such serious allegations now why not make a difference himself? Why be a part of something yourself enabling all the wrong? This is not whistle blowing this is becoming a tool for other’s means.
The entire book comprises of a script clearly dictated by those aiming to damage Pakistan. The so-called myths spun by Mr. Haqqani can be easily answered. Talking about Bangladesh, he is perhaps one of the only “Pakistanis” to have called the actions of the 35000 or so armed forces there as a genocide. His claims are based on claims by the US Council General in East Pakistan, and some other foreigners. Sarmila Bose, a noted British academic and senior research associate at the Centre for International Studies at Oxford University, in her book ‘Dead Reckoning: Memories of 1971 Bangladesh War’ has in detail examined the claims by all parties. The number dead is around 50,000 and a huge contrast to the claims of 3 million by Indians. Mr. Haqqani fails to see the role of Mukti Bhani guerilla fighters in the whole scenario maybe the limelight in India, or his stint in the foreign university blinded him temporarily. Accounts of certain individuals are as accurate as the claims by the Pakistani forces who should be given more weightage unless he was actually present on ground and has solid proof.
The so called growth of extremism and Islamisation during the Bhutto era. Needless to say the script serves different people with different purposes. For Mr. Haqqani what is good may not be so good. He has sided with those who have dug a hole in ideology of Pakistan over the years and unfortunately are mostly the most blessed. Is it not hypocritical to tatter the very thing you took oath on to serve an office? All Muslims in India are living testaments to the effectiveness of the two nation theory. Especially now when the BJP has taken reigns and is determined to change history and present Muslims as oppressors lessening their significant role in forming the economic and social norms of the subcontinent.
The other misconception that somehow Kashmir can be excluded out of the India-Pakistan equation is not a novel idea. History proves that no matter how far both countries try to veer their way it never works. The blood of the innocent for Kashmir’s freedom cannot be quelled of bought by false pretenses of brotherhood, you are blinding them and with the same pallets you try to build them promises, that simply cannot happen. The sacrifices are too huge and Pakistan’s connection is too deep to be denied. The armchair philosophical quarters that thrive in Pakistan may find this hard to believe perhaps due to absence of such bondage for anything present in their lives. A person confused with their identity may never understand why Pakistan exists or why she has survived or why we are proud Muslims. Such people are also ripe for exploitation. As proud Pakistanis it is our duty to come up with valid literature on the global stage to denounce such propaganda and to fight this war on all fronts especially in the new media and print media.
