Author: sammilogger

Pakistan has lived through 73 years of its chequered history. It has passed through golden as well as tumultuous times. Though, the reader will feel constrained to stretch his memory for golden eras. In my view, the prolonged conflict has been one of the major reasons besides many more for the poor evolution of society, degeneration of social fabric, societal decay, loss of national character, and erosion of law and order. Most of the time the country has been seen at the crossroads of its history. Each crossroad unfortunately has led to the next crossroad. Though, there are many achievements too, for which Pakistan can be proud of itself.

Pakistan is defined by two keywords; ‘turbulence and resilience’.  The country has oscillated between extremes of pendulum. Liberalism to orthodoxy, non-violence to extreme violence, better democracy to sham-democracy, forgiving to unforgiving, and civility to savagery. Notwithstanding the causes for this, Pakistan is apparently passing through a period of internal strife, infighting, and squabbles. Political parties are shooting at each other and all organs of state are exchanging barbs with each other. Evils of TTP and ISIS are staring into our eyes. Society is polarised like opposing poles of a battery. Oppositely charged poles cannot coexist without sparking. It seems the complete body politic of Pakistan is agitated, full of vengeance, charged, and ready to cut throats. To top it all Pakistan is surrounded by hostile India, sanctioned Iran, dysfunctional Afghanistan and maliciously looking US. External challenges are being exacerbated by infightingwhich can best be tackled by a house in order. 

It is interesting to note that the benchmark of neighbouring China for an upward trajectory is 1978, while that of Pakistan for the downward spiral is 1979. China got a peaceful environment, visionary leadership, and continuity in the last four decades and it grew its economy ninety-one times. In the same period, Pakistan witnessed perpetual conflict, inept leadership, mismanagement which has led to economic losses, blood losses, poor growth, and worst of all loss of national character. No single segment can be squarely blamed for this state of affairs as certain strategic choices were thrust upon Pakistan. Seemingly, all segments have done their part to exacerbate the woes of Pakistan.

With that in view, we are what we are. In a pursuit to find the causes of our decay, one can argue for many. However, a couple of glaring causes may be; the early departure of founding fathers which precluded a strong foundation for the nascent state and projection of vested interest groups, the prevalence of prolonged conflict in and around the state, and lack of visionary leadership. In a perpetual state of conflict, the men of means opted to fly off for prospective safety and security. Peshawar and Quetta were known as dying cities. To cite an example;until the 80s, Quetta was one of the better-managed cities of Pakistan. Its PTV station was highly vibrant in producing new dramas and throwing up new actors. Off late Quetta has been a conflict-ridden and poorly managed city. All these causes and many more have left indelible marks on the canvas of Pakistan. Mainly, these are; people have remained in search of nationhood, it has lost its national character, it has lost its intelligentsia as well asbrain and the social fabric of the society has been torn apart.

Intelligentsia serves to steer the society in a direction based on the culture, strategic thought, and values of that society. The absence of a potent intelligentsia is affecting the evolution of the society of Pakistan and the country appears to be a flotilla of rudderless ships. Like PM wanted to convert Pakistan into ‘Medina Kee Riasat’, while TV dramas were taking it elsewhere. Entertainment TV, which plays a major role in forming opinions, collective attitudes, and responses is only concerned with viewership and making money. There seems a sheer absence of steering mechanisms. Particularly all three places meant to groom future generations are dysfunctional. The mosque is teaching violence; the school is teaching cheating and households are indifferent and careless.

Extraordinary situations warrant extraordinary measures. The situation isn’t hopeless and we have no option to give up. The proposed solution isn’t supra-constitutional or the replacement of existing systems. With a view to filling the gap of the intelligentsia, more than any time in the past; there is now a need for the Council of Elders. An apolitical organization comprising sages (approximately a score) to provide direction to the society. While security, geo-strategy, and hardcore functions of state may be handled by established organs of the state, this body should look at mundane issues afflicting the body politic of the society.  

It should comprise mature and elderly people from all segments of society. It may comprise men and women of character, non-ambitious, apolitical, non-partisan, non-self-projectionist, balanced, free of vested interests, and preferably volunteers. In a merely advisory role, it can be mandated to; fill the gap of missing intelligentsia, focus on societal decay, provide direction to various segments of society, look beyond day-to-day functioning and governmental issues with a view to focussing on key debilitating factors and building capacity for non-time barred, non-politicized, honest and long-term analysis on issues of national importance. 

Unless we take certain drastic measures, afflictions of Pakistan cannot be cured through routine functioning. Violent tendencies grown over decades need to be transformed into non-violent attitudes. Mosque, school,and homes have to be revamped for better grooming of next generations. Else deplorable incidents like recent in Sialkot will not abate and may rather increase.

There is no denying, that the story of Pakistan isn’t very encouraging. Rather it has been horrifying and appalling. What went wrong? Where did we falter? Why we are the way we are? Who is responsible? These are significant questions everyone is asking. Books can be written on the causes. But I am reminded of the book, “Awaken the Giant Within” by Anthony Robbins. He said to focus on where you want to go and not on where you are heading. He said if you are about to meet an accident and you are focusing on the impact point, the accident will be more severe. However, if you focus on the point where you want to take the car, the accident may still be there but it will be less severe. 

In my life of 59 years, Pakistan has hardly been ever out of the woods. Pakistan is defined by two words, “Turbulence and Resilience”. Turbulence is natural as well as of our own making. The leadership creates turbulence while the people of Pakistan display resilience to come out of turbulence. The system doesn’t hold creators of turbulence accountable so we get into a vicious cycle. Accumulatively, Pakistan has come to a stage where the resilience of the people of Pakistan is losing its viability.

So much on the past, as I said we need to focus on where we want to go. Mostly, discussions on social media are related to the causes. Indeed, analysis of the past gives us lessons. However, we should focus greater energy on the solutions rather than analysis. ‘Paralysis through analysis’ isn’t desirable. As a nation, we have been so terribly wrong that no analysis will be sufficient. Our situation is unfortunately so precarious that no amount of energy can be adequate to turn around. Instead of questions like what happened? Our questions may be, how can we turn around? How can we contribute? What are the solutions? Etc. This article is intended to suggest certain measures that seemingly are easier said than done, but there is no other solution. 

First and foremost, we need to stick to democracy and a parliamentary form of government and avoid experiments. Let democracy evolve itself and take firm standing.  

Human actions are inhibited by two factors. Firstly, a feeling of inadequacy of one’s action and secondly, fear of the response of the opposing party. We need to overcome such inhibitions. We need to chip in whatever we can. Religion is a very touchy subject, so very briefly I want to suggest we need to be more practicing Muslims than ritualistic/ showoff Muslims. We need to take our founding fathers out of the closet and practice their injunctions. Recently I was at Karakorum University. I advised the youth that if we merely focus on one injunction each of our founding fathers we can be a different society. We pick one from Quaid e Azam, “Our duty to the State comes first: our duty to our Province, to our district, to our town and to our village and ourselves comes next”. And one from Allama Muhammad Iqbal i.e. the concept of uprightness. If the bulk of us start to follow these principles we can reform our society.

As a society, we need to recreate and nurture our values, culture,and ethics. Respect for women, children, the elderly, teachers, and the needy, preference to source rather than money, and truthfulness have been the hallmarks of our society. These attributes are lost, and we need to revive them. Nations are not made by natural resources and wealth, these are rather made through investment in human resources – a neglected aspect of our society. We need to build the courage to say the truth and bear the truth. In today’s social media-empowered environment, reality cannot remain hidden and the time lapse for truth to come to the surface has shrunk. Once society improves any system will work, else, “bad people can defeat any good system”.

We need to pick the right leadership and our leaders need to harness the power of social media rather than shying away. It’s a reality, we need to take measures to exploit its strengths rather than getting crushed under its pitfalls. We need to support the right even if wrong is more appealing.

Our mosques should teach humanity, empathy, and love rather than, hate, bigotry, extremism, and violence. Our schools should teach the use of fair means, education, and humanity rather than cheating, qualification, and materialism. Our parents should focus on grooming their children through self-example.

I believe we can turn around provided each one of us agrees to change itself rather than venturing to change the world.

On 18 Apr 23, travelled to Amsterdam to celebrate Eid with elder daughter and grand children. Mahema had planned a short hop to Amalfi Coast of southern Italy – I had never heard of. The Amalfi Coast is famous for its picturesque seaside towns, cliffs, and beaches. It’s known for its stunning coastline and colorful villages with steep and narrow streets. Many towns along the Amalfi Coast have a rich historical legacywith important sights of historical and artistic value.

Took a two hour flight to Naples on 21 Apr which was Eid day in Europe. By road travelled for 1.5 hours and lodged ourselves in a serene small town named Moiano. It was a small village of not more than 100 houses. The apartment Suffian and Mahema had booked was comfortable and had good view of surrounding hills merging with the coast. After one day rest we started exploring Amalfi Coast.

On 22 our first travel was to Ravello Villa. It was old construction of 9th century. Located at summit which provided good view of area all around. From the displayed wall hangings one could gather that the premises were used for annual festivals.

From Ravello, we straight descended to Amalfi town. Mostly towns on Amalfi coast are constructed on elevating ground. Colourful buildings and small alleys with steep stairs was good experience. The sandy beach is very small and mostly these are rocky beaches. We returned to our abode after a long tiring day.

After a nights good rest next day we started a little late ie around 1 PM. We straight headed to jewel of Amalfi coast ie Positano. I would google all the places before visiting. It was strange coincidence that a day before a friend had introduced to John Steinbeck, US author. Once I googled Positano, I learnt it became famous in mid 20 Century owing to a visit by Steinbeck. My interest to see the place multiplied. Steinbeck had written an article in Harpar’s Bazaar in 1953. In which he had said, Positano, strikes deep, we do not realise how real it is once we are there but we realise once we have left.

We took 45 mins on a car to reach Positano. In anticipation of parking issues, Suffian parked car short of city and we walked down to coast. Route along road was easy but pretty long. Route along stairs was short but hard. We combined the two. Going down with little Aaliyan in pram was challenging. Experience of what Steinbeck had mentioned of steep and narrow stairs was worth it. After an arduous experience we descended to the beach. A tiny sandy beach where we relaxed on sheets and munched on snacks. Spent good quality 4 hours there, staring at surrounding rocks, colourful buildings, amazing architecture and marvels of engineering. Met a Canadian cum Indian family whose daughter Sloan was same age as Elena my grand daughter. Both girls gelled with each other and played together. The families met too and had a long chat.

Realising that going up to the car will be too hard, we boarded a bus going in that direction. Took a little while of waiting but it was a good fortune. Reached the car with ease and drove back to our abode.

Started next day a little late and followed craving of Mahema and Suffian to visit Positano once again. This time we went to the opposing side. Took photographs by camera and drone and then drove to Sorrento. A relatively large city on Amalfi coast. Spent some time on the beach passed through bazaar and reached Halaal meal restaurant named R&M Kebab. Food was ok. Both at Positano as well as Sorrento liked the quality of dress items and clothing. However seemed cost prohibitive.

Early part of night returned to our abode since had to leave for Naples for return flight at 8 AM. Once got up at 7:30 learnt Mahema and Suffian had again gone to Positano. The words of Steinbeck resonated in my mind, that Positano strikes deep. The best memories we carry of and the desire to be there again is of POSITANO. I wish one day I could visit Positano with my friend who raised my eagerness through introduction to John Steinbeck

https://fb.watch/k1a6M5u3Qv/?mibextid=l066kq

Palki Sharma in above cited VLog has painted a dooms day scenario for Pakistan. She hails from Pakistan’s perennial enemy and nothing good can be expected from her. Her venomous analysis of situation of Pakistan is most certainly based on her wishes. There is an Urdu idiom, billi ko chhichhron ke kharaab ’ (as the bell chink so the fool thinks).

She has displayed poor understanding of the global geopolitical transitions. She has displayed certain misconceptions of future potential of the US and it’s new found darling named India. The globe is passing through multiple transitions which mainly include:

a. Power is shifting from West to the East

b. China is challenging the US hegemony

c. The US is waning power and China is a waxing power

d. 21st century is Asian century

e. Pan Americana is giving way to Pan Sinica

f. The dollar is losing its might as global currency. Country of Palki Sharma is a contributor towards that end

At the regional level a glaring transition is in play. South Asia has been in centre stage of global geopolitics of 19th and 20th centuries. In these duels of giants, there were always two belligerents, a conduit and a fodder. In 19th century, British and Soviet Empires were two belligerents, Afghanistan and neighbouring regions of British India were conduit and manpower of the region was fodder. In 20th century, the US was the one belligerent where as other was Soviet Empire and later forces of terrorism. Pakistan remained conduit for both the times and Muslim fundamentalist formed the fodder.

In case of 21st century, the US and China are arraying as likely belligerents. India is being tipped, equipped and capacitated by the US to play the role of a conduit. As India seems to be proudly gearing for this role, Hindu fundamentalist will serve as a fodder.

In 2018, the author visited Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) London to deliver a talk on China Pakistan Economic Corridor. Indian defence attaché was sitting right across the table donning Brigadier’s uniform. Towards the end of the talk, the author addressed the Indian Brigadier. Brigadier was asked that keeping in view the status of South Asia as the least integrated, the most impoverished and the most conflict prone region of the World, India should either join CPEC or should not contest CPEC. It was highlighted that this will serve well for the hapless people of the region. The Brigadier was told that the author was seeing India treading on the path of fighting. The Brigadier shrugged his shoulders and contested point of view of the author. He was told that in Indian Ocean there were at least five countries whose one port was being developed by China and second by India. There was an ongoing rivalry between China and India in Indian Ocean. Contending strategies of String of Pearls (China) and Necklace of Diamonds (India) were in play in the Indian Ocean. Over a dozen ports were being developed by China and around 8 were being developed by India. Brigadier was told by the author that this rivalry could any time turn into hostility. Later repeated escalations on Sino Indian border have been fairly serious and indication of projected hostility.

So India should logically brace for the dirty work to do for the US in 21st century geopolitics which was performed by Pakistan in 20th century geopolitics. India and its scholars like Tulsi Sharma may find solace in short term gains but in the long run India is replacing Pakistan in the wrong side of the room.

Indeed Pakistan is passing through challenging times, however Pakistan is best defined by two words, Turbulence and Resilience. Pakistan has always come out stronger, more confident, more self-assured and more resilient from every turbulence. Pakistan has always betrayed such predictions of gloom and doom. Even on the future, Pakistan will betray predictions of nay-sayers like Tulsi Sharma.

Founding father of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah had declared in 1947 that Pakistan will emerge as Pivot state on the world map. Andrew Korybko has now termed Pakistan as Pivot State of 21st century. Tulsi Sharma should better worry about future of her own country than pointing fingers at Pakistan. China and Pakistan have mutually assured destiny and soon a time will come when India is bound to face two front scenario which it had imposed on Pakistan for two decades. Better watch out TULSI SHARMA

By all standards Pakistan – my beloved motherland has had very painful, agonising and bad 2022. In general unfortunate country has been at its crossroads every now and then, however, in particular it has suffered immensely since Sep 11, 2001. In spite of zero role in that cataclysmic global event Pakistan came to suffer, sacrifice and bleed the most. Nature has its own ways. Even in case of environmental change, with below 1% Carbon emissions, Pakistan got greater suffering than it deserved through floods of 2022.

It may be highly painful and debatable point to analyse what brought Pakistan to this stage. Every one will analyse the causes from one’s own perspective. Without getting into controversy, who did what? I believe no one left any stone unturned in our journey to self destruction. We as citizens of this country always remained overawed by our desire to serve our vested interests. We shied away to look beyond our nose and remained focused on self interest, interest of smaller groups while keeping interest of Pakistan at the tail. In this pursuit our leadership also remained exuberant in serving interests of external powers more than interests of the people of Pakistan.

It’s my belief that nature bestows upon us OPPORTUNITIES. It’s in our hands to convert these opportunities into blessings or curses. I shall like to dwell upon three areas which have adversely affected Pakistan as the most. I will call these as THREE CURSES faced by Pakistan. First curse is lack of visionary leadership. I shall not single out any particular group, I will include leadership of all segments of society. Even a teacher including a religious teacher is a leader. Providence didn’t spare Muhammas Ali Jinnah to provide strong foundation to newly created country. He was seen off by a leadership whom he himself called as KHOTAY SIKKAY (fired cartridges). The leadership bestowed upon hapless people of Pakistan, began to ruthlessly grab Pakistan. They did nothing on human resource development and rather kept people of Pakistan farthest from teachings of Quran, Prophet PBUH and those of founding fathers. They began to ruthlessly serve their vested interests which were always facilitated through service of interests of global players. Like any society there are three grooming places for the new generations. School, mosque and home. All three are dysfunctional. School is teaching cheating, mosque is teaching violence and home is indifferent. Whom to blame? THE LEADER (the teacher, religious teacher, political leader, military leader, leader of a family and leaders of all hues)

Second curse is an extremely troublesome neighbourhood. Friends can be chosen but neighbours are given. In the East we have India which is mean to the core. It leaves no opportunity to damage Pakistan. India has been termed by Rajesh Shigri as boorish, condescending and overbearing towards its neighbours. Not only Pakistan but whole of SA is suffering due to intransigence of India. In the West we have Afghanistan. For over 200 years, Afghanistan has remained disturbed and dysfunctional. It has never been able to live in peace within and with out. Two of provinces of Pakistan neighbouring Afghanistan get seriously troubled. Iran a predominately Shia country is arrogant and views Pakistan from the prism of Shia-Sunni discord.

The third curse lies in Strategic Location. There are two dimensions to it. Firstly, Afghanistan and Pakistan have repeatedly come to the centre stage of global geopolitics. Every time they have paid a heavy price. Anglo-Afghan wars, finale of Cold War, GWOT; all played havoc with this region. Afghanistan known to be graveyard of empires has itself become a graveyard in the process. Pakistan has bled profusely in terms of human blood, economy, infrastructure, national character and image of the country. Secondly, this strategic location bestowed upon Pakistan and its national leadership a stature higher than its potential. Pakistan enjoyed transactional relationship with the US which always ended in a divorce. TV Paul has said, while ME suffers from resource curse, Pakistan suffers from strategic curse. ME has abundance of resources and thus lacks motivation to work hard. Whereas Pakistan gets easy money due to its strategic location so lacks motivation to work hard. While ME seems to have overcome its curse, Pakistan still seems to be encumbered by it.

The main question is what to do? People of Pakistan must take their destiny in their own hands. Leadership of Pakistan is overweighted by external opinions more than internal opinions.

There is so much of disorder in Pakistan which warrants a sustained effort of decades to improve. However, for 2023, People of Pakistan and more importantly leaders of Pakistan on the whole can make a resolution. If we all pick one and only one golden principle from each of our founding fathers, we can be a different society. Quaide Azam had said, “our duty to the state comes first; our duty to our province, to our district, to our town, and our village and ourselves comes next”. We need to pick this injunction of Quaide Azam and place Pakistan at top consideration in all of our individual and collective pursuits. From Allama Iqbal we should pick the concept of Uprightness. We shall not be selling our conscience for petty gains. Neither at national level nor at individual level. By just following these two principles we can become a different nation or group of people.

Long live Pakistan. Long live people of Pakistan. Allah may bless us wisdom and courage to serve our beloved country for better future for our coming generations

https://sammilogger.blog/2018/05/27/imperilled-pakistan/ My blog of 27 May 2018. Seems most relevant as of today

Today is the 75th Birthday of Pakistan as well as the Independence Day of people of Pakistan. 74 such days have been celebrated ahead of this day with national zeal and fervour, but this day stands unique. It is unique due to menacing external threats and debilitating internal strife. The day is being celebrated with national zeal and fervour.

While the common man is visible on the streets, standing for Pakistan, displaying his love for Pakistan, displaying zeal and fervour for his motherland; the elite seems busy in its grab. Grab of power, grab of wealth, grab of self glory, even grab of country itself.

Once state of Pakistan is dispassionately analysed, one comes to conclusion that the biggest cause of Pakistan’s plight has been poor leadership (all inclusive). At the time of creation of Pakistan, providence did not give enough of life to Muhammad Ali Jinnah to give strong foundation to the nascent and feeble state. He passed away in less than 13 months. He had said in his life that he had KHOTE SIKKAY (Fake Coins) in his pocket; apparently referring to leadership surrounding him. It seemed same KHOTE SIKKAY are ruling Pakistan till today.

Pakistan has had a leadership which failed to look beyond its nose. Which remained overwhelmed by vested interests. Which was self-serving. Which wasn’t sincere to the purpose. They were good at raising slogans but failed to walk the talk. GUFTAAR KE GHAZI BAN TO GAEY KIRDAAR KE GHAZI BAN NA SAKAY (they became heroes of talk but couldn’t become heroes of character). There is a usual Chicken and Egg debate ie which preceded what? Did immaturity of political leadership invite military interventions or military interventions didn’t let political leadership to mature. It has been a vicious cycle and unfortunately military leadership also suited well to global geopolitics of respective times. The politics today being played in Pakistan indicate as if Pakistan is frozen in 19th century. Demands of 21st century are way different.

Heart of a thinking mind bleeds in seeing motherland bleeding profusely. Leadership is fake, narratives are fake, results of elections are manipulated and the country doesn’t seem to be on right track. Wrong is prevailing and right is cornered. Hard work isn’t incentivised rather unfair means are incentivised. Merit is culled and talent is buried. The common man feels frustrated because he doesn’t find his future in his hands, rather he sees it in hands of individuals serving vested interests.

Pakistan is faced with two battles. One is outside Pakistan and the second is inside Pakistan. Outside battle is regarding which camp Pakistan will be in; US or China. Inside battle is between the Status-quo and non-status-quo forces. These two battles are intertwined. Status-quo forces comprise erstwhile political parties which have badly decayed. PPP created by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto an Oxford alumni is now in grab of Asif Ali Zardari. PML created by Muhammad Ali Jinnah is now led by Mian Nawaz Sharif. JUI founded by Maulana Maudoodi is led by Maulana Fazal ur Rehman. Non status-quo forces are led by PTI.

Silver lining is that people of Pakistan are getting more aware. Even little babies of Pakistan are aware that who looted Pakistan. If we talk of future, besides rhetoric and waiting for Allah; people of Pakistan have to rise to the occasion. People of Pakistan have to make our leadership believe that internal opinion matters more than external opinion. Pakistan is owned by people of Pakistan and not by coterie of elite or US or China. People of Pakistan has to win both these battles in the best interest of Pakistan. In my opinion, destiny of Pakistan is linked with China and not the US. Secondly Pakistan has to transit to 21st century in ethics, morals and practices.

Pakistan society has suffered from haemorrhages and decay particularly in last four decades. These were the decades of conflict, destruction and wars. While 1978 makes a benchmark for China to take an upwards flight, 1979 makes a benchmark for Pakistan for a downwards flight. It’s natural that owing to perpetual conflict, evolution of civil society as enunciated by Ibne Khaldoon, either retards or gets in retrograde motion. The case of Afghanistan and Pakistan’s neighbouring regions makes a perfect study.

The perpetual conflict has impacted us in many ways. We have suffered loss of blood, money, infrastructure, values of society and most menacingly our national character. All losses will be less daunting to recover than that of national character. In the overall setting of corruption, lack of merit and serving of vested interests, there are few glaring aspects of this loss. Firstly, societies are driven by guilt or shame. These two feelings inhibit a human from committing a sin. Unfortunately both have ceased to exist in our society. Nothing inhibits us from committing a crime or a sin.

Secondly, this environment has created a breed of street smart people who are sycophants, nouveau riche, opportunists and yes-men. These are the people who have been ruling the roost and dominating the system. They see talented and competent people as a threat. So they contrive and rally together to cull merit, talent and competence. Consequently on the whole, in our society while the RIGHT is cornered the WRONG is thriving.

Thirdly, the leadership lacked motivation to develop human resource. Though they justified their actions by citing lack of resources. Human resource development neither serves their political interests nor interests of the breed mentioned in preceding para. Notwithstanding, what we have done to earlier generations, we have successfully corrupted the system for growth of our coming generations. There are three grooming places for a child, school, mosque and home. Schools are teaching cheating, mosque is teaching violence and home is indifferent.

There is yet another aspect to this. In my view while political interests pull us to the left, national interests pull us to the right. Unless these converge we shall not be able to develop as a society. It’s a national interest that people should be educated. Whereas, no Vadera, no Sardar, no Saneen, no lord wants his people to be educated. It’s also a national interest that people should be secure. Just to cite an example, Karachi; a city of 25M people is being managed by 30000 police force. If we exclude police on protocol duties and use combat potential of a London policeman as a yardstick, Karachi is being managed by 1000 policemen. No government will put it right because security of people isn’t a political interest.

Perpetual conflict prevailing in and around Pakistan had a lot to do with our superior strategic location. TV Paul had said, while Middle East is suffering from resource curse, Pakistan is suffering from Strategic curse. He further qualified that people of Middle East due to abundance of natural resources lacked motivation to work hard. Whereas, in case of Pakistan superior strategic location earned them easy money so they lacked motivation to work hard. Easy money has indeed damaged us in many ways.

Pakistan is also suffering from the dilemma of parachuted leadership. Parag Khanna in his book Future is Asian has argued that countries of Asia whose leadership rise from grass root level and climb rungs of ladder would be in step with Asian Century. Whereas the countries where leadership comes through parachute would lack behind.

On the whole, this complex environment has culled virtues and instilled vices in our society. We lost ability to call a-spade-a-spade, ability to say what was wrong. In my opinion, no individual, power or organisation can do better accountability than people of Pakistan. If people start questioning the ruling elite on bad things they do, it will impose caution and deterrence on them. Else they will continue to disregard interests of people and serve their vested interests. I have held a view since long that more than anything else, Pakistan needs social reforms. We need to bring back our values, our ethics and national character. In order to do that, first and foremost is that we ought to be strategically correct. Yet again we don’t have to be friends for war. We only should be friends for peace. Fighting other’s wars can fetch us couple of dollars but will devastate us as a nation much more menacingly than earlier cases.

In the absence of an apt leadership, Pakistan has remained directionless for quite some time. It has been akin to a flotilla of rudderless ships. Notwithstanding many shortcomings, on the whole, Imran Khan seemed to be providing a direction to the society. Apparently, political and national interests seemed to be converging. He focused on raising conscience of the people, he has given awareness to the people. People have begun to question the leadership. People are picking courage to call wrong, what is wrong. IK or no IK, Pakistan is changing very fast and that’s the way to go. People of Pakistan have to take reins in their own hands. Else will they will continue to be exploited by one vested-interest-serving group or the other.

Published in Pakistan Observer on 6 Feb 2022

THE insurgency in Balochistan is on the rise.No words can assuage the loss of lives of valiant sons of the soil who are offering blood, as well as of misguided insurgents.

I had the opportunity to serve Balochistan from 2012 to 14.My exposure to disturbed seventeen southern districts of the province was rewarding on one extreme but appalling, painful, and worrisome on the other.

After service to Balochistan, I also got the opportunity to do my PhD in Strategic Security Management of CPEC.

My offerings in subsequent paras are based on these two experiences.Right at the outset, I shall like to say that, such threats had been foreseen and the state will prevail In Sha Allah upon elements who are trying to serve the interests of enemies of Pakistan.

In the 20th century geopolitics of the region, two provinces of Pakistan adjoining Afghanistan ie Balochistan and the KP suffered the most.

Balochistan remained more unfortunate for multiple reasons viz poor management, poor governance, and two front situation ie unstable Afghanistan on one border and estranged Iran on the other.

Perennial neglect, injustices at the state level and the vested-interest-serving elite has created feelings of alienation and deprivation.

Interestingly, the British ruled Balochistan through two cardinal principles; appeasement of Sardars and keeping the masses alienated.

Unfortunately, with the lack of ingenuity, even Pakistan continued to follow the same principles.

I would like to substantiate my assertions with examples.1986 was my first visit to Quetta, I was then surprised to notice that despite being a provincial capital, English newspapers reached Quetta by 4 pm and the day there was no flight there was no newspaper.

As late as 2014, I didn’t find any improvement in this domain in spite of the era of the internet.

There is no improvement in the connectivity of Balochistan with the rest of the country for a long.

In the early 2010s, coastal highways and the start of night flights in Quetta may be seen as small pinpricks.

Dera Bugti and Kohlu are the most disturbed districts of Balochistan, no effort has been made to offset the British approach of a single entry and exit to these districts.

In the 80s PTV Station of Quetta was the most vibrant station, which launched new actors and popular TV dramas, now it’s non-existent.

General Musharraf paid extra attention to the neglected province.From 1947 to 2002, Rs 200 B were allocated to Balochistan for development, whereas from 2002 to 2008, Rs 400 B were allocated.

However, this money reached deep pockets and failed to improve the lot of the masses.

General Musharraf for the sake of better governance converted the Category B* area of Balochistan (which is 95% of the total area of Balochistan) to Category A but the very next government reversed this decision to serve the interests of Sardars.

There was not a single cardiac centre in entire Balochistan as late as 2014.Quetta as provincial capital lacked behind the rest by 30-40 years.

In the discharge of my duties, I extensively travelled through seventeen critical districts of Balochistan.

Abject poverty, social inadequacies, state of management, lack of connectivity was mind-boggling, to say the least.

On a governance template, one can still find as low as 2-5% governance in parts of Balochistan.

With a view to addressing the root causes of the insurgency, firstly, the State of Pakistan has to realise that, the province of Balochistan has transited from a ‘backyard and wasteland’ to a ‘region of immense strategic importance’.

Balochistan is critical for not only the prosperity of Pakistan but also for the future ambitions of China.

Secondly, the forces which are against the growth of Pakistan and the rise of China are anticipated to resort to such acts of terrorism.

We should be prepared to face such challenges.

Thirdly, in the media-savvy environment, feelings of alienation, deprivation and injustices get more pronounced.

Thus, it’s important to address the root causes of insurgency.The connectivity of Balochistan with the rest of the country should be improved.

Feelings of injustices, deprivation, alienation and social inadequacies should be mitigated and eradicated at a fast track.

Numerous projects are already being executed but the scale, speed and expanse need to be increased manifold.

The participation of the people of Balochistan in future plans and projects is a MUST.70 years of inadequacies can only be addressed through crash action and sincerity of purpose.

—The writer is a former DG ISSRA, National Defence University, Islamabad.

https://fb.watch/9l0aoZzUNE/

Above video is getting viral. The narrator is building a case that poor work ethics of people of Pakistan are due to buffalo milk. It’s indeed a forceful projection of a narrative, however, I want to give different perspective.

Towards fag end of my military career, I had opportunity to manage live stock of Pakistan Army. My views are based on my exposure to the subject and my reflections.

Mother Nature has blessed Buffalo to very less regions of the world and the developed world is endowed with Cow. So milk producing animal of developed world is cow and that of countries of our region is buff. Apparently, it’s bizarre that Mother Nature produced a black skinned animal for warmer regions of the world. However, justifications and logics of Mother Nature are beyond our comprehension. These may be unbeknownst to us. Our lack of knowledge doesn’t mean Mother Nature could have gone wrong. Latest research is also proving that Buff milk is far better than cow milk.

If we admit that Mother Nature always has a sound justification for something prevailing on the globe, then how can buff milk be bad for us. Developed world had wherewithal to carry out all the research on their animal ie Cow. Whereas our animal ie Buff remained neglected due to our poor research ability. Developed world has always belittled our animal. The gentleman in the video got carried away with same logic of the West. He resorted to self-bashing.

Indeed we are lethargic, we are less active, we are less aggressive, we are slackers; but the reason doesn’t lie in what he has identified. The reason lies else where. Which I shall attempt to identify in next blog. Allah may bless us all.