Defence of Pakistan Day

 September 6, the Defence Day, falls at a time in the history of Pakistan this year when the country is facing extremely grave challenges, both internal and external. These challenges are in a sence unprecedented. Undoubtedly, the bifurcation of Pakistan in 1971was the greatest shock and the sddest event that has ever occurred. But we must keep in mind that in the late 60s it was a neighbouring country like India that was arraigned against Pakistan to slice its eastern wing off, today it is the combined forces of the sole superpower US and India, which are out to destablise it.
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By Mohammad Jamil:

The Defence of Pakistan Day has significance in many ways, but national unity and trust between the people and the army is the spirit of 6th September. It is also manifestation of what Sallust (86-34 BC) a well-known historian, friend of Julius Caesar, politician and one of great Latin literary stylists had said: “By union (harmony) smallest states thrive, by discord the greatest are destroyed”. He was witness to the waning Roman Empire. On the other hand, Enver Hoxha an Albanian leader, head of communist party, former prime minister and head of state, a country with 3 million population only had written in his book: “No matter how small a country was it could not be subdued even by the great powers, if the people remained united”. As ardent a nationalist he was as he was a Communist, Hoxha excoriated any communist state that threatened the sovereignty of Albania. During 1965 war between Pakistan and India, entire Pakistani nation was cast into the mould of a cohesive unit that frustrated sinister designs of India to decimate the citadel of Islam.Every year, on sixth September the nation pays homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives while defending their country during 1965-war between Pakistan and India – six-time bigger in population and size. This is one of the most important events in the annals of Pakistan’s history when our military officers and soldiers heroically foiled India’s attempt to destroy Pakistan. During 1965 war, people of Pakistan were united and as a result Pakistan was not only able to repel the attack but also made advances in Kashmir sector. Political parties and people of Pakistan stood by the armed forces. Though efforts are being made to denigrate military by some pseudo-intellectuals, political analysts and some politicians, yet the people of Pakistan hold the military in very high esteem because they had given supreme sacrifice in the defence of the motherland, and always helped them whenever natural calamity hit the nation. It was in this backdrop that dring 1965 war, people irrespective of sect, language, region or province had demonstrated what Quaid-i-Azam had exhorted —- Unity, Faith and Discipline. It is relevant to recount the achievements so that the present generation is also aware of the past events. From Khyber to Coxes bazaar in former East Pakistan, people paid tributes and lauded the jawans and officers of Pakistan army, navy and air force for having displayed the valour when India attacked our motherland. The coordinated action of the army, navy and air force from Lahore, Karachi, Runn of Kacch to Chamb Jorian, had made all sectors the graveyard of ruined dreams of Indian leadership and army commanders who had dreamt of celebrating victory in Lahore. Pakistan with a relatively small army and limited resources had, indeed, given adequate response to the enemy on two thousand miles long border. India’s invincibility as a regional power was shredded into bits when Pakistan army in various sectors including Chwinda frustrated India’s pernicious designs. Pakistan navy had played its part by launching a successful attack on Dawarka, when fear from submarine Ghazi kept the enemy at bay and away from Pakistani coasts. Pak Navy’s complete control over the waters was indeed a miracle. Pakistan Air Force had proved its mettle by continuous air attacks from Pathankot to Agra; and Pakistan Army’s resistance for every inch of land would go down in the annals of history as a remarkable and memorable performance. But successive governments became complacent and did not focus on enhancing defence capabilities. They also failed to maintain the national unity achieved during 1965 war. On the other hand, India started preparing for the second round and was looking for Pakistan’s soft belly and an opportunity to attack Pakistan. In Pakistan, internecine conflicts between political parties and contradictions between the Centre and the provinces had provided India an opportunity to incite nationalists in former East Pakistan. During the last few years of united Pakistan, opulent Hindu minority worked on those misguided elements who had not weaned off the poison of sham nationalism. India had also trained Mukti Bahini to create chaos and unrest in former East Pakistan. It was a tremendous shock for Pakistan when Pakistan’s allies did not ask India to refrain from interfering in internal affairs of Pakistan. They rather stopped military as well as economic aid, with the result that Pakistan could neither get spare parts for the planes and other military hardware nor could it replenish the outdated fighter planes and other equipment. Since then, Pakistan army, navy and air force have been striving to enhance combat capability, and have also succeeded in developing tanks, missiles and other military hardware. By the grace of God, Pakistan today is an atomic power and has also developed surface-to-surface; surface to air, and air-to-air missiles. Pakistan possesses Medium Range and Short Range Ballistic Missiles; the 500-km-range Ground Launched Cruise Missile Hatf VII is capable of carrying conventional and nuclear payloads and hit the enemy with a pinpoint accuracy. But above all, we have Jawans and officers of the armed forces who are committed to defend the country. They always helped the civil government to rescue the people whenever a catastrophe hit the country like 2005 tragic earthquake or flash floods of 2008. During the last few years, our armed forces have fought terrorists, enemy agents and misguided elements in Swat, Malakand Division and South Waziristan. And they have successfully demolished terrorists’ infrastructure. However, there are some remnants of the militants, and the military is resolved to destroy them hook, line and sinker.Historical evidence suggests that even the strongest army cannot succeed unless it has the backing of the people. In 1965, armed forces had the support of people of Pakistan and could frustrate the vicious designs of the hostile neighbour. In 1971, however, the nation stood divided because of the ineptness of the rulers, who could not resolve the contradictions between the provinces and as a result Pakistan was disintegrated. Of course, there was international conspiracy with India on the frontline, which had trained Mukti Bahini, and Indian army physically supported the rebels by crossing international borders. The hearts of die-hard Pakistanis sink to find that due to odious notions of some elements in the garb of religion and nationalism, even today the nation finds itself divided on various planes and into various segments destroying the roots of cohesion and solidarity among its components. Our politicians and people of all strata of society should reinvent the spirit of September 1965, display unity in their ranks to frustrate the designs of the hostile enemy and so-called friends of Pakistan.

mjamil1938@hotmail.com
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Mirza goes dabang!

The timing of KPC Press Conference too was particularly significant. The very next day Chief Justice was scheduled to open the hearing of suo motu case vis-à-vis Karachi carnage and to expose those who are behind these killers, kidnappers, extortionists and land grabbers. It may further be recalled that, while in Islamabad, CJ had termed the government as ineffective. It is hypothesized that PPP was afraid of some severe ruling. Hence KPC Press Conference is perceived by many as an attempt to divert the focus only on MQM
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 By Tallat Azim

There we were, chugging along at our usual pace and concentrating on nothing more than seeing the holy month through. The only thought on our collective brains was how to cope with the onslaught of Eid expenses. We had very little time to think or worry about ‘Irene’, the hurricane that was creating havoc in another, far removed, corner of the world at that particular time. Little did we guess or know that there was a ferocious hurricane called ‘Mirzene’, which was hurtling towards us at breakneck speed and which would give us no preparation time!
Dr Zulfiqar Mirza has been in the public limelight ever since this government came to power. The primary reason of his importance stemmed from the fact that he was a childhood buddy of the all-powerful President and considered his right-hand man in the province of Sindh. That he was outspoken and dabang, ala Salman Khan, was no secret but he had, hithertofore, remained more or less within party discipline.
On August 28, only three days before Eid and within the last 10 days of Ramazan, Mirza went public on several issues that have been major stumbling blocks in the way of good governance. As a dumbfounded country listened on Dr Mirza, who disclosed important national secrets, named names and called the Federal Interior Minister the biggest liar on earth and went on to explain why he did so, he did not stumble or falter anywhere in his lengthy press conference, had files and documents to support his claims and, the icing on the cake, he did it all with one hand either on the Holy Quran or while holding the Quran with both hands over his head.
The brunt of his frontal attack was the person of Altaf Hussain and his party the MQM, as well as Interior Minister Rehman Malik. Like a ball of wool, he unravelled their alleged modus operandi and made some direct accusations, including the most serious one on MQM of being hand in glove to undo the federation of Pakistan. All these accusations have been made previously too, but only in the privacy of closed doors and that also in roundabout phrases. Primarily, because people are scared of the MQM and its silencing abilities. Thus, Mirza’s diatribe had a freeing feel for everyone. There were no saving graces. We have reached a point in our political life where all parties will have to clean their acts to survive, if we are to survive that is.
Many political analysts have described this as a master stroke by the President and they do not believe that Mirza has acted without his permission. That train of thought does not appeal to me. I, somehow, think that this is a real life example of a verse from the Holy Book that says: “On the Day of Judgment your mouths will be sealed and your hands and feet will bear witness against your deeds.” Best friends can be compared to one’s hands and feet, would you not agree?
More than what Mirza said, and the way he said it was also a real presentation of the values that we, rightly or wrongly, hold dear. We tend not to doubt anyone swearing on the Holy Quran in the manner that he did and that too in Ramazan. We think it is a sign of being well bred, if you are called a yaaron ka yaar and Mirza repeated umpteenth times how he holds the President in the highest esteem, as his childhood friend. He also disclosed his lineage and his family tree as well as his sectarian leanings, all of which could have been left unsaid. But by stating them he reveals a mindset and the importance we store by such facts.
The Eid holidays have been spent in absorbing and assimilating all that we heard. The Supreme Court has its tasks all laid out before it, as it resumes its hearings on the breakdown of the law and order situation in Karachi. The holidays have in all probability given time to the political parties too, affected or otherwise, to meditate, take deep breaths and plan their strategies in the light of the reveal - all, particularly if proof can be found to substantiate Dr Mirza’s serious allegations. These are interesting times indeed!
Postscript: After the thumping success of Shoaib Mansoor’s Bol more Pakistani films have been released on Eid. The industry seems to be struggling to survive and we must encourage its efforts. Reema has given us Luv main gum and Faisal Bukhari has given us Bhai log. We cannot continue to bask in the glory of a bygone cinema era, which is all that we have as reference. If we could do well previously, I am sure we can do well again. This is a country that likes its good times and remains resilient, despite best efforts to bring it down. As was visible in the holidays, the nation, particularly the cities, displayed an almost unbelievable zeal towards finding moments of joy and relaxation. The throngs of people and maddening traffic jams leading to parks, food streets and so on was a telling display of what people really want. They only want a very small part of the pie and a chance to be happy too.

The writer is a public relations and event management professional based in Islamabad.
Email: tallatazim@yahoo.com

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