Major blunders we made as a Nation.
By: Tarique Khan Javed
President, Overseas Pakistani Investors Forum.
                           Dated 11th Dec 2008

Unlike other countries in the case of Pakistan one can see very clearly a number of major blunders our Leaders made; which have proved very costly for the nation. The reason we are where we are is because of these blunders otherwise by now we would have been the 3rd biggest nation in the world in terms of population and  8 or 9th  largest economy of the world with similar ranking as military power. S.Korea which was following our,  two gap model of economic development upto 1965, is already the 5th largest economy of the world. My list of such blunders, in a chronological order, includes the following:

1. Urdu as a national language:
 Declaration of Urdu as a national language for all of Pakistan. This blunder was made despite knowing very well how strong Bangla language was. In 1905 Britishers created East Bengal with Dhaka as capital. However the Bangla nationalism proved so strong that the Muslims of East Bengal who gained a lot by having their own majority provinces struggled and got the division reversed in 1911. Keeping that in mind only insane persons could try to impose Urdu as a language on a people who love their rich language that much. In 1951 language riots broke up and kept building momentum with each killing. This blunder became the far most important reason for break up of Pakistan.

2. Withdrawal of troops from FATA in 1947:
Decision to withdraw all troops from FATA and closing of cantonments and depending fully on tribes to protect our western border was a childish decision. To expect unorganized Tribes to protect an extended international border and also keep internal peace and law and order was naive to say the least. The so called free area or “elaqa ghair” became a heaven for miscreants of the world. No where in the World exists such areas in the modern times.   First as a center of arm production and sale, then as the drug capital of the world followed by World head quarter of Al Qaeda and other wanted elements from all over the world, brought untold misery on Pakistan leading to 9/11. Despite Tora Bora and capture of Afghanistan by NATO and USA, all kind of criminal activities continued in FATA. Following attacks in 2004, on American interests in Saudi Arabia, in which terrorist recently trained in FATA were caught and details of their training camps in FATA became available, Pakistani troops had to enter FATA, for the first time since 1947. It is likely to take another year or so to clean up the area and incorporate it into Pakistan.

3. Considering India weak and 1965 war:
A Pakistani “Think Tank” was able to convince Ayub Khan that Indians (Hindus) by nature are not a martial (fighting) race and that their defenses in Occupied Kashmir was so weak that Pakistan could capture Sri Nagar in a surprise attack. While all this could be true but the real amazing part of the foolish argument was

that as Kashmir is a disputed territory and we would only be crossing the LOC and not any international border this will not lead to all out war. That India will not retaliate and attack Pakistan and let us have Sri Nager. The Foreign Minister and President were convinced and so the action started with expected successes and all cheered. However when India struck Sialkot and Lahore only the super human sacrifices of our soldiers who blew themselves up under Indian tanks that we were able to stop Indians from capturing Lahore and Sialkot. 

This war costed us our close relationship with USA,  who upto 1965 was paying 67% of our Defense budget and provided us with latest weapons far superior to what Indians had. The cost of war crippled Pakistan’s economy and our extra ordinary economic growth rate since 1947, came to an end.

4. Defense of East Pakistan not necessary:    
During 1965 war a realization drown on nation that while lot of defense preparation was made for West Pakistan; almost nothing was done for the defense of East Pakistan. The Army’s rational was that in case India attacks Eastern wing, an attack from West will make them stop the aggression or in other wards the defense of East Pakistan lay in West Pakistan. While this strange and twisted logic amazed the people of West Pakistan it enraged people of East Pakistan who felt cheated and betrayed. From that point they started to think of separation more seriously. Their logic was that while they had no conflict with India, why they should suffer from war with India, created by stupid leadership of West Pakistan. They had no interest in Kashmir and were not ready to die for it. On top of Urdu issue this issue became a major cause of separation of East Pakistan. Thus people of East Pakistan voted in one voice for 6 points of Awami League.

5. No need to develop East Pakistan:
The planners and leaders of West Pakistan it seems were convinced within themselves that East Pakistan will breakaway one day so they decided to not to allocate development funds to Eastern wing. The Western aid and loans meant for both Provinces was mostly spent in West Pakistan. This created resentment against Pakistan among people of East Pakistan and they started to support a set up in which their resources and due share would not be transferred to West Pakistan. They sought a separation of economy but not the country. This was reasonable demand under the circumstances.

6.    Non acceptance of people’s mandate:
Although enough conditions were created for justifying a separation move in East Pakistan, Awami League through its 6 points sought autonomy in line with the original idea of Pakistan i.e. to leave only Defense, Foreign Policy and Currency in the hands of Center, while rest to be in the hand of Provinces. However people mandate was not accepted and a civil war ensued.

7. We only need the land not people and USA is with us:
When General Tikka Khan landed in Dhaka, in the midst of Civil war, he reportedly said that “he will kill all Bengalis and retained the land of East Pakistan”. This kind of illogical and barbarian thinking went in the mind of Military and Civil Leaders in West Pakistan, in continuing the civil war for nine months and not accepting any compromise. In the process some 250,000 people of East Pakistan suffered and 90,000 Pakistani troops became prisoner of war

following a most dishourable surrender. Any other solution could have been better than this. Numbers of UN resolution were torn apart with load cry of continuing the war for 100 years.

In the midst of one of the worst genocide of modern history our Army’s expectation that USA will come to rescue us, was simply absurd.

9. Nationalization of small industries, schools and colleges:
In the process of curbing the so called 22 families; the nationalization program extended to small industries, school and colleges with disastrous results. While we have a problem running ministries honestly and efficiently; to take on the task of
running all Banks, Insurance Cos and large industries was a Herculean task. On top of this Government decided to nationalize a large number of small industrial units and educational institution. This resulted in massive inefficiency, corruption and disincentive for investment for the next 20 years. This was blunder caused lot
of unemployment and slipped people to such level of poverty that they were compelled to migrate to Gulf on very bad terms or  work for terrorist organization and die so that their families could survive.

11. Non implementation of Land Reform Act of 1977.
This act passed 31 years ago is blocked from implementation by help of a Fatwa declaring such redistribution of land as un-Islamic. During the same period in Iran all land as well as more than one house was redistributed under an Islamic Revolution. No wonder people in Pakistan are up in arms while people in Iran are happy. If land was distributed in 1977 by now the poverty level as well income disparity would have reduced substantial and society become calmer. People are hoping that the new government will muster some courage and implement the law which is not likely to please the landed class.

12. Introduction of medieval Islamic punishment and laws:
Soon after the introduction of 1977 Land Reform Act the landed class with the help of Religious Parties and Military managed to hang Bhutto. During the movement Bhutto introduced law banning Qadianis as Muslim and also banned sale and consumption of Alcohol and closed down night clubs. However this did not save him. Zia introduced Hudood ordinance reducing the status of woman and harsh punishment like lashing for illicit relationship. This was an instrument mainly used to crush democratic forces. However in the process the lack of entertainment and personal freedom made Pakistani society very tense after 1978. Police was able to make lot of money catching people drinking or from couples found courting outside not possessing Nihkh-nama. Instead of preventing crime and catching thieves and murderers they got busy sniffing people breath and chasing couples.

Successive democratic governments have only managed to reverse some of these provisions. It is hoped that this democratic government which appears to be strongest will repeal most of these laws and restore harmony in society. Rahman Malik’s recent instruction to police to stop sniffing people breath and concentrate on their real duty of crime prevention is a bold and laudable move.  

13. Kargil war to punish India:
As  Atal Bihari Waajpai and Nawaz Sharif were greeting each other at the border near Lahore smart military planners were polishing a grand scheme to bring India to its keens.  Like 1965 the idea was that we could launch an attack on LOC and there will no retaliation on International border. India will come to its keens and beg forgiveness for all excesses done in the past. Indeed the plan was brilliant and India did suffer heavily however the flawed logic of no retaliation was bound to fail again. Thus in June 1999 when India assembled one of the largest tank formation near Bhawalpur with a view to cut Pakistan into two halves. Nawaz Sharif had to rush to Washington on 4th of July holiday to arrange a halt on the attack and agree to withdraw from Kargil. This move was not liked by the army and they removed him in October.

14. Complete surrender after 9/11:
Although on face of it American said “you are with us or against us” and we had to agree to be with them to escape from the massive attack which would followed for
letting 9/11 happen, yet there was lot which Pakistan could be negotiated instead of giving in unconditionally.

Logistic support from Pakistan was a pre-requisite for any successful operation in Afghanistan.  Therefore in a cool headed discussion Pakistan could have succeeded in convincing USA to number of things which would have made the surrender more honourable.

15. Cheating the West in war against terror: 
After joining the war a dual policy was followed whereby all actions required for stopping terrorism was not taken while lot of lip services was given. This was with a view to continue the massive inflow of USA funds in the name of War on terror. If effective action was taken in FATA as a continuation of bombing of Tora Bora all rouge elements in FATA and rest of Pakistan could have been nabbed within a year or so. However the stupid dual policy allowed these elements to operate freely in FATA and become bolder with the passage of time. Pakistan proper became their target and they threaten and killed Benezir Bhutto who had promised a more transparent operation in FATA in the form of combined action with USA.

The people mandate of Feb 2008 and final removal of Musharraf has for the first time allowed real action in FATA and it is expected that this operation will lead to clearing FATA from international and local criminals within a year form now. American drone attacks in FATA should be welcomed and not opposed; as this is likely to help in this task. The cleanup will be more in the interest of Pakistan; than USA or West. Our borders would in real meaning extend to Durand line and Pakistan will become bigger and secure.

16. Allowing Jehadi elements to operate in Pakistan:
Resent attack on Mumbai has also revealed another blander by previous government of letting Jehadi elements like Jamat Al Dawa operate freely in Pakistan. There actions almost bought India and Pakistan on a brink of War at a time when the democratic government is getting ready to take some giant steps towards a permanent peace with India. Probably the new government did not know about such elements or had not time enough to nab them. However now they have acted and tensions will ease and two nation’s march towards peace will go on; in defiance of, fool hardy arguments, in favour of a nuclear exchange by war mongers on both sides.