Finally.The.Bell.Of.The.Ring.is.Struck

IS THE US PREPARING TO ATTACK PAKISTAN?

The Bush Administration may be preparing to lash out at old ally Pakistan, which Washington now blames for its humiliating failures to crush al-Qaida, capture its elusive leaders, or defeat Taliban resistance forces in Afghanistan.

One is immediately reminded of the Vietnam War when the Pentagon, unable to defeat North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong forces, urged invasion of Cambodia.

Sources in Washington say the Pentagon is drawing up plans to attack Pakistan’s `autonomous’ tribal region bordering Afghanistan. Limited `hot pursuit’ ground incursions by US forces based in Afghanistan, intensive air attacks, and special forces raids into Pakistan’s autonomous tribal region are being evaluated.

This weekend, the US national intelligence chief and other intelligence spokesmen confirmed that strikes against `terrorist targets’ in Pakistan’s tribal belt are increasingly possible. These warnings were designed to both further pressure Pakistan’s beleaguered strongman, President Pervez Musharraf into sending more troops to the tribal areas to fight his own people, and to prepare US public opinion for a possible widening of the Afghanistan war into Pakistan.

Pakistan’s 27,200 sq km tribal belt, officially known as the Federal Autonomous Tribal Area, or FATA, is home to 3.3 million Pashtun tribesmen. It has become a safe haven for al-Qaida, Taliban, other Afghan resistance groups, and a hotbed of anti-American activity, thanks mostly to the US-led occupation of Afghanistan which drove many militants across the border into Pakistan. Osama bin Laden is very likely sheltered in this region, as US intelligence claims.

I spent a remarkable time in this wild, medieval region during the 1980’s and 90’s, traveling alone where even Pakistani government officials dared not go, visiting the tribes of Waziristan, Orakzai, Khyber, Chitral, and Kurram, and meeting their chiefs, called `maliks.’

These tribal belts are always referred to as`lawless.’ Pashtun tribesmen could shoot you if they didn’t like your looks. Rudyard Kipling warned British Imperial soldiers over a century ago, when fighting cruel, ferocious Pashtun warriors of the Afridi clan, if they fell wounded, `save your last bullet for yourself.’

But there is law: the traditional Pashtun tribal code, Pashtunwali, that strictly governs behavior and personal honor. Protecting guests was sacred. I was captivated by this majestic mountain region and wrote of it extensively in my book, `War at the Top of the World.’

The 40 million Pashtun – called `Pathan’ by the British – are the world’s largest tribal group. Imperial Britain divided them by an artificial border, the Durand Line, which went on to become, like so many other British colonial boundaries, today’s Afghanistan-Pakistan border. When Pakistan was created in 1947, the Pashtun were split between that new nation and Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s Pashtun number 28-30 million, plus an additional 2.5 million refugees from Afghanistan. Pashtuns, one of the British Indian Army’s famed `martial races,’ occupy many senior positions in Pakistan’s military, intelligence service and bureaucracy, and naturally have much sympathy for their embattled tribal cousins in Afghanistan. The 15 million Pashtun of Afghanistan form that nation’s largest ethnic group and just under half the population.

The tribal agency’s Pashtun reluctantly joined newly-created Pakistan in 1947 under express constitutional guarantee of total autonomy and a ban on Pakistani troops ever entering there.

But under intense US pressure, President Pervez Musharraf violated Pakistan’s constitution by sending 80,000 federal troops to fight the region’s tribes, killing 3,000 of them. In best British imperial tradition, Washington pays Musharraf $100 million monthly to rent his sepoys (native soldiers) to fight Pashtun tribesmen. As a result, Pakistan is fast edging towards civil war, as the bloody siege of Islamabad’s Red Mosque and a current wave of bombings across the nation show.

The anti-communist Taliban movement is part of the Pashtun people. Taliban fighters move across the artificial Pakistan-Afghanistan border, to borrow a Maoism, like fish through the sea. Osama bin Laden is a hero in the region, and likely shelters there.

The US just increased its reward for bin Laden to $50 million and plans to shower $750 million on the tribal region in an effort to buy loyalty. Bush/Cheney & Co. do not understand that while they can rent President Musharraf’s government in Islamabad, many Pashtun value personal honor far more than money, and cannot be bought. That is likely why bin Laden has not yet been betrayed.

Any US attack on Pakistan would be a catastrophic mistake. First, air and ground assaults will succeed only in widening the anti-US war and merging it with Afghanistan’s resistance to western occupation. US forces are already too over-stretched to get involved in yet another little war.

Second, Pakistan’s army officers who refuse to be bought may resist a US attack on their homeland, and overthrow the man who allowed it, Gen. Musharraf. A US attack would sharply raise the threat of anti-US extremists seizing control of strategic Pakistan and marginalize those seeking return to democratic government.

Third, a US attack on the tribal areas could re-ignite the old irredentist movement to reunite Pashtun parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan into independent state, `Pashtunistan.’ That could begin unravelling fragile Pakistan, leaving its nuclear arsenal up for grabs, and India tempted to intervene.

The US military has grown used to attacking small, weak nations like Grenada, Panama, and Iraq. Pakistan, with 163 million people, and a poorly equipped but very tough 550,000-man army, will offer no easy victories. Those Bush Administration officials who foolishly advocate attacking Pakistan are playing with fire.

Finally, what was a phantom to make the child sleep in the night, arrives at the borders. The very phantom, now seems nervous, disparate, but nonetheless prepared to go for the final frontier.

Let it be known to the invading Armies, this is not United India, where Hindus and Muslims fought side by side. This time, its the same cavalry and infantry, which garbed in civil dress and a turban, donning a beard, put the Russian bear to the ground.

The same army is not to renounce its Head, but instead that very head now prepares a strategy, a deck of cards which would see the lost side remains no more. America is coming to a frontier which knows the tact of victory and sustenance. Now its not a competition, but what remains to be seen is who stays longer. The one who stays longer, would go ahead to disintegrate his opponents.

This time the war is not going to be easy. Civilians and Army of Pakistan, would join hands. Bitter differences would be put aside for the peaceful times. This time its the share of the fire they would jump in, the fire that has been put up not by their own in their ranks but the invading guests, who would be guests till the end.

War is what makes this nation tick and swing. It would be hight time, people have been waiting for this defining moment for quite some time.

This is the time, which would change the very course of the nation. As for India, it would wait. And wait it should, as the bomb is still there. In wartime, somebody trespassing the borders cannot be tried, but rather are showered with accolades. India shouldn’t forget the Pakistani victory of 1965; and the score of 1971 still remains. India should be weary enough, of Pakistanis firstly then, the bomb. India, would be given the civilians to tackle. And tackle would they adeptly.

Every Pakistani, now invites America from the doors of NWFP. It shall see the hospitality, in the final frontier.

Jamia.Hafsa.-.Dead.Bodies.Ain’t.Dead

Now comes in another version, to save the media some easy money and some jobs, of Jamia Hafsa that the so called ‘Abduction’ of Aunty Shameem (Madda Zillahu) and Chinese Massage Parlour workers was done on the behest of Ijaz ul Haq and Shujaat Hussain.

And why would the Jamia people risk their lives after these bureaucrats, who are notorious for their ill-loyalty to any government in its last days?

Moreover, Hamid Mir’s states another fact in his Jang newspaper column, (http://www.jang.com.pk/jang/jul2007-daily/19-07-2007/col3.htm), whereby a Private High School girl takes the responsibility of requesting the Jamia Hafsa authorities to take action against the masseuses and Aunty Shamim.

Conflicting ideologies and facts. Should this be taken as a conspiracy to sideline Ijaz-ul-Haq and Shujaat. Well, possibly, as both or at least Shujaat has been showing some reticence in issues pointing directly against Islam. Does this mean, Shujaat is to bid adieu to politics? Perhaps, as the crescent of PPP is very much predicted, yet again, over the Pakistan Democracy.

Ijaz-ul-Haq, who never, ascended and used other platforms, to be on the surface of Democracy. The very current role, which is unattended, as the government claims to be a moderate one, Ijaz-ul-Haq should see his role being foiled in the next democratic scene which hangs in abeyance. Benazir might not welcome him, but she could,  as she has one of her dependable icons in her party, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who is known to have distributed sweets after the verdict to hang was passed to Z.A.Bhutto. Vicious it is as it should be. Changing faces (Loyalties) is the real face of Democracy in Pakistan.

Now, how contorted are the facts surfacing in the media? This is the question. Jamia Hafsa, issue was ignored for 6 months before it had to be ‘manhandled’. The nine stitches were quite sore for the nation and came in late. All of a sudden, APC is planned and announced, parties are in London, Jamia starts to take the heat. Is the murder or carnage on the necks of the APC attendees? Or is it the lame and naive approach of the government, which arises from the lack of authority in the ranks when it comes to civil issues?

Whatever it may be, media is left to feed on the carcasses of the Jamia Hafsa bodies, of which, according to some reports, were deposed onto a nearby sewerage nullah. How appalling indeed.

Monday, being the first day, after a 4-month long haul for the Chief Justice. People are anticipating something to be uncovered from the ashes of Jamia Hafsa. Another story for some days, but without concocted results. At least that can be established with the current legal framework which resumed today.

Let’s see how far this innings would last at Lord’s Grounds.

Under.The.Surface.Behind.The.Sun

Off goes the verdict and off goes the bell. Celebrations are evidenced everywhere in Pakistan. Jubilant ‘civilians’ herald the verdict as yet another milestone after the nation’s independence in 1947. Indeed it should be. Changing stances and positions and media coverage has added spice to the recent developments, ill-fated or silver lining.

But the question is, why would a government, which has a track record of manipulating issues right from the beginning of the aftermath of 9/11, would take such a step where its fallout was visible and predictable? Why would a government risk a backlash of the masses. Although Government rose from the embers of the ill-repute it has earned. Although it doesn’t blemish the position after all. But why again would such a step to be taken?

Before digging in further, let’s see some of the facts, though informally collected but nonetheless interesting.

When the Chief Justice was called in, Intelligence heads were around. Why? What role or card were they supposed to play? Secondly, Chief Justice had been in the panel, which approved the legitimacy of the Army Head to run for presidency in his uniform when the issue was first taken up years back. A point note worthy here.

With this, it can be roughly deduced, Chief Justice, the President, the Intelligence agencies have weaved up a plan to round up the PPP. Yes, PPP although seems to be cringing and desperately counting on the lines of the palms to get ahead with the deal, either suspiciously or with a hefty sacrifice on the Party’s end, the Government, no matter how benevolent towards the leadership of the party, has old scores to settle. Not to mention, the lists of the freedom fighters of Khalistan.

March 9, was when the script was handed over to the Chief Justice, to which he conceded, as he had to, but denied resigning from his office (this was the part of the script).

Possibly, the Government, which has drenched itself with much criticism and remains steadfast, would enter a deal with the PPP, the Law would also ratify it. But, this is where the mouse is trapped. Benazir travels in, the Government welcomes her, Supreme Court on the wink of the Government intervenes and the crime files are opened. Many a coffers have to be filled in, but at the expense of Bibi. Bibi is stepping in to play the last move.

Files are opened, under the notorious but blessed ‘Suo Moto’ action and Bibi has to face the fate, as the Government would shrug its shoulders saying, “Even the Military boot couldn’t make it bid adieu; but our sympathies are with you”. Eventually, her party would see her role foiled up, with much property being conceded to the Government. Charges would be put up and Bibi’s politics would see an abrupt end. Unlike her father, she would not be hanged. And that she would also not prefer; its better to put back the premiership and chairperson ship of the party and acts as a civilian. And PPP would be reduced to a meager party to form coalition every time it goes through an election. The cerebral contribution, the much lifeline of the party would history, soon.

Musharraf, is walking the same line as Ayyub Khan but with the vices of Nationalisation around him of which are the offspring like corruption and red tape culture, thanks to Z.A.Bhutto. Musharraf was keen enough to change the strategic innuendos and standing of the country. But he has to creep in where other nations found it easily surpassing it.

Justice Chaudhary Iftikhar, is not a product of incidence but a depiction of keen and insightful selection of elements who would be defining the next role of Pakistan in the coming years.

Vicious it is as it is. Truth is best Twisted when sincere corrupt are playing at the helm.

What’s Next, Dear Opposition?

The ruckus, the crisis of all crises, the marriage of protest and ridicule, the criticism has ended.

What’s next, Dear Opposition? Yeah, another protest as to why the CJ was out of office all these months. Or, maybe, another one to restore and renovate his loo. You need a reason to live. And a reason to make a living.

A reason always, to be on the screens, on the ‘American Satellites‘, on the Umreeki papers to be the favourite hodgepodge coterie needed for the upcoming elections. Tickets are to be sold again. Loyalties with gleeful smiles and promises. The drama folds and unfolds in the same way.
Same faces, different parties. The fate remain the same.

What’s next, Dear Opposition?
The Supreme Court gives the verdict here and the celebration starts there. The Jamia Hafsa issue is no longer heard. The cries of wounded, the misplaced, the insignificant bodies registered with eternity, the missing children; all dissipated in the hullabaloo of the celebration.
Same picture, colours different. Same picture of May 12, Carnage in Karachi and celebrations in Islamabad. But this time a bit of Religious green was there.

What’s next, Dear Opposition?
Advocates of Democracy, the anti-Military-rule doctrine preaching minds; can they point out any legitimate reason to go for Democracy, the democratic representation?
What if this issue came up during the Democratic rule? Would it have been in a fragile setup (coalition government, one threatening to side by CJ, supposedly, and another opposing), able to contain it.
But look here, a swift and a thoughtful card, is played and many are hushed.
The memorable of love stories are tragic where the love bonds but lovers don‘t. Devdas in case.
But the case in point, CJ gets married to his job again.

What’s next, Dear Opposition?
The same cronies, who sided with Nawaz, are under the umbrella of Musharraf. Is it Musharraf’s fault? Same loyal figures would be seen badmouthing him. This is assured.
At least, military chooses the most shapest, the smartest, the sly piece who could take up this chess game with many players at a time. Media, Foreign lobbies, neighbours, Foreign investment, interior ministry, common man. Everyone has to be taken care of, at the expense of any one of these, or all of these. Vicious it is as it is.

Double game, double face, double standards, rich richer poor poorer. Musharraf being lauded as reliable partner, sometimes put to test for siding with, hideously though, with the Talibanese, the Chinese.

What would have democracy done in this case. Some would have resigned just to add more fuel to the fire. Some would have been lull. Most would have had changed parties.
But here, started the issue, took the criticism, face is stoned, put the lid back, back to square one.
What goes around, comes around.

Reading Orya Maqbool Jan, today’s edition of Express (www.express.com.pk), citing the Spanish General who took Army recruitment in 1888, went ahead to be the head of the state, crushed the masses, unemployment was rampant, no industry, his cabinet was promoted but the end seemed to be not favouring the General. Had to flee the armed agitation. Died ignoble death out of Diabetes.

Why is 2007 compared to 1888? Were there India and Afghanistan as neighbours? Was there America to poke itself around? Nuclear states? Shaikh Rasheed?
Name any odd even. Not even far enough is there any similarity.
However, fate of the latter is predicted with the former. One what grounds?
Through all these series of melodramatic soap show, through 2006, Musharraf proved to be unnerved. No matter how hard tried, this ain‘t the place to nail in.

Argument gets longer, but concluding, democracy altogether is a toddler which wants Pakistan to kneel as well as itself.

But what’s next, dear Opposition?

And yes, America grits its defeat in Afghanistan, yet again. The land cannot be captured or won, Uncle Sam prepares to proceed to Pakistan, for where it has prepared legitimate but unfounded proof on Al-Qaeda. This would be third and Final American wish and blunder. Every sequel ends on third, with Harry Potter as the exception. America is not an exception, neither is this a fantasy land weaved by Pentagon.