Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Essa

 

Dr. Umar Khan

khanmomar@hotmail.com

31-10-24

 

 

Judge with a very weak and erratic personality

“Elevation of one wrong man to the position of authority can cause more harm than loss of a hundred wise men. (Persian proverb)”

"Courts are wedded to law but they sleep with the rich and powerful"
(Voltaire)

 

 

Introduction of live cameras in the Supreme Court of Pakistan showed the nation how dominating Chief Justice Qazi Faez Issa could be. He wasn’t only dominating and overpowering towards the plaintiffs but also the lawyers and fellow judges too. This domination at times or mostly exceeded the limits of desirability and we saw judges and lawyers of high standing avoiding him and his court out of fear of being belittled. In a court of law the judge is the final authority and the Chief Justice of Supreme Court of a nation of 250 million holds a special sway and authority. His confidence and authoritative demeanor instilled a special self-assurance in the nation as we like to see our judges to be strong; after all they are the ultimate protectors from an overbearing state.

 

But then we saw him reviewing the Mubarak Sani case. Over here this strong man behaved so much differently when under pressure appearing meek, scared and unsure of himself. He crossed all limits of decency trying to please others disgracing himself and his court in the process. Talk of the town was that ultimately he called the plaintiffs to his chambers letting them dictate the decision.

 

It is perfectly fine to acknowledge one’s mistakes and correcting them but there has to be a certain decorum and dignified manner that must be adopted. QFI could have remedied his faulty decision (in his own words) in a much more honorable way maintaining the poise, pride and honor required by his chair and the institution.

 

Then facing some accused representatives of establishment he again wasn’t the same overwhelming person but rather a humble and timid judge. He was avoiding eye contact while talking in a frail voice without authority that we had seen in earlier cases. This was when he was facing Faisal Wada.

 

Worst was still to come, last night he was coming out of gates of Middle Temple in UK where he faced a few protestors and astonishingly he hid his head between his knees sitting on the back seat of a car. It just looked pathetic, disgraceful, unbecoming of a retired judge.

 

 

While facing protestors right or wrong, he should have shown grace to face them like a gentleman without trying to hide by putting his face between the knees. As a CJ he had confidently given some very strange and controversial decisions and should have expected criticism facing it with poise.

 

With the benefit of hindsight we can say with certainty that QFI was a very weak person/CJ who was a bully for the vulnerable coming to him for relief, and a chicken in front of the strong. Then he confirmed that apart from his weakness he didn’t have a good judgment or prudence, totally unaware of his limits and graces. A Chief Judge without basic judgmental sense; how about that???

 

Summing it up I think he had some serious behavior issues and personality disorders making him unfit to be a judge or anything worthwhile for that matter. This makes me feel so naiveté and foolish for having high hopes in him and supporting him when others tried to rid of him a few years earlier. QFI was a perfect case of disqualification of a judge and his removal could have saved the nation severe instability that we are facing.

 

Pakistan promoted QFI to a very important post and is suffering due to that. He destroyed and fragmented many facets of the society and generations will be needed to rectify them.

Mistakes should make a nation wiser. We must devise a better and more thorough selection process for our judiciary. This tragedy teaches us a lesson that all aspirants of important public offices must go through a thorough selection process consisting of academic, social and psychological assessments before they are handed over responsible designations.

 

No nation can afford to have another QFI on a judicial chair again.

 

 

 

“The actual worth of a person is that is the world better off with him or without him.”

 

khanmomar@hotmail.com

 

 

 

An unlevelled comparison between Honda NC750 2024, Suzuki Inazuma250 2023 and Honda XR650L/Dominator 2007 for Pakistani travelers

 

Although it’s difficult to compare bikes of different sizes and types as all flowers have their own peculiar fragrance, we proceed.

I bought my Honda XR/Dominator 650 used,  a few years ago and have driven it around 10k kms. Drove new Inazuma for 1300kms and the NC750 for 1000kms. Want to share my impressions.

1.     Reliability.

A great favor of Japanese for the bikers is giving extreme reliability in all sizes and prices. A prominent Spanish biker friend, who is also a media personality, once drove his very expensive Triumph to Lahore on a company sponsored trip. Early morning when he was about to leave for India we saw drops of oil below the drive shaft. It was scary. Upon contacting the factory he was advised to keep checking and replenishing the drive shaft oil and reach Delhi driving very carefully where they shipped a new drive shaft and got the bike repaired. The only thing coming to my mind was that any cheap Japanese bike like Honda 70 would have done London-Lahore without any hiccup unlike the expensive Triumph.

The British bikes of my childhood era that I remember were very loud, vibrating, leaking oil and breaking down frequently. Only the German BMWs were reliable but then very expensive.

These 3 bikes have been most reliable and I never had a problem with any of these.

2.     Suspension

The shocks of XR have long travel 11” and 11.5” making it the most comfortable driving offroads and decent on metalled roads. NC is very comfortable on metalled roads with fabulous suspension and controls while the Inazuma has slightly weak front suspension.

Here XR wins hands down.

3.     Quality.                                      

The 2 Hondas are made in Japan and that shows through its quality. Although Inazuma is a Japanese brand but it’s manufactured in China showing quality much better than most Chinese brands still feels somewhat short at times in its paint and workmanship.

 NC has an edge in quality but just.

4.     Starting. Wonderful starting but only XR comes with a kick starter that a person like me cannot even think of using even though it comes with a built in compression release mechanism.

No winners here.                                

5.     Braking

All the bikes have a single front and a single back disc brakes with the Inazuma stopping most sure footedly while the NCs brakes are barely adequate although it has ABS. The XR brakes are hard to check as it’s thick knobby tires can’t tolerate much of braking on black top while working well on the offroads.

Inazuma is a clear winner in braking despite not having ABS..

6.     Fuel consumption.

This one is surprising. My old habit of noting the fuel and milometer allows me to comment somewhat accurately. The Inazuma and NC have EFIs while the XR still comes with the old carburetor. Over the years the XR averaged at around 18kms/liter including highway and mountain travel. Inazuma like the NC was driven only in the city averaging at 26kms/liter while the big NC with its 750cc engine averaged 27kms/liter.  I am sure on the highways after the engine had broken in well, these figures would further improve.

Honda NC750 wins here.

7.     Vibrations.

XR although 650cc but still has a single cylinder engine while the other 2 are parallel twins. All 3 have balancer shafts curtailing the vibrations effectively. The XR with the 100mm bore does vibrate at all speeds but is bearable till 100kph. The NC with its 270 degrees firing order imparts certain vibrations but not very annoying. The Inazuma has an undersquare engine imparting better low end torque is the most refined and sophisticated running engine pulling sweetly till 100kph.

Inazuma wins here.

8.     Tubeless tires.

The Inazuma and NC has 17” alloy wheels with tubeless tires effectively freeing from flats. The 21” front wheel of the XR might be prone to flats but increases the reach a lot. It’s a tradeoff, take your pick.

NC and Inazuma win here.

9.     Acceleration/Power.

With its 750cc engine the NC shows fabulous power although it doesn’t rev beyond 6.5k. Inazuma revs till the double figures and shows decent power for its displacement. The XR produces brute power that is at times hard to handle but a bit intoxicating, love it or leave it.

NC wins here.

10.            Stability.

The XR is most unstable on the black tops while NC feels stable and surefooted. Inazuma is well balanced but feels a bit lighter.

NC wins here.

11.            Posture.

I found the Inazuma’s posture and the seat most comfortable while the XR is great for the offroads but its posture can be tiring on the tarmac. NCs seat needs modification and the handle raised to make it comfortable.

Inazuma’s posture is the best.

12.            Seat height.

For me seat height isn’t an issue with any of these but still Inazuma is the lowest making it easiest to ride. The XR’s seat is the highest and short riders might have problems putting their feet on ground on the traffic signals. NC’s seat is an inch higher than the Inazuma making it easy to get on without cramping..

Inazuma wins here.

13.            Off road capability

Although categorized as an adventure bike didn’t find the NC very suitable for offroads just like the Inazuma although these 2 just manage. The XR is a league in its own with 21” front tire, long travel suspension and the high torque RFVC engine.

XR wins here, naturally.

14.            Ease of maintenance.

The XR just has an engine and 2 wheels and nothing else, so easy to maintain. While the NC and Inazuma need lots of work for even the routine jobs like air filter replacement. Everything is difficult on the NC and had Youtube not been there for help, I would have called it impossible.

XR wins here followed by the Inazuma and lastly the NC. The only saving grace is that NC needs oil change and maintenance after every 12k kms; no kidding J.

XR is a clear winner.

15.            Availability of spares.

Many Inazuma’s are plying on Pakistani roads so spares like oil/air filters are the easiest to procure at reasonable prices. Other parts like chain sprockets etc are also available. No parts of any kind are available for the NC except its oil filter that it shares with the police CBX500. Need a constant source abroad to keep the NC running. XR hardly needs anything and as it’s in production for the last 30 years its spares are abundant everywhere out of Pakistan.

Inazuma wins here followed by the XR. NC is a clear loser.

16.            Top Speed

I really don’t know about the top speeds as I rarely exceed 100kph except on motorways where bikes are not allowed. Inazuma and the NC easily reach and maintain @ 100kph although other members drove the XR @ 140kph on even smaller roads.

17.            Price.

 Inazumas are the most reasonably priced @ 1190k till the stocks last at Pak Suzuki and the price might go up a lot after that. The XR if available used, costs the same if you are lucky enough to find a seller while a new one would cost around 5M. New NC costs 7M if imported due to very high duties and other taxes and used are not available.

In short.

For highways, international travel and mountain roads Inazuma appears to be the most suitable for Pakistanis by a big margin. It can be used for soft offroads too but shouldn’t be put through the hard tracks like the Karambar.

Only if it had a 100-150ccs more displacement and ABS, it might have been close to an ideal bike for the Pakistanis.

Certainly the best value for money.

 

میسور کا مزار

 

ڈاکٹر عمر خان

khanmomar@yahoo.com

ڈاکٹر خان لاہور میں ایک تھنک ٹینک کے سربراہ ہیں۔ 30-09-07

 

میسور کا مزار

 

ہندوستان میں مزارات کو مذہبی اور سماجی تقسیم میں بہت زیادہ عزت دی جاتی ہے۔ تمام مذاہب اور نسلوں کے عقیدت مند معمول کے مطابق اپنے آباؤ اجداد اور پرانے زمانے کے مقدس لوگوں کی قبروں پر جاتے ہیں۔ ان مزاروں کی زیارت کرنا ایک انتہائی سنجیدہ معاملہ ہے اور لوگ عقیدت کے گیت گا کر، مقدس صحیفے پڑھ کر، دعائیں مانگ کر اور دل کھول کر عطیہ کر کے خصوصی خراج عقیدت پیش کرتے ہیں۔ مزارات کی اس سرزمین میں جنوب میں ایک مشہور مگر عجیب اور مختلف قسم کا مزار ہے۔ اس مختلف مزار میں بہت سے گندے جوتے رسیوں سے لٹکائے ہوئے ہیں۔ عقیدت مند مزار میں داخل ہوتے ہیں، اپنی پسند کا گندا جوتا اٹھاتے ہیں، قبر کو جوتے سے مارتے ہیں اور توہین آمیز آیات کا نعرہ لگاتے ہوئے احاطے سے نکل جاتے ہیں۔ جی ہاں یہ میسور کے حکمران میر صادق کا مقبرہ ہے جسے "جوٹیوں والی سرکار" کہا جا سکتا ہے۔ وہی میر صادق جس کے بارے میں علامہ اقبال نے کہا تھا

 

جعفر از بنگال و صادق از دکن

ننگ ملت، ننگ قوم ننگ وطن

 

 میر صادق ہندوستان پر برطانوی قبضے کے خلاف مزاحمت کرنے والے میسور کے حکمران ٹیپو سلطان کے ایک جرنیل اور وزیر تھے۔ جب انگریز فوجی طور پر ٹیپو کو زیر نہیں کر سکے تو انہوں نے میر صادق کے ساتھ سازش کی جس نے ٹیپو کے تخت کے وعدے کے ساتھ ان کے ساتھ تعاون کیا۔ اس نے بہت مؤثر طریقے سے ٹیپو کو دھوکہ دیا اور اسے مار ڈالا اور میسور کا برائے نام حکمران بن گیا۔ اس عمل میں اس نے حملہ آوروں کی مدد کی، انگریزوں نے برصغیر کو ایک صدی سے زائد عرصے تک ذلت اور رسوائی کا باعث بنا۔ زیادہ تر مورخین اسے ان بڑے غداروں میں شمار کرتے ہیں جنہوں نے معمولی ذاتی فائدے کے لیے اپنے ہی لوگوں پر انگریزوں کی مدد کی۔ تعجب کی بات نہیں کہ وہ شاید برصغیر کا سب سے ذلیل شخص ہے جہاں دنیا کا پانچواں حصہ رہتا ہے۔

 

یہاں تک کہ استعمار کے بدترین ناقدین بھی اس بات پر متفق ہیں کہ ہندوستان میں برطانوی راج تمام برا نہیں تھا اور یقیناً کچھ اچھی چیزیں بھی تھیں۔ انہوں نے جمہوریت اور تعلیم کے ساتھ سائنس اور ٹیکنالوجی کو بھی لایا۔ وسیع ریلوے اور آبپاشی کے نظام کو تیار کیا گیا جس نے ہندوستان کو یورپ اور امریکہ کے بعد سب سے زیادہ ترقی یافتہ بنا دیا۔ ان مثبت اقدامات کے باوجود برصغیر کے قابل فخر لوگوں کی نفسیات اور عزت نفس کو غیر ملکی حکمرانوں نے بری طرح مجروح کیا۔ مقامی لوگوں کو حقارت سے مقامی کہا جاتا تھا اور انہیں ذلیل کرنے کا کوئی موقع ہاتھ سے جانے نہیں دیا جاتا تھا۔ بالآخر ہندوستان کے قابل فخر لوگ غیر ملکی حکمرانوں کے خلاف اٹھ کھڑے ہوئے اور سو سال سے زیادہ کی جدوجہد کے بعد لاکھوں لوگوں کی جان لے کر آزادی حاصل کی۔ میر صادق نے چند معمولی عارضی مراعات کے لیے قوم کو صدیوں تک غیروں کے ہاتھوں عذاب میں مبتلا کیا۔ یہ نکتہ پورے برصغیر میں ان کے لیے محسوس کی جانے والی حقارت اور حقارت کی مناسب وضاحت کرتا ہے جسے انسانیت کا پانچواں حصہ گھر کہتا ہے۔

غداری اور بغاوت کو تمام تہذیبوں میں دنیا بھر میں جانا جانے والا سب سے سنگین جرم سمجھا جاتا ہے۔ غیر ملکی دشمن قوتوں کے ساتھیوں کے ساتھ غدار بھی یکساں برے اور بدکار سمجھے جاتے ہیں۔ دوسری جنگ عظیم کے بعد ہم نے ماضی کی جنگ کے بوڑھے جنگی ہیروز کو دشمنوں کے ساتھ تعاون کے الزام میں ذلیل و خوار ہوتے دیکھا۔ کچھ لوگ غداری کو اتنا بڑا جرم سمجھ سکتے ہیں کہ غدار کو سزا دینے کے لیے ایک زندگی کا وقت ناکافی ہے اور بہت سے غدار بالکل بھی سزا سے محروم رہ جاتے ہیں۔ آخر کار اللہ تعالیٰ نے بھی اس دنیا کے حل طلب معاملات کو کافی حد تک حل کرنے کے لیے آخرت کی ضرورت محسوس کی۔ یہی وجہ ہے کہ محب وطن ہندوستانیوں نے میر صادق کو آنے والے ہر دور کے لیے ذلیل کرنے کا ایک طریقہ وضع کیا کیونکہ ان کی زندگی میں انہیں خاطر خواہ سزا نہ مل سکی۔ اس نے اپنے لوگوں کے خلاف اتنا سنگین جرم کیا کہ اسے آسانی سے معاف کر دیا جائے۔ اس کی اولاد کہیں زندہ ضرور ہے لیکن اس کا اعلان کرنے کی ہمت نہیں کرے گا کہ وہ ہمیشہ اس خوف میں رہتے ہیں کہ پتہ چل جائے اور سماجی ذلت کا سامنا کرنا پڑے۔

 

اس وعدے کی سرزمین میں رہنے والے ہم پاکستانی جس کے لیے ہمارے آباؤ اجداد نے صدیوں سے جدوجہد کی تھی، اپنے چھوٹے موٹے فائدے کے لیے غداری کرنے والے ہمارے حصے سے زیادہ غدار ہیں۔ اس ملک کی اس افسوسناک حالت کے ذمہ دار زیادہ تر یہ غدار ہیں جو کہ پاک سرزمین تھی۔ ہمیں اپنی 60 سال کی مختصر تاریخ میں بہت زیادہ شکستوں کا سامنا کرنا پڑا۔ ہم تقسیم ہو گئے، بہت سی جنگیں لڑیں، بار بار اپنے آئین کو پامال کیا، عوام کی رائے کو نظر انداز کیا، قومی انتشار کے بیج بوئے، غیر قانونی ہتھیاروں اور منشیات کو اپنے چند سنگین مسائل کا نام دیا۔ یہ اس قدر سنگین ہو گیا ہے کہ ہم ہمیشہ ایک ناکام یا دہشت گرد ریاست قرار دیے جانے کے دہانے پر ہیں جوہری پھیلاؤ کے اور بھی سنگین الزامات کے ساتھ۔ ان مشکل وقتوں میں بہت سے لوگوں نے قوم کی قیمت پر فائدہ اٹھایا اور حالات کو مزید خراب کر دیا۔ ان عوامل کی وجہ سے ہم اپنے لوگوں سے زیادہ اپنے غیر ملکی آقاؤں کی خدمت کر رہے ہیں۔ ان تمام سانحات کے لیے کبھی کسی کو ذمہ دار نہیں پایا گیا اور نہ ہی سزا دی گئی۔ ان کی نسلیں کھلم کھلا ان کے جرائم کا فائدہ اٹھا رہی ہیں۔ ہم نے ایک ایسا کلچر تیار کیا ہے جس میں بڑے بڑے جرائم کا ارتکاب معافی کے ساتھ کیا جا سکتا ہے اور اس عمل کو روکنا ضروری ہے۔ مستقبل کے مجرموں کی حوصلہ شکنی کے لیے جب بھی ممکن ہو قوم کے خلاف جرائم کی سزا ملنی چاہیے۔

غداری اور بغاوت کو تمام تہذیبوں میں دنیا بھر میں جانا جانے والا سب سے سنگین جرم سمجھا جاتا ہے۔ غیر ملکی دشمن قوتوں کے ساتھیوں کے ساتھ غدار بھی یکساں برے اور بدکار سمجھے جاتے ہیں۔ دوسری جنگ عظیم کے بعد ہم نے ماضی کی جنگ کے بوڑھے جنگی ہیروز کو دشمنوں کے ساتھ تعاون کے الزام میں ذلیل و خوار ہوتے دیکھا۔ کچھ لوگ غداری کو اتنا بڑا جرم سمجھ سکتے ہیں کہ غدار کو سزا دینے کے لیے ایک زندگی کا وقت ناکافی ہے اور بہت سے غدار بالکل بھی سزا سے محروم رہ جاتے ہیں۔ آخر کار اللہ تعالیٰ نے بھی اس دنیا کے حل طلب معاملات کو کافی حد تک حل کرنے کے لیے آخرت کی ضرورت محسوس کی۔ یہی وجہ ہے کہ محب وطن ہندوستانیوں نے میر صادق کو آنے والے ہر دور کے لیے ذلیل کرنے کا ایک طریقہ وضع کیا کیونکہ ان کی زندگی میں انہیں خاطر خواہ سزا نہ مل سکی۔ اس نے اپنے لوگوں کے خلاف اتنا سنگین جرم کیا کہ اسے آسانی سے معاف کر دیا جائے۔ اس کی اولاد کہیں زندہ ضرور ہے لیکن اس کا اعلان کرنے کی ہمت نہیں کرے گا کہ وہ ہمیشہ اس خوف میں رہتے ہیں کہ پتہ چل جائے اور سماجی ذلت کا سامنا کرنا پڑے۔

 

اس وعدے کی سرزمین میں رہنے والے ہم پاکستانی جس کے لیے ہمارے آباؤ اجداد نے صدیوں سے جدوجہد کی تھی، اپنے چھوٹے موٹے فائدے کے لیے غداری کرنے والے ہمارے حصے سے زیادہ غدار ہیں۔ اس ملک کی اس افسوسناک حالت کے ذمہ دار زیادہ تر یہ غدار ہیں جو کہ پاک سرزمین تھی۔ ہمیں اپنی 60 سال کی مختصر تاریخ میں بہت زیادہ شکستوں کا سامنا کرنا پڑا۔ ہم تقسیم ہو گئے، بہت سی جنگیں لڑیں، بار بار اپنے آئین کو پامال کیا، عوام کی رائے کو نظر انداز کیا، قومی انتشار کے بیج بوئے، غیر قانونی ہتھیاروں اور منشیات کو اپنے چند سنگین مسائل کا نام دیا۔ یہ اس قدر سنگین ہو گیا ہے کہ ہم ہمیشہ ایک ناکام یا دہشت گرد ریاست قرار دیے جانے کے دہانے پر ہیں جوہری پھیلاؤ کے اور بھی سنگین الزامات کے ساتھ۔ ان مشکل وقتوں میں بہت سے لوگوں نے قوم کی قیمت پر فائدہ اٹھایا اور حالات کو مزید خراب کر دیا۔ ان عوامل کی وجہ سے ہم اپنے لوگوں سے زیادہ اپنے غیر ملکی آقاؤں کی خدمت کر رہے ہیں۔ ان تمام سانحات کے لیے کبھی کسی کو ذمہ دار نہیں پایا گیا اور نہ ہی سزا دی گئی۔ ان کی نسلیں کھلم کھلا ان کے جرائم کا فائدہ اٹھا رہی ہیں۔ ہم نے ایک ایسا کلچر تیار کیا ہے جس میں بڑے بڑے جرائم کا ارتکاب معافی کے ساتھ کیا جا سکتا ہے اور اس عمل کو روکنا ضروری ہے۔ مستقبل کے مجرموں کی حوصلہ شکنی کے لیے جب بھی ممکن ہو قوم کے خلاف جرائم کی سزا ملنی چاہیے۔

9 مئی کے ناقابل فہم واقعات

 

ڈاکٹر عمر خان

khanmomar@hotmail.com

ڈاکٹر خان کا تعلق لاہور کے تھنک ٹینک سے ہے۔

 14-4-24

 

 

      9 مئی کے ناقابل فہم واقعات 

’’بغیر تحقیق کے مذمت کرنا جہالت کی انتہا ہے‘‘۔ آئن سٹائن

 

واقعات کا ایک عجیب اور ناقابل فہم سلسلہ 9 مئی 2023 کے اس اندوہناک دن سے شروع ہوا۔ ان واقعات کو پاکستانی 9/11 کا نام دیا گیا جس نے پاکستان کو بدل دیا۔ حیرت انگیز طور پر اصل 9/11 غیر ملکیوں کے خلاف اثرات اور تشدد لے کر آیا لیکن ہمارے معاملے میں ریاستی تشدد اپنے ہی پاکستانیوں کے خلاف تھا۔ اگرچہ 9 مئی کے واقعات نے پاکستان کو بہت زیادہ متاثر کیا، لیکن ان واقعات کے ردعمل نے بہت زیادہ متاثر کیا، بدقسمتی سے یہ سب نقصان دہ تھے اور شاید نسلوں کو اس کا تدارک کرنے میں وقت لگے۔ اگر بالکل خوش قسمت.

 

آئیے اس اہم دن کے واقعات کا تجزیہ کرتے ہیں،

 

اس عام مئی منگل کا آغاز ملک کو چونکا دینے والی ایک عجیب ترقی کے ساتھ ہوا۔ عمران خان مقبول سیاست دان جو سابق وزیر اعظم بھی تھے اسلام آباد میں ایک ایسے کیس کے حوالے سے ہائی کورٹ کے سمن میں شرکت کر رہے تھے جنہیں بہت سے مشکوک سمجھا جاتا تھا۔ معمول کے مطابق جب وہ اپنا بائیو میٹرک کروا رہے تھے، اسلام آباد ہائی کورٹ پر بڑی تعداد میں وردی پوش اور مسلح اہلکاروں نے حملہ کیا۔ وہ کھلے عام تشدد میں ملوث تھے اور املاک کو نقصان پہنچاتے تھے اور وکلاء اور دیگر کو جسمانی طور پر مارتے تھے۔ IHC کے احاطے کے تقدس کی بے حرمتی کرنے والے ریاستی قانون نافذ کرنے والے اہلکاروں کا ایک گروپ تھا جو اس عمل میں IK کی تذلیل کرنے والا ایک عجیب تماشا بنانے میں کامیاب ہوا۔ IK کے ساتھ جسمانی طور پر بدسلوکی کی گئی، ان کے وکلاء کو لہو لہان کیا گیا اور یہ سب کچھ ریکارڈ کیا گیا اور قومی میڈیا میں چلایا گیا۔

اس ڈرامے کے بعد اسلام آباد ہائی کورٹ کے چیف جسٹس نے نوٹس لیا لیکن بعد میں کچھ نہیں ہوا۔

آئی کے ایک مقبول شخصیت تھی اور ملک بھر میں ٹی وی اسکرینوں پر دکھائے جانے والے اس واقعے نے کافی ناراضگی پیدا کی اور کارکن کئی جگہوں پر احتجاج کے لیے نکل آئے۔ پی ٹی آئی نے کئی بار فوجی عمارتوں کے قریب احتجاج کیا کیونکہ یہ احساس تھا کہ فوجی قیادت اپنے حلف کے خلاف سیاست کرتی ہے۔

لاہور میں مظاہرین اپنی پسندیدہ لبرٹی پر جمع ہوئے اور پھر آہستہ آہستہ کور کمانڈرز ہاؤس کی طرف بڑھے۔ یہاں معاملات اور بھی اجنبی ہو گئے اور قانون نافذ کرنے والے اہلکار غائب ہو گئے۔

میں نے شیر پاؤ اور میانمیر پل کے قریب دھرنے کو ایک لمحے کے لیے بھی بالکل خالی نہیں دیکھا لیکن احتجاج کے ٹیلی کاسٹ ہونے کے باوجود اس وقت کوئی پولیس نہیں تھی۔

عام طور پر Corp Comd ہاؤس کے باہر ایک منٹ کے لیے رکنا توجہ اور ردعمل کی دعوت دیتا ہے لیکن نعرے لگانے والے سینکڑوں مظاہرین کو کسی مزاحمت کا سامنا نہیں کرنا پڑا اور ان میں سے بہت سے لوگ ایک عام پبلک پارک میں داخل ہوتے ہی عام طور پر بھاری پہرے والے CC ہاؤس میں چلے گئے۔ پھر توڑ پھوڑ بھی ہوئی اور لوٹ مار بھی۔

راولپنڈی، فیصل آباد، میانوالی، پشاور اور دیگر شہروں میں بھی ایسی ہی کہانیاں دہرائی گئیں۔

اس کے بعد ایک اور عجیب واقعہ پیش آیا، ان تمام انتہائی حفاظتی مقامات پر نصب سی سی ٹی وی کیمرے ان ویڈیوز کی ریکارڈنگ کے ساتھ غائب ہو گئے جو کہ کہیں اور محفوظ طریقے سے رکھے گئے DVR میں محفوظ ہیں۔

یہ افسوسناک واقعات تھے اور اس کی تحقیقات ہونی چاہیے تھیں اور مجرموں پر الزام عائد کیا جانا چاہیے تھا جنہیں سزا ملنی چاہیے تھی لیکن ایسا نہیں ہوا اور اس سے بھی زیادہ ناقابلِ وضاحت ہو گیا۔

ایک انتہائی ذمہ دار سرکاری افسر نے کھلے عام ایک مقبول سیاسی جماعت پر الزام لگایا اور اس کے خلاف پرتشدد اور ظالمانہ کریک ڈاؤن شروع کر دیا۔ دہشت گردی کا راج شروع ہوا اور دسیوں ہزار کو گرفتار کر کے تشدد کا نشانہ بنایا گیا جبکہ بہت سے گھروں پر چھاپے مار کر تباہ کر دیے گئے۔

 عجیب و غریب واقعات یہیں ختم نہیں ہوئے اور یہ اور بھی عجیب ہو گیا۔ قانون نافذ کرنے والے اداروں کے اعلیٰ ترین افسران، آئی جی پولیس اور وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب کو ذمہ دار ٹھہرانے کے بجائے دل کھول کر انعامات سے نوازا گیا اور وہ آج بھی اعلیٰ ترین منافع بخش عہدوں پر براجمان ہیں۔ حال ہی میں دونوں کا احتساب ہونے کے بجائے سجایا گیا۔

غیر مصدقہ اطلاعات کے مطابق اس دن 25-50 مظاہرین ہلاک ہوئے جنہیں مکمل طور پر نظر انداز کر دیا گیا ہے۔ انسانی جانوں کے ضیاع سے زیادہ املاک کے نقصان کا غم ہے۔ پاکستانی ریاستی نظام کی طرف سے پاکستانی جانوں کے ضیاع پر یہ بے حسی قطعی طور پر ناقابل فہم ہے۔

یہ سب کچھ کہنے کے بعد شاید اس دن کے بعد سب سے بڑا معجزہ ہوا، جس قسم کا میں نے پوری تاریخ میں کبھی نہیں دیکھا اور نہ سنا۔ ایک سرکاری عمارت پر حملہ کرنے والے ایک شدید مشتعل احتجاجی ہجوم کا سب سے اعلیٰ سرکاری اہلکار اور اس کے اہل خانہ سے آمنا سامنا ہوا لیکن کوئی تشدد یا یہاں تک کہ بے حیائی کی اطلاع نہیں ملی۔ جنرل کی مظاہرین کے ساتھ خوشگوار بات چیت ہوئی جنہوں نے اسے اور اس کے اہل خانہ کو شائستگی سے جانے کو کہا۔ سیاسیات کے ماہرین کو اس طرز عمل کو سمجھنے میں مشکل پیش آئے گی جو احتجاج کرنے والی سیاسی جماعت کے کارکنوں کی بیداری، شائستگی اور پرورش کے بارے میں بلند آواز میں بولتا ہے۔

ایسا معلوم ہوتا ہے کہ شاید اس واقعہ کے منصوبہ ساز اپنی بربریت کا جواز پیش کرنے کے لیے چند مردہ اور جلی ہوئی لاشوں کی تلاش میں تھے کہ خوش قسمتی سے وہ نہیں مل سکے۔

قدیم یونانی فلسفی سقراط نے اپنے طالب علموں کو سکھایا کہ سچائی کی جستجو صرف اس وقت شروع ہوتی ہے جب کوئی خاص عقیدہ ثبوت، کٹوتیوں اور منطق کے امتحانات میں کامیاب ہو جاتا ہے۔ اگر ایسا نہیں ہوتا ہے تو، عقیدہ کو نہ صرف رد کیا جانا چاہیے، بلکہ مفکر کو پھر یہ سوال بھی کرنا چاہیے کہ اسے پہلی جگہ غلط معلومات پر یقین کیوں کیا گیا؟

کوئی بھی انسان بغیر تحقیق کے حقیقت کا پتہ نہیں لگا سکتا اس لیے ضروری ہے کہ ہم تحقیق کریں کہ یہ 9 مئی کا سانحہ کیوں کیا گیا؟ اس کی منصوبہ بندی کس نے کی اور کیوں؟ وہ ایسا کرنے کا انتظام کیسے کر سکتے تھے؟ فائدہ اٹھانے والے کون ہیں؟ متاثرین کون ہیں؟ آئی جی پی اور وزیراعلیٰ کا احتساب کیوں نہیں ہوا؟ ہمیں منصفانہ اور کھلے مقدمے کی سماعت کرنے سے پہلے مجرموں کا واضح طور پر پتہ لگانا اور ان کی شناخت کرنی چاہیے۔

اس سانحہ نے ریاستی نظام کو ملک کی سب سے مقبول سیاسی جماعت کے خلاف کھلم کھلا سامنے لایا ہے جس سے ریاست کی بنیادوں کو اتنا نقصان پہنچا ہے جتنا پہلے کبھی نہیں ہوا۔ یہ واقعہ افسوسناک تھا لیکن قانون نافذ کرنے والے اداروں کا اپنے ہی ٹیکس دہندگان کے خلاف اعلان جنگ کا ردعمل اس سے بھی زیادہ افسوسناک تھا جس نے قومی یکجہتی اور روح کو بری طرح مجروح کیا۔ معاشرہ اور اس کے ادارے پہلے ہی ٹوٹ پھوٹ کا شکار نظر آتے ہیں اور اس کے سنگین نتائج برآمد ہو سکتے ہیں۔ معاملے کی سنگینی اس بات کو قطعی طور پر ناگزیر بناتی ہے کہ معاملے کی مکمل چھان بین کی جائے اور ذاتی خواہشات پر عمل کرنا اور سیاسی پوائنٹس سکور کرنا بند کیا جائے۔

اب وقت آگیا ہے کہ ریاست اس ناخوشگوار واقعے کے بارے میں غیر معقول وضاحتیں دینا بند کردے اور اگر وہ اس بات کو یقینی بنانا چاہتی ہے کہ ایسے سانحات کا اعادہ نہ ہو تو اصل مجرموں کو تلاش کرے۔ بصورت دیگر ناقدین کو اقتدار میں لوگوں کی نیتوں پر شک کرنے کا جواز ملے گا جو بظاہر اسے اپنے سیاسی فائدے کے لیے استعمال کر رہے ہیں۔ شاید ایک اور Reichstag آگ؟

 

کسی مسئلے کی تحقیق کرنا درحقیقت اسے حل کرنا ہے۔ ماؤ زی تنگ۔

The Incompehensible events of 9th May

 Dr. Umar Khan

khanmomar@hotmail.com

Dr. Khan belongs to a Lahore based Think Tank.

 14-4-24

 

 

The Incomprehensible  Events of 9^th May

“Condemnation without investigation is the height of ignorance”. Einstein

 

A strange and incomprehensible chain of events started on that fateful day of 9^th May, 2023. These events were labeled Pakistani 9/11 that changed Pakistan. Surprisingly the original 9/11 brought repercussions and violence against foreigners but in our case the state violence was directed against its own Pakistanis. Although events of 9^th May affected Pakistan a lot, the response to those events affected much more, unfortunately all these were detrimental and might take generations to remedy; if lucky at all.

 

Let’s analyze the happenings of that crucial day,

 

That normal May Tuesday started with a strange development shocking the country. Imran Khan the popular politician who was also an ex PM was attending high court summons in Islamabad concerning a case many considered dubious. As a matter of routine when he was having his biometrics done, the Islamabad High Court was attacked by a large number of uniformed and armed personnel. They openly indulged in violence damaging the property and physically assaulting lawyers and others. Those desecrating the sanctity of IHC’s premises were a group of state law enforcing personnel who managed to create a strange spectacle humiliating IK in the process. IK was physically manhandled, his lawyers bloodied and all this was recorded and played in the national media.

After this drama the CJ of IHC took notice but nothing was done later.

IK was a popular figure and this happening shown on the TV screens across the country created lots of resentment and the activists came out to protest at many places. The PTI had protested many times near the military buildings as there was a feeling that the military leadership indulges in politics against its oath.

In Lahore the protestors gathered at their favorite Liberty and then moved slowly towards the Corp Commanders house. Here the things got even stranger and the law enforcement officials vanished.

I have never seen the pickets near the Sherpao and Mianmir bridges absolutely vacant for even a moment but despite protests being telecast there was no police that time.

Normally stopping for a minute outside the Corp Comd house invites attention and response but hundreds of protestors shouting slogans didn’t face any resistance and many of them walked in the usually heavily guarded CC house as they enter an ordinary public park. Then there was vandalism and looting too.

Similar stories were repeated in Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Mianwali, Peshawar and other cities too.

Then comes another strange happening, CCTV cameras installed in all these highly guarded places went missing along with the recordings of these videos which are stored in the DVRs placed safely somewhere else.

These were unfortunate happenings and had to be investigated and blame fixed on the culprits who should have been punished but this didn’t happen and an even more unexplainable happened.

A highly placed responsible government officer openly placed blame on a popular political party and started a violent and brutal crackdown against it. A reign of terror started and tens of thousands were arrested and tortured while many more homes were raided and destroyed.

 Strange happenings didn’t end here and it got even more bizarre. The senior most law enforcement officials the IG police, and the CM Punjab instead of being held responsible were generously rewarded and are still at the highest most lucrative posts. Lately both of them were decorated instead of being held accountable.

According to unconfirmed reports 25-50 protestors died that day that have been totally ignored. Loss of property is mourned more than loss of human life. This indifference to the loss of Pakistani lives by the Pakistani state apparatus is absolutely incomprehensible.

Having said all this probably the biggest miracle happened later that day, the kind I have never seen or heard in the entire history. A highly charged angry protesting mob attacking a government building came face to face with the highest government official and his family but there was no violence or even indecency reported. The general had a cordial interaction with the protestors who just asked him and his family to leave politely. The political scientists will have a hard time understanding this behavior which speaks loud about the awareness, decency and upbringing of the workers of the protesting political party.

It appears that probably the planners of this event were looking for a few dead and charred bodies to justify their brutality that fortunately they didn’t get them.

The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates taught his students that the pursuit of truth only begins once a certain belief passes the tests of evidence, deduction, and logic. If it doesn't, the belief should not only be discarded, but the thinker must also then question why he was led to believe the erroneous information in the first place.

No man can find out the truth without investigation so it is imperative that we investigate why was this 9^th May tragedy done? Who planned it and why? How could they manage to do it? Who are the beneficiaries? Who are the victims? Why wasn’t the IGP and the CM held accountable? We must ascertain and identify the culprits clearly before giving a fair and open trial.

This tragedy has brought the state apparatus blatantly against the most popular political party of the country hurting the very foundations of the state like never before. The incidence was tragic but the response of the law enforcement agencies declaring war against its own taxpayers was even more tragic harming the national cohesion and spirit very badly. The society and its institutions already appear disintegrating and this can have dire long term consequences. The seriousness of the matter makes it absolutely imperative to thoroughly investigate the matter and stop acting on personal whimsies and scoring political points. 

It’s time the state stops giving irrational explanations about this unfortunate event and find out the true culprits if it wants to ensure such tragedies are not repeated. Otherwise critics will be justified in doubting the intentions of people in power apparently using it for their political gains. Maybe another Reichstag fire??

 

To investigate a problem is, indeed, to solve it. Mao Zedong.

 

 

 

khanmomar@hotmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Umar Khan

khanmomar@hotmail.com

Dr. Khan belongs to a Lahore based Think Tank.

12-12-23

 

 

Our appalling and deafening silence vis-à-vis, 16^th December, 1971!

“The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.”

 

Decembers brings painful memories for Pakistanis of my generation. 16th December 1971 was the most painful day for us when our newly created beloved Pakistan got dismembered, but the way it happened was even more painful. 90 thousand proud Pakistanis surrendered in front of people we considered our enemy and inferiors and had to endure years of humiliation in captivity. In addition to this humiliation the basic message of two nation theory, the basis of creation of Pakistan came under serious threat. No wonder the nation still mourns this tragedy and many vow to avenge it.

 

I see a still greater tragedy associated with 16th December 1971 than the fall of Dhaka.

The greatest tragedy was when East Pakistanis were being mass murdered and gang raped for months, nearly whole of West Pakistan along with me remained silent and didn’t resist or speak up. These silent people were the better one’s because many supported this carnage justifying it as patriotism. There might be an even bigger tragedy involved; after 73 years we still haven’t understood or corrected anything and might be repeating it.

 

“There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice.” Montesuieu.

 

Dismemberment of Pakistan just didn’t happen by chance on that fateful day as our mistakes for a quarter century had culminated in that surrender. First of all West Pakistan harbored an irrational sense of superiority over the East Pakistanis which had a significant aspect of racism because of West’s stronger built and fairer complexion. This color complex was hammered into our minds over centuries where we were discriminated against by British and were even more brutal against slightly darker shades. West Pakistan also considered East’s language unimportant and tried to force Urdu while discriminating in jobs and development too. Politically they were forced to give up their majority to maintain equality with the West. Still can’t understand why East Pakistan agreed to the unfair parity principal forced upon in 1956’s constitution? After all this a military government was forced upon with people who were mostly from West Pakistan. Political liberties, basic rights and the constitution were repeatedly trampled at whims with no recourse.

 

After all this, things still remained under control till the 1970 election results were unilaterally defied although East Pakistan had given a very clear mandate that couldn’t have been any clearer. Unfortunately the military government mostly composed of West Pakistanis in power out of their arrogance and foolishness couldn’t understand it and resorted to violence trying to control and subdue the East Pakistanis. It wasn’t to work and there was resistance starting a vicious cycle of increase in the intensity and scale of violence.

 

This war against our own people ultimately resulted in the number of deaths between 50000-3million, depending upon the reporting source, and numerous rapes and frank dacoities by the state officials, most of them uniformed. Finally this tragedy ended in another tragedy of a horrendous military surrender.

 

While all this happened the West Pakistanis stayed mostly silent although a few people did speak against these atrocities but were mostly hushed up or simply slapped down.

 

Political liberties and civil rights vanished, collective punishment and religious profiling became a routine and the state apparatus developed a near complete impunity over treating its citizens.

 

During these shameful times when heinous crimes were being committed there was an appalling and deafening silence in West Pakistan.

 

This tragic situation ended in the only possible scenario it could have, absolute disaster with surrender in front of the enemy who turned saviors of the perpetrators as the newly independent Bangladeshis were revengeful.

 

More than the arrogance and insanity of the generals in power it was the indifference and lack of resistance of the decent West Pakistanis that let it happen making them abettors to the crime.

 

“Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.” Haile Selassie

 

 

After this great tragedy we tried to bury it under the rug and started life as usual but it was not to be. We got involved repeatedly in many abrogations of the constitution, military takeovers, wars, strange form of extremism and militarism while ignoring our people and the country while enriching some who routinely launder the meager resources abroad.

 

 This sorry state of affairs made Pakistan into an example of a failed state and a classic example of what not to do. Now we are at the bottom of all human development indexes with perpetually faltering economy impoverishing the 250 million even more. Our rulers are always begging abroad and our passport lies at the bottom. Interestingly during all this we remain proud of being a nuclear power or more appropriately, “Nuclear power surviving on charities”.

 

Our acceptance of the 1971 tragedy had started rolling the chain of events that had to cause further disasters. It established that the state apparatus was sacred and enjoyed absolute impunity about how it treats its citizens. Rule of law became subservient to the whims of the state officials and violence became an acceptable, rather preferred way of solving problems. This impunity of state officials was conveyed to India by East India Company as the foreign exploitative rulers needed this dreadful aura and fear for it to operate and exploit. All this was an absolute recipe for disaster.

 

State and its institutions are for the people and not otherwise. While the world was converging on the need for the state to be subservient to the people with the sole aim of serving them, we are stuck in the bad old times. The state retains the right to subjugate and humiliate its citizens despite our apparent gaining of independence.

 

Those who don’t learn from history are condemned to repeat it; we in Pakistan just can afford to let it happen again.

 

We must commit to ourselves never ever to allow anyone to abrogate our constitution. Every person and institution must always follow laws and stay subservient to them. Human liberties the constitution imparts upon its citizens must be guarded jealously and we must stop the habit of saving our skin when under pressure while others are being trampled upon; just can’t afford this indifference anymore.

 

As a self-respecting nation we must protect our rights and defy all the illegal orders that might be forced down our throats. For this we must turn vocal and refuse to cow down to any tyrant. We must come out and if we do it in significant numbers it won’t be possible for future tyrants to try bullying us. Must remember that no one can abuse you without your consent and we must revoke this privilege given to aspiring tin pot dictators.

 

Having said that although it isn’t possible to undo the history we must take initiative and apologize with the depth of our hearts to our Bengali brethren whom we did wrong. We should consider rehabilitating Mujeebur Rehman and others who fought for their just rights. After all he services in the Pakistan movement and support of Fatima Jinnah are well known. Then we must punish the perpetrators of these crimes as severely as we can even posthumously. After declaring the perpetrators of this tragedy like Yahya, Justice Muneer or Gen Niazi as villains, punishments suggested by the late Justice Waqar Seth and the British treatment of Cromwell might be considered. We have to send a clear message to aspiring dictators that the nation won’t take it anymore, so don’t try.

 

One thing is for sure, as Pakistanis we just can’t afford this apathy and indifference towards highhandedness of the state apparatus anymore.

 

“First they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist

Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist

Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew

Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.”

By Martin Niemöller

 

 

khanmomar@hotmail.com

September 65 war, experiences of a 6 years old

 

Dr. Umar Khan

khanmomar@hotmail.com

Dr. Khan belongs to a Lahore based Think Tank.

4-9-23

 

 

September 65 war, experiences of a 6 years old Lahori

 

There are no winners of war, only survivors and even they die inside from guilt. They only physically survive to warn us. To warn us that there is nothing more terrible than what they have done. Jake Fulton.

 

 

I was six years old attending class 2 in St Anthony’s High school, Lahore. My father, a major in Pak army then, was posted in Chamb/Jaurian sector lately and we were staying at our grandparent’s house with young unmarried Chacha and Phopho in Islamia Park, Lahore.

 

It was a pleasant Monday of early September and I had to wake up early morning for school that had recently opened after summer vacations. Had a great Sunday playing with younger cousins and Chacha and Phopho. Heard lots of stories from Dadi (paternal grandma) and played with the neighbor’s kids. Sleepy or not, we had to go to the school.

 

Jim (elder brother, 7) and I got ready as usual, packed the school bag with lunch boxes having a jam sandwich and sweet beverage, probably Rooh Afza. Kids at school were very possessive of their sandwiches as hundreds of kites flying would snatch these from kids eating in the open. Walked over a km through Chauburji gardens to Multan road and got into a local omnibus number 3 that dropped at the Regal, half a km away from school. Father was at the border and although Mom could drive but wasn’t confident enough yet, so we had to take public transport with lot of walking.

 

There was nothing different on this 6^th of September in 1965 in Lahore from ordinary days just 20 miles from the border.

 

Atmosphere in the class was different with reduced attendance and a certain stress. There weren’t any lessons and as is usual in a church school, students were told to stay silent. We weren’t informed of any happenings.

 

One by one parents started coming with worried faces and taking their kids with them. It was a big surprise when I saw my Mom in the school. She had come on a rickshaw to pay school fee when informed about start of Indo-Pak war. Lahori rickshaws in those days used to charge 30paisas a mile or Rs.0.20 a km. She broke the news that war has started with India and our brave father was fighting on the border saving/protecting all of us. On our way home we stopped at a famous optician E Plomer where Mom collected her sun glasses, I think the shop still exists at the same spot and then reached home.

 

Home was different where many relatives had gathered everyone worried pretty sure that Indians would come to Lahore and do the terrible things of 1947 still fresh in minds. Didn’t take long to decide to go somewhere far from the border city of Lahore.

  

I shoot down a fighter plane, seriously!!!

 

Although only 6, I had to do my part in defending the beloved Pakistan. I knew that we were the good guys and the Indians were the bad guys as the state had done a good job of demonizing them. In those days there were toy guns available with small wooden enclosed cartridges that made a big bang with a bit of flame, this Pathan son of a military officer had one.

 

While the elders were discussing ways to leave Lahore and Dadi was crying for her son on the border I went upstairs and opened the window. Saw many neighbours on their roofs making it feel like a celebration or something shouting slogans. None of them realized what was happening and how it would affect theirs and their children’s lives. Suddenly with a big roar an airplane appeared on the sky followed by another. Smart enough to know that the front plane was Indian running away from the brave Pakistani plane, I aimed my loaded gun and fired. Slight flame came out and the Indian plane came down smoking profusely. I was delighted of my great achievement and rushed to inform my siblings and elders. No one really gave much of attention and kept on arranging for the transport. I just couldn’t understand why my heroism wasn’t appreciated enough.

 

For years I was convinced that I had shot down an Indian fighter plane.

 

A very sweet but panicky khala (aunty) whose soldier husband (who later achieved a very high rank and fame) was also on the border arrived with her 4 slightly older sons. Father had a very small Fiat600 car that he had imported after a foreign posting while the Khala had a Volkswagen; these were the kind of cars military officers could afford then. It was decided to go to Nana’s (maternal grandfather) house that lived in Lyallpur around 88 miles away. Drivers and petrol was arranged and we left, Mom, 3 sisters and brother along with Khala and her 4 sons in 2 cars.

 

It was getting dark and the Ravi Bridge was closed to we took the rarely travelled and longer Balloki/Jaranwala road. I got a seat in Khala’s Volkswagen between elder cousins and we were on our way reciting verses from Quran fully convinced that Allah SW listens to children’s prayers.

 

At many check posts we were told to switch off the lights but driver was adamant not to. VWs in those days had 6V electricals with dim lights but even those were considered risky.

 

In deep darkness on a desolate Jaranwala road the 2 small cars were running with 2 scared families with many small children. All of a sudden there was great thunder on top of our VW. Everyone put his head down and started saying loud prayers. Khala was reciting loudly, “Jal tu Jalal tu, Sahib I kamal tu, Aayi bala ko taal tu”, a very popular prayer. The boom lasted forever. Always a very curious child, I looked up and saw a plane flying very low on top of the car but ascending with a big blast coming from its engine in the center. The fighter plane flew away without doing any damage. Finally our driver switched off the lights.

 

Much later in life I figured out that the car headlights must have attracted the fighter plane looking for military targets and dived to attack but upon seeing small cars he ascended without firing.

Thanks dear Indian fighter pilot, you were very kind. All of us owe our lives to you after Allah SW who put this nobility in your heart.

 

Finally reached Lyallpur (now renamed Faisalabad) where many other cousins had also gathered in Nanas house.

 

Spent a few months in that large house without running water and only a single hand pump with high salt content that I never liked to drink. Bathed under it taking turns pumping it manually. Found it interesting sleeping on upside down laid charpoys (beds).

 

Listened to radio news every day with a Pakistani announcer routinely using the term “Bhartion ke chakke churra diye”. Loved it. Many patriotic songs were transmitted all day. Great news kept coming and we were sure that soon Pakistan would be conquering India because we were brave and strong, our President Ayub Khan was over six feet tall and handsome while Indian PM Shastri was small and ordinary looking.

 

Elders used to listen to BBC.

 

Family was worried about my father and uncle who were fighting on the borders but I wasn’t, father was a superman to me who was indestructible. Found the same feeling in my sons later who were shocked to see me fall walking when I twisted my ankle on a mountain trek.

 

For some time went to another relative’s house where we dug up trenches and used to spend nights there. Probably memories of WW2 were fresh and we suspected bombings on the civilians that fortunately never happened and sanity prevailed on both sides. In the pleasant September nights sleeping in trenches was a pleasant exciting adventure.

 

Then got the news that war had ended and Pakistan had won. We shot down more planes and conquered more territory. Couldn’t understand why the war ended before getting the coveted Kashmir and Delhi?

 

After the war had ended and schools in Lahore hadn’t opened we temporarily joined a new semi complete school nearby that later became Faisalabad’s biggest school, Faisalabad Public School making me one of its senior most students. Loved the attention and reverence we got being soldiers children who had bravely protected the country. This admiration lasted till 1971 when it came crashing down badly after December 16th.

 

Contemplating after 58 years with a changed world as a hexagenerian I feel that the 1965 war was hardly a 17 days skirmish in military terms, but it was watershed moment in Pakistan’s history derailing it forever. In the 60s China was going through devastating Cultural Revolution, Vietnam through unending wars, Philippines was experiencing Marcos’s massacres, Indonesia through Suharto’s butchery, Malaya was going through a painful division, in short Asia was a mess. Between all this mess in Asia, Pakistan stood as a model of stability, prosperity and growth with the brightest foreseeable future. It was not to be and Pakistan got destabilized and unsettled with terrible consequences.

 

East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) was told by West Pakistan that their defense lied in West Pakistan making them spend their resources on defense. It was a foolish theory that got exposed after we barely defended ourselves. This along with the shaken military government resulted in an unstable East Pakistan resulting in a civil war and then a straight forward war leading to Pakistan’s dismemberment where the major portion of the country ceded.

 

Division of the country was not the only side effect which ran deeper and deeper. After the fall of Dacca a severe grievance engulfed the Pakistani mind against India that resulted in non-stop conflict including Siachen, Punjabi insurgency, Kargill etc. and is still going on. Indians and Pakistanis labeled each other enemies wasting meager resources on destroying each other. Probably the world’s most senseless enmity between poorest nations needing all resources for their poor being wasted on arms.

 

Economy of the progressing Pakistan was also a severe victim. Investments dried up, social upheavals started resulting in socialist experiments ensuring flight of capital and growth. Ultimately our workers became our major export sustaining us until participation in international wars gave bouts of temporary affluence with dreadful after effects.  

 

And we are still suffering on the brink of bankruptcy with one of the lowest indicators of social development.

 

Unfortunately we never investigated the causes why and how we got entangled in this destructive exercise causing enormous damage to the country. Was it the military mindset? Unrealistic foolish optimism? Racial profiling of adversaries? Or whatever.

 

It’s never too late, must find the reasons for this debacle and correct them to ensure it isn’t repeated.

 

That’s the least we can do for our future generations.

 

"Mr. President, the Indians have got you by the throat." United States ambassador, Walter P. McConaughy replying to President Ayub Khan

 

 

khanmomar@hotmail.com