Revisiting 6th September
Mohammad Jamil
Sixth September is celebrated to pay homage to the martyrs who laid down
their lives so that present generation and posterity could live as an
independent nation without trepidation and fear. Pakistan had two wars
with India, which is six times bigger in population and size as compared
with Pakistan. During 1965 war, people of Pakistan were united and stood
behind the armed forces and as a result Pakistan was not only able to
repel the attack but also made advances in Kashmir sector. During 17
days of war, the entire nation was cast into the mould of a cohesive
unit. Politicians shunned their differences; and despite the fact that
nation was divided over presidential election between Mohtarma Fatima
Jinnah and General Ayub Khan all political parties stood by the armed
forces. It is unfortunate that so-called intellectuals, political
analysts and some politicians accuse the army of interfering in civil
affairs, despite the fact they approach the armed forces whenever
natural or man made calamity hits the nation.
The Defence of Pakistan Day had significance in many ways, but national
unity and trust between the people and the army was the spirit of 6th
September. It was 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. People irrespective of sect,
language, region or province 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 memorable performance. 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 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 from the poison of sham nationalism. India
had meanwhile trained Mukti Bahini to create chaos and unrest in former
East Pakistan. It was a shock for Pakistan when Pakistan’s so-called
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, with a pinpoint accuracy. But above all, we have Jawans and
officers of the armed forces who are committed to defend the country.
They also cooperated with the civil government and helped the people
whenever a catastrophe hit the country like 2005 tragic earthquake.
During the last four months, our armed forces have fought terrorists,
enemy agents and misguided elements in Swat and Malakand Division. And
they have successfully demolished terrorists’ infrastructure. Pakistan
has Jawans and officers of the armed forces who are committed to defend
the country. Historical evidence suggests that even the strongest army
cannot succeed unless it has the backing of the people, as Pakistan’s
armed forces had the support of people of Pakistan in 1965 war. In 1971,
however, the nation stood divided because of the ineptness of the
rulers, and as a result Pakistan was disintegrated. Of course, there was
international conspiracy and India had trained Mukti Bahini and Indian
army physically supported the rebels. 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. One could criticize any
military ruler for violating the constitution and curtailing civil
rights and liberties but should not resort to scathing criticism against
the army’s institution.
It is an irrefragable fact that every sovereign country needs armed
forces to protect its frontiers and also to counter the machinations and
intrigues of the enemies of the country. However, there are some
pseudo-intellectuals who lash out at the institution of army for the
mistakes and adventurism of a few generals. Some pseudo-intellectuals
and politicians criticize the premier agency and the armed forces.
They should remember that invariably all the countries have intelligence
agencies. However, CIA, KGB, RAW, ISI, Mosad and few others are well
known in the world. The primary function of such agencies is to watch
the country’s interest by keeping an eye on the enemy agencies and
subversive elements that are out to harm the country. After 9/11, there
has been a paradigm shift in the policies of all the countries. Pakistan
is under tremendous because of situation in Afghanistan. Our leadership
therefore should wean away from confrontational mode of politics and
focus on meeting the challenges faced by the country.
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