Shaukat Hayat Buneri
IT has been 73 years since Pakistan gained independence from British India, but the situation is still worrying. Sometimes linguistics and sometimes provincialism are considered a threat. Foreign intervention is not meant to be mentioned here. There is always a state of war in the Kingdom of God. Athletes use psychological tactics in sports in the field. The opposing player sometimes wins with a variety of tactics. Competing players in these arenas is a kind of individual victory and defeat, while in political and military matters the defeat of the opponent sometimes leads to the failure and disgrace of the nation. In this whole situation, anyone who wants to harm the integrity of the country does not need to look carefully.
Readers, ever since independence from British India, they have recognized the newly independent country and resolved not to interfere in its affairs. At that time, India had its own internal challenges, the most important of which was to establish a system of democracy. On the contrary, for forty years in Pakistan, blood was shed on democracy. On the other hand, hereditary politics became the hallmark of this country. Corruption and looting have been legitimized through politics. What should have been done in this situation?
The development of any country is related to its economy and politics. The economy, industry and agriculture could have been made viable, but little effort was made. It is also true that institutions can play a significant role in the development of the country, but unfortunately our governments have sold out the institutions to the country. “The privatization process is ongoing. In the 1970s and 1980s, two superpowers, Russia and the United States, jumped into Afghanistan and fought a war which brought the Cold War to an end. The Soviet Union lost its entire economy there.
Pakistan, as an American ally, participated in the war against Russia through domestic and foreign jihadists. Millions of books were published with American assistance to compile jihadist narratives. Thus the element of religious extremism permeated the entire society and its effects still haunt us. The economy collapsed and the war-crazy “mindset” was gifted. For the second time in 2002, the same United States reached Pakistan’s air and ground routes with coalition forces to fight Afghanistan and deal with Al-Qaeda. The mountains and cities of Afghanistan were bombed by B-52 warplanes with “daisy cutters” and blood was shed like water. The phased war has been going on for two decades. The situation now is that the transition of power in Afghanistan has to some extent. Yes, it is a bitter truth that the United States has martyred millions of people and widowed and orphaned millions under the guise of coalition forces, but now the United States has to admit that in Afghanistan it is fully engaged in the fight against the Taliban.
The United States still feels the need for Pakistan. Because the American dream of peace and order has not come true. The United States somehow wants a safe way back after negotiating with the Afghan Taliban so that the investment is not spoiled again. In recent times, talks have taken place in Russia, China, Pakistan and Qatar, etc., the result of which has not been good except in one or two places. India also wants to play its ugly part in this dialogue and in Afghanistan. Remember, the Afghan Taliban have only two demands, they say that the United States should leave Afghanistan unconditionally and give it a share in the Afghan government. On the other hand, US President Donald Trump said in a recent tweet that Pakistan has not paid its due to friendship and has not made any significant sacrifices in the war in Afghanistan. Donald Trump wants to say that Pakistan has done nothing for the United States. Billions of dollars were distributed through deception and double play. The Prime Minister of Pakistan responded to this tweet and said that Pakistan had sacrificed 75,000 people in the war against terrorism, infrastructure and economy were destroyed. The United States should tell which American ally has made such a sacrifice.
It is a fact that the government of Pakistan has taken a number of steps against terrorism, but the United States is still not going to give up its door-to-door writ. The Prime Minister says that no country can win in a proxy war. I think Pakistan has to support it in rebuilding the neighbouring war-torn country. By putting ointment on its wounds, we can wash away our sins and make our place in its heart. We believe that Pakistan must adopt a path of moderation in defence and foreign affairs. The Deep State Theory has to be put behind it. In fact, the situation in Pakistan has been like a war on the western border for two decades and somehow Pakistan wants the United States to return from there bravely. We also believe that their stay here will not be without danger and that the dream of peace in our country will hardly be a shameful one.
May the talks with the Taliban be successful and may the United States return to its homeland after the establishment of peace in Afghanistan. I also believe that ending the ongoing insurgency on this side has become essential for the survival of Pakistan. The State of Pakistan should focus on its long-standing issues such as economic recovery, agriculture growth, strengthening national institutions and technological advancement. The integrity of Pakistan is conditional on the people of Pakistan, unless they get justice in every sphere of life constitutionally and legally, Pakistan cannot develop and God forbid nor can law and order be established here.
—The writer is freelance columnist, based in Village Chinglai Buner.
