Tariq Khalil
I HAVE dumped two-nation theory in the Indian Ocean – Indra Ghandi -1971. Time has proved she was not only wrong but also on the wrong side of history. At best she was successful in taking revenge of 1947 Partition. Undo what Nehru conceded. There is no doubt Nehru family has inflicted much pain and misery on Pakistan. As early as 1948 conspiracies started; even Quaid had to say about Bharat politicians they opposed partition of Bengal between 1906-12 now East Pakistan has come in to existence, they at the time of partition demanded Bengal be divided. Bengal being Muslim majority should have been part of Pakistan. At partition majority of Hindus stayed back in East Bengal. Soon conspiracies started. So much so East Pakistan Bengal border became meaningless. Twenty nine million Hindu traders indulged in massive smuggling. In 1950, a special operation CLOSE DOOR was launched to restore sanctity of the border.
Regretfully, our politicians belonging to West Pakistan were power hungry. Soon after Quaid’s death, the country slipped in the hands of civil bureaucracy. Ghulam Mohammad converted Governor General House Karachi into a hub of intrigues. It alienated East Bengal politicians. The country drifted from Quaid’s ideals. Pakistan’s Constitution could not be drafted till 1956 since feudal politicians were reluctant to share power with East Pakistanis who were in majority. Pakistan thus drifted into a state of anarchy. At the drop of a hat Prime Ministers were changed. In 1953 this alienation reached to a climax, most of East Pakistan parties joined in a UNITED FRONT against Muslim League. The main parties were Awami Muslim League, Karishak Parja, Gratarn Dal and Nizam Islam under AK Fazalul Haq , Husyen Shaheed Suhrawardy and Moulana Bhashani. In the first provincial election in East Pakistan United Front swept 253 seats and formed the Provincial Government. But this government was dismissed on sedition charges. This act created extreme resentment against West Pakistan. It was further encouraged by Hindu elements in East Pakistan. Resultantly young leadership emerged, including Mujib-ur-Rehman. They played pivotal role in the post-1965 war. 1965 was a watershed for East Pakistan. They felt, though India did not attack, West Pakistan left them at the mercy of India. The resentment was fuelled by Indian propaganda and subversive activities. Creation of one unit and parity formula further soured the political climate. Bengali leadership agreed to one unit, according to them, to save Pakistan and advance cause of democracy. Later Imposition of martial law, they felt closed all doors for them. In this backdrop, Agartala conspiracy occurred, how traitors got released by politicians and follow-up events are history, leading to break up of the country after West Pakistan leadership refused to hand over power democratically elected Awami League Leader Mujib-ur-Rehman. Creation of Bangladesh was a crowning moment for Indira Gandhi, she declared that she threw two-nation theory in the Bay of Bengal. It vindicated Mujib’s stand who according to him, Bengalis of East Bengal finally reached at their destination. The mission was accomplished for RAW. It gave new confidence and enhanced its prestige in India’s power elite. This confidence in later years played havoc through its activities not only in Pakistan but in Afghanistan and Iran also. Its collaboration with MOSSAD is responsible in changing strategy of Indian Government in Kashmir who inflicted reign of terror and torture. RAW having achieved its success in undoing East Pakistan consolidated itself in Bangladesh. From it six story building office in Ramna, posh area of Dacca, acted as viceroy. It controlled administration, judiciary, education and even business. All key postings are done through their counsel- ling. Mujib’s murder was the first setback to RAW. Later years saw Bangladesh drifting back towards Pakistan. Military officers were sent for training to Pakistan military institutions, which was earlier stopped after creation of Bangladesh. Bangladesh Hindu community were already well placed controlled the business. Even Pakistani business houses set up factories in Bangladesh as in Pakistan business environment has been suffocating during socalled democratic period of two parties. Further, tariff and tax relief to Bangladesh was a very strong attraction for Pakistani exporters. General Zia in Pakistan and General Irshad’s regime in Bangladesh saw the best of relations, even Khalida Zia continued to improve relations with Pakistan. Further there are still strong bonds amongst families in Bangladesh and Karachi. President Zia in Pakistan encouraged the rapprochement. There were scores of delegations consisting of youth, intellectuals, government servants and even defence personnel. This created a good interaction among universities and businesses. In Gen Irshad’s time, feeling grew that some sort of bond be created. There were many old politicians in Dacca and in Pakistan, headed by Late Khawaja Khairdin, the oldest family of Dacca who stayed back in Pakistan and from Muslim League platform continued to serve Pakistan till last breath. He did untiring work to achieve this goal. Framework was ready to create some sort of cooperation between two countries specially in the fields of defence, foreign affairs and trade. Gradually leading to Union of Pakistan and Bangladesh or Commonwealth with a confederal contours both countries remaining sovereign and independent. Actually this was being done in the spirit of the desire of founding fathers of both the countries. There was full backing of President Zia-ulHaq and Governor Sind Late General Jehandad. In Bangladesh there was a blessing of Gen Irshad. There were a few others who worked for this cause. Most of them are no more in this world. It was when RAW got wind of it. In a coup Irshad was disposed of, Khalida was disgraced and any one nearer to Pakistan were put behind bars. Thus era of Hasina Wajed commenced with all the horrors it inflicted on pro-Pakistan elements. RAW tightened it control on Bangladesh and Pakistan Bangladesh relations touched to their lowest. Nevertheless Bangladesh soon found extreme exploitation at the hands of Bharat Mata. Introduction of National Registration Act made East Bengal refugees settled fifty years ago aliens over night and now many are being sent to concentration camps. Over a million are pushed back to Bangladesh. International strategic milieu never remains static. Trump in USA and Modi in India, both with nationalist agenda based on race has pushed the world to the brink of a war. USA planned to contain China in South ChinaChina Sea and Asia Pacific. Besides it own prowess, Japan, Australia, S.Korea, and in Indian Ocean Bharat was enlisted as strategic partner. An Independent Command was raised directly under Delhi. China’s 76% oil purchases from the Middle East pass through this region. To counter US moves China came up with concept of BRI. Now around 60 countries from Europe to South East Asia are associated with BRI. It is well on its way. CPEC in Pakistan is one of the most important projects and pillar of BRI. Bangladesh is also being linked through Myanmar and Chittagong Port and it is now being developed by China. A motorway is going to link Bangladesh with Pakistan along Line of Actual Control (LAC) from Khunjerab right up to Myanmar with links to Skim and Nepal. This is to the chagrin of India. Hussina has not come out in support of Modi in the present Indo-China row. There is rising tension on border issue between Nepal and India. Indian media is hurling all type of threats on these countries reminding their dependence on India. Now, Iran signing 400-600 Billion $ long-term strategic pact with China has completely turned the tables on US and Indian plans in the region. This could be fall back route for China. It will also bring Iran and Pakistan closer not only economically but also common security in coming days. Accordingly China, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Russia will be new emerging alliance incorporating RIM states. This kicks out India from Iran. The next theatre of war is South China Sea. It could be involving Bangladesh and other countries of the rim. This is worrying Indian planners. With independence movements gaining strength is seven sister states of India, real threat is emerging in Sliguri Corridor. With threats to Pakistan on Basha Dam construction, tension in the region has increased manifold. China-India border dispute and Chinese advance has altered the strategic milieu in the region. In this backdrop, the youth in Bangladesh have come out openly in favour of Pakistan. They fear next target is Bangladesh. So much so, they claim we may be two nations but in case of war we will be one nation. There are scores of twitter accounts on this issue. Indian media is raising hell. Imran Khan did ring up Hussina, but time has come for aggressive diplomacy and behind the scene work to bring two countries back together in the fold of friendship leading to Union of Pakistan and Bangladesh. Let there be no doubt, our destiny is linked. Imagine, power of 500 million people strong Muslim Union totally altering the landscape of the sub-continent. —The author is a Brigadier Rtd. A decorated veteran of 1965-71 wars. Former Corporate Head of number of multinational and Pakistan Companies , and senior analyst.
