THE former head of the ISI, Mujahid-e-Islam General Hamid Gul (May Allah have mercy on him), once remarked, “The decisions of the world will be made in Pakistan.” Today, the defence agreements between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey demonstrate that Pakistan has become an important centre of the Muslim Ummah’s power. Pakistan’s successful diplomacy in protecting the region from a major crisis during US-Iran tensions has further enhanced its prestige among the nations of the world. At this sensitive juncture, the wisdom and foresight of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and our military and government leadership reflect Pakistan’s growing global stature. Pakistan, once viewed as a “security consumer”, has now established itself as a “security provider”. It has reclaimed its lost position, a dream envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam and predicted by General Hamid Gul years ago, while continuing to strive for peace and security in the region.
Regarding 9/11, General Hamid Gul used to say, “The 9/11 drama was the premise, Afghanistan was the base and Pakistan was the target.” In the context of today’s complex and grave circumstances, this phrase feels as though it has taken on a new interpretation: “Iran is the excuse and Pakistan is the target.” The nexus of the four ‘A’s—America, Israel, India and Afghanistan—against Pakistan has been exposed. The “Butcher of Gujarat,” Narendra Modi, while addressing the Israeli Parliament, claimed that India is the mother and Israel is the father.
This soldier of Allah, a successor to the universal message of Islam, a savior for the oppressed Muslims of Kashmir and Palestine and a guardian of Pakistan’s geographical and ideological borders—this Mujahid-e-Islam breathed his last on 15 August 2015, returning to his Creator while struggling for the implementation of Allah’s system on this pure land. Eleven years have passed since he departed from this world; may Allah fill his resting place with His mercies. Amen. The final journey of this Mujahid-e-Islam took place under the shadow of the national flag. He held an unwavering belief that Pakistan possesses the capability to lead the Islamic world and time has now shown that to the world. Not a single sentence of his analysis was ever without weight; this is why, even after his passing, his ideas are still widely discussed, proving that his vision remains immortal.
Regarding the “system” that is often echoed in government corridors as needing change, he had predicted long ago that this system is breathing its last. In the current scenario, in light of the thoughts and vision of this great commander of the Muslim Ummah, instead of trying to save this decaying and obsolete system, one should demand the enforcement of the Islamic system—which is also the requirement of the Objectives Resolution and the Constitution of Pakistan. The General used to say that global imperialism has shackled us so that we are cutting our own throats. Indeed, all the false ideologies of the world have been defeated at our hands and now we must provide the ideology of Islam to the nations of the world.
At this moment, a struggle for the supremacy of systems is underway across the globe. Undoubtedly, this landmass formed in the name of Pakistan is, according to the command of Quaid-e-Azam, a laboratory where collective and individual lives are to be molded under the golden principles of Islam. Currently, we have a golden opportunity to strive toward implementing a new system in the country, shaped according to the Islamic way of life. Ghazi General (Retd) Hamid Gul was a staunch advocate for unity and solidarity. In 2007, he founded the “Tehreek-e-Jawan-e-Pakistan and Kashmir” to unite the youth of Pakistan under a single flag. This movement is playing a vital role in building a unified nation by eliminating sectarian and linguistic divisions and hatred.
General Hamid Gul achieved a level of fame granted to very few. The reason was his ideology of Jihad and his absolute, unwavering commitment to Islam and Pakistan. His love for both was an asset he was unwilling to compromise at any cost. Despite his retirement from the army, he considered protecting Pakistan’s geographical and ideological borders his lifelong duty. He openly declared that his oath to defend Pakistan would last his entire life. His soldierly capabilities, military wisdom and strategic brilliance left the world in awe. He transformed the ISI into the world’s leading agency and stood as a major obstacle to “Akhand Bharat” (Undivided India), thwarting India’s designs in the region through courageous policies. Ghazi General Hamid Gul, a shining star of the Pakistan Army and ISI, was a fearless soldier whose parallel is difficult to find. He possessed an extraordinary love for Pakistan and would say, “I am both a Muslim and a Pakistani; within me, there is only Pakistaniniat.”
It is also a fact that the Kashmir cause suffered a setback after his passing. General Hamid Gul’s role in the Kashmir freedom struggle is inscribed in history in golden words. He used to say, “Even if Pakistan has to fight fifty wars for Kashmir, we are ready for it.” A bold spokesperson for the freedom movement, he always raised his voice for Kashmiris’ rights and breathed new life into the struggle through Tehreek-e-Jawan-e-Pakistan and Kashmir. He had also predicted that a time might come when Kashmiris would seek neither India nor Pakistan, but independence and sovereignty, like East Timor. He believed this was part of an American strategic game plan to justify UN deployment and establish dominance in the region. “My destination is Islam, not Islamabad,” he would say. As his successor and ideological heir, I remain committed to his mission and shall uphold his oath to defend the motherland until my last breath.
—The writer is Chairman, Tehrik Jawanan Pakistan.
