??????? ????| PAKISTAN LEDGER | ???????? ????? | September 7th, 2008  | Moin Ansari | ???? ??????? |  | RUPEE NEWS | Moin Ansari | September 7th, 2008 | Dr. Bhatti-Rajput | ????? ????? | Solving the Afghanistan riddle. Rupee News has published several articles on the Great Game. Dr. Bhatti-Rajput brings a different perspective. Dhaka Diary: RAW 2008: An Instrument of Indian Imperialism by Isha Khan Dhaka Bangladesh

• Dhaka Dairy: RAW vs ISI by Prem Raj
• Waving goodbye to democracy by parag Khanna. Dawn of a mulit-polar world with China and Europe and maybe Russia.Embroiled in a penury India is absent from the list–Parag says India missed the boat
• Solution: ‘Pakistani boots’ on the ground inside afghanistan
• US “Charge of the Light Brigade” into Pakistan-hides US failures

The Great Game of South & Central Asian Nations (SCAN) Dominance in 21st century: by Dr. Bhatti-Rajput

Pakistan and Afghanistan centered (Part I )

Erase the Durand Line: Pakistan manzil nahin nishan e manzil hai

Tragedy for Afghanistan and Pakistan is its geography, which shaped the region, on as a cross-road to ancient India. It connects Central Asian Republics, China, India, ocean and Iran through which it connects to Middle-East and to Europe through Turkey (aka Silk route). History of past and present has proven the interdependence of the region, especially of Afghanistan and Pakistan. For the last 7 years, the war of terror adopted by US and Allies (NATO) is another form of re-igniting the old Great Game for dominating the region and controlling the future resources, and to prevent the great trade route from re-opening among the South & Central Asian nations and its neighbors. Divide and rule has been the doctrine of past and at play once again. Time has come for people of the region to take hold of their own destiny, rather to be at the Mercy of External players, such as US, NATO and India.

Present day India has been influenced by the people of SCAN over last 2000-3000, and directly ruled by minority groups from SCAN over 1000 years. Currently, India is using the US occupation of Afghanistan as an opportunity to create a wedge between the SCAN group under US protection, to create instability in Pakistan, and divert the attention of Pakistan from occupied Kashmir. India is also trying to counteract China’s role in Gawader port which would link SCAN and China as major trading partners, within the region. India can not bypass Pakistan, if it wants economic ties with SCAN. Since all land route to and from India with SCAN has been through Pakistan, which can’t be avoided, or deleted in any scenario. Involvement of India in Baluchistan and FATA has criticized by Pakistan, but no solid evidence has been presented yet. Why can’t Pakistan military, make the case against India’s involvement in Pakistan to its Nation? What are they scared of? India leaves no opportunity to blame Pakistan if anything happens in India or to its mission in Afghanistan. There is an old saying: if you dig a hole for others, you might end up falling in it. India is loosing its occupation of Kashmir; without fighting a war with Pakistan army. It’s the people of occupied Kashmir who are in the streets, demanding their Independence from India, and waiving Pakistani flags in defiance; a phenomenon never seen before.

History reminds us of British Empire defeated in all of their attempts to occupy Afghanistan, and finally left Afghans alone. Later on, Soviet Union was defeated in Afghanistan after 10 years of war. Now it’s the attempt of US and NATO occupy Afghanistan and to establish permanent bases, in cover of war on terror. In due time US and NATO will realize their failure in Afghanistan, its matter of time. Who knows when? But it will happen, no matter even if the area is put back to stone ages. US failed to understand the history of Afghans, and their attitude towards invaders. US and NATO presence in Afghanistan, unites all Pashtun’s, doesn’t matter which side of Durand Line they are at. The Republic’s of central Asia all have authoritarian regimes and supported by the US, where the issue of democracy is never discussed. It’s easy to exploit a nation, when they are under a dictatorship.

US policy towards the region of South and Central Asia has been to: use them and then drop them. US dropped all support of Afghanistan and Pakistan after Soviet Union left Afghanistan in defeat. That was the time when Afghanistan and Pakistan needed the US and the world to support the war torn region and help million of refugees, there was no Martial Plan for Allies fighting the cold war. As a result, civil war broke out in Afghanistan which lasted for 6 years and resulted in Taliban mergence. US and NATO got rid of Taliban but have still has no control over majority of Afghanistan, even after 7 years . Afghanistan’s president Karzai, is puppet head of state aka Mayor of Kabul, who exerts no say on the current policies of US in Afghanistan. Karzai is there just to read the statements handed to him, by the US. Afghanistan’s reality is that, US and NATO forces only hold 2-3 dozen towns in Afghanistan. Insurgency against the occupying forces in Afghanistan has not weakened over the years but reality is to the contrary.

US and NATO has vast portions of rural Afghanistan beyond their control, where 80% of population resides. Afghans see the war on terror as war of terror and occupation. When US and NATO failed to secure Afghan Taliban, it started blaming Pakistan FATA for attack within Afghanistan. The US is surrounding Pakistan’s FATA from across Durand Line, routinely violating Pakistan’s FATA, and using Pakistan army for its proxy ground offenses. There is a war-time doctrine: Shift the center of gravity of war-fare, if the victory is not achievable. When US, and its allies couldn’t control the Taliban in Afghanistan, they changed the center of gravity to Pakistani tribal Pashtun cousins across the Durrand line. US used this tactics in Vietnam by changing the center of gravity of Vietnam War to the border regions of Cambodia and Laos, involved them in the conflict, and bombed them from time to time. Similarly, when US occupation of Iraq faces resistance, it changes the center of gravity in Iraq to Iran.

What lessons can Pakistan learn from this doctrine?

Pakistan’s 160 million people want the end of US bombing in FATA, and Pakistan’s army to stop its offensives attacks and out of their towns in the FATA region. US want to enter Pakistan soil in search of Pakistani Taliban and Al-Qaida in FATA. Pakistan army is following US hunt of Pakistani Taliban in FATA, whom US is holding responsible for attacks within Afghanistan and for sheltering Al-Qaida. What is the truth? Why don’t the Pakistan army, Politicians, and media make it clear to public who is playing who is playing who, or every body is trying to double cross the other. The people are tired of being played and have lost hope and security and feel helpless and hostage. Its time for Pakistani leadership especially military to protect its citizens from outside (US) and inside aggression (either Pakistani Taliban or Pakistan army). Truth is reveling itself, in due course all lie’s and failed promises become evident, with the test of time.

How did Pakistan and Afghanistan end up in current situation?

US wanted to drag Pakistan in the conflict from beginning, even while the attacks were being planned on Afghanistan. US involved Pakistan in Afghanistan first by logistic support and then with involvement in FATA against its own citizens. Now General Kayani has dangerous situation at hand due to Musharraf commitment, which even includes US attacking with air and ground forces within FATA. Now Musharraf is gone will General Kayani be able to prevent Pakistan army from killing its citizens in FATA and Pakistani Taliban fighting back with Pakistan army and sending its suicide bomber for softer targets of civilian in rest of Pakistan. Does General Kayani have a plan for truce in FATA, to change the situation in best interest of FATA and Pakistan’s solidarity or he will let US, to continue its current approach which is acting as Hyper-Super-Power in the region, dishonoring, disrespecting and disregarding wishes of Pakistani and Afghan nation.

Musharraf gained legitimacy of his coup from international community by taking U turn against Taliban. Pakistan’s U turn on Taliban brought an end to Taliban rule with relief and misery to innocent million Afghans. Taliban were brutal to their population, had no tolerance, denied women the right to school and work, and made mandatory for men to keep longer beard. Music, TV, stage dramas, CD/movies, and even music at weddings was banned. Any violators were severely punished. Taliban seems less corrupt in comparison to Pakistan’s leaders who are brutal to their population for enslaving them with poverty, illiteracy, socio-economic hostage, loot the nation’s assets, sell its people and violates the future of 160 million people. Crimes dropped in Taliban rule, opium cultivation disappeared but Taliban where old fashioned medieval in their thinking and not progressive as Iranian Ayatollahs. Pakistan, Saudi-Arabia and U.A.E were the only three countries to recognize Taliban. During Clinton in office US gave Taliban million of dollars for different programs (especially for eradicating poppy cultivation) and even invited a Taliban delegation to sign accord to various oil and gas pipelines through Afghanistan from Central Republics. After that Taliban delegation were taken to Disney Land Orlando tour, all paid by White House. In total US gave Taliban aid of $ 125 million up to summer 2001.

What happened after Pakistan’s U-turn? America and NATO still no where close to capturing the leadership of Al-Qaida, but establishing long term bases in Afghanistan. Killed thousand of innocent Afghans, 10X’s the victims of September 11, 2001. US presence in Afghanistan seems to have been well planned cover up to capture Al-Qaida, but rather to establish permanent bases in the region which it was denied in 1960′s. This region of SCAN group is the future corridor of world energy resources and US is sitting in the middle of it and going no where and not interested in capturing any Al-Qaida ring leaders. Even the most captured prisoner at Guantanamo has not had a trial in last 6 years. Why not so? The point is to keep the issue bubbling, and involve more people and Nations in the conflict. If Al-Qaida leaders are captured than they have to leave Afghanistan and US don’t want to give up its desired bases it so long wished over 50 years ago. Therefore, the region need to be destabilized at all time for the US to legitimize its presence and is the reason to involve Pakistan directly in US proxy war. The USA lead War on Terror has turned into War of Terror. There is no clear objectives or goal to solve the issue but keep it alive, at the cost of millions innocent lives. Seven years later, Afghanistan and Pakistan is more unstable and volatile.

War on Terror: effects on Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Pakistani nation became the biggest loser of war in Afghanistan, suicide bombings appeared all across Pakistan for the very first time. Pakistan army suffered heavy personal losses along with weakened moral and image, and what ever good will was left of army as cohesive fabric of society has been severely challenged. Pakistan was paid $10 billion over 6 years, for logistic support to US for Afghanistan occupation. Pakistan army deployed over 90, 000 troops in FATA which 3X’s the US and NATO troops in Afghanistan. In reality, Pakistan lost over $10 billion annually over last several years from the affect of war its economy, suicide bombing all over Pakistan and destabilized FATA and Swat region. Pakistan had opportunity to even have its debt written of for the US support in Afghanistan. Whether US/NATO and Musharraf (and military) were honest to make the region stable and provide security for people of Pakistan and Afghanistan on both sides of Durrand Line. Pakistan economy also suffered heavy losses, except the armed forces officers, involved in brutal transaction with US, in personal myopic wisdom. Effects of that on Pakistan economy are reflected with 25% inflation, suicide bombers, flight of skilled professionals, and billions of dollar lost revenue from conflict.

Afghanistan is at war from last 30 years, lost millions of people, brain drain, ruined economy and infra-structure. Since last 7 years, there has been no serious plan to re-construct Afghanistan. If US has control of Afghanistan what is preventing it, from reconstruction projects. Where are the roads, schools, hospitals, colleges and universities under rebuilding plan for war torn Afghanistan? Will US let Afghanistan establish a Sariah State, but modern and progressive based upon Afghanistan values? What will happen; if some day US will decide to leave the area destroyed to Stone Age? What would have been the point of this war then? Last scenario; if US wants to continue its last 7 years of failed policies to capture Al-Qaida, then the world can expect this war on terror to continue indefinitely at cost of millions of Afghans and next many generations lost.

US operation in Afghanistan fails without Pakistan’s support was even acknowledged by Senator Barack Obama after his tour of Afghanistan. The million dollar question is why did Pakistan support US even at the expense of self mutilation? Or it is the quality of a good slave to obey his master even if it requires self-mutilation. General Musharraf is an example of the slave who served the master and got self-mutilated; he is of no use to the master now and needs replacement with fresh slave.

Post Musharraf Pakistan.
Zardari appears to be ready for the job vacancy left by Musharraf. In return for US slavery Zardari and his party gets to enslave Pakistani nation directly and can exploit them for political power and further looting of its assets. Will General Kayani save Pakistan or will he follow the foot steps of Musharraf? If there is no change in Pakistan policy, then in that case US got two for one deal instead of Musharraf. All hopes are with General Kayani while no hope is with Zardari other than to loot even further. Mr. 10% may adjust the rate of 2 decades ago with inflation and will become Mr. 25% (or Mr. Quarter). I hope to be wrong on this prediction. If Zardari is sincere he can redeem himself.

Since, the resignation of Musharraf, all hopes for restoration of Pakistani nation’s integrity, solidarity and judiciary has been high jacked by Zardari. Pakistan’s PM Mr. Gilani is no independent person but a yes man for Zardari. PM Gilani has no back-bone to make any decision independently off Zardari. Current government is just like the last rubber stamp Pakistan’s National Assembly and PM with different faces, but same political game. If there was independent National Assembly and the issue of US War in Afghanistan could have been debated and the whole nation could have been taken into confidence, to avoid the divisions in the country. Musharraf party sold the nation dirt cheap and even got itself mutilated. Prior to Iraq invasion, Turkey was offered $38 billion for providing logistic support. Turkey decided to debate the issue in National Assembly prior to authorization but it was disapproved. Turkey denied US the bases for Iraq invasion, despite billion of dollars being offered. US respected Turkey’s decision, rather than sanctioning it. That is what makes the Nation’s independent to choose their destiny. Unfortunately, Pakistan was under dictator Musharraf who sold his first love, and served US interests the best. Zardari is emerging as a civilian dictator to serve US interest, with his own power and monetary ambitions, and all past cases to be never opened again under NRO.

Democracy v. s Justice or both needed to balance each other.

General Musharraf first coup was against democracy in Pakistan in 1999. His second coup as General/President was against Supreme Court Judiciary when it tried to exert its Independence. Lawyer’s movement of Pakistan has been the main forces to support Judicial Independence. Pakistan’s political parties joint the lawyers demand in February, 2008 election. Nawaz Sherif who is no saint but to redeem his past made his stands clear to support Independent and complete restoration of Judiciary of November 3rd, 2007. Musharraf second coup which was solely against Supreme Court Judiciary. President Musharraf’ second term as President was to be decided in Supreme Court, and General/President didn’t want to take chance of be denied second term as President. The second coup was called Emergency, which transferred power between President and Army Chief and who were the same person. Transferring power from President to Army chief to Impose Emergency and later to lift the emergency the power was transferred back to the President. What a joke, at the expense of the Nation. When Musharraf lost all support domestically and internationally he decided to resign instead of risking impeachment. If Musharraf would have re-instated the sacked Supreme Judiciary and asked for forgiveness, the Nation could have forgiven him.
After Musharraf departure, Pakistani nation hopes were fixed for restoration of Judiciary which all parties agreed before and after elections. Accords were signed and promises made to nation and among major collision partners to restore the Judiciary. Zardari and his party seemed to be less interested in restoration of full judiciary but more interested in securing the presidency. If the intentions of Zardari and PPPP were Pakistan first, then the matter could have been resolved by now. Finally, Zardari made Pakistan a laughing stock in international community by making comments such as “What kind of promises is that, which is fulfilled, and signed accord are not Quran or Hadith to uphold.” Nothing short of this could have been expected from Zardari. This doesn’t help the already immoral image of Pakistan leadership. It took Zardari over a week to finally spill out the reason for not being interested in complete restoration of all the deposed Judges. Which is that, “Our friends, who were involved in ouster of Musharraf don’t want Chief Justice (Iftikhar Chaudry) back in office”. Thus PML-N departure from National Assembly coalition government is based upon its stand for restoration of Judiciary.

Who are the friends of Pakistan who don’t want Chief Justice (CJ) back?
1) US
2) Pakistan Army (and intelligence agencies)
3) UK
4) Saudi-Arabia
5) UAE

Let’s see, why?

The CJ of Pakistan took up the missing persons cases.
US and Pakistan army don’t like to be questioned for their actions of last 6 years. If CJ is back in office, he will re-open the cases and then Pakistan army can’t pick up whom ever they like and hand over to US, without any judicial procedure. If the missing persons are criminals they should have been tried in Pakistan’s court first. If they are involved in crimes on foreign soil and there is an extraditions treaty with that nation, then that’s a separate issue, but still first tired in Pakistan courts. No person should be picked up by intelligence agencies and handed to US without due procedure. These people were missing for a long time and families have no idea where they are. The case of Afia Sidiqqi; who was picked with her three children 5 years ago, is an example, of Pakistani intelligence abuse, handed her over to US forces and taken to Afghanistan. She was kept there for several years and when discovered by a journalist, who reported her as prisoner 650, the most valuable Target from War on Terror in Afghanistan to the world media. US forces transferred her to New-York, federal prison very quickly from Afghanistan.
Her trial is due to start on 8th September. US forces didn’t pick these people from Pakistan but by Pakistani agencies under military approval handed then to US forces in Afghanistan. CJ could have exposed these illegal activities of US and Pakistan Army (along with Pakistan agencies) if he would have been in the office. People would have known the truth and real War on Terror Exposed along with its benefactors.

The CJ of Pakistan took up the case of Privatization of Pakistan steel and other similar privatization projects. Saudi-Arabian and U.A.E Sheik’s were the investors interested in these projects. Therefore they may wish to have no obstacle to their future plans to acquire the National assets of Pakistan. Privatization projects have huge kick backs for the parties involved from the government, as has the example been in Pakistan. CJ showed courage on behalf of 160 million citizens to defend these assets which are of strategic value for Nations security, and tried to prevent economic manipulations of Pakistan assets by outside forces.

World Bank and IMF are other institutions who often interfere in Pakistan’s politics and power control, and have influence on taxes, subsidies, retail tax, which need to be checked. Therefore Supreme Court’s Independent Judiciary is needed to safe-guard citizens from exploitation, whether be politicians, army, beurocrates, insurgents, US, IMF/World Bank.

There are many other reasons that can be added to above reasons why our Pakistan friends don’t want CJ back in office.

What kind of Pakistani friends are these who are disregarding the wishes of 160 million people, who want CJ back in office.

Whose interests are Supreme, 160 million Pakistani’s or our so called friends, with their vested interest from Pakistan? Pakistani Leadership and Military has always taken dictations from US. What happened to Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) and later to General Zia who decided to exert independence from USA. Both of them were eliminated creating fragmentation between civic society and Pakistan Military. After ZAB and General Zia no Pakistani leader decided to exert Independence from US policies towards Pakistan.

CJ is symbol of resistance and defiance who was forced to resign by Musharraf regime. Due to his stand, in greater interest of Pakistan and was exposing the hypocrisy of US and Pakistan Army. Pakistan army is notorious for its General’s with million dollar over-seas assets, biggest land Mafia of Pakistan, controlling 25% of economy and budget, and fighting it own people and not defending the borders. US media, Bush administration, members of Congress or Senate have not stood by the great lawyer’s movement in Pakistan for Independent Judiciary; they only talk about democracy not Justice. Since Justice exposes the Truth. Is Pakistani Nation not capable of handling the truth?

Let’s not sacrifice Justice for Democracy but carry both for future progress.

The only hope for Pakistan 160 million people of Pakistan, towards progress and to achieve real Independence from its own Military, Corrupt leaders and US are through Independent Judiciary. Pakistani citizens need to rally behind the lawyers united for restoration of Independent Judiciary, and don’t let any political party derail the Movement of Justice.

The only hope for Pakistan at the current time is re-reinstatement of Judiciary along with the CJ, NO exceptions.

NO Justice, NO Freedom from Domestic and International slavery.

It is shameful to hear the comments of current PM who is providing no time table for complete re-reinstatement of Judiciary and have the nerve to say that, “Its up to the parliament to do that.” Can some body ask him, whom the parliament elected to be the PM. Is the parliament majority beyond his control, if that’s the case, and then he should resign? Mr. Gilani is a puppet of Zardari, who is in turn, is a puppet of US, capitalizing on death of Benazir, entered Pakistan with the help of US, and part of NRO. Zardari made it clear, why CJ can’t be re-instated, as mentioned earlier. In Pakistan there is no shortage of opportunist politicians and political parties, but none of them have a vision to lead the Nation out of this web.

The Next President of Pakistan
In regards to the Presidency of Pakistan, the best scenario would be to choose a person from Frontier (Paktoonwali) or from Baluchistan province. Since these two provinces are severely affected from last 7 years of Musharraf regime policies. The best manner of healing the wounds is by: cleaning it, applying medication that will alleviate pain and dressing the wound with ointment. If while dressing the wound, contamination happens, then the wounds’ healing is jeopardized. If that happens, then the whole human body can get affected. Best manner to treat the wounds of Pashtun and Baloch would be to elect a President from their population. PPPP has its PM and if they want a President also from the same party then it will consolidate the power and Zardari will become a dictator just like Musharraf but without uniform. The question from PPPP and Zardari is, if the new President is just ceremonial head of state, without 17 Amendment (52a2b), then why not elect from Paktoonwali or Baluchistan? PPPP opted to have a Punjabi PM; even it could have nominated a candidate from Sind. Not that there was any shortage of qualified candidates in Sind. So Punjab and Sind got their due share in power, now to balance it equally, the President should be from the other two provinces and also because they have been hurt the most. Such a decision will help to transcend the Nation and create political harmony and equality among its residents, where ever they reside, and should feel like participant and share holders for improving and working towards collective issues; from hunger, poverty, health, education, infra-structure, economy, spirituality and to be better human-being who have self-respect and respect for others, with the help of inner strength and power to defend its destiny. Then, the name PAKISTAN become True to its meaning.

Need of Pakistan

Pakistan is the land of millions of honest, brave, hardworking and proud people at the mercy of few thousand corrupt and opportunist; officials, politicians, and men of armed forces, who have kept the nation hostage from progress. Lot of talent goes wasted in Pakistan. There has been lack of leadership, since independence. No matter what the outcome of Pakistan’s Presidency is, its citizens need to rally towards Independent Judiciary with the CJ (Iftikhar Chaudry), who presents the symbol of resistance on behalf of 160 million. Society can’t progress without Independent Judiciary.

Secondly, Pakistan needs a Grand Reconciliation Commission, which represent all sectors of society, working to assist the National Assembly (similar to South-African reconciliation commission) with grievances from the Federation. Since National Assemblies after election often forget the promises made to public and need constant reminders. Waiting for the next ballot is a good process which needs to take place also but time is wasted in waiting for 5 years, which is too much of time lost, and hardships increased exponentially for all sections of society. Time has arrived for the Nation to Wake-up and search for its un-limited potential and becoming aware and gain control of their Khudi (self).

Pakistan at pivotal position, can the Nation choose its Destiny? (To be continued)

Dr. Nadeem Bhatti-Rajput has attempted a complex topic with perspective of past and present in simple terms.  Future sections will be published after the basic platform has been prepared. Dr. Nadeem Bhatti-Rajput is a Medical Doctor and has degrees in International Politics and International Relations from Ohio State University. Dr. Nadeem Bhatti-Rajput