The other view
THIS is apropos of the letter ‘Partitioning Punjab’ by Kunwar Idris.
The letter writer said that the Quaid-i-Azam intended a confederal arrangement for Muslim majority areas at the time of the partition of united India. I find it hard to understand what Mr Idris wants to prove. Did the Quaid want a confederation of united India or a sovereign homeland for Muslims?
I think the Quaid wanted a sovereign, resilient and federation of Pakistan and not a confederation of united India which itself would have negated the demand of partition. Atrocities by Hindus and Sikhs were inevitable.
As far as the partition of Punjab is concerned, it is a long-awaited demand of the underprivileged majority hailing from southern Punjab. It should be based on administrative lines and not on ethnic or linguistic lines, though the language comes under this demand just a little bit. The main causes for this demand are the administrative and organisational red-tapism practiced now.
A friend from Multan told me that travelling to Lahore from Multan required some 14 hours’ journey, besides accommodation and fare charges. A difficult task indeed for an ordinary person if he wants to meet the chief minister in Lahore.
Moreover, the infrastructure, per capita income, etc., are substandard. People suffer from an inferiority complex.
Most countries like the US, China and India have divided their areas in small provinces, making progress by leaps and bounds. What is wrong with us? The problem with us is that every reasonable and rational demand is exploited for political point-scoring and conspiracy theories whether it is the Kalabagh dam or new provinces.
Partitioning Punjab is a late but good decision on the following grounds:
It will initiate a new era of progress, prosperity and responsibility among the incumbents that if it is not capable enough to generate its own revenue, it can then be merged back into Punjab.
New infrastructure, jobs and education facilities would be initialed. The people will get their lost identity again and there will be ‘we feeling’, and I think this will be a tiny but great emotional pleasure.
Merely dividing a province does not create hostilities and alienation. Retrospectively, it is the abrogation of these just demands which creates mayhem in the country.
IMTIAZ AHMAD
Mardan
I will like to draw attention towards the Pakistanis holding dual nationality. Many Pakistanis in the past decided to find job opportunities, further education, or join their family members overseas. Instead of being a burden on Pakistani economy they have been sending money to Pakistan, they bring and spend foreign revenue. It helps Pakistan, They have learned to compare the living standards, politics, and opportunities for progress. I have a dual citizenship, but I still love and care about Pakistan, there are millions of overseas Pakistanis who love and care about Pakistan. It is not easy to leave your families and friends behind, as our culture is a close nit culture. As we all know our elders have not done a good job in planning for the future of Pakistan. Like an Indian minister who was invited on 60 Minutes told the interviewer , who kept insisting to comment on Pakistan, he finally said that Pakistan’s biggest problem has been in deciding “What form of government they want?”. I agree with the chap, our elders including some out- of-civilian- control generals have destroyed the political structure of Pakistan. We have been using recycled politicians, judiciary had been weak and legislative branches have not done a good job if military gave them a chance. Let overseas Pakistanis bring their know how , their money, and technology to improve Pakistan. I do respect our supreme court , but I do not agree with the idea that dual citizens cannot participate in elections or for the betterment of Pakistan. Pakistan’s immediate issue is security, local, provincial, and national. Local people should set up neighborhood watches and demand that areas where they live and work should be safe and secure. Next big issues is economy, if the cities and provinces are not secure then non one wants to establish businesses or create jobs. If you want to destroy a country you systematically destroy her economy, create kayos, and divide it in ethnic, and religious disagreements. When economic and political base is unstable, country cannot support military and then borders become porous. Sounds familiar? Wake up Pakistanis, where ever you are!
Payjoe Khan
(apkhan786@aol.com)
Why are we stuck in the past whether Quaid wanted a sovereign, resilient and federation of Pakistan and not a confederation? It does not matter any more. The time has changed. We have to keep pace with the world. If we are going to have an argument about the present and past we will loose the future…….. Wakat kay saath saath chal ta rahay ye he bhatar aadmi kay lia. Wakat ruk ta nehe kisi kay lia
The writer – Imtiaz Ahmad- does not seem to be mindful of involvement of big..big risk in partition of Punjab. The risk is really a big one as compared to its relatively smaller pros and cons. The partition will in all probability weaken the country and those forces would be very happy who want to split this big Islamic country of ours. We need to ignore / fore-go the temptation of any small benefits and pay due attention to the possibility of big loss.