THE Fall of Dhaka in December 1971 was the culmination of a series of blunders and mistakes committed by the people in power and some politicians of that era.

These days one is hearing frequently about the surrender by Lt-Gen Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi in what was then East Pakistan. Success or defeat in a conflict is, for the most part, not linked to an individual’s caste or creed.

The Instrument of Surrender in the 1971 War was negotiated over several days, and in consultation with the political leadership of the time. Hence blaming only Gen Niazi for the debacle is unfair.

The statements alluding to Gen Niazi are in the context of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, who also happens to be a Niazi. Our politicians should refrain from politics propagating a hatred for individuals on the basis of caste or creed and work towards removing the socio-economic ills that afflict this country.

Ada Fatima Malik
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2014