Shift in ties is too drastic, we are not one people

Author: Gen Aslam Beg, former chief of army staff
Publication: The Times of India
Date: July 8, 2001
 
Whenever I meet people from India, they talk in annoying terms. They never accepted the reality of Pakistan. They talk about being one people, one culture, one tradition, whereas the fact is we are two people. We got separated only on the basis of this very fact - we probably could not live together. Accept that we are a separate entity, with a separate culture and outlook. And to tell us that the two-nation theory is wrong. Like Nirmala Deshpande when she came here. Like General M L Chibber when he came here, trying to tell us how we should follow our ideological concepts. That is something which disturbs me. And I would convey the message through you that kindly leave us alone, we have our own problems, we have our own faith and belief, we have our own ideology. Allow us to live us as a people, as a country having our own values and our own traditions. But don't say this barrier does not exist, this border does not exist. Pakistan is a free country. That's the point from where we can meet and harmonise with each other to find peace. In 1971, East Pakistan separated from us and within two years, our people accepted it as a free country. We never said East Pakistan will once again join Pakistan. The other day, I got a lengthy write-up from Genral Chibber, lecturing me on how I should correct my moral obligations.

Trying to tell me that the notion of Jehad-i-Akbar is different from jehad, as if I don't know what jehad is. Indians worship 101 gods and we worship one, and that's the difference.

Lt Gen (retd) Hamid Gul, former head of ISI

Indian policy-makers are wily and cunning. Americans on the other hand are too demanding and overbearing. The new relationship would be in sharp contrast both to India's self-image and America's domineering impulse. Jewish lobbies, keen to promote this relationship, can nurture it only to a limit.

India for all its size and aura can not give to the US the strategic advantage that Pakistan can offer by its proximity to the Gulf India is more attractive for corporate America. A beleaguered Pakistan has felt relief evolving scenario. China, however, cannot help her much in breaking the massive debt trap. The leadership in Pakistan does not seem to be able to muster enough courage to court default on loan servicing.

Fortunately, China has a good understanding of Pakistan's difficulties and will not push her.

Musharraf and some of his colleagues are bold but their civilian team comprises either American camp-followers or insipid weaklings.

Will the President revamp his team to make his Look East policy work? Moreover, a sharp increase in unemployment and rising inflation have alienated the masses. This could render the country vulnerable to subversive onslaughts.
 

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