Author: Dr. Manzur Ejaz
Publication: Daily Times
Date: February 18, 2009
URL: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009%5C02%5C18%5Cstory_18-2-2009_pg3_3
Rulers averse to an independent judiciary
and an equitable socio-economic order; an economic upper class hostile to
paying its fair share in taxes; self-obsessed intellectuals and media persons;
and a poverty-stricken population - this presents the perfect mix for the
forces of destruction
Our ruling elites kept crying 'Wolf!' for
decades to scare the West into supporting their tenures. And now, as the NWFP
government prepares to promulgate sharia law in Swat and Malakand, the proverbial
wolf has finally arrived. President Zardari's statement regarding Taliban
designs to take over Pakistan should have read: "The Taliban have already
captured parts of Pakistan and they are on their way to grab the rest."
Given the narrow vision of the governing elite,
the prevailing anarchy in the country and absence of any alternative movement
of resistance, the Taliban takeover of Pakistan or large parts of it seems
a very real possibility now.
Up until the recent past, many of us believed
that, beyond the tribal belt and its adjoining areas, the Taliban's appeal
could never be translated into a theocratic state. The underlying theoretical
belief had been that backward ideologies cannot take over or overrun economically
and socially more advanced societies. This belief has been shaken because
of the state's failure to stop the Taliban's continuous penetration into settled
areas.
Looking at the ruins of Harappa and Mohenjodarao,
two sites of the great Indus civilization, one feels in awe of the level of
advancement those societies had achieved. These ruins indicate that these
cities had better civic planning than many contemporary cities of the subcontinent.
But they could not defend themselves from less advanced invaders and perished.
Although the destruction of the Indus civilisation may have been caused by
natural forces as well, the way Vedic literature narrates the destruction
and burning of enemy cities, it is clear that this great civilisation was
invaded from without too.
Similarly, the Muslim invaders coming from
West and Central Asia were not socially and economically more developed then
the Indians. And it is puzzling how with a few thousand soldiers they defeated
grand Indian armies of several hundred thousands, which were equipped with
thousands of elephants as well. And it happened many times between the 10th
and 16th centuries. Can it happen again?
Security agencies have reported to the government
that about 18,000 Taliban are armed and organised. Furthermore, there is every
indication that the Taliban are equipped with the most modern arms and accompanying
technology. If their influence expands, as it happens with every successfully
advancing force, Taliban numbers are going to swell because many opportunistic
influential families will start joining them. Moreover, the Taliban already
have a very well configured network in Punjab, which makes itself visible
every time militant commanders want to display their strength to the Pakistani
state.
Many knowledgeable observers had noted these
militants' organisation and force - especially those based in Muridke - when
they attacked the Mall in Lahore to express their rage against Dutch cartoonists.
A senior political figure opined that, based on the organisation of these
groups, including the Laskhar-e Tayba, one can say with certainty that the
militants can take over Lahore whenever they want. This may be an exaggerated
projection but the larger point is valid.
And one should not forget that almost all
of the Mumbai attackers belonged to the Punjab. Therefore, the Taliban have
already sunk their tentacles in the Punjab and the rest of the country. Their
advance can hardly be stalled because of the narrow mindedness of the ruling
elites, petty thinking of the economically rich sections of society and the
apathy of the general public.
As a matter of fact, contemporary Pakistan
is an ideal example to solve the historical puzzles of the past where retrogressive
forces ruined much advanced societies. The rulers in Islamabad are only minding
the interests of their feudal clique; the rich do not want to share their
wealth with society and fulfil their civic duty; the people are consumed by
their daily socio-economic agonies; and the intellectuals are absorbed by
political correctness and anti-US rhetoric. No section of society is prepared
to recognise the imminent threat.
Rulers averse to an independent judiciary
and an equitable socio-economic order; an economic upper class hostile to
paying its fair share in taxes; self-obsessed intellectuals and media persons;
and a poverty-stricken population - this presents the perfect mix for the
forces of destruction.
The armed institutions of such societies have
no will to fight the real enemies, not to mention a section of these institutions
may be inviting this destruction in post-Ranjeet Singh Darbar style when they
invited the British to destroy the Khalsa army.
The stage is therefore set for Northern invaders
overrunning Punjab and Sindh. And, unfortunately, such dangers are never recognised
until it is too late.
Well, let us continue playing Nero's flute
because "hanooz Dilli dur ast" ('Delhi is still far away').
So the rulers obsessed with control will have
their wish fulfilled, though the mullahs will be in control. The rich will
rejoice if they can do without their parties. And the intellectuals will have
to start practicing to write and speak for their 'independent' theocratic
state.
The people, used to suffering for centuries,
will hardly notice any change. And, most of all, the clean-shaven supporters
of Osama bin Laden and Mullah Omar will get a real taste of living under the
system of their beloved heroes. The dream of making Pakistan a real ideological
state may come true after all.
- The writer can be reached at manzurejaz@yahoo.com
