ONE NATION TWO COUNTRIES

This article is in the fond memory of Honorable Minister of state Mr. Mahmud Ali, May Allah rest his soul in peace. He is no more with the living Pakistanis. He departed from this world couple of days ago.

The occasion was reception organised in the honour of delegation from Bangladesh. Hon.  Mahmud Ali, a veteran and unique breed Pakistani was very bold, very brave and therefore looked most beautiful.  He was the second speaker after Mr. Zahid Malik in the evening of 8th June 2003. Mr. Malik is President Council for Nazriya-e-Pakistan, and the aforesaid Council arranged this reception. He was both, man behind the gun as well as leading the show from the front. The third speaker was the chief guest and the head of the delegation from Bangladesh, Mr. Anwer Zahid.  Mr. Zahid was ex Minister of Information of Bangladesh. He is currently chief executive officer of Inqilab TV. Amongst the invitees were many big names, many heavy weights and towering personalities. I could mention about a dozen but will mention only two over here. One was Mujahid-e-Awwal, Sardar Abdul Qayyum and the second Lieutenant General Sahabzada Yaqub Ali Khan, retired. By their type and category they would belie the line of thrust and the focus of the congregation.

Mr. Zahid Malik began with the welcoming words. He presented his thoughts in well-blended mix of acrimonious history of seventies. He followed it up with the praises for the strides made in the field of economy, trade and commerce. He eulogized the upholding of national pride and a discernable national identity. Bangladesh had never let the Indian hegemony to over shadow the sovereignty of Bangladesh against the fears of many in Pakistan. About the past he only wished it had not happened. He wanted to get over with it by calling it a bad patch. The apology for the excesses was forth coming. And to cap his ideas, good wishes and prayers were in abundance for the Pakistan-Bangladesh fraternity. The language he used pleased almost all.

Mahmud Ali though in his advanced stage of the physical age roared with conviction and in razor sharp words. He welcomed wholeheartedly the members of delegation from East Pakistan. He reiterated and dwelt emphatically that Bengalis wanted, created and stood for Pakistan. 1946 when they were asked to vote for their choice, 97 % of them voted for Pakistan. In 1971 did someone ever ask their opinion - None. Therefore, creation of Bangladesh was never an authenticated, popular demand, verified through democratic norms. To him will of majority was always for Pakistan. Bangladesh was never created but forced through the power of the gun. Mahmud Ali categorically said, ‘I do not accept this situation’. We are Pakistanis and belong to one nation.  He was never apologetic about the events of 1970-71. He summarized the situation in the phrase, One Nation Two Countries.

Mr. Zahid, the leader of the delegation was most eloquent and most impressive both in his form and content. He was heard in pin drop silence. He was very clear in his standpoint. He referred to 1971 as the year of war of independence. He was proud to have won it. He described the role of India as a destroyer of Pakistan and not as a creator of Bangladesh. He said India only dismembered Pakistan. And it was done for no love of right of self-determination of Bengalis. Many examples were quoted from the recent history. India supported Russian occupation of Afghanistan in 1980s; India supported Vietnam’s hegemony over Kampuchea. India has never supported right of self-determination of Kashmiris, that of Nagas, Mesorams, Assamis and those of south Indians. Mr. Zahid took pains to elaborate as to who were their neighbors? He described Tripurans, Assamis, Mesorams and Nagas as their neighbors. They supported Bangladesh in their struggle for independence, while India was only interested in the truncation of Pakistan. He said it was a dilemma for Bangladesh to choose the right set of neighbors, while India always demands that Bangladesh should be obliged for winning them over the independence. Leader of the delegation spoke with clear vision and better understanding of the obtaining realities. He expressed that people of Bangladesh have love and respect for the people of Pakistan. There is no past hatred. They wish to come close, as two equals, sovereign people of two brotherly countries. In concrete terms, Bangladesh would like the Pakistani entrepreneur to invest there. We would like to see the trade and commerce to flourish with Pakistan rather than with big brother India. We would hate to be the dumping grounds of Indian goods. The chief guest expressed his deep desire for cooperation and mutual support in the field of defence as well. He was at his peak when he said our problems are same, our aspirations are same and our enemy is common.

Those who profess to be one nation will have to wrestle with some complex and kinky questions.

One, have the people of Bangladesh ever protested against the forced dismemberment of Pakistan? If not why ?

Second, Awami League of Mujibur Rahman was the winner of 1970’s election. Mujib had all the right to be the prime-minister of Pakistan, which was denied to him. Will the real politic now bear with and allow confederation of any sort?

Third, India has successfully manipulated SAARC to suit her regional objectives to the detriment of those of Pakistan. Will she let the erstwhile enemies to join hands and be strong again? And stand together against India? Will it be possible as long as India is as strong as it was in 1971 or as it is now in comparison to its western an eastern neighbor?

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