Since overthrowing the democratically elected government of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf has been calling for a meeting with the Prime Minister of India apparently to find a solution of the Kashmir problem. Indeed, he has been giving the impression that he is genuinely interested in finding such a solution. When invitation was sent, to him for the summit he was the Military Dictator and self-appointed Chief Executive of Pakistan. He was not recognised by any major power in the world or for that matter by any minor player in world politics. As is now known all over the world, a few days before the scheduled date of the summit he overthrew the President of Pakistan, the last symbol of the democratic process of that country, and declared himself as president. Almost at the same time his Foreign Minister, Abdul Sattar, was touring the West assuring the western leaders of his sincere intention of restoring democratic rule in Pakistan. Sattar was not told what his Military Master had under his sleeves.
From the very outset Musharraf s plan was how to get his military dictatorship recognised in the world. He felt if he can go to India and attend a formal summit with the Prime Minister of that country his rule will be deemed to have been formally recognised by India. And other countries are likely to follow the suit. To him it is a game he can play at the expense of India and the good will of the Indian Prime Minister. There is no place whatever of morality, ethics and fair play in such a game. So, what is the pedigree of Pervez Musharraf?
The first military dictator of Pakistan was Ayub Khan, the man who appointed himself as the Field 11 aishall! of all Pakistani military Forces. He introduced basic democracy in which Pakistanis had to learn how to blow Field Marshall's trumpet according his tune. Then came General Yahya Khan, the man who believed that one Muslim soldier is equal to ten Hindu fighters. His dream of Conquering the Kafirs was shattered when his henchman the Tiger General Niazi surrendered rather tamely to to the gentle Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Aurora in Bangladesh. The scene was then ready for Zia-ul-Haq, the man promoted from the position of a Brigadier to C-in-C of Pakistani military forces by personal friend Zulfiquer Ali Bhutto. The new general returned the complement by sending Bhutto to the gallows.
As regards Pervez Musharraf, we all know him very well, don't we? He is the man who committed treachery against his own Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, by sending the brave Pakistani soldiers to occupy the Tiger Hills under the cover of darkness-. When they were blasted out from there this brave general did not have the simple Courage to admit the consequence of his stupid action. Now he thinks he can win the battle through commando diplomacy. No wonder he appears to be so disappointed at the outcome of the summit.
Almost all Pakistani leaders were against Pervez Musharraf coming to an agreement with Prime Minister Vajpayee on Kashmir. Therefore, right from the outset the summit.., as a non-starter. Yet the Indian leaders had a hope that many other issues beneficial to people of both countries could be settled and acted upon. The General told his Indian audience, “With one fifth of the world population, our masses live in poverty and deprivation. Our region needs cooperation, mutual trust and peace”. Then he sends troops to occupy Kargil and refuses to settle other issues until he can get more land from India.
According to the latest report of the Asian Development Bank on Pakistan the political instability has been compounded by an economy in free fall. The figure for those below the poverty line which was 18% in 1989 has increased to 32% in 1999. Every military dictator of Pakistan came to power with the promise of securing milk and honey for the people but had to relinquish power with the country poorer than before and the ordinary citizens openly hostile to their military rulers. To remain secure to power the generals feed the simple unsuspecting people with daily dose of hate against the Kafirs. The recent demonstrations by the young Pakistanis in Wagah border between India and Pakistan clearly illustrates this point. The generals, indeed even the political leaders of Pakistan, do not permit them to know the real truth of where Pakistan has been heading to.
In India we must understand, that
these are the latter day Gaznavis with medieval mind. They are still jiving
all their day dream of breaking up India with low intensity proxy war.
The modern day concept of economy, educational and social development political
reality, etc is beyond their ability to grasp. It is of no consequence
to them if people die of starvation. It is then easy for them to recruit
these unfortunate young people to join the military or a terrorist outfit
and become a martyr for Islam. But the generals themselves never go to
the front line to fight the Kafirs. It is a strategy that suits these pseudo-Gaznavis
very well. I believe there are strategies not involving any loss of life
that can be persued by India which will bring these Gaznavis down to their
knees. It is time we looked into this strategy and follow it, if and where
possible.