ZulfiqarMirza may be harbinger of a hurricane
Who encouraged Dr Zulfiqar Mirza to break off with Asif Zardari, a friend of 40 years? Why was he so outspoken against MQM and Rehman Malik? What is he up to? What is the larger picture? What may follow?
After thorough scrutiny and great deliberation by the Establishment, Dr Zulfiqar Mirza appeared to be the man of the hour, standing above all other politicians of Sindh. He was bold enough to take a plunge, without bothering about the odds or dangers. He had the courage to not only defend himself but also hit back. And as a firebrand, he could kindle anti-MQM strife where needed.
So, the powers that be called him for a crucial meeting. The dialog might have gone something like this:
– Doctor Sahib, how would you like to be the most popular leader in Sindh and ultimately the chairman of PPP? Dr Mirza is completely at a loss for an answer.
– Of course, you cannot be, as long as your great fund is up there. However, we assure you that he will disappear from the scene – forever – in a matter of weeks.
– Then Bilawal will take his place.
– His son has little interest in politics. Do you remember the party meeting that his father arranged in England to launch him? Bilawal did not even attend it. He must have in mind what politics did to his family. If unnatural death could occur to his mother and grandfather, not to speak of both uncles, how could he be safe? Moreover, he has been away for most of his life and has little attachment to the country and its people. And his mother left for him enough wealth for a lifetime of luxury. Dr Mirza gets the point and also sees the prospects for himself.
– What shall I have to do?
– Something that you would love to do! As you know quite well, MQM and Rehman Malik are the enemies of the state. Both have been working for years against the interest of the country. You will take on both of them. As the former Home Minister, you already have a lot of material on them. We shall provide you more. As a starter, here is a letter that Altaf Husain wrote to the British Prime Minister. A mole in MQM got it for us years ago. Throw this bombshell at them. As for Rehman Malik, for the time accuse him of being a liar and an enemy of the state. If Zardari still does not remove him soon, you can be more specific. Also talk about his mischief in Balochistan in promoting secession.
– MQM will not go down easily. Will action follow my campaign?
– Of course! As soon as the present setup in Islamabad goes, the interim government will impose Governor's rule in Sindh and ban MQM for being in violation of the Political Parties Act. The case will then go to the Supreme Court for confirmation of the ban. You will be our star witness there and present all available material that will convince the court. To avoid the accusation of discrimination, other ethnic and linguistic parties and organizations in Sindh will also be banned.
– How will you eliminate MQM on the ground?
– Rangers and police will make a vigorous effort to close all MQM offices, weapons stores and torture cells. Ask your reliable policemen to cooperate with them fully, as they know all about hideouts and criminals. All MQM leaders will be behind bars and disqualified for elections.
Dr Zulfiqar Mirza was in a very difficult situation. He was expected to break off with a very close friend, who was also his benefactor. On the other hand, he could see an opportunity of a lifetime in politics, as he could be the Chief Minister in his own right. He decided to take the plunge.Mirza might not have been fully aware but the Establishment knew all about the role of MQM and Rehman Malik in the American conspiracy for Balochistan.
Pakhtunkhwa The Americans also had another plan. They hoped to consolidate their occupation soon after the invasion of Afghanistan and then move to create a state of Pashto-speaking people.
In 2003, they asked Awami National Party (ANP) to demand the change of "NWFP" to "Pakhtunkhwa" to create an identity for what was to be a new state of Pakhtuns, with areas carved out of Pakistan and Afghanistan. ANP's favorite was "Pakhtunistan" but that had been discredited decades ago, when Ghaffar Khan and later Wali Khan failed to get it. ANP had lived with "NWFP" that was given over 100 years ago when the province was created in 1901 but now it was clamoring for a new name as if heavens would fall otherwise. And it would just not consider any alternative. (Ahmad Shah Durrani used the term "Pakhtunkhwa" in a poem but for Afghanistan, not Pashto-speaking areas.) Under American instructions, Zardari adopted the new name enthusiastically well before the constitutional amendment for it.
As a first step towards cessation, Americans created Tehrik-i-Talban Pakistan (TTP) in Waziristan. With American money and Indian training, suicide missions were created to attack security installations and create unrest. After gaining control over substantial FATA areas, the objective was to set up "Islamic Emirate of Waziristan." (You will see many entries for it in Google.) Ultimately, the control was to be extended to Pashto-speaking areas of the province. "Emirate" would declare independence and India, Afghanistan, etc. would recognize it. It would ask for military support for "defense" against Pakistan. American forces would move there for permanent stationing, having consolidated control in Afghanistan.
During a secret visit of Asfandyar Wali to the U.S. before 2008 elections, the U.S. agreed to bring ANP into power to help in the creation of the new state. According to Altaf Husain, 23 million dollars were given for elections. However, despite full cooperation of the ANP-led provincial government, TTP got a setback in Swat and elsewhere and was rolled back.
Balochistan Meanwhile, work on the separation of Balochistan continued. Akbar Bugti was to head the new state. While insurgency was at its peak, President Musharraf gathered all evidence about it. American money was coming through Bugti's sons in Dubai and U.S.-financed weapons through Afghanistan and India. Thousands of terrorists had been hired on handsome monthly salaries for widespread sabotage. He confronted President Bush, "This is what your people are doing, while we are asked to do more in Afghanistan." Embarrassed, Bush called it off.
Action on the plan was started again after 2008 elections, this time with full preparations. Aslam Raisani was made the Chief Minister, whose younger brother is Lashkari Raisani, "who is currently on the payroll of at least three intelligence agencies—the American, the British, and the French," according to Ron Suskind ("The way of the world," page 336). All members of the Provincial Assembly were taken in the cabinet (except one, because of tribal enmity) so that none of them could raise a voice against what is to happen. Local Governments were abolished and the colonial system was brought back. The conversion of all Balochistan to A Area under Musharraf was rolled back and levies of sardars were restored.
Settlers were forced to leave the province in large numbers, paralyzing various departments. The U.S. diplomats made frequent visits to Quetta, while the embassy prepared to open a consulate in Quetta (but was not allowed). Money and weapons came in much larger quantities to increase terrorist and separatist activities. When Shah Zain Bugti, heading a convoy carrying a large quantity of weapons and ammunition, including anti-aircraft guns, was stopped at a checkpost outside Quetta, his first call on his mobile phone was to U.S. embassy.
The media even in other provinces was bribed or browbeaten not to report the separatist activities in Balochistan, only talk of "dangerous situation" and cry for the "rights" of Balochistan. Politicians also were silent, afraid not to annoy Uncle Sam. A vigorous campaign was started through bribed or naïve journalists for the release of "missing persons," who were actually terrorists arrested by security forces. Shah Zain Bugti had free access to private TV channels, giving interviews to demand "rights" of Balochistan. Meanwhile, Rahman Malik, as Interior Minister, has been doing his bit to promote trouble.
The reason why Why does the U.S. want to separate Balochistan? The pre-9/11 reasons were to exploit oil, gas and mineral resources of the provinces and to weaken the country. Russians also tried for it in 1970s. Many additional reasons emerged post-9/11:
a) A client state to host permanently American forces, which could be moved quickly against any country in the region, especially Iran.
b) Though being successful in the past, it was no longer possible for the U.S. to prevent the construction of Gwadar port. After the Chinese did build it, it was made non-operational by bringing in Singapore Port Authority, with the help of Shaukat Aziz. Now China is trying to take over operations.
c) China is developing Kashgar as the next Special Economic Zone, 30 years after the first one in Shenzhen. The nearest port for its imports and exports will be Gwadar. (The distance to Shanghai in the east is three to four times more.)
d) China plans to link Gwadar with its Xinjiang province with road, rail and an oil pipeline.
e) China also wants to have a gas pipeline from Iran, through Pakistan.
Since Balochistan cannot meet its own basic needs, the U.S. also wants to separate Karachi and merge it with the province. Altaf Husain is eager to help, as he disclosed to Dr Zulfiqar Mirza. It will make the rest of the country landlocked and at the mercy of the new state.Action, finally The Establishment was always aware of the American conspiracy. However, it has been biding its time, as it was busy finishing insurgency in FATA. It also wanted to know the outcome of the war in Afghanistan. Now it understands that the process of U.S. withdrawal has become irreversible and the insurgency is also declining.
Moreover, the declaration of independent Balochistan is imminent. Brahamdagh Bugti, who was earlier a guest of Afghan government, is now in Switzerland, holding an Indian passport. When he makes his announcement, India and some other states will recognize it. He will then invite American forces to "defend" his self-styled state. In Karachi, MQM, with street fights against ANP, its strongest rival, will create such a chaos that the security forces may not be able to control the situation. Then it may announce separation of the city and its merger with Balochistan and ask for foreign intervention. The U.S. will intervene on the lines of Libya on "humanitarian grounds" and its forces being withdrawn from Afghanistan may move into Balochistan and Karachi.
Now there was no time to waste. As a first step, Dr Zulfiqar Mirza was brought in. According to Hamid Mir, somebody like Mirza may emerge in ANP also, "somebody around Zardari." Supreme Court is under severe pressure from media to give judgments on cases involving the government. Any judgment against the Prime Minister will bring down the setup in Islamabad. MQM will be banned and the Supreme Court will confirm it. (Mirza has already given anti-MQM material to some lawyers to submit to the court.) A new Governor will clean up Karachi and bring it back to normalcy. After the interim government has cleared the decks after vigorous action against corruption, the field will be clear for elections after a suitable period.
The American adventurers will stop in their tracks as soon as they consider the China factor. A strong warning to hands off Pakistan will be enough. China has a strong stick: debt-ridden America, with debt equal to GDP, owes about one trillion dollars to China.
Conspiracies against us have failed in the past. The same will happen this time also, although people will be on tenterhooks in the meantime. What should we look forward to in the near future? The unusually long meeting of Corps Commanders on September 8 did not announce its decisions. The Establishment always holds its cards close to chest. Hold your breath until action on decisions unfolds in coming weeks. All will be well in the end
( MUNIR AHMED BALOCH)
Tariq Khattak, Islamabad, Pakistan.
GSM = 0300-9599007 and 0333-9599007
Email: Tariqgulkhattak@gmail.com
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