Dreams of India to turn Pakistan a compliant state dashed

Asif Haroon Raja

India has kept USA and western world netted to its frequency since 1991. In the aftermath of 9/11 when the US and its western allies declared war against the Muslims, India got very close to the west and like Israel was made a strategic partner. Its grievances and allegations against Pakistan were listened to sympathetically, its counsels heard attentively and information shared taken as gospel truth. Although Pakistan too was made an ally and a frontline state to take the major brunt of terrorism, its complaints against India were contemptuously brushed aside and it was snubbed for leveling false allegations. Pakistan was compulsively made a tactical partner to serve short term interests of USA. Discriminatory behavior of USA and other western countries kept Indian leaders in exhilarating and festive mood. Each allegation cooked up by Indo-US-Israeli spin doctors resulting in Pakistan bashing by US officials’ thrilled India the most. 

RAW was given a free hand to carryout subversive activities and every successful move made to joggle Pakistan was lauded by the master coordinator. The band of six with champagne glasses in their hands would dance with joy from sunset till dawn. Pains of Pakistan became the delight of the sadistic gang. At the close of each month, head of RAW in Kabul would proudly highlight achievements made in the roundtable conference attended by CIA, Mossad, MI-6, BMD, RAAM and US-NATO senior military officials. They would laugh their heart out how Pakistani leadership had been duped and how they were able to put the strings of the trap around Pakistan’s neck effortlessly. India was profusely rewarded without having contributed anything towards curbing terrorism. Rewards were in recognition of its strenuous efforts to soak Pakistan in blood.

As the flames of terrorism reached every nook and corner of Pakistan in 2008 and internal situation became chaotic, it added to the cheerfulness of plot makers that their plans were proceeding smoothly and ultimate goal of stealing nukes was within grasping reach. They knew that once Pakistan was deprived of its nuclear strength, rest was easy. Anticipating that the noose had been sufficiently tightened, in their exuberance to go for the final kill they intensified their subversive activities coupled with browbeating tactics, drone attacks and propaganda war in 2009. Other than spate of suicide bombings in major cities, series of well coordinated group attacks were organized. Even an attempt was made on the GHQ so as to intensify fear and insecurity. 2009 was the bloodiest year in which 130 suicide attacks took place resulting in loss of 1800 lives. In 2010, so far 35 suicide attacks have occurred.       

Their merriment turned into anguish when Pak Army turned the tide of foreign supported militancy in Malakand Division and Swat and then overpowered South Waziristan where the detractors were cocksure that the Army would get snared for good. Bajaur and other dens of militants within FATA were successfully disabled. Above all, Indian military support to militants got thoroughly exposed. These outstanding successes in quick succession and that too in very short timeframe took the wind out of the sails of propagandists coming out with never ending allegations to defame the Army and institutions of Pakistan and suddenly catapulted Pakistan to a position of strength. Hollow propaganda snipes that Pak Army was incapable of fighting the militants or was linked with them and that it was not in a position to protect nuclear assets fell like ninepins. Propagandists had to chew the garbage they had heaped on Pakistan.

During the last eight years Pakistan had to confront and defeat chain of dangerous plots, each one deadlier than the previous one. Other than divine help which frustrated evil designs of our adversaries, a lot of credit goes to Gen Kayani and his team for overcoming series of obstacles skillfully and boldly. He neither has a magic wand or spiritual powers, or he is more visionary and knowledgeable than his predecessor Gen Musharraf. What he has in plenty is his down to earth practical and professional approach, qualities of a dynamic leader who leads from the front, honesty and sincerity of purpose, fear of God, humility and deep sense of commitment to safeguard national and Army’s interests.

Apolitical and morally sound, he has maintained personal contact with soldiers in the field. Soon after taking over he declared 2008 as the year of the soldier and dished out a highly attractive welfare package for lower ranks, which besides many benefits made them eligible for plots and houses as in case of officers. It had an electrifying impact and helped in invigorating their pride and inculcating in them sense of belonging. By appointing subedar majors at all tiers of command from battalion to COAS Secretariat he has his fingers on the pulse of the whole army. His frequent visits to forward areas amidst raging battles has eliminated communication gap and inspired newfound confidence among all ranks. They eagerly look forward to meet him and interact with him freely. After 1965 war, the Army was never seen in such roaring animal spirits as it is today. Strangest thing is that no officer or soldier fears death. Heavy fatalities of all ranks have made no dent in their tenacity to free the country of the menace of terrorism and to beat back all conspiracies hatched against integrity of Pakistan. There is not a single case of psychological trauma among combatants. It is this phenomenal level of motivation that enabled the brave hearts to enter the den of lions in South Waziristan, smash the age old myth by ousting the foreign supported militants last October and hold the captured ground with absolute firmness. Desperate efforts of the militants to retake the lost space have been thwarted.

Sullen faced India felt nonplussed over these setbacks and saw its years of efforts crumbling like house of cards. It relapsed into bout of despair and depression to notice a change in US-NATO attitude. The US military and civil officials and NATO commanders are now paying lesser heed to India’s advices and have started to see Pakistan with respect and admiration. As if this jolt was not enough, India was ignored by all the neighbors of Afghanistan and Pakistan was welcomed at Tehran, Istanbul and Shanghai summits. NATO conference in Brussels in which Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani glibly put forward facts and figures helped in making the participants understand Pakistan’s point of view and in removing their misperceptions. London Conference attached no importance to India and went ahead with its plan to recon ciliate with the Taliban and to find a political solution. They lent receptive ears to Pakistan’s suggestions and gave weight to what it said how to go about solving the Afghan tangle. Hamid Karzai too bent over backwards to win back cooperation of Pakistan. These fast track developments in 2010 led to Pak-US strategic dialogue promising a new beginning in relations based on mutual respect and trust.    

Although the US has no intention to abandon India or reduce its status, it has belatedly and grudgingly begun to listen to Pakistan’s complaints and grievances more dispassionately and shown willingness to address some if not all of them. This welcome change has occurred due to fast evolving geo-strategic realities in Afghanistan, which is turning into another graveyard for USA. The US has acknowledged Pakistan’s key role in helping ISAF to stabilize Afghanistan and in quitting the country with grace. Growing influence of Russia over Central Asian States, as is seen in Kyrgyzstan has further limited options of USA and increased its dependence on Pakistan. These events are unpalatable for India and have dashed her dreams of making Pakistan a compliant state.