Latest news with #Quaid-e-Azam
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Upcoming misadventure by Pakistan
Born in Meerut, India and after finishing early education, opted out of IIT, Kanpur to join NDA, Khadakwasla, Pune. Commissioned as an officer in the Indian Army in December 1975 at Kargil and has combat experience of the IPKF in Sri Lanka and the Kargil War. Trained armed forces officers in NDA, Army War College and Kashmir Valley. Commanded an Infantry Battalion. Post retirement, served with the Government of India in several capacities including e-Governance Division in MeitY as well as in National Security Council Secretariat (PMO) till a couple of years back and was instrumental in policy analysis, public-private -partnership for Cyber Security and other related fields such as crypto-currencies, AI etc. A Published author of several books such as 'The Fourth Estate as a Force Multiplier for the Indian Army', 'The Kargil Victory: Battles from Peak to Peak' and 'Kargil Heroes' and authored a large number of articles in various magazines. Areas of interest: Defence Strategy and Military History, Geopolitical and Strategic Developments and Science and Technology'. LESS ... MORE Appointment of General Asim Munir, the Pakistan Army Chief, as the second Field Marshal of Pakistan Army, is surprising not because he did not step down as Army Chief or flee from the country as a defeated General but because he did not declare a coup in Pakistan – as the history in Pakistan suggests. Stepping down would have meant conceding a defeat. To convince their masses about blatant lies on the latest conflict, he rather chose to upgrade himself as a Field Marshal for the time being but it may not be a surprise, as again a situation is developing towards an ambitious General becoming the President of Pakistan soon. People in Pakistan are mocking him; is he trying to replace Quaid-e-Azam next? Then there is discontent within Pakistan Army; next-in-line Generals have their axe to grind too. How long the Field Marshal will survive is a moot question? Despite pyrrhic victory, India has not lowered her guard and has declared a 'new normal' that if there is any terror attack, it will be considered an act of war and Operation Sindoor is not over yet. What might be the next misadventure by Pakistan as it is believed that Pakistan is not going to sit idle and do nothing. It is waiting to recover and recoup and strike again sooner or later. One of the important factors that Pakistan might consider in a riposte is the Indus Water Treaty held in abeyance. Could they do something against the dams created across the rivers? A madman's logic might permit it; since no water is flowing towards Pakistan, why not damage select areas which are trying to divert and feed the water towards Indian farmers? Even if the damage to the dams might flood Pakistan initially, in the long run, they would have water for their farmers as the dams would take time to rebuild and international pressure would kick in. Keeping the IMF loan in mind, international reaction and above all the Indian response in mind, it is apparent that Pakistan may not venture into another terrorist attack in the immediate future in the most vulnerable and obvious places. For example, the upcoming Amarnath Yatra is the most anticipated event to be attacked, but it may not face it (it doesn't warrant any complacency though). There are two reasons, one that it will be heavily guarded and secondly, but most importantly, it does not present any surprise. We may recall that there were no attacks in Prayagraj during Maha Kumbh where both these two factors were present. If we really look at the pattern of attacks by the cross-border terrorists, it has always been at a place where the attack is the least expected; Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, Pulwama and Uri are the examples. Pakistan will activate its sleeper cells deep inside India and try and create mayhem and blame on home grown rebels. A greater vigil is needed. What would an aspiring Field Marshal want to do to become the next President? A spectacular show against India! The Indian Armed Forces have demonstrated their superiority and technological edge and caused considerable damage to their military infrastructure and important airbases that would require Pakistan time to catch up. Pakistan's supporters – China, Turkey, Azerbaijan or some other countries are likely to come to her assistance again, even though they might also hesitate seeing Pakistan's incompetent handling of their equipment and poor professionalism. Pakistan might want to take a chance to launch a conventional attack considering the punishment to terror attack or grabbing a strategic piece of ground is same. It knows it can't face the Indian Armed Forces alone; China will need to open a second front. Imposing a two-front war for India is not an easy option but it is still a choice that could be made. Timings of the next misadventure by Pakistan can't be predicted. Depending upon how fast the situation in Pakistan develops and soonest an opportunity is available, Field Marshal Munir will not hesitate to take a revenge India needs to be fully prepared for any misadventure by Pakistan again. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Express Tribune
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
The cost of war
Listen to article The generation that saw the horrors of the 1947 partition is fast getting extinct. Only a handful of such people on both sides of the border are alive today. The irony is that those who witnessed the madness and the ones who were directly a part of it expressed regret and remorse. They wished to erase that painful chapter from their memories. Only those who have witnessed war know the price of peace. In World War II, between 70 and 85 million people died. The rivalry between Germany and France was far more poisonous than the relationship between Pakistan and India. It taught Europeans a cruel lesson that the price of perpetual hostilities is too high. They made a conscious decision to safeguard their future and their future generations. This led Europe to rise again, and today the region is known as an economic giant. This transformation in Europe would not have been possible had they not learnt from the horrors of the War. Pakistan and India have shared a chequered history — one that their forefathers had not intended. Quaid-e-Azam envisioned a separate homeland for Muslims, but he also hoped for a relationship between the two nations akin to that of the United States and Canada. One indication of that was that only a few years before the partition, Quaid-e-Azam had built a house in Mumbai. Perhaps he thought once the two independent states were established, he would shuttle between Pakistan and India frequently. Despite the bitter partition, leaders of that generation still had great respect for each other. When Gandhi was assassinated, there was a three-day mourning in Pakistan. Similarly, the Indian Parliament paid a glowing homage to Jinnah on his death. Subsequently, despite wars and other periods of hostilities, the two countries maintained decency in their conduct when dealing with each other. Former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee famously iterated that friends and enemies can be changed, but not neighbours. It was because of this reason that he undertook a historic visit to Lahore in 1999, after both sides conducted nuclear tests. Perhaps that was one of the few rare occasions when there was genuine hope for a new beginning between two estranged neighbours. What happened to that peace process requires a different discussion. But the point here is that, today, the relationship between Pakistan and India has reached a dangerous point. The April 22 attack in Pahalgam, IIJOK triggered yet another military standoff. The threat of potential Indian kinetic operation looms large while Pakistan is ready to hit back hard. But India took several other measures that suggest the perpetual hostilities with Pakistan. Some agreements, including the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty and the 1972 Shimla Agreement, have withstood wars and recurring cycles of violence. India has decided to suspend the Indus Water Treaty while Pakistan indicated its intention to do the same when it comes to other bilateral agreements, including the Shimla accord. War and hostilities, wherever they take place, cause more harm to ordinary people than leaders. In this case, the first casualty is the people of both the countries. In a tit for tat move, both countries cancelled visas of each other's nationals. The only land border between the two countries has been shut. Painful stories have emerged from these decisions. An 80-year-old Kashmiri, who was declared a Pakistani national, died in a bus when he was being transported by Indian authorities for deportation to Wagah border. A mother with a Pakistani nationality had to leave her Indian husband and young son behind. Pakistani patients who went for medical treatment to India were expelled. Media outlets have set up war rooms in anticipation of conflict, whipping up frenzy and hyper nationalism. But remember, those who are baying for blood will regret and express remorse later!
The Print
26-04-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Pakistan ISI is killing Hindus for 45 years. To turn India into a nation at war with itself
There is, however, one thread running through ISI's method—use of Pakistani jihadi Lashkars or terror proxies from among Indian minorities to specifically target Hindus in India. First, let's explain this strategy. Many descriptions have been used for it over time: proxy war, death by a thousand cuts, violent jihad and more. One thing you can't accuse Pakistan and its ISI of being, is unpredictable. They have been, on the contrary, entirely predictable over the past 45 years since they started using terrorism as a weapon against India. At some point, their calculation has been, the Hindus will rise in reprisal against their own minorities. That's a crisis they've been conjuring up in India. A nation at war with itself. At one level, it will be a kind of reverse schadenfreude—you are at war with yourself just as we've been with ourselves. At another, it will weaken and distract India tactically, militarily, politically and morally. The third is the most important. As India's Hindu majority turns on their own minorities in anger and frustration, it will vindicate the two-nation theory. Why do we call this the most important? Watch and read General Asim Munir's speech to overseas Pakistanis on 16 April. If you count out his own falling credibility at home, as well as the bombast and Quranic invocations, you can read where the pain comes from. It is over the ideology of Pakistan, the two-nation theory that was demolished in 1971. That ideology is under renewed challenge by ethnic minorities in Pakistan's western provinces. All of them are Muslims. Many of them want out so much that they are willing to kill and die for it. So how do you still make the case for the two-nation theory and ideology of Pakistan? By proving that minorities, especially the Muslims, are persecuted in India—so thank you Quaid-e-Azam, even if he would probably have baulked at the general's suggestion that Pakistan was formed on the basis of the Islamic kalma. Or maybe the so properly anglicised Jinnah would've struggled to understand what this self-styled custodian of the ideology of Pakistan is saying, given his bad English. Also Read: Why are Indians indifferent to Palestinians' plight? No, it's not about Jews vs Muslims The reason we start from about 45 years back is because that's when it all changed, just after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, America and its western and middle eastern (especially Saudi) allies' recruitment of Pakistan as their stalwart ally and the use of Islamic jihad as a strategy against the 'infidel' Soviets. If Communists could be declared infidels by Muslims, so could Hindus. This started in about 1980-81 with the rise of Bhindranwale in Punjab. While initially he targeted the police and members of the Nirankari sect, soon enough, Hindus were in the crosshairs of his men. The first instance of clearly targeted and segregated killings of the Hindus came on 5 October, 1983. A bus on its way from the small town of Dhilwan to Kapurthala in Punjab was waylaid, six Hindus pulled out and shot. This was the first targeted and selective terrorist killing of Hindus in modern history. So massive was this shock, it outraged India. Indira Gandhi sacked her own Darbara Singh government in Punjab and imposed President's Rule. In the following months, the selective killings of Hindus picked up, until it became the default terror attack template. This was followed by Kashmiri terror groups from 1989 onwards, beginning with the killings, persecution and forced exodus of Pandits, and spread across India as ISI-backed groups, or LeT members, targeted temples, weddings, holi and diwali celebrations, Ramlilas, Hindu religious processions and so on. At some point an Indian terror group, though fully aligned with ISI, also rose. The so-called Indian Mujahideen played havoc with serial bombings across India, including Delhi, 2005 (62 killed) and Jaipur, 2008 (63 killed), and Delhi again, 2008 (20 killed). Over these 45 years, almost a hundred attacks targeting the Hindus have taken place. Until 1994 the attackers included terrorists from Punjab too. You can check out the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP) for definitive detail. Let me just mention a few, besides Delhi and Jaipur bombings. In each case, the number of dead—all Hindus, unless the odd terrorist also died—is in parentheses. The Dhilwan bus attack (1983, 6 dead); Fatehabad bus attack (1987, 34); Lalru bus attack (1987, 38); Rudrapur Ramlila bombing (1991, 41); Ludhiana train massacres (1991, 125). And yes, that 125 is no typo. There was also the Chennai RSS office bombing (1993, 11); Lajpat Nagar blast in New Delhi (1996, 13); Dausa blast, Rajasthan (1996, 14); Coimbatore bombings (1998, 58); Attack on Amarnath yatris (August 2000, 21); Doda attacks (August 2000; 19); Raghunath Temple attacks, Jammu (March and November, 2002, 12 and 14 respectively); Akshardham Temple attack (2002, 33); Nadimarg massacre of Kashmiri Pandits (2003, 24); Delhi High Court bombings demanding the release of Afzal Guru (2011, 15) and so on. This is just an indicative list out of more than a hundred attacks. It also doesn't include serial bomb blasts on the Mumbai rail network and of course 26/11. I'd believe this sad pile of facts is enough to make our central point: that the ISI strategy has been to use its direct and indirect proxies to target Hindus in India. They want an outrage and counter-targeting of India's own minorities. Further, even the whiff of it restores Pakistan army's popularity, especially when it's in the dumps, like now. Also Read: Islam doesn't kill democracy. The army-Islam combo does I will take you back to the Bombay bombings of 1993. On the eve of the bombings, AK-47s and piles of grenades had been positioned in selected places—including the home of actor Sanjay Dutt. The idea was that, as with the post-Ayodhya riots which had recently taken place, the Shiv Sainiks would attack Muslim-majority localities and there, these weapons would be used to slaughter hundreds if not thousands of them, and the police. Who would be able to put out the fire it set across India then? M.N. Singh, then a top Mumbai cop, reminds us until then Maharashtra Police didn't have even one AK-47. Sharad Pawar sometimes gets bad press for revealing to me, in a WalkTheTalk, that he deliberately lied to say that one of the bombings was at a mosque. He wanted to buy time and get the police in place at sensitive points before any communal riots broke out. It was an astute and audacious move from an experienced leader. No riot followed the bombings. Bombay defeated the ISI. You can call the Pakistani playbook Subversion 101. Inflict pain on India's Hindus so brutally and for so long that they finally turn on their own minorities. That's why even in Canada the Sikh radicals, aligned with the Pakistanis, attack and desecrate Hindu temples. Let's now see who understands this well. We can list people ideologically as far apart as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS, and Asaduddin Owaisi. Modi, in his speech in Bihar, didn't use the word Hindu, kalma or anything that would indicate a communal aspect. This was an extremely wise move. Was it a mere oversight? I'd be positive and read it alongside the statement from Dattatreya Hosabale, the putative number two in the RSS who described the Pahalgam attack as a massacre of 'tourists.' They know how important internal stability and calm is for India at this critical juncture. This is also why Owaisi is using language for terrorists nobody in our politics, not even on the farthest Right of the BJP or warrior channels is using: kutte, kameene, haramzaade. He knows the Pakistanis have delivered massive pain on the Hindus selectively. He wants to tell Hindus Indian Muslims stand alongside them. They are fellow citizens, not rejoicing enemies. The Pakistanis and their ISI have again put the Indian majority's patience under incredible pressure. It is just another, if the most brutal chapter in a playbook that has failed for more than 45 years. It is for us Hindus to make it fail again. We have only one country to call our own, after all. And we've existed for more than 5,000 years, not created the other day based on some divisive ideology. Also Read: Lesson from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan: if you have no patience, you don't deserve democracy
Business Recorder
23-04-2025
- General
- Business Recorder
Magical powers of manifestation
Think and get. Visualize and succeed. Dream and deliver. These and many others are the mantras that are crux of many podcasts with successful people. Many young people love this concept of having their thoughts come true. Others dismiss it as some motivational crap. The word 'manifestation' may be new but it has existed in some form or the other for a long time. The holy books mention the mystical qualities of the prophets to have dreams that were describing their ability to see what others cannot see. History books talk about the power of a vision driving nations towards a common goal. 'I have a dream', the famous speech by Dr Martin Luther King that changed the America forever. The 1940 presentation of 'Tasawar-e-Pakistan' by Quaid-e-Azam during the historical Qarardad-e-Pakistan speech at Minto Pak (Minar-e-Pakistan) resulted in the formation of Pakistan. Fiction is full of the 'think-feel-get' cycle. In all these the common thread is the mysterious magical transition from dream to destiny. Manifestation, in its more basic form, means to turn something from an idea into a reality. When we talk about manifesting, we are referring to using thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and actions to realize an idea into reality. However, the notion that all you have to do is to think and dream and it will happen is not true. Manifestation has some indirect science behind it. Many people talk about visualization as a precursor for action. That is correct. Brain is a repetition machine. A constant image of something you want to do does trigger associated actions. Visualization has been shown to strengthen neural pathways in the brain, which can improve physical and cognitive performance. Visualization has also been shown to have a positive impact on the nervous system's response to stress. However, to assume that this is even half the battle won to reach your destiny is incorrect. Some myths that needed to be busted about manifestation are that think becomes things. Not really. There is a lot else to be done to get anywhere near that level. Another is that as you do positive affirmations, luck starts to come your way. Manifestation is not just by chance, it is by choice. Another myth is that manifestation is about a deeper belief in what you want. This may be yes and no. While you do need to have faith in your thoughts, it is no magic wand that will happen when the wand is true and strong. The question then rises is how to go about manifestation that takes us to the state that we wish for: Intent comes before the content— Manifestation is more effective when the why question is answered before the what question. The motive behind the image is what drives the brain connection. Brain connects with clarity. When you have a clear reason, it drives passion. The purpose becomes transparent lending zeal to the thought process. That boosts the belief and the ability to envision more clearly. If you look at many celebrities who have a rag to riches story, you find their thoughts clear and an undying consistent intent. Jim Carrey's transformation from a struggling actor to a Hollywood superstar provides us with several powerful lessons about the role of visualization in achieving success. Carrey did not just visualize his success once or twice, he did it every day. He carried the $10 million check with him as a constant reminder of his goal, and he regularly spent time imagining his future success. Imagineering the picture— The thought process has to be imagined, but if it is to be clear and compelling it has to be designed in detail along the way. The more the brain knows the ins and outs of the imagery, the more it gives the same messages to the body. Cristiano Ronaldo is the legendary all-time great footballer. He admits in an interview with the mental performance coach, Mauricio Torrealba, that his secret weapon to his phenomenal success is visualization and every move of it is mentally created before it is physically created. Ronaldo does not just train his body, he trains his mind. Before stepping on the pitch, he visualizes every move: scoring goals, making perfect passes, and staying calm under pressure. He practices accordingly. When you see him dominate the game, it is not luck, it is not just a dream, it is not just talent, it is mental and physical preparation. Visualization primes your brain for success and keeps you focused when it matters most. Develop and rehearse scenarios— The path from vision to execution is full of setbacks. The fact that you have thought repeatedly about your purpose of goal is no guarantee to achievement. It may take decades. It may encounter the most unexpected hurdles. It may seem impossible. That then is the test of the power of your manifestation. That then is the real trial of the depth of your belief. When you look at the big achievers, you see constant struggle and immense discipline. Their attitude is not that we have this picture in mind and we will get there but what have I not done that I need to do more. The all-time great Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps who won 28 gold medals is an example of the most extraordinary work regime. He wanted to be prepared for everything to achieve his goal. Michael Phelps swam 13 kilometres a day, six or seven days a week – at least 80,000 meters every week. Even on Sundays and birthdays. He claims that he did it on a stretch of 735 days without break, even for Christmas. Phelps usually split his training into two sessions, spending 5-6 hours in the pool a day. His intensity and volume in training were astonishing. He would then go to Gym 3 times a week to do intense weight training. Other things like ice baths, etc., are routine for him. He would mentally envision all possibilities and impossibilities and prepared for them day after day. Manifesting definitely provides introspection time. Self-exploration of what really drives you is important in today's world where people are so externally focused that they just end up following whatever has the highest following in social media. But manifestation needs to be treated more as a priority aligning way of thinking rather than a wish-list indulgence. The discipline to be consistent in preparation, the focus on maintaining the effort despite the punishing setbacks, and the grit to fight the internal and external odds is what will turn the thoughts into accomplishments. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Arab Times
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Pakistan Embassy marks 85th National Day
KUWAIT CITY, March 24: A flag hoisting ceremony was organized at the Embassy on the occasion of 85th National Day of Pakistan. Ambassador Dr. Zafar Iqbal hoisted the Pakistan national flag in the presence of a large gathering of Pakistani community members from all walks of life. During the ceremony, special messages from the President, Prime Minister, and the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan were read out. In their messages, the leadership paid homage to the commitment and sacrifices made by the father of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and his companions, who worked tirelessly towards transforming Allama Muhammad Iqbal's dream into reality. The leadership affirmed steadfast support for the people of Jammu & Kashmir and Palestine, who continue their struggle for self-determination. Pakistan urges the international community to take immediate and decisive steps to ensure the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions, allowing the people of Jammu & Kashmir and Palestine to decide their future. The leadership also paid homage to our armed forces and law enforcement agencies who have made immense sacrifices to protect our homeland, and we salute their bravery and dedication. In his remarks, Ambassador Dr. Zafar Iqbal highlighted the significance of the National Day of Pakistan. He also paid tribute to our forefathers, whose sacrifices led to the creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the Subcontinent.
