Hope voices like that of Omar Ali get louder before the "Land of the Pure" gets imploded by the Jehadi project.

India desires a situation, where for India's foreign policy and security issues , Pakistan becomes a non entity.

However, for Pakistan, India is the only entity.

It's a dilemma that cannot be easily solved.

Of course, “this version misses some points,” -- rather it misses some very fundamental points. The jihadi project might have been agreed by the C.I.A., but it certainly was the brain child of Pakistan army or rather of the ISI. “We wanted that humbling to be done……” – The elaboration could not have been put more clearly and honestly by any writer in the world. “Perhaps because they thought it increased their leverage over India,” I wouldn’t think the Americans are that far-sighted. Their foreign policy is rather a very messy one for a long-long time. It would suffice to say that they passionately believe in the present tense and are not like the British, they once were, in planning far into the future. Their aim achieved, they left Afghanistan and left behind the most dangerous weaponry, of the time, with their trusted one, without even stock-taking. And that situation was a clear sign for Pakistan to go berserk and settle score with India, by whom they have been humiliated three times in the last twenty-four years.

“then why are army-sponsored PR operators and ex-generals and ex-admirals…..?
It is not a mystery at all. It has something to do with human nature with negative and diabolical aspirations. Having said that, this attitude is acceptable from ordinary human beings including an ordinary citizen of Pakistan, but not from people of great responsibility. It puzzles every sane citizen of the sub-continent, why the Pakistani establishment is so obsessed with the idea of possessing Kashmir, and in the process they might even, and hope not, destroy the very existence of their sovereign nation. And of course, to their belief they have to make a case for the gullible, and so continue to ask or even coerce their ex-general and ex-admirals to make their contribution. After all, even the ex-generals and ex-admirals have a strong bond with their juniors, who run the country presently.

“And in order to do that the state will have to……” That truly is a horrendous job, and it requires the will of a very tall leadership. Pakistan has been contemplating with the idea of a native Mustafa Kamal, but till such a leader is born in the “land of the pure” the present administration has to do with whatever is available locally. It is a very sad picture I am afraid, but who suffers, the people of Pakistan. “In short, it will not stop unless India-centric……..—Do one needs to add a further elaboration to this most honest observation?

We can only pray to God almighty that some good sense, pragmatism, honesty and respect for fellow human beings, let those human beings be Pakistanis, prevails on these generals and realization of the possibility of greatness which really has alluded them so far, is around the corner if only they look with their own eyes and not with eyes of their friends, who happens to be the enemy of their enemy. There is a need for soul searching collectively for Pakistan as a nation, and to that their cannot be a greater inspiration than Allama Iqbal’s following couplet;

Apne Man Mein Doob Kar Paja Surag-E-Zindgi
Tu Agar Mera Nahin Banta Na Ban, Apna To Ban
 

Pak state and Govt works for Lashkar-e-toiba.

Pakistanis and their supporters here talk of 9/11 always but never metion 26/11 .

LeT attacked Mumbai to demand a separate Muslim state: Nikam

Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab and his companions were instructed by their Lashkar-e-Tayiba handlers on telephone to hold as many hostages as possible during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks to demand from the Indian government the creation of a "separate state for Muslims".

 http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-let-attacked-mumbai-to-demand-a-muslim-state/20101119.htm

Whatever be the internal situation in Pakistan India will have no respite .With 1200 Plus Logistics Cells in India any and every Pakistani Govt will try to dismember India.under patronage of their All Weather Friend China.

Unless India is Islamised completely and dismembered  Ummah will not rest.That Laden and other Terrorists have said time and again.Nehru's  Foreign Policy and internal mistakes will cost us dearly and will hound us for ages to come .

" wean the army off these twin ambitions (alliance with the mullahs in domestic politics and anti-Indian hatred as an organizing principle)".

Pakistanis may manage the above TWO, but certainly not the "THIRD unstated ambition of Pak Army"- GREED. Without anti-India hatred Pak Army becomes irrilavent in Pakistan and will have to let go off the "gravy train" they are riding. GREED for  "wealth and power" is what drives Pak Army.

Pakistan and Iran are perfect examples of what religion can 'do' to a nation.

Ofcourse Iran is 100 times better than Pakistan.  The Pakistan state today is a throughly criminal entity that will not be reformed from within.  Thats a terrible dilemma.

Pakistan could emulate Switzerland which maintains a very strong defence establishment, yet has worked out an internal Federal order and a foreign policy that permits it to live in peace and prosperity. It harvests rich dividends through its geographical location and through its careful balancing of interests in a very difficult neighborhood. Note that even the Nazis and the Italian Fascists left Switzerland quite alone.

Once Switzerland was embroiled in Papal politics and exporting mercenaries to fight other people's wars. In fact, the Swiss still guard the Pope, an artfact of the religious wars that devastated Europe. Therefore, the Pakistani upper class can learn from history and choose power, wealth and peace. Sadly, the highly cultured and learned people of Iran chose actors & methods that have served them poorly. Surely such a great civilization as Iran could muster enough acumen & depth to birth far better alternatives to the Shah than the ones they chose. The same case can be made for Pakistan. There are many sober and thoughtful people, even within the defense services, e.g. MANY former air chiefs and ranking air force officers. Yet they have been unable or unwilling to restrain their ARMY colleagues from terrible follies. They had collective power, and collective following when in active service. I do not have the answers.

The problem now is that neither Pakistan nor India nor other subcontinental nations are ready to deal with population issues combined with the severe distortions in the political economy of agriculture affecting the entire region. Rather than engaging in absurd histrionics, sober individuals of every stripe need urgently to focus on this particular issue.

We might go through 2 World Wars  before the aggressive militaristic types on all sides are defanged, much like Germany & Japan had to be defanged in order to become peaceful, productive nations.

> "Unless we can wean the army off these twin ambitions (alliance with the mullahs in domestic politics and anti-Indian hatred as an organizing principle), we are in for much worse than this."

I think that is a pretty good insight. Also it is almost certain that Pakistan and America are going to let each other down. Pakistan's best interests lie in returning to the subcontinental fold and building an alliance with India.

Absolutely brilliant !! And Totally reasonable!

I think Omar Ali should carry the flag forward and tell the Pakistanis some solid truths and reescue his land from the path of sure shot devastation. and some of these truths go like this.

a) MOst Pakistanis, especially Mohajirs are from the racial stock of the South Asian subcontinent and there is no point in pretending that you are a surrogate Arab. Conversion to Islam is accepted and one has to move forward. However there is no point in insisting that Pakistan needs an agenda to further only its Muslims but has to embrace multi religious multiculturism.

In rejecting Sufism, Hindusim, Sikhism, Christianity as well as Ahemdiyas, Shias and Qadianis, Pakistanis fall into the trap of following the guys with the biggest guns.

b) It is difficult for the "aam" Pakistani to protest when the radicals come out with all guns blazing. But surely the reasonable sections of the society can amend thier history books, argue for the liberal agenda in the media, condemn and punish the radicals in a step by step approach.

 Just read Admiral Fasih Bokhari's article (linked to in Mr. Ali's article.) I could hardly control my laughter when I read the following towards the end of his article,

America’s adulterer Clinton and idiot Bush: UK’s poodle Blair and bumbling Brown, Italy’s “Don” Berloscuni, France’s playboy Sarkozy, India’s senile Singh. Our politicians are world standard too, so don’t despair.

But not for long. After all, these are the guys who are in charge of Pakistan.

And then this,

Pakistan is not a failed stat.

Stat, indeed!! Many a slip twixt the cup and the lip!

 A frank appraisal and really tall order for to-do list. If pak does not follow this then its own existence is in question. The biggest hurdle would how to wean away army from the gravy train and absolute power. Further, pak has to do something about its economy(which author forgot to mention) which depends on the hand outs of US. Because US would stop the hand outs as soon as the problem is finished.

Dr Omar Ali has pointed out the serious flaws in the Pakistani approach to jihadis. Pakistan would like to cultivate the good jihadis to use against India and to keep Afghanistan in check. They would like to neutralize only the bad jihadis intent on Talibanizing Pakistan itself. Pakistan cannot play this double-ended game for too long without jeopardizing its own integrity. The Pakistani state lacks the resilience of India afforded by the latter's larger size, ethnic diversity and well-established democratic institutions.

Astounding honest appraisal of Pak situation.Congratulations Omar Ali.

Are some of the Indian columnists, 1/2 literate, with IQ in lower sixties  who argue on behalf of the regimes in Pakistan, listening ?

Astounding honest appraisal of Pak situation.Congratulations Omar Ali.

Are some of the Indian columnists, 1/2 literate, with IQ in lower sixties  who argue on behalf of the regimes in Pakistan, listening ?

Dr Omar Ali has pointed out the serious flaws in the Pakistani approach to jihadis. Pakistan would like to cultivate the good jihadis to use against India and to keep Afghanistan in check. They would like to neutralize only the bad jihadis intent on Talibanizing Pakistan itself. Pakistan cannot play this double-ended game for too long without jeopardizing its own integrity. The Pakistani state lacks the resilience of India afforded by the latter's larger size, ethnic diversity and well-established democratic institutions.

 A frank appraisal and really tall order for to-do list. If pak does not follow this then its own existence is in question. The biggest hurdle would how to wean away army from the gravy train and absolute power. Further, pak has to do something about its economy(which author forgot to mention) which depends on the hand outs of US. Because US would stop the hand outs as soon as the problem is finished.

 Just read Admiral Fasih Bokhari's article (linked to in Mr. Ali's article.) I could hardly control my laughter when I read the following towards the end of his article,

America’s adulterer Clinton and idiot Bush: UK’s poodle Blair and bumbling Brown, Italy’s “Don” Berloscuni, France’s playboy Sarkozy, India’s senile Singh. Our politicians are world standard too, so don’t despair.

But not for long. After all, these are the guys who are in charge of Pakistan.

And then this,

Pakistan is not a failed stat.

Stat, indeed!! Many a slip twixt the cup and the lip!

Absolutely brilliant !! And Totally reasonable!

I think Omar Ali should carry the flag forward and tell the Pakistanis some solid truths and reescue his land from the path of sure shot devastation. and some of these truths go like this.

a) MOst Pakistanis, especially Mohajirs are from the racial stock of the South Asian subcontinent and there is no point in pretending that you are a surrogate Arab. Conversion to Islam is accepted and one has to move forward. However there is no point in insisting that Pakistan needs an agenda to further only its Muslims but has to embrace multi religious multiculturism.

In rejecting Sufism, Hindusim, Sikhism, Christianity as well as Ahemdiyas, Shias and Qadianis, Pakistanis fall into the trap of following the guys with the biggest guns.

b) It is difficult for the "aam" Pakistani to protest when the radicals come out with all guns blazing. But surely the reasonable sections of the society can amend thier history books, argue for the liberal agenda in the media, condemn and punish the radicals in a step by step approach.

> "Unless we can wean the army off these twin ambitions (alliance with the mullahs in domestic politics and anti-Indian hatred as an organizing principle), we are in for much worse than this."

I think that is a pretty good insight. Also it is almost certain that Pakistan and America are going to let each other down. Pakistan's best interests lie in returning to the subcontinental fold and building an alliance with India.

Pakistan could emulate Switzerland which maintains a very strong defence establishment, yet has worked out an internal Federal order and a foreign policy that permits it to live in peace and prosperity. It harvests rich dividends through its geographical location and through its careful balancing of interests in a very difficult neighborhood. Note that even the Nazis and the Italian Fascists left Switzerland quite alone.

Once Switzerland was embroiled in Papal politics and exporting mercenaries to fight other people's wars. In fact, the Swiss still guard the Pope, an artfact of the religious wars that devastated Europe. Therefore, the Pakistani upper class can learn from history and choose power, wealth and peace. Sadly, the highly cultured and learned people of Iran chose actors & methods that have served them poorly. Surely such a great civilization as Iran could muster enough acumen & depth to birth far better alternatives to the Shah than the ones they chose. The same case can be made for Pakistan. There are many sober and thoughtful people, even within the defense services, e.g. MANY former air chiefs and ranking air force officers. Yet they have been unable or unwilling to restrain their ARMY colleagues from terrible follies. They had collective power, and collective following when in active service. I do not have the answers.

The problem now is that neither Pakistan nor India nor other subcontinental nations are ready to deal with population issues combined with the severe distortions in the political economy of agriculture affecting the entire region. Rather than engaging in absurd histrionics, sober individuals of every stripe need urgently to focus on this particular issue.

We might go through 2 World Wars  before the aggressive militaristic types on all sides are defanged, much like Germany & Japan had to be defanged in order to become peaceful, productive nations.

Pakistan and Iran are perfect examples of what religion can 'do' to a nation.

Ofcourse Iran is 100 times better than Pakistan.  The Pakistan state today is a throughly criminal entity that will not be reformed from within.  Thats a terrible dilemma.

" wean the army off these twin ambitions (alliance with the mullahs in domestic politics and anti-Indian hatred as an organizing principle)".

Pakistanis may manage the above TWO, but certainly not the "THIRD unstated ambition of Pak Army"- GREED. Without anti-India hatred Pak Army becomes irrilavent in Pakistan and will have to let go off the "gravy train" they are riding. GREED for  "wealth and power" is what drives Pak Army.

LeT attacked Mumbai to demand a separate Muslim state: Nikam

Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab and his companions were instructed by their Lashkar-e-Tayiba handlers on telephone to hold as many hostages as possible during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks to demand from the Indian government the creation of a "separate state for Muslims".

 http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-let-attacked-mumbai-to-demand-a-muslim-state/20101119.htm

Whatever be the internal situation in Pakistan India will have no respite .With 1200 Plus Logistics Cells in India any and every Pakistani Govt will try to dismember India.under patronage of their All Weather Friend China.

Unless India is Islamised completely and dismembered  Ummah will not rest.That Laden and other Terrorists have said time and again.Nehru's  Foreign Policy and internal mistakes will cost us dearly and will hound us for ages to come .

Pakistanis and their supporters here talk of 9/11 always but never metion 26/11 .

Pak state and Govt works for Lashkar-e-toiba.

Of course, “this version misses some points,” -- rather it misses some very fundamental points. The jihadi project might have been agreed by the C.I.A., but it certainly was the brain child of Pakistan army or rather of the ISI. “We wanted that humbling to be done……” – The elaboration could not have been put more clearly and honestly by any writer in the world. “Perhaps because they thought it increased their leverage over India,” I wouldn’t think the Americans are that far-sighted. Their foreign policy is rather a very messy one for a long-long time. It would suffice to say that they passionately believe in the present tense and are not like the British, they once were, in planning far into the future. Their aim achieved, they left Afghanistan and left behind the most dangerous weaponry, of the time, with their trusted one, without even stock-taking. And that situation was a clear sign for Pakistan to go berserk and settle score with India, by whom they have been humiliated three times in the last twenty-four years.

“then why are army-sponsored PR operators and ex-generals and ex-admirals…..?
It is not a mystery at all. It has something to do with human nature with negative and diabolical aspirations. Having said that, this attitude is acceptable from ordinary human beings including an ordinary citizen of Pakistan, but not from people of great responsibility. It puzzles every sane citizen of the sub-continent, why the Pakistani establishment is so obsessed with the idea of possessing Kashmir, and in the process they might even, and hope not, destroy the very existence of their sovereign nation. And of course, to their belief they have to make a case for the gullible, and so continue to ask or even coerce their ex-general and ex-admirals to make their contribution. After all, even the ex-generals and ex-admirals have a strong bond with their juniors, who run the country presently.

“And in order to do that the state will have to……” That truly is a horrendous job, and it requires the will of a very tall leadership. Pakistan has been contemplating with the idea of a native Mustafa Kamal, but till such a leader is born in the “land of the pure” the present administration has to do with whatever is available locally. It is a very sad picture I am afraid, but who suffers, the people of Pakistan. “In short, it will not stop unless India-centric……..—Do one needs to add a further elaboration to this most honest observation?

We can only pray to God almighty that some good sense, pragmatism, honesty and respect for fellow human beings, let those human beings be Pakistanis, prevails on these generals and realization of the possibility of greatness which really has alluded them so far, is around the corner if only they look with their own eyes and not with eyes of their friends, who happens to be the enemy of their enemy. There is a need for soul searching collectively for Pakistan as a nation, and to that their cannot be a greater inspiration than Allama Iqbal’s following couplet;

Apne Man Mein Doob Kar Paja Surag-E-Zindgi
Tu Agar Mera Nahin Banta Na Ban, Apna To Ban
 

India desires a situation, where for India's foreign policy and security issues , Pakistan becomes a non entity.

However, for Pakistan, India is the only entity.

It's a dilemma that cannot be easily solved.

Hope voices like that of Omar Ali get louder before the "Land of the Pure" gets imploded by the Jehadi project.