Born amidst tremendous bloodshed, violence and human suffering, Pakistan certainly didn't have a flying start. In its past 52 years of existence this nation has seen itself move from crisis to crisis, fought 3 wars and lost a good part of its territory which broke off to form Bangladesh. Indians routinely dismiss Pakistan for its "nuisance value". But there is an untold story that Pakistan hides in its belly. A story of gigantic failures, unacceptable letdowns, unexpected betrayals and a national sense of trauma that only a Pakistani can relate on this forum. As an Indian, I can only request my Pakistani freinds to fill in the list below with what they know better than me. What I am putting down here is only what I know of the betrayals that Pakistan has faced since its inception :
- At the time of partition itself and indeed to this day, India hasn't paid off the monies that were rightfully Pakistan's share. A couple of crores of rupees I guess, but substantial amount in those days.
- During the 1962 war with China, India was supplied shiploads of arms and ammunitions from USA - with which Pakistan had closely allied, ostensibly to fight China. India lost the war. However, Pakistan became deeply suspicious of America's real intentions. These weapons were to be used by India much more effectively against Pakistan in the 1965 war. So what exactly was USA - freind or foe?
- In the 1971 war, Pakistan appealed to its close ally USA for help against India in East Pakistan. America shot off USS Enterprise - a battleship, to the bay of bengal presumably to intimidate the Indians. However, it stood anchored off Chittagong port all the time doing nothing at all, right up to the time Pakistan had to surrender to the Indians. Some ally that!
- In spite of these let downs, the cold war brought out Pakistan's loyalty to USA a step further. It waged America's battle against Soviet Union in Afghanistan at tremendous human cost to itself. America helped it arm guerillas and rebels to fight against the soviet occupation forces. Today, the soviets are out. And the mess that America made Pakistan create in Afghanistan has been left for Pakistan to clean up! Kalashnikovs and drugs abound in Pakistan as a direct fallout of its involvement in the Afghan war. The USA now hounds Pakistan asking it to reign in the Taliban and Osama Bin Laden. The very Frankestein it helped create!
- India tested its first bomb in 1974 saying it was a peaceful explosion. An angry USA imposed sanctions which were soon withdrawn and forgotten. On the other hand, as soon as the Afghan war ended, America denied arms supplies to Pakistan via the Pressler amendment, on "suspicion" that it was developing Nuclear weapons. In the same breath, it claimed that Pakistan was an important ally!
The above is only a brief summary of all that this nation has been through. I expect others to add to this list. This is not an exercise to make Pakistanis wallow in self pity. It is for them as well as us Indians to learn and appreciate the true lessons of geopolitik. Its a harsh world out there. Something a newly born nation like Pakistan learnt the hard way.
- At the time of partition itself and indeed to this day, India hasn't paid off the monies that were rightfully Pakistan's share. A couple of crores of rupees I guess, but substantial amount in those days.
- During the 1962 war with China, India was supplied shiploads of arms and ammunitions from USA - with which Pakistan had closely allied, ostensibly to fight China. India lost the war. However, Pakistan became deeply suspicious of America's real intentions. These weapons were to be used by India much more effectively against Pakistan in the 1965 war. So what exactly was USA - freind or foe?
- In the 1971 war, Pakistan appealed to its close ally USA for help against India in East Pakistan. America shot off USS Enterprise - a battleship, to the bay of bengal presumably to intimidate the Indians. However, it stood anchored off Chittagong port all the time doing nothing at all, right up to the time Pakistan had to surrender to the Indians. Some ally that!
- In spite of these let downs, the cold war brought out Pakistan's loyalty to USA a step further. It waged America's battle against Soviet Union in Afghanistan at tremendous human cost to itself. America helped it arm guerillas and rebels to fight against the soviet occupation forces. Today, the soviets are out. And the mess that America made Pakistan create in Afghanistan has been left for Pakistan to clean up! Kalashnikovs and drugs abound in Pakistan as a direct fallout of its involvement in the Afghan war. The USA now hounds Pakistan asking it to reign in the Taliban and Osama Bin Laden. The very Frankestein it helped create!
- India tested its first bomb in 1974 saying it was a peaceful explosion. An angry USA imposed sanctions which were soon withdrawn and forgotten. On the other hand, as soon as the Afghan war ended, America denied arms supplies to Pakistan via the Pressler amendment, on "suspicion" that it was developing Nuclear weapons. In the same breath, it claimed that Pakistan was an important ally!
The above is only a brief summary of all that this nation has been through. I expect others to add to this list. This is not an exercise to make Pakistanis wallow in self pity. It is for them as well as us Indians to learn and appreciate the true lessons of geopolitik. Its a harsh world out there. Something a newly born nation like Pakistan learnt the hard way.
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