Note: In a recent article published in daily Dawn, Mubarak Haider helps us in understanding the enemy within; and why and how Pakistani establishment has fed this monster for decades. The article published in Dawn is cross-posted below, which is followed by a thought provoking facebook commentary.

Coexistence with India – by Mubarak Haider
Pakistan’s new army doctrine comes as good news for all who wish us well as a nation. For the first time in 65 years the army has shifted its focus from the eastern border to our internal enemy in the northwest. Let us hope it does not mean hands free for a crackdown on the Baloch, an issue that needs a political solution while harder military measures may result in deeper tragedies. Although, the army spokesman assured our lions and eagles that we shall keep India as our enemy no.1, yet the admission that the enemy within is more dangerous at the moment, may well prove to be a turning point in our history.

But we have to realise that the enemy within is not simply the non-state actors who have declared holy war on Pakistan; it is a special mindset that has created them and will continue to breed them in the future. It is this mindset which was discussed in detail in my book Tahzeebi Nargasiat and in subsequent writings, including my last blog. Facts and events of our history have shown that this mindset of pathological narcissism, of self-righteous self-love breeds a hundred tragedies till the society falls into paranoia and starts hurting itself and everything around it. What our army and government have now decided to fight is a threat not only to Pakistan but to the entire region’s peace. We have to combat that mindset and the forces that promote it, if we wish to survive as a state and society, whatever the amount of effort it may need, however painful the sacrifices it may demand. We cannot afford to fail, because such failure can empower nations of the region to intervene, exposing our land of anarchy to immense bloodshed and misery.

Unfortunately, the enemy within is the product of our obscure ambitions since 1947. It is of critical importance for us to understand why and how our establishment fed this monster for decades. We, the people, must know the truth if we wish to survive and grow.

The dominant classes of Pakistan that demanded separation from the rest of India in 1947 were mainly the same who had ruled India under different Muslim dynasties. They were the landed aristocracy, “pirs” and ulema of different levels. They lost power to the British, but never gave up their claim over India. Some Muslims who served the British as civil servants and the army men also joined to share the ambition for power. Being small in number these groups, even with the support of the entire Muslim population of India could not hope to dominate a huge Indian population in a democratic system. Therefore, they aroused the Muslim masses to support their demand for a separate homeland, appealing to their religious pride and fear of persecution. Congress leaders and a large number of Muslims who chose to live as Indian citizens all exerted each nerve to show our Muslim league leadership that a religious approach to politics in a world of diverse religions and people will initiate disaster but the highly aroused fears of persecution decided our course; our self-image as a special community prevailed.

Faith is one thing while a profession of faith is quite another. Like all ruling elite of medieval ages, our Muslim rulers of India were down-to-earth, worldly men; but they professed Islam only to win the devout support of religious leadership. Religious leaders have also been equally great self-seekers. These two groups of dominant professionals colluded throughout history to rule simpler people with the tool of faith, not only in the Muslim kingdoms of India but everywhere else too. They were magicians and pharaohs in Egypt, Khashtris and Brahmins in India, kings and priests in Christian Europe and Caliph Kings and ulema of fiqh in the Arab Empire. This pattern of power-sharing by the Muslim kings and ulema worked well in India. Shah Waliullah invited Abdali in that same capacity of a down-to-earth, power sharing priest. This same formula created the present day kingdom of Saud where a tribal chief and a holy man struck a deal. Almost a similar deal created Pakistan where Quaid-e-Azam seems to have been just a brilliant lawyer whose job ended soon after the partition.

Independence comes as jubilation to a nation. But in 1947 it came with tragedies of separation and bloodshed to the subcontinent. India overcame many of her problems because its leaders depended not on a religious class but on democracy, where the army accepted its subordinate and supporting role, while politics and diplomacy made the main defense. In Pakistan, medieval concepts dominated instead. We had been perpetually indoctrinated to love the “mujahid” and the maulana. The ulema and religious parties immediately demanded a decisive role. Landed gentry found the ulema and the army as their best protectors. That perhaps explains why no land reform has damaged them to this day.

These two stake holders decided to promote each other as the champions of Islam, fighting the heretics of India as their core duty. The Kashmir problem existed only as a permanent excuse for arousing sentiment; it was never handled with the modern tools of effective diplomacy because a liberal, democratic India always found more friends against our ever deepened religious identity. Only one education was allowed and available to the nation: Fight India with the power of Islam. This brought absolute power to our GHQ and finally served American plans; the soldiers of Islam faithfully fought for America’s global supremacy, opening Pakistan’s doors to international holy warriors.

An army that assumes political power cannot remain a professional fighting force; our army gradually outsourced its fighting jobs in Kashmir and Afghanistan to civilian opportunists who were made dearer to us than our own kith and kin through Islamic sentiment. General Zia encouraged these violent hordes to make money through crime and drugs. That might have exposed them to international buyers with greater rewards than Pakistan could offer. Ambition to rule Pak-Afghania may have motivated them and, unfortunately, these non-state actors are not just a few rebels out there; they have a vast popular backing among our affluent middle classes.

With absolute lack of vision, our political and military leadership created a mindset which has no respect for systems of a modern state. The only authority that appeals to this mindset is the maulana and themujahid. A very heartbreaking struggle awaits our lines of defense.

http://dawn.com/2013/02/05/coexistence-with-india/

Facebook Discussion

Harry Pasha :- Thank you Mobarak Haider Sahib. You have explored some substantial issues in the first part and I will continue to follow the next two also. Just a few days ago, I had written a brief note about the Enemy within doctrine on my Facebook status. When I first read this switch of enemy from the Eastern borders to “within”, I felt a little relief for a few initial moments but then I realized that the Army is not referring to the Islamic militants, suicide bombers or the Taliban. By the “Enemy Within”, the Army just meant the civilians, the political parties or anyone else seeking peace in Pakistan.

Within days after the new doctrine appeared in public, the Taliban struck many places including some Army/FC posts, but the Army never even bothered to condemn that in public, what to talk about a physical response. Then the Taliban representative was allowed to appear on live TV -with armed guards- seeking guarantees to start talks. How hard it is to track them when a TV network was able to set up devices for a live feed? If the Army was serious about its new doctrine, it would have struck within minutes and would have arrested or eliminated them. It did not happen, for the simple reason: the army wanted Taliban to come on TV and launch a PR campaign for peace. That is not how you deal with enemy within, that is how you deal with your allies to enhance their ‘peace side’ in the public eyes.

Taliban are still the second line of defense gone slightly astray.

I hope, if you agree with me even a little, you would explore that in your next two articles on the subject. The Enemy Within, is still not the Jihadi but the civilians and peaceful citizens of Pakistan seeking to establish democracy and sanity in the country. In other words, you and I are the enemy within.

Mahmood Anjum :-Today’s statement by Mian Newaz Shareef seems an endorsement to Taliban & their existence, why their offer to negotiate be accepted instead of taking them to task till complete elimination of this menace, a unified & one point policy by all major Political parties i.e to get rid of these butchers is the need of the day, failing which or showing any liniency will tantamount to make them strong. http://dawn.com/2013/02/07/nawaz-urges-govt-to-take-taliban-talks-offer-seriously

Harry Pasha :-The very purpose of letting Taliban show up live on TV was to make sure that they are accepted as reasonable partners in the peace process. There are several layers of players in this game. Without circumlocution, I would just say that we have some forces that need to see some settlement with Pakistani Taliban before 2014 runs out. The Pakistani Taliban are reusable commodity and their importance for the Army in Afghanistan beyond 2014 is manifold. What seems to be an ill advised statement by Newaz Shareef, has come out after his KSA yatra. He needs to be acceptable otherwise the statement would have come from Imran Khan. They are all circling the wagon for the reward. The Tahir Qadris and Imran Khan’s are useful idiots.

A new online poll on Express-tribune showing over 50% support for negotiation with Taliban. The public opinion manipulation is so obvious.

Beena Sarwar :- Anjum you hit the nail on the head. And it’s unacceptable.

Ali Abbas taj:-Similar legitimacy has been given by Pakistani media to Punjabi Taliban in the past and the heads of the banned organizations, known self professed killers are given the mega phone to humanize them.

Omar Ali :- Controlled burn option is looking more and more attractivehttp://www.3quarksdaily.com/3quarksdaily/2012/02/pakistan-predictions-2012.html

Rashid Orakzai:-http://dawn.com/2013/02/08/lawyer-gunned-down-in-peshawar/print/

Mubarik Haider:- Harry Pasha, It is hard for me to disagree with your honest fears. But all our warnings and disagreements make sense only if there is hope.

Related Links:

Nawaz Sharif’s meeting with Deobandi leader of banned terrorist group Siph-e-Sahaba

ISI-sponsored anchors are promoting Takfiri Deobandi terrorists to boost Shia genocide in Muharram

Extremism and Solution – by Ali Taj

Taliban and Sipah-e-Sahaba are the Khariji enemies of Pakistan and Islam

Raza Rumi’s commendable stance on Shia genocide

The joke of free judiciary and media in Pakistan – by Yousuf Nazar

Malik Ishaq living large in Sherry Rehman’s new Pakistan – by Dr. Taqi‏

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