Need for a more productive security-cum-foreign policy
The Defence Day marking the 52nd anniversary of the 1965 war was celebrated with traditional fervour and solemnity across the country and with tributes at the GHQ to soldiers who laid down their lives.
The 1965 war was a sequel to the Operation Gibraltar in Indian occupied Kashmir which in the words of Gen Musa envisaged on a short term basis, sabotage of Indian military targets, disruption of communications etc., and as a long term measure, distribution of arms to the people of occupied Kashmir for the initiation of a guerrilla movement there. There was no rebellion in the occupied valley, as anticipated, while the Indian hold over Kashmir became more repressive in the decades that followed. The Operation led to India attacking the international border. Lahore, the prime Indian target, was however saved by the sheer bravery of the Pakistani soldiers.
The 1965 war ended after 17 days of fighting, under pressure from both the US and the Soviet Union. Soon after Pakistan’s economy faced a rapid decline as both internal and external investments came to a grinding halt. The doctrine of ‘defence of the East lies in the West’ added to the feeling of estrangement in the eastern wing that had grown as a result of Ayub Khan’s dictatorial rule. Pakistan was divided within six years of the 1965 war.
There is a need on the part of the ruling elite to do some soul searching. Pakistan no doubt has serious problems with India which need to be resolved, Kashmir being on the top. Three wars with India have failed to resolve these issues. This raises the question if the game of war is worth the candle? Despite decades of differences, Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan had never degenerated to the present level. Doesn’t Pakistan need a better security policy along with a better foreign policy which should be able to utilise whatever space is available under the circumstances to reduce tensions with its neighbours. Isn’t it time for India to bid farewell to doctrines like “cold start” or “Utoot Ang” and for Pakistan to “strategic depth” and other, similar, counterproductive doctrines.
As per editorial, India should part with Kashmir (Land) becuase Pakistan could not get it in three wars and lost its territory. Times are different now, India will do away with Muslim than with land. If Rohinga can be deported then so be Kashmiri Muslim. How much time it will take Army to move muslim in Kashmir to Pakistan. World has had enough of Muslim non sense. Today Muslim are being denied entry, banned and deported. It is time for india to tell muslim to go their hell in Pakistan…I laughed at your editorial.
The funny thing is, everytime Pakistan first started the war with India and everytime they got defeated.
If religion takes a background, and religious leaders leave space for what is important, humanity can survive.
If this 1965 war went few more days longer, it would have been ultimate defeat of Pakistan. First Lahore would have captured by Indian army and then all Pakistani invading forces thrown out from Rann of Kutch.
Devin T. Hagerty wrote in his book ‘South Asia in world politics’ wrote “The invading Indian forces outfought their Pakistani counterparts and halted their attack on the outskirts of Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city. By the time United Nations intervened on September 22, Pakistan had suffered a clear defeat.”
Pakistan’s problem is actually not Kashmir. Pakistan’s problem is its hatred towards Hindu people of India.
In 1965 Pakistan attacks a seemingly weak India. China had militarily routed India. Nehru was dead, India was ripe for the picking. Pakistan too was flushed with latest US tanks, weapons and planes. “1 Muslim soldier is equal to 10 Hindu soldiers’ was Pakistan’s slogan.
The Indian forces, despite their WW2 equipment, not only stopped the invading forces, but forced them to deviate from attack to defence of Pakistan.
What a shame it is that Pakistan celebrates ‘Defence Day’ when their invading objective was to capture Kashmir.
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