There can hardly be any difference of opinion about the reality of crass narrow-mindedness and ineptitude of the governments in Pakistan during the first 20-odd years of its existence, which, ultimately, resulted in the dismemberment of the country. Broadly speaking, both the political rulers and the military dictator Field Marshal Ayub Khan overlooked the wider national interests while dealing with East Pakistan and strove to secure power for the western wing of the country at the cost of the more populous of the two wings. The unfair treatment, undeniably, lay at the root of the widespread feeling in East Pakistan that the denial of their legitimate share of power had deprived it of the development that was its due. India that separated the two parts of Pakistan by nearly 1,700 kilometres and had not reconciled itself to its creation found the situation ripe for exploitation and sedulously worked to convert this feeling into the demand for separation. The Agartala conspiracy, Mukti Bahani and Indira Gandhi’s “opportunity of the century” in reference to the disturbed situation in the then East Pakistan are historical facts that impeach New Delhi before the bar of public opinion for acts of gross interference in the affairs of a sovereign state, which flout one the cardinal principles of the UN Charter.
Pakistan has since accepted the independence of Bangladesh as a reality and has been going out of its way to develop ties of close understanding and brotherhood with it one should have expected the leadership in Dhaka to respond in equal measure. Unfortunately, however, whenever a pro-Indian government comes into power, it tries to rake up the rancour of the past instead of moving forward. The two recent incidents, the refusal to participate in the D-8 summit unless Islamabad apologised for ‘all it had done’ to Bangladesh in the past and the calling off the visit of the cricket team to Pakistan, illustrate the point. Nevertheless, it would be immature for Pakistan to react negatively; rather, it must persist in its overtures of friendship in the hope that the tide will turn one day.
The story of separation has left behind poignant memories for us all to rue, which raise the inevitable question whether we have learnt any lesson from them. Has the painful event broadened our horizon enough to view our problems in the national perspective? Have we risen above the appeal of parochial interests? Sadly, the answer is not in the positive, as witnessed in action in the disaffection of the people of Balochistan; the murderous scenes of Karachi; the ethnic fighting; and, to an extent, the terrorist phenomenon. The scenario has again presented to the enemies of Pakistan an ideal opportunity to serve their nefarious designs of destabilising it. It is time we woke up!