Zia’s long shadow

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Join our Whatsapp channel OF all the political legacies in the country’s relatively short history, Gen Muhammad Ziaul Haq’s would be the most enduring, toxic and tamper-proof. For evidence, look no further than last Thursday’s front-page of Dawn. It was July 5, the 35th anniversary of the day darkness descended on our beloved land. Darkness that would blight our country eternally or so it would seem to a reformed optimist. If you find this too pessimistic, and you have every right to, just look at the stories adorning the front page of the paper on the day in question. The bigger display was given to the decision to reopen Nato’s supply routes to Afghanistan, the so-called Ground Lines of Communications (GLOCs). But no less significant was coverage of the killing of a women’s rights activist near Peshawar; three murders near Quetta for which the extremist Sunni Lashkar-i-Jhangvi claimed responsibility; and the lynching of a man, said to be mentally ill, allegedly for the desecration of the Quran in Bahawalpur. Zia’s overthrow of Z.A. Bhutto in 1977 may have been an act of ambitious opportunism fuelled in part by squabbling politicians and the time it took them to resolve their differences over the scale of ‘rigging’ in the national elections held that year. That in December 1979 the Red Army marched into the western neighbouring country invited by the faction-ridden governing People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan was seen by Zia as a stroke of such good luck that only divine intervention could have delivered. Earlier in April, ignoring widespread international appeals for clemency, the military ruler had hanged an elected prime minister after a sham judicial process. In doing so, he faced isolation in the comity of nations. Now suddenly he felt confident enough to dismiss the outgoing US president Jimmy Carter’s offer of aid as ‘peanuts’ and soon became the darling of the newly elected president, the erstwhile Hollywood star Ronald Reagan, who started lavishing praise as he did largesse on a brutal regime. The dictator quickly consolidated power and, like most coup-makers, one of his first victims was a key fellow coup-maker, the man whose troops had brought Zia to power. Yes, the commander of the strategically important (if capturing Islamabad is the objective) Rawalpindi corps, Faiz Ali Chishti. While Chishti may have been headstrong and was, therefore, sidelined, most others were so career-conscious that almost overnight they happily packed away their smartly tailored lounge suits and urgently ordered the ‘Islamic’ waistcoat and shalwar-kameez. It is unclear how many, but there were senior officers known to fall into saf (prayer lines) when asked to join by Zia even if they hadn’t done wuzu (ablution). In their scheme of things, it seems, pleasing the boss was far more important than any other consideration. This reaction may have appeared merely symbolic in the short-term but that it represented a far deeper malaise, a criminal silence if not active collusion, which would afflict us for decades and tear away at the very fabric of our society. The same year as the Red Army marched into Afghanistan, 1979, the region was being rocked by another dramatic development. The US strongman in the Gulf, the guarantor of protected oil supply routes, Shahanshah Aryamehr of Iran, was being toppled in an Islamic revolution. That his legacy casts such a long shadow over the country today reinforces Zia’s mythical status. But some argue his ideology and vision and survival methods were no more sophisticated, enlightened than those of a small-time pesh imam who with his half-baked knowledge is poisonous for his followers and those that threaten his pre-eminence alike. The general was able to remain in power for as long as he did and inject his obscurantist poison for as long as he was able to, simply because Lady Luck smiled on him. On the one hand, he was seen as a key tool by CIA to humble the Soviets in Afghanistan. On the other, he was embraced as vital to containing ‘Shia’ Iran’s influence in the region by both the US and the Saudis. It was thus a natural corollary that the Saudi denomination of Islam became the dominant faith for this two-fold objective to the exclusion of all others. In addition, in the early 1980s, when Zia rolled out the Zakat Ordinance, Shias under a little-known religious leader Mufti Jafar Hussain rose in protest and took part in a huge sit-in in Islamabad. Alarmingly for the army chief, many of his subordinate officers joined in uniform.The dictator relented and excluded the Shias from ‘enforced deduction’ of zakat (it is another matter how the Shias, a minority Muslim sect, multiplied if the bank accounts exemption declarations of the affluent was taken as an indicator) but he never forgot how the issue divided his khaki power base. The rest is history. He was as clever as many a pesh imam in being able to quickly portray any challenge to his authority, his narrow obscurantist ideology (till then more or less alien to Pakistan) as an act questioning the tenets of Islam, almost likening it to blasphemy, even treason. Writing in the Newsline magazine last June, accomplished novelist-journalist Mohammed Hanif, articulated Zia’s prime sin in these words: “The Pakistan Army’s biggest folly has been that under Zia it started outsourcing its basic job — soldiering — to these freelance militants. “By blurring the line between a professional soldier who, at least in theory, is always required to obey his officer, who in turn is governed by a set of laws, and a mujahid who can pick and choose his cause and his commander depending on his mood, the Pakistan Army has caused immense confusion among its own ranks.” Why do we protest as we lurch from crisis to crisis when the arbiters of our national defence and foreign policies are capable of such follies and despite taking a tragically heavy loss of lives themselves still seem unprepared, (hopefully not unable) to change course? The writer is a former editor of Dawn. abbas.nasir@hotmail.com

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Comments (28) Closed Al Moosa Athar Jul 07, 2012 03:44pm I absolutely agree. Zia must take the blame for most if not all the problems that Pakistan is faced with today. Unfortunately, Pakistan will not move forward until all the draconian laws of Zia's time are repealed and the country stops recycling the corrupt, self-serving politicians. Recommend 0 nirode mohanty Jul 07, 2012 03:40pm President Zia followed the Islamic law Shariah that Pakistan was created for Muslims to live in. Of course it is cruel and brutal when thousands use the blasphemy law to burn alive a mentally ill person, though he might be bigoted. Can Pakistan abolish this law without blaming Zia when he is gone years back? The burning of the Quran or defaming the prophet has caused several incidents around the world, though other religious people are not sensitive if their God is ridiculed and defamed. But it is hard to understand why a strong 1.3 billion Muslims feel threatened if someone desecrates their prophet or the holy book. In India, the killing of 60 passengers in the train had provoked the killing of innocent thousands. It is a religious killing and murder. This must be stopped with or without the blasphemy law. Recommend 0 Arshad Patel,Ohio US Jul 07, 2012 04:34am That is the reason they are called DICTATORS, MILITARY RULERS AND UNDEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS. But what has been and is being done by the ELECTED DEMOCRATIC PEOPLES' REPRESENTATIVES is simply beyond any expectation of general public. Recommend 0 Sadia Mahmud Jul 07, 2012 10:57am I do not think Pakistani society supports sponsorship of terror from within Pakistan. Well then you have to define what Pakistani society is? There are fanatics elements but there is progressive thought as well. In the same way Indian society responds to the Indian state terror in Kashmir? Zia ul Haq legacy lives on due to the illteracy of the masses and the Political religious right wing (whose only connection with Islam is that this slogan is a lucrative political tool) . There are many people in pakistan who want Blasphemy Law repealed. Why elected leaders cannot do it is that they are weak (or others may be even supporting it), and the present democracy is kind of fake (US sponspored thru NRO). Zia certainly took Pak down a very terrible path. Today we are repeaping the fruits of the seeds he cultivated; militancy, secratarian violence, drug problem ...But let us not forget that most of this was result of the the clash of two super powers in Afghanistan thru Pak. The same US who created Taliban now wages a war in against them harming/murdering many innocents in this war. The average Pakistani person did not create Taliban or supported/elected Zia. "Heaven help us make it thru the night" Arudhati Roy Recommend 0 Sandeep Jul 08, 2012 11:20am Zia's rule changed the destiny of Pakistan.The foundation of terror laid down by Zia flourished and is threatening the country to a large extent. Recommend 0 TruthSeeker Jul 07, 2012 03:54am Dear Writer you forget Anti Ahmadiyah Laws which are so called the "Great Achievements" which started the moral declination and injustice and might is right policy in our society Recommend 0 Indian Jul 07, 2012 05:03am In a way Zia is still alive!! His ghost seems to be dwelling in successive Dictators and also infecting the masses. It looks like Zia is threatening Jinnah for the status in the history of Pakistan. Zia lives while Jinnah is long forgotten. Recommend 0 Amjad Wyne Jul 07, 2012 12:27pm It is time to start thinking about the future if we are to bring an end to Zia's era. All successive governments and leaders have failed to show this future - the current government has even taken away our present. What is going on in the country today may have its roots in Zia but what needs to be done must come from its current leaders - we cannot ask Zia to contribute to that. Nations cannot progress if they continue to blame their ills on invisible forces. Recommend 0 Dr Tariq Jul 07, 2012 12:30pm Blaming Zia ul Haq for current intolerance in the country has been a hobby for for many over the years. Where was this intolerance and extremism before 9/11 and Musharafs era? Between 1988 and 2001 I don't remember any such intolerance comparable to that of today. Did Musharaf not allow foreign agencies the freedom to operate in our country after 9/11? Secondly by stating that , " a mujahid who can pick and choose his cause and his commander depending on his mood" the writer failed to differntiate between a mercenary and a mujahid. We are a passive nation who are all waiting in the comfort of our drawing rooms waiting for a messiah to solve all our problems. Recommend 0 Zeeshan, Peshawar Jul 07, 2012 12:36pm The fruits of Zia’s regime are not only in the shape of militants but we also have certain private TV channels injecting disorder and disrespect in the minds of the people due to there continious “creative efforts” to provide entertainmet along with the selected news reports. Recommend 0 BNS Jul 07, 2012 01:46pm Legacy is legacy. Good or bad, it is past. It is to learn lessons and make corrections. Yes, ZUH legacy proved to be bad but what did we do or are doing after him? Instead of undoing the damages we not only did but still are nurturing the same. This is not the correct way to make things better. We need to learn to learn from our past mistakes and not to repeat the same. Recommend 0 Kamran Shafi Jul 07, 2012 10:35am Pakistan's 'society' is hardly in favour of sponsoring terrorism. It is powerful-than-society forces as we well know. One of Abbas's best! Recommend 0 Human55 Jul 07, 2012 10:21am Because it is not his legacy per se, but rather of something much bigger, which no one in Pakistan dare admit, and which if I name in this comment, will make sure that my comment does not get published. If this comment does not get published, it is ample proof of what I am trying to say. Recommend 0 Raamis Hussain Jul 07, 2012 10:16am A Case of Exploding Mangoes and the irony is those mangoes have become Phoenix in terms of fanatic mob mentality as witnessed in the inhuman treatment of that Malang. Yes indeed the model dictator of Asia still has his ghastly & dark legacy hovering over the people of Pakistan. Recommend 0 pkk Jul 07, 2012 10:15am it is .advisable to translate the .opinion in all .vernacular.languages and published in all papers in Pakistan for the information of people of Pakistan for, I love them most. Recommend 0 Dr Mazhar Jul 07, 2012 11:18am Very right, All these intolerances, sectarian violance and political crises are all Zia's legacy. He engaged Pakistan in militancy and yet our country could not come out of this. He would be real mard-e-momen if he could implement reforms in education, science and technology and economy rather then sipah sahaba, talibans. Recommend 0 ahmet abdulaziz Jul 07, 2012 05:52am If we look at the geo political history of the area, we will find that the USA always backed the religious parties and groups, because they were the best to take a stance against the Communists. This served the American cause in the area. Particularly after the fall of Shah of Iran and the changes in Afghanistan, during late 1970s, Americans were too eager to build anti communism local groups of fighters to continue serving their (American) cause. The point that USSR is no more, is a totally baseless argument. Russia is still a force to rekon with, and ofcourse China is fast moving ahead to be a world power. Americans had been and still are being benefitted indirectly by the activities of the religious groups active militarily in the area. Ofcourse i need not mention the factor of constantly rising figures of arms sales to these religious groups, leading to bumper profits of the ammunition factories world over. Recommend 0 Rajeev Nidumolu Jul 07, 2012 06:48am It is simplistic to blame a single man for all the troubles facing the nation. Zia could not have done everything by himself . He had cooperation of the army top brass who were supportive of his policies and also by segment of right wing zealots. Zia thought he playing a smart game in getting involved in cold war between USA and Soviet union . He thought it served the interest of nation in milking aid from USA and same time buying time for bomb development as Reagan chose not to notice it.. The result of his policies was unstable Afghanistan, major influx of refugees , increase in drug trafficking and rise of right wing elements in the society . Pakistan paid a heavy price for short terms gains Recommend 0 Arun Jul 07, 2012 08:14am Whatever Zia may have done, he is dead and gone. The choice of making his legacy live or die is with today's Pakistan. What I see is today's Pakistan choose to see his legacy live and at the same time blame him. If that were not the case, why is Pakistani society against the sponsorship of terror from within Pakistan? Why does the blasphemy law continue? On the one hand the elected representatives of the people do not repeal this law, but all agree that Zia took Pakistan down the wrong path. Will things have to get worse before they get better? Recommend 0 farhanshahidkhan Jul 07, 2012 09:25am I agree. Zia was antithesis of Jinnah. But zia had to come because of Jinnah's fellows like Liaqat Ali Khan et al turned Pakistan into a muslim state from state for muslims Recommend 0 Dr H S Suri Jul 07, 2012 09:27am A very bold assessment by Abbas Nasir.,I was working in Ferozepur on that day and came to know what has happened in Pakistan across the border.Thanks for refreshing all the memories.I usually take pride in calling myself Jallandhari and tell everybody in my friendly circle of various well known people from Jallandhar.,Hafeez Jallandhari and even Zia ul Haq.I am really sad to see how this man systematically destroyed the fundamentals of a country/society. He should be classed amongst Hitler & Co. Recommend 0 ahmet abdulaziz Jul 07, 2012 09:30am If we look at the geo political history of the area, we will find that the USA always backed the religious parties and groups, because they were the best to take a stance against the Communists. This served the American cause in the area. Particularly after the fall of Shah of Iran and the changes in Afghanistan, during late 1970s, Americans were too eager to build anti communism local groups of fighters to continue serving their (American) cause. The point that USSR is no more, is a totally baseless argument. Russia is still a force to rekon with, and ofcourse China is fast moving ahead to be a world power. Americans had been and still are being benefitted indirectly by the activities of the religious groups active militarily in the area. Recommend 0 Mani Iyer Jul 08, 2012 07:32am Hi, You have the right and different view about zia by mentioning the cold war provided sheild to Zia ultimately suffering for ordinary positive thinking people like you. I too want to see pakistan which is outsourced to many foreign militants and still have direct support from military with free and liberal country. Many Pakistanis dont know how the public funds which have no accountability as for as Defence fund concerned swindled by army officers from Zia regime onwards . I have collected some news that from lower lever officers to top rank retired and current pakistan officers swallowed the public money than your politicians. If questioned by any pakistanis, army has its outsourced militants to take care of it. I much worried this also. Recommend 0 Dr Rasheed S Azam Jul 08, 2012 11:42am Dictator zia is dead and gone. Pakistan has suffered the consequences of unislamic views and practice. It is high time to seriously think what is gone wrong. He played god and left behind ignorant mullas who are still playing gods. Islam is good and true but the true Islam of the Holy Prophet as rationally prescribed in the Holy Quran. Follow it as there is no compulsion in religion. A Muslim is one who says he is a Muslim but how he behaves should be left to God and not the mulla. ignorant mulla is the root of disease which must be cut. Do what Pasha did to mullas in Turkey! Recommend 0 Omar B Jul 07, 2012 06:14pm Blaming dead individuals for all that is wrong today seems rather convenient, Zia died in 1988...get over it Recommend 0 GSB Jul 07, 2012 07:27pm Zia is one person who damaged Pakistan the most. He ruined the life of millions of people. He destroyed the country and the life of its people because of his lust for power. He hanged the first elected Prime Minister of Pakistan. Recommend 0 Dani Jul 07, 2012 11:05pm Zia destroyed Pakistan, he's responsible for the current situation in Pakistan, he brought terrorism/extremism in the country. Zia is the worst thing ever happened to Pakistan. Recommend 0 Rizwan Jul 08, 2012 03:02am I totally agree with all the comments and consider Zia's era as one of the darkest period of history. He was a cunning person who helped USA in getting the Russian's out of Afghanistan by supporting mujahidin's not for Islam's sake or his own country's sake but to keep himself in the saddle and get financial aid in return. The financial aid was not used for development of the country but to give food, fertiliser and fuel subsidies; all this meant that a common man, who is not bothered about future but looks at his present well-being, to got food and items of his day to day use at affordable prices; as such the common man kept praising the President for keeping the inflation under control and for talking about Islam and his desire to move infidels ( Russians) out of Afghanistan. The critics and intellectuals in Pakistan could not get their thoughts across to others because of control over media and Press censorship ( only one Govt controlled TV station existed). Reportedly, a large amount of the financial aid also went into personal coffer's of a lot of Govt & armed forces officials. One particular incident of Zia's cunningness which I vividly remember is the day he was making a public speech ( probably in Abbottabad) when he told the gathering that the masses should impress upon the Prime-Minister ( Junejo) to have Nifaz-e Sharia in the country and if needed they should march to the Parliament in Islamabad and if they do so then he himself will join them. Nobody could dare ask him why did he not bring in the Sharia during his martial law rule when so many ordinances were issued and laws amended, he just wanted to project himself as an Islam loving person in the eyes of the tens of thousands of students of scores and scores of madrassah, funded through US aid, and founded by the regime and the poor illeterate masses. Although, it is not going to change anything by remembering his misdeeds but people should know what wrongs did he do in his 11 years rule when the other Asian countries moved forward, Pakistan's development remained virtually zero ( resultantly declined in following years as the other Asian countries became more industrialised and Pakistan's existing s industries lacking latest technologies lost out on their exports) . The lack of development was only felt when the aid stopped coming after the Russians were driven out ( USA's target had been achieved so they did not need to give any aid to Pakistan or Afghans living in Afghanistan or Afghan refugees in Pakistan), 4 million Afghans who had spread out over the entire country by now and with not financial aid coming to them resorted to criminal activities including smuggling and dacoity ( using the arms distributed by USA to Taliban); the smuggled arms also got into the hands of the Pakistani youth. With lesser food subsidies, Inflation rose, population was already on the rise and with no industrial development in Zia's decade of power, joblessness increased and things kept on deteriorating. I can probably keep on writing on this subject as I graduated in Mechanical engineering in 1972 and was in my late twneties and thirties during the era and have seen deterioration in law and order situation after the Afghan war. How I wish that had USA spent a few tens of billion dollars in industrial development of Afghanistan after departure of Russians and building technical education institutes around the country and also helping Pakistan in resettling the 4 million refugees in Afghanistan, then not only Pakistan but probably the world would have been a safer place to live and the trillions of dollars gone into the subsequent Afghan war in post 9/11 period and into enhanced security systems in the world may not have been required-------In this regard I also recall reading somewhere, a long time back that Bin Ladin's main grievance against USA{ remember that he was with USA when fighting against Russians} was that USA left the war torn and impoverished Afghanistan on their own after it achieved its aim of ousting the Russians and this is the reason he is against them---- Recommend 0