By Lt Col (R) M. Sajjad Yunus
First Martial Law
1. After partition / independence our country Pakistan was unfortunate to lose the founder Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah on 11 Sep 1948, followed by the Shahadat of Quaid-e-Millat Liaqat Ali Khan on 16 Oct 1951. In 1956 a draft constitution was made, but thanks to our politicians majority consisting of Jagirdars, Waderas, it was not implemented. These politician started pulling the carpet from under each other’s feet, with the result that almost every month a new Prime Minister would take over. Nehru the PM of India once commented on these frequent changes in our country stating that “I do not change my Dhoti as frequently as Pakistan changes its Prime Ministers”. The political situation detoriated so much that Sikandar Mirza the then President of Pakistan decided to impose Martial Law after consulting the C-in-C of the Army Gen. M Ayub Khan. However on the instance of other Senior Generals of the Army, Gen Ayub the C in C removed Sikandar Mirza and took over as President of Pakistan.
2. One must mention the following good deeds of President Ayub:-
1) Improving the economy of the country by introducing ‘Bonus Voucher’ scheme on the advice / suggestion of a German Economist, with the result that there was inflow of dollars and pounds in the country.
2) Encouraged the Industrialist to setup new industries with the result that Exports from Pakistan increased tremendously earning more foreign exchange.
3) Completion / Construction of DAMS at Mangla, Tarbela and Warsak making the country self sufficient in Power Supply.
4) During his regime, Transistor Radios were imported, TV stations established.
5) He ebdoed corrupt politicians.
6) Introduced ‘Basic Democracy’ System to involve the people in politics and provide judicial relief in family dispute cases.
7) Giving the first constitution to the country based on ‘Basic Democracy’ – Atleast not like the politician who fumbled with the 1956 constitution and did not implement it.
8) Last yet not to least one must mention the 1965 Indo Pak War. The way it was conducted and fought. The Pakistan Armed Forces thwarted enemy’s offensive – rather pushed him at some places far behind their own border. In Sialkot / Chawinda sector greatest battle of tanks was fought. Ten times superior in strength the enemy was defeated and enemy’s Air Force was completely destroyed. It was President Ayub’s speech on 6 Sept 1965, in which he urged the Pakistan Armed forces stating: "Laa Ilaaha Illallah Ka Kalima Parhtay huay dushman pe toot paro".
This one sentence of the whole speech took the morale of Pak Army’s officer and soldiers sky high. No one then in the battle field, looked back and the world saw how the World’s Best Army fought and defeated an army ten times superior in strength. Would have we won this war, if our politician were in power, who kept on changing loyalties before imposition of Martial law?
9) When 1965 War ended Pakistan’s financial position was not disturbed at all. Rupee was not devalued.
10) The ‘public for a long time remembered Ayub Khan’s Regime by painting his portrait on the Back of Trucks and Buses.
Second Martial Law
9. In 1969 the politicians in the country started conspiring against Field Martial Ayub Khan’s regime because they started losing control over their voters due to 1962 constitution implemented by him. One Unit consisting of old provinces had been created earlier named as West Pakistan as against the province of East Pakistan. This step was taken to match the population strength of East Pakistan. This had started creating hatred in East Pakistan against people of West Pakistan particularly Punjabis, due to the fact that Bengalis were more in number than the population in West Pakistan.
10. This hatred in East Pakistan and conspiracies of the politician forced F.M. Ayub Khan to quit. Since political situation was so bad particularly in East Pakistan where Indian was exploiting the situation through her 5th columnist Spies and Agents. F.M Ayub Khan had no option but to hand over the country to Gen Agha Mohd Yahya Khan. C-in-C Pakistan Army who took the following steps to improve the situation:-
(1) He increased the quota of Bengali offrs in the Armed forces and also in civil service – but it was too late.
(2) He broke up One Unit (West Pak) and restored the old Provinces. This was a great step taken by him for the survival of the country. Had he not taken this step Pakistan would have dismembered. There would have been independent ‘Sindhu Desh’, ‘Pakhtunistan’ and “Baluchistan”. In this connection I would like to narrate a personal experience. In 1970 I was posted as ‘Major’ in Lahore. I went to Peshawar on leave to meet my parents. While returning to Lahore (due to financial problems) I travelled by train in ‘Inter Class’. I was dressed in Pant Shirt. On the opposite seats 3 or 4 Pathans were chatting in Pushto, cursing and abusing Punjabis, so much so that they did not even spare me taking me to be a Punjabi. I kept on listening to their talk with patience and amusement. When the train crossed Nowshera I went over to them, introduced myself speaking pushtoPunjabis. Their reply was “This is 3rd or 4th time we are going to Lahore capital of West Pakistan, staying in Hotels spending lots of money but every time we get a negative response because these Punjabis ask for heavy ‘Bribes’.” I had to explain to them that why blame these poor Punjabis? Only because the West Pakistan Capital is in Lahore. I asked them if they knew that the staff of the Secretariat consisted of members from all the four ex-provinces i.e. NWFP, Sindh Baluchistan and Punjab. It was not the Punjabis due to which they were suffering. It was due to the corruption mafia in the Secretariat Staff. They understood my point but what about thousands and millions of people in all the other provinces.
(3) For the first and (so far) last time in the History of Pakistan clean and fair elections were held due to which in East Pakistan ‘Awami Party led by Sh Mujeeb ur Rehman won with a sweeping majority and in West Pakistan Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s Pakistan Peoples Party” (PPP) cleanly swept the polls.
(4) People blame Gen Yahya Khan for creation of ‘Bangladesh’. No Sir! It was Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Chairman PPP who wanted to come into power by hook or by crook. In this regard, I would like to narrate another true incident. In 1972 after Mr. Bhutto took over, the ADC and nephew of Gen Yahya, Capt. Agha Mehboob rejoined his unit 3FF in Chamb Sector. I was also posted there as Brigade Major with Gen then Brig N.K. Babar. Since I personally knew Agha Mehboob since our Sialkot postings, being inquisitive I went to his battalion to meet him. The first question I asked him as to what his uncle had done to this country? He had broken it up. Agha Mehboob asked me “Do you want to know the real facts?” He then narrated this story. He said that when Sh. Mujeeb ur Rehman was agitating, demanding acceptance of his Six Points and shifting of Capital to Dacca, the President told the Politicians to go and negotiate / talk with him Before the President Gen Agha Yahya went himself to Dacca he was invited to a dinner party by Mr. Bhutto and his colleagues in Karachi. Acccording to Agha Mehboob, there were drinks, dances, beautiful women everything that could lure the President. Bhutto and his colleagues offered to the President that they would make him life long President of Pakistan if he would hand over the power to the People’s Party. The President, highly intoxicated replied to them, “I am not interested in staying in Power. I would like to go back to barracks. Tum log Jao aur oos Haramee ke Bache se baat kar ke Razi Karo”
Third Martial Law
11. No doubt Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was a genius. Pakistan probably would never again get a Politician of his caliber, vision and education. He knew how to get into Power, exploit the people of this country, bring lots of revolutionary changes in the country, working for unification of Islamic countries, giving first democratic constitution to the country in 1973 and last yet not the least giving an Atomic Bomb to the country for its defence by employing the services of a Great Scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan.
12. But basically Mr. Bhutto was a Feudal Lord. Although he gave the slogan of “Roti Kapra Aur Makan” to the poor people of his country but practically being a feudal lord himself he opened the gates of his party to the Waderas, Jagirdars and landlords of this country who were interested in accumulating Wealth and not interested in the Welfare and Progress of their Voters, so much so that they would not and still not allow even Primary Schools in their areas with the fear that if people become educated in their area they would agitate and would be harmful to their cause i.e. winning elections on Zat Beradari basis, accumulation of illegal Wealth. According to Air Marshal (Retd) Asghar Khan, Mr. Bhutto once told him that he would be able to make fool of masses for the next 20 years.
13. In this regard I would also like to narrate two personal incidents. As Lt Col I was on the staff (A/Q Admn) of the Corps Comd Mangla Late Lt Gen Ghulam Hassan Khan in 1977-78. He was incharge of National Security during Gen Zia ul Haq’s Martial Law / Regime. From Mangla he used to go daily to Rawalpindi / Islamabad for his duty. But once a week he used to join us for the tea break. One day on such an occasion he told us. “You all must be knowing that Mr. Bhutto had carried out Land Reforms in the country and you must also be knowing that he has two daughters and two sons who are still unmarried. Well! before announcing there land reforms Mr. Bhutto on paper has got married his children and also shown on papers his grand children amongst whom his thousands of Acres of land has been distributed”. One of us asked “Sir! Why don’t you give this information to the Media”. He replied that after 90 days ‘when election would be held the new elected govt. would be provided all the details to decide to take any action if they deemed it fit to do so.
14. But the new Govt. was not elected. People blame Gen Zia ul Haq for this. No. Sir! He was never interested. Another personal evidence that I have is like this. Gen Zia after imposition of martial law interviewed. People from many walks of life such a professors, lawyers and other professionals to get their views and comments on removing Mr. Bhutto and imposing Material Law. My wife was a lecturer in Economics. She was also called for interview probably due to the fact that she used to give her views on Govt’s budgets every year in writing as well as in Pakistan National Centres when invited. At the end of the interview. Gen Zia said to my wife “Bibi! if you have any problem I would be very glad to help you but after we return to the barracks”. My wife spontaneously commented “It is very difficult to leave the chair once you have occupied. Will you do that?” The General who was very serious looking, had a hearty laugh. He put his right hand on his chest and said “I sincerely have no ambition to continue. After 90 days the elected Govt. will take over?”
15. But then what happened which led to breaking this Premise he had made to himself and to the people of this country and decide to continue. Gen Zia was under tremendous pressure from his Corps Comds and other Gens in the Army, because during the PNA’s Agitation, lower ranks in the Army had started changing their opinion about the Govt. He therefore talked to the PM Z.A Bhutto telling him that he was still loyal to him but he was under lots of pressure from the General and the whole of the Army. Therefore, it would be appropriate if he negotiated with the opposition / PNA to resolve the political issues. Mr. Bhutto, followed his advice but being a Feudal Lord he took it as a Personal Insult by a person who had been obliged by him and making him COAS, after superseding a number of Generals. Mr. Bhutto decided to remove Gen Zia by replacing him with Lt Gen A.B. Awan then Comdt National Defence College. This information was leaked out by Ghulam Ishaq Khan to the Geneals on 4 July 1977 – which resulted into imposition of Martial Law. After the Army took over, Gen Zia visited Mr. Bhutto in the Rest house in Murree where he was kept after his removal. In uniform Gen Zia ul Haq saluted him and then he told him that he was still loyal to him and that elections would be held after 90 days and he hoped that he and his party would be re-elected.
16. Despite general’s promise to Mr. Bhutto and his personal desire to hold elections in 90 days election were not held. Why?
Mr. Bhutto, after taking over as PM had created a Cell / Section in the ISI to keep him informed about activities of all the political leaders including his own party in the country. In addition to this he had created FSF (Federal Security Force) for his underground nefarious activities. When it would be reported to him that so and so of his party was involved in immoral activity, by quoting the incident / place and particulars of the lady, Mr. Bhutto would pull his leg by words to this Effect. “That you are enjoying life. Isn’t? You think I would not be knowing what are your activities” So after the Martial law some of these affected leaders of PPP contacted the Generals and informed them that before holding elections within 90 days, they should first recover and study the FSF files from the Basement of 70 Clifton Karachi. So a Commando raid was conducted and those files were recovered. When the files were studied it was revealed that personal orders of Mr. Bhutto were found on assassination / murder of quite a few political leaders such as Dr. Nazeer (D.G Khan) Khawaja Rafique, Ahmad Raza Kasuri and probably Hayat Sherpao etc. After studying the file Gen Zia was shocked. Still to be legally sure, he called one of the top most lawyer of the country Mr. A.K. Brohi from Karachi to give his comments / views. Mr. Brohi after going through the files, commented that only in one case Mr. Bhutto could be tried i.e. the murder of Mr. Nawab Ahmad Khan F/o Mr. Ahmad Raza Qasuri – only because Ahmad Raza Qasuri being a lawyer was able to file an FIR pointing his finger at the PM Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto as Accused whose name was entered in the FIR. According to sources on refusal by the SHO to record his name in FIR Mr. Qasuri took out his revolver telling the SHO if he did not put Mr. Bhutto’s name in the FIR, he would kill him and then commit suicide right there – while the dead body of his father soaked in blood on the front seat remained there in the premises of the Police station.
17. So, why blame Gen Zia or the Pak Army for what had happened. It was Gen Zia who made Islamiat and Pak Studies Subjects compulsory in the schools. It was he who conducted training and directed war of Mujahideen against Russian Troop in Afghanistan. The war against Russia was conducted for the first two three years without the help of any super power and when America offered nominal aid, Gen Zia replied “We do not accept Peanuts”, with the result that America had no option but to provide financial and military aid as per demand of Pakistan. He also introduce Shariat Courts in Pakistan.
Fourth Martial Law
18. Personally, I feel that this Martial law was the only illegal Matrial Law later converted into a Civilian Govt. It was the personal ambition of Gen Pervez Musharaf who proved it by licking the feet of America. The Army as a whole was not involved. Pakistan army is known as the ‘Best Army of the World” only because its discipline is A-1. They follow the saying. “It is not to question why but to do and die.” The orders whether right or wrong must be obeyed. One must take into account the attack on “Jamia Hifza” In the heart of their hearts the troops who took part in it must not have liked it personally but being disciplined Army they had to obey. Similarly operation in Swat, South Wazirastan and Mohmand Agency orders were obeyed and are still being obeyed only because Pakistan Army is the most disciplined Army. Therefore it is recognized as the Best Army of the World.
Conclusion:
19. To sum up one must realize as to why Democracy fails every time in Pakistan. It is only because of feudalism in the country. Had Pakistan also restricted distribution of land to 25 Acre per land lord as done by Prime Minister of India Mr. Nehru in 1951, it would not have invited Martial Laws in this country one after another.
20. Secondly civil laws in the country are those which were introduced by British to rule India and it suited their governance. It would be better if we adopt Islamic laws in our country to nip the evil of corruption in the bud.
About Author:
By Lt Col (R) M. Sajjad Yunus
Imtiazi Sanad for Bravery in 1965
Recommended for Sitara e Jurrat in 1971
COAS Commendation card.
Veteran of 1965 & 1971 Indo Pak Wars.
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1 comments:
RELIEF IN LINE. As if the comedy of errors was not enough, the paper tiger think tank now led by Sahibzada Yakoob decided to carry out relief of troops engaged in battle for three days. 25 Cavalry and 3FF were replaced by 11 Cavalry and 9 FF (motorised) on night 10/11. In fact there was no relief and the entire movement was a fiasco.
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