The Great Wrong

Haven`t we learned from Pashtoon experience in Afghanistan yet?

Pashtoons and other ethnicities started whacking each other and see the ``jannat`` called Afghanistan right now. Utter destruction of every possible aspect of Afghan society has been done. The country is under foreign occupation, and still leftist writes like Mr. Atlas continue spewing venom.

Shame utter shame.

Punjab WAS a holy land....then it was polluted by the Pbis.....

As you shall sow, so shall you reap.....

divided punjab, (india), now it is the turn of Pakisatan to be divided.....first Bundladesh, next Balochistan.......

This would serve no real purpose whatsoever, having a proper working democracy would get ridof the perceived punjabi domination thing. Break-ups don`t exactly go down well in this part of the world, its not worth the bloodbath that could quite possibly be unleashed.

You know it is funny how some of us settle in Canada or USA and take away the worst possible political stuff back home. This is all the while ignoring the historical background of issues surrounding Canada or the USA.

Pakistani provinces have much longer history and lot more stronger identity than what any Canadian or American has ever seen. Not that everyone is an angel in Canada. Just wait for 1000 years and let the provincial identities develop a little. You will see the same crap here as well.

I mean look at Europeans. It has only been few decades that 60 million people got killed in two wars. Why? Because back then people spent too much time arguing and a lot less time figuring out the solutions.

Mr. Atlas Khan, Let`s all for a moment quit arguing about others and see what we must do to improve our own areas. Why it is that Frontier folks are not asking for more motorways and more schools? Why Balochis have not come forward and appealed for more universities throughout Balochistan. Universities that will be open for all instead of making them weapon-depots and centers of terror.

Who has stopped Bugtis or Murris to set up land grants for universities. Heck they can give few acres of their land for noble causes if Federal government is somehow lacking in the initiative. Why it is that all the Sardars in Balochistan have not combined to set up even one private university that is comparable to LUMS, AKU, GIK, or better yet something like IIT, or MIT?

You think Baloch students are somehow inferior that they won’t succeed in top notch schools?

It is time we struggle against poor infrastructure around our homes instead dividing others. Power structures may get divided a bit but they will continue to dominate Pakistan.

I think the issue of division of Punjab is created as a diversion from time to time to divert attention from a corrupt and oppressive ruling class which actually is a at the core of the problem of Punjab vs. smaller provinces.

Take, Canada for example, where there are about 10 provinces and yet 80% of the population reside in only three provinces i.e. Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. We see that Canda has never had an issue with distribution of revenue ever because everything is well defined in the constitution and every province has a just equity in the confederation. Even in Quebec where liguistic chauvinism has a bigger role in politics, there have never been an accusation of funds mismanagement. On the other hand US has 51 states, with some states like California, and Taxes that are bigger than many countries in the world in population and area and on the other hand we have Conneticut and Rhodes Island that are tiny yet there has never even a talk of revenue distribution in the country among states. The reason is that there is a constitution that very well defines the equity of each state with in the union.

In Pakistan, the constitution of 1973 stipulates the formation of an independent National Finance Commission that is responsible for the allocation of all funds to all provinces. But this commission was never given autonomy to work independently even during political governments; and in dictatorship of Zia and Mushraf this Commission is totally sidelined. During the 7 year dictatorship of Mushsraf, it is he who in person allocates funds to the provinces for the past 7 years and not NFC.

Punjab has sacrificed more than any other province in the country and yet it is Punjab that is accused of squandering the funds. The corrupt powers that be do this to divert attention from themselves. The fact of the matter is that Punjab constitutes 60% of the population of Pakistan and yet according to the constitution of Pakistan of 1973 it has only 45% equity in funds and jobs. And during dictatorships and even political governments punjab could hardly acheive its 45% quota. On average it has been receiving close to 38% out of 45% allocation.

The real culprits is not the Punjab but it is the fascist military dictatorship and their civilian minions who think that this country is their sussral. There is a corrupt ruling class that consists of faujis, moulvis, feudal lords, war lords, corrupt generals, charlatans, thugs and smugglers who have stolen from us what is rightfully ours.

I ask you this question: even if Punjab is divided in three or four smaller provinces, in the absence of a constitution and in the presence of a dictatorship, what is the guarantee that funds will be distributed justly - and who will determine what is jsut.

Please have mercy on Punjab.

Author,

Your central premise is questionable that the idea of division of Punjab meets with hostility and opposition. Where did you get this notion?

Please read my article on Chowk named `The Millenium Manifesto` posted back in I don`t remember when.

BTW, half of what I had written in it has already come true ... such as the splitting of Wapda in smaller units, and a regional trade agreement which is now called SAARC. Other things like division of Punjab and a common regional currency have yet to materialize, but they will.