Myth & Reality of Sahibzada Yaqub..Read it too

Myth & Reality of Sahibzada Yaqub..Read it too

Sahabzada Yaqub Khan died last month and many newspapers and journals are writing on it including The news on Sunday The Sahibzada I knew, The Tribune Pakistan’s prince soldier, diplomat, statesman, editorial by Dawn Sahibzada Yaqub Khan, weekly Humshehri Silence departure (Khamosh Rukhsati) etc and in all these writings you will find praise for the Principled Stand against infamous military action of 25 March 1971 in former East Pakistan but at the same time praise for his diplomatic career too. Interestingly those who always criticized Zia due to his infamous Afghan Jihad policy are praising his foreign minister. Some are in love with his Rampur legacy and some want to give him benefit of doubt due to his self proclaimed association with Yousafzai clan. He supported Zia policy during Geneva Accord, imposed on BB after the demise of Zia by Ghulam Ishaq+Aslam Baig nexus, appointed by infamous Laghari after removing BB and supporting Taliban Government in Afghanistan yet in none the pieces you will find any criticism. He even included among the various associates who were around last military dictator General Mushraff. A balance analysis of his personality is still not written so far.  

He was military commander in East Pakistan before Tikka Khan and after that job he served as Governor and resigned after two three weeks of Military action that started at 25th March. Like Agha Shahi, Ghulam Ishaq Khan he too kept silence. What happened before and after 1970 election in East Pakistan needs serious revision. How Mollana Bahshani forced to withdrew in those days is among many unheard stories yet neither side will explore it due to obvious reasons. I interviewed Kamal Lohani in Dhaka in 2009. He was once among close associates of MB and Director Radio Bangladesh. He pinpointed twisted policies by the establishment against MB before December 1970 election well. Like Mollana Tamizudin Khan, Sahibzada is praised by many due to his principled Stand and like MT he too served military dictators after that principled stand? MT served Ayub while Sahibzada served Zia as well as Musharaff. KL also enlightened me regarding betrayals of Mujib and So-called Bengali resistance in Bangladesh after 16 December 1971. Imposition of enemy property bill, expulsion of Bengali Hindus was the one while forced Chakma and other tribes to merge in Supper twisted Bengali cum Bangladeshi nationalism in 1972 was among many bad post 1971 policies of So-called Banga Bandu. What Mujib did with Bengali Hindus of East Bengal in his newly formed country proved Indra Gandhi wrong and How Mujib imposed Bengali language on non bengali people living in his country exposed his love with cultural diversity. Love for mother tongues and secularism of Mujib had exposed till 1973. Saudi influence and partnership in China containment policy in Bangladesh started in 1974 during Mujib time and one can understand why MB was isolated. Pro-China, Pro United Pakistan Bahshani did not suit anyone. Interestingly, in a Geo TV program (Capital Talk of Mr Hamid Mir) Tariq Fatimi exposed some hidden facts of 1980s well by default. He told that Sahibzada was supporting Gen Zia and was not in favor of Geneva Accord at all. Just imagine had Zia or SY succeeded in 1988, Mulla Umar would be ruler of Pakistan. You can well understand why General Baig supported Saddam in the first Iraq war. It is a mindset in our policy makers and SY was neither an exception but an integral part of that story. In 21st century cannot we disassociate ourselves from misleading resistance stories? Either we are with colonial policies or against it, either we supported State atrocities or we supported anyone who oppose it? Cannot we have courage to explore gray areas? Think and rethink and try to leave all old narratives.