Pervez Musharraf was faced with the question ‘are you with us?’ by the US government. He took a decision which saved the country from possible destruction by carpet bombing and loss of nuclear capability. Now the Nawaz government is faced with a similar question. This time by Pakistan’s friend Saudi Arabia.

Mr Sharif handled the situation to the best interest of the nation, but still his decision did not convince our friend. They are asking Pakistan to do more. The retired general, who was critical of Mr Musharraf’s decision, did not convince, though the situation is much more serious.

Here I would like to narrate an anecdote about the situation. There was a migrant from India, whose family lives in my neighborhood. He is dead now. He used to go to Friday prayers with me.

One day, he narrated his story that he belonged to a tiny Muslim state of Rampur, situated near New Delhi, which was ruled by a Pathan Nawab from Afghanistan.

My neighbour’s family elders became very close to the Nawab and earned his gratitude. The nawab gave the family land and allowed it to own a couple of very profitable business houses.

According to my neighbour, his elders made some serious mistake which annoyed the nawab. In his usual fury he confiscated their property and businesses, which left them hard up. They somehow survived and as soon as they got an opportunity to migrate to Pakistan, they came over here.

According to him, his family worked very hard and lived in small places and opened small businesses. After more than 60 years of hard labour, they are fairly settled now.

Moral: one should not depend too much on anyone, especially a powerful man, because one day he can ask you some favour which you may not be able to fulfil.

This is all the more important when your stakes are under him.

My advice to the prime minister: it is our duty to protect Haram Sharifain. We should increase our land forces which are already in Saudi Arabia, with strict orders not to cross international borders at any cost without the UN directive .

Iqtidar H. Siddiqui

Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2015

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