With reference to Ms Anjum Niaz’s contribution Our man Charlie Wilson (December 21, 2003), kudos for Ms Niaz, for exposing the known hypocrisy, of the late Zia ul Haq of Pakistan, stark naked.
She narrates the enticing story, lucidly of how Joanne Herring, a 40 something, known collector of powerful men, a social lioness and hostess, was friends with Sahibzada Yaqoob Ali. He was our ambassador in Washington and getting Herring named as Pakistani Council General at Houston was a breeze for him.
Charlie Wilson,the biggest playboy in Congress, fell in love with tempestuous Joanne who in turn got Zia, when she visited Army House in 1980, courtesy Sahibzada Yaqoob Ali. Persuaded by lady love, Joanne, Charlie met Zia and the rest, as they say is history.
The return we reaped, were the killing fields of heroin, gun-running and millions of Afghan refugees after the Soviets quit. Zia, personally became a millionaire many times over. But even today, Charlie is an honourable man, for us, and therefore we pay him $31,000/- a month to push our causes on the Hill where the hegemony of our enemies is felt deep and far.
Lest anybody overwhelmed by the piety of the great hypocrite react about the truthfulness of Anjum Niaz, her column carries signed photo of Zia with good wishes given to Joanne.
M SALEEM CHAUDHRY
Karachi
Noor Jehan and Jehangir
With reference to the piece Noor Jehan and Jehangir (January 18), the learned writer has categorically denied of Jehangir’s earlier inclination towards Meharunissa (known in history as Noor Jehan) and his complicity in her husband’s murder.
As the story goes, Ali Quli Istalju, of Turkoman origin, was a daring warrior and man of character. He was with Shah Ismail II of Persia as his table attendant. The King loved and valued him. But after the assassination of the King, he being close to him, had to leave the Persia, which he left in the hope of trying his fortune in the court of the Great Mughal. He arrived in Multan in 1590 when Abdul Rahim Khan-e-Khana, was on an expedition to conquer Sindh. He joined the Mughal forces and played a pivotal role in the siege of Thatta, capital of Sindh.
The lofty stature and excellent demeanour of this young warrior impressed the emperor, who had enough value and love for brave and talented men. He was favoured with a status in the court and an honourable job. His marriage with Mehrunissa, daughter of Atmad-ad-Duala Mirza Ghiyas Beg was solemnized on June 27th, 1595 with the grace and splendour which Akbar himself attended.
In 1599, Ali Quli Istalju was placed on the staff attached to Prince Salim. In the campaigns of Mewar, he escorted the Prince and displayed a lot of courage and valour. During these expeditions he single-handedly killed a tiger, in the process receiving the title of Sher-e-Afghan, from the Prince. His association with the Prince continued even during the thorny days of his revolt against the emperor. But soon he remembered the gestures of Emperor Akbar and then he deserted Prince Salim to join imperial Army.
In 1605, on the death of Akbar, Prince Salim was crowned as King Jehangir. He immediately awarded Jagir of Burdawan in Bengal, a hot bed of sedition, conspiracy and revolt, to Sher-e-Afghan. At that time Bengal was under the governorship of Qutubddin Koka a very close confidant of Jehangir. The Governor treacherously invited Sher-e-Afhgan to his camp, and tired to capture him. A struggle took place and the men of Qutubddin, who also succumbed to injuries killed him.
The inherent disliking for Sher-e-Afghan, very much apparent from the Tuzuk-e-Jehangiri where the Emperor has stated that “Ali Quli Istajlu was table servant of Shah Ismail; after his death he took flight through his natural wickedness and habit of making mischief, and came to Qandhar, and then to Multan where he met Khan-e-Khana.” Then, dispatching him to a troubled area and ordering the Governor to arrest him, amply show his connivance in the murder of Sher-e-Afghan. Meharunissa’s refusal to accept the proposal of emperor, for whom he had to wait for six long years is another proof that even she considered the proposer, responsible for her misfortune.
