THE ongoing imbroglio between Saudi Arabia and Yemen and the ensuing diplomatic dilemma confronting Pakistan have launched me down memory lane. It was over 50 years ago when Pakistani academics and intellectuals, in particular, and intelligentsia, in general, were divided vis-à-vis Ayub Khan and Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, who faced each other in the presidential elections.

Dawn even then carried “Founded by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah” on its front page and was under the iconic anchorship of the formidable Altaf Hussain.

Tensions mounted and speculations escalated but lo and behold! One fine morning, a stunning editorial appeared in the newspaper declaring loud and clear Dawn’s all-out support for Ayub Khan!

Besides many other things, it proved that at times people of substance have to speak out and stand up for what they consider correct. I am no diplomat and no defence analyst, but I believe that when the going gets tough, the tough get going!

Sqn. Ldr ( r) Agha Khalil Ahmed

Karachi

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2015

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