Currently there is much talk of the three branches governing; the government, Supreme Court and the military, especially the military or obliquely referred to by many as “the establishment.” All seem to be on a singular page, much to the chagrin of opposition.
A combined speech of the chief justice and the PM, the PM’s candid remarks concerning the establishment’s role in the decision-making process and a clarification by the ISPR, has set many a tongues wagging. The request for positive news was not palatable to many. We are not really sure what we want? If the establishment supports peace, as what is transpiring in Afghanistan, the opening of the Kartarpur border, or solving the issue of missing persons, we come up with other reasons to criticise. At some point we will have to realise that our opposition needs to be based upon rationality and not just for the sake of opposition.
Talking of the military and peace, one must apologise for trite title for the column. It has often been misused but in this case actually captures the essence of the man under discussion. Brigadier Rao Abid, belonged to the Pakistan Army’s Armoured Corp, which he served with distinction and honour. He belonged to an older generation and an older world, full of grace, charm and manners: a time when the military’s orientation was still Sandhurst.
They say old soldiers never die, they just fade away. In the case of Brigadier Rao Abid, this was entirely the opposite. He never quit the good fight. From a soldier of war he became a warrior of peace. He joined the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on a volunteer basis, serving it in various capacities for 25 years. He played an instrumental role in programmes on penal reforms; helped various prisoners, of war and otherwise, on both sides getting released. The fact that he was the commanding officer of the ex-army chief, General Karamat and senior to General Musharraf, probably helped matters; he was a key part of the India Pak Peace Forum; and also started a similar initiative involving retired senior soldiers from both countries.
I got to know him indirectly as a colleague of my mother at the HRCP. It was around 1995 working at private investment bank, having been invited to a Pak-India conference in Delhi, along with a colleague, who was also a relative of the Brigadier that I truly got to know him. Despite the age difference, I would dare say he became a friend. We had a wonderful time getting to know the city and getting acquainted with people accompanying us and in Delhi. Those details are for another time. We gradually lost touch as I had to leave Lahore for work. Fortunately, I managed to bid a final salute to a soldier, a gentleman, a human rights defender and friend (an assumption he would probably accept with a wistful smile).
For all the climate-change naysayer, the winters this year in Lahore are a clear indicator of things changing. It is almost mid December, yet expected cold remains elusive. There is fog, luckily little smog, but it is illusionary and only serves as a winter prop.
Finally, a plea to the authorities concerned in Lahore, concerning the Khayaban-i-Jinnah Road from Shaukat Khanum onwards to Raiwind Road. It has been over six months since one side of the road awaits construction and traffic remains confined to a single track. It is not only dangerous but a waste of money. The attractive palm trees planted are slowly shriveling and traffic remains a mess, especially if there is a protest and the entrance to Lahore at Thokar becomes blocked. According to some it remains purposely incomplete since it would provide credit to the former chief minister. When will we finally be free of this recrimination game and give credit where it is due. —(AmLahori@gmail.com)
Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2018
