Written by Sajjad Shaukat   

In the last few years, external elements accelerated their propaganda campaign against Pakistan, because, it is the lonely nuclear country in the Islamic World. For the purpose, these elements have especially been targeting Pakistan’s Army. In this regard, Prime Minister of Bangladesh and leader of the ruling party, Awami League Sheikh Hasina Wajid and India are in connivance to distort the image of our country and its armed forces.

Unfortunately, some prominent persons of our country also speak in the tone of foreign anti-Pakistan entities. In this respect, anti-Pakistan connections of the Pakistani journalist—Geo Media group’s senior anchor Hamid Mir are of special consideration.

Hamid Mir visited Dhaka from November 13 to November 16, 2013. On November 14, he attended 16th anniversary of the Indian secret agency, RAW-sponsored Bangla newspaper, Prothom Alo. He was also having exclusive meeting with another RAW-sponsored newspaper, Daily Star’s Editor Mahfuz.

Besides suspicious connections with Prothom Alo’s editor and big industrialist Latif-ur-Rehaman, interview to the Prothom Alo, NTV and Ekkator TV in blaming Pak Army for 1971 war crimes, and supporting RAW and Awami League’s venomous anti-Pakistan propaganda have exposed the real character of Hamid Mir.

Online sources suggest that Mir’s secret meetings with 10 ex-Indian and Bengali journalists were not reported in the newspapers and distribution of gifts by Hamid Mir to journalists with derogatory remarks against Pak Army ad Pakistan with reference to 1971 war are noteworthy.

In the recent past, reviving old animosity, media of Bangladesh and India started highlighting issue of 195 Pakistan Army officers allegedly involved in killing of Bengalis in 1971 war, though they were repatriated to Pakistan after tripartite agreement between Pakistan, India and Bangladesh in 1974.

By neglecting Islamabad’s positive approach, Bangladesh government has continued its anti-Pakistan approach to please India. It could be judged from the statement of Prime Minister Hasina Wajid who has vocally said, “Bangladesh has no room for the people loving Pakistan.”

However, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been following pro-Indian policies. In this context, on the secret insistence of New Delhi, unlike the past years, a ceremony was held in Dhaka on March 24, 2013, with full pump and show to honour ‘Foreign Friends of Bangladesh Award’ in relation to the separation of East Pakistan. For this aim, several foreign friends who included various institutions and media anchors from various countries, particularly India were invited. The main purpose behind was to distort the image of Pakistan and its armed forces regarding alleged atrocities, committed against the Bengalis. Notably, in December, 2012, Prime Minister Hasina had refused to attend D-8 conference in Islamabad unless Pakistan tendered apology for the alleged genocide of Bengalis.

In this context, a book titled, “Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: The Unfinished Memoirs” written by the Bengali leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as his autobiography has been released in 2013. While speaking in line of the book, Hamid Mir who also got the award in the ceremony, reproduced its contents in his article, “Mujib’s Memoirs,” published in daily, ‘The News’ on November 24, 2012. He wrote, “One-sided history books tell us that Mujib was a traitor who broke up Pakistan…in fact, the political intrigues and blunders of military dictators broke up Pakistan—Bengalis were massacred and their women were raped.” He added, “It is time now to apologise officially to the people of Bangladesh.”

In this connection, Hamid Mir left no stone unturned in distorting the historical facts about 1971 war and Pakistan’s Army. So we must see other side of the coin so as to know the reality.

As regards the debacle of Dhaka, a famous Bengali journalist Sarmila Bose authored a book, “Dead Reckoning: Memories of the 1971 Bangladesh War” after thorough investigation. Her book was published in 2011. While countering exaggerations of the Indian and Bengali Journalists, Bose argues that the number of Bengalis killed in 1971 was not three million, but around 50,000, while Bengalis were equally involved in the bloodshed of non-Bengalis.

Undoubtedly, RAW has a long history of sinister activities in the East Pakistan, backing secular areas of Hindu minority who had played an important role in motivating Bengali Muslims against West Pakistan. RAW’s well-paid agents had activated themselves in East Pakistan in the 1960’s so as to dismember Pakistan. For this aim, it funded Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s general elections in 1970. It colluded with the pro-Indian persons and had paid full attention in training and arming the Mukti Bahnis. RAW, playing with the bloodshed of Muslims, succeeded in initiating a civil war in East Pakistan. However, huge quantity of arms started entering East Pakistan along with the guideline of Indian army and RAW. Meanwhile, India welcomed the refugees from East Pakistan, providing them with every facility to provocate them against West Pakistan.

It is mentionable that before the 1971 war, Mujibur Rahman had announced a separate national flag for East Pakistan in his six points which also included that currency of East Pakistan should be different along with a separate military. His six points created prejudice among Bengali people especially against West Pakistan. The famous slogan, during his addresses and rallies was, “Punjabi dogs go back.” It was due to Mujib’s instigation that besides Punjabis, Bengalis had also tortured and killed Biharis, Pashtoons and Balochis, while their women were raped.

In fact, Majib was already in connivance with India for separation of East Pakistan. Therefore, when East Pakistan was occupied by Indian Army in 1971, he stated with pleasure that his 24 years old dream of an independent Bangladesh had been fulfilled.

Nevertheless, it is regrettable that by pursuing the external propaganda and by speaking in the line of Bangladesh and India, Hamid Mir has misinterpreted the facts regarding the events—and 1971 war which led to the separation of East Pakistan. And without grasping facts, he has implicated Pak Army.

Nonetheless, Pakistan’s top officials and media must counter India-Bangladesh propaganda which is aimed at distorting the image of Pak Army by accusing the latter about alleged atrocities, committed in Bangladesh in 1971 war. In this regard, Prime Minister Hasina Wajid should also change its pro-Indian tilt by rectifying anti-Pakistan policy which is essential for stability and peace in the region. Besides, our patriot entities must expose the anti-Pakistan connections of the Journalist Hamid Mir who has been supporting venomous propaganda against the country by following the agenda of RAW.

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