The Invisible War

George Orwell said, “But if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought”; and that is what Pakistan’s political opposition under the strange banner of PDM is doing at the moment. We need to be reminded that Pakistan’s arch foe India, after getting some covert traction in former East Pakistan through her intelligence bureau in the early 60s, subsequently created R&AW in September 1968 and launched a most successful propaganda-based PSYOP/ covert war that resulted in the creation of Bangladesh in 1971 through dismemberment of a united Pakistan.

Looking at the ongoing greed and malice-ridden political slander against the Armed Forces of Pakistan by the descendents of almost a similar self-centered political dynasty, one is reminded of the politico-security environment of former East Pakistan. What is, however, reassuring is that today’s Pakistan is geographically a cohesive unit, has the most battle-hardened and strong armed forces, is duly backed up by potent nuclear deterrence and is blessed with more aware and better educated masses compared with the sad past. Besides, due to tectonic shifts in the geo-strategic environment, strategic partners like China (BRI/CPEC being a major target) and Turkey are standing shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan with many other friendly countries ready to support the newly emerging political, economic and security alliances. Therefore, any numbers of neo-Mujib-ur-Rehman type politicians and new faces of former Mukti-Bahini type terrorist outfits like BLA, BRA, PTM, TTP and other so-called sub-nationalist militant wings playing in the hands of R&AW, have a bleak future. This is despite their occasional pin-pricks here and there. Nevertheless, India, in collusion with some other intimidating countries, continues to target Pakistan unabated with most modern methods of covert war called 5th generation warfare through use of white, grey and black propaganda.

To nip the evil in the bud, the Pakistan government needs to do much more by right away implementing a comprehensive National Counter PSYWAR Strategy rather than being content by contesting verbal brawls on electronic and social media alone. The government, as well as the people of Pakistan, ought to be conscious that due to the domestic hostile cant, our popular culture has become a place where pity is called compassion, flattery is called love, propaganda is called knowledge, tension is called peace, gossip is called news, and auto-tune is called singing. The tirade against the armed forces or superior judiciary and the snakes and scorpions of terrorism and other schisms raising their ugly heads anywhere must be crushed with an iron hand as at present the judiciary and the parliament appear to be helpless bystanders. Over thinking or inaction is prone to be extremely consequential as was most unfortunately experienced in 1971.

“The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.”