The future depends on what we do in the present – Gandhi
“We are safer and our nation is
more secure,” reverberates Obama’s message on every news, though proud,
ambiguous at the same time. Leaving behind 13,000 military personnel carrying
out Operation Resolute Support, the US President Barack Obama declared “a responsible
conclusion” to the longest war in the history of America. Post 9/11 tragedy,
the US invaded Afghanistan to avenge the lives of nearly 3,000 tracking the
masterminds in the sanctuary provided by the Taliban leadership.
more secure,” reverberates Obama’s message on every news, though proud,
ambiguous at the same time. Leaving behind 13,000 military personnel carrying
out Operation Resolute Support, the US President Barack Obama declared “a responsible
conclusion” to the longest war in the history of America. Post 9/11 tragedy,
the US invaded Afghanistan to avenge the lives of nearly 3,000 tracking the
masterminds in the sanctuary provided by the Taliban leadership.
How far the 13 year’s war on
terror has prospered is much debated by the analysts and columnists as Taliban
have already termed the withdrawal ceremony a “defeat ceremony”. Taliban
officially pledge to continue their fight unless a single foreign soldier is on
Afghan soil.
terror has prospered is much debated by the analysts and columnists as Taliban
have already termed the withdrawal ceremony a “defeat ceremony”. Taliban
officially pledge to continue their fight unless a single foreign soldier is on
Afghan soil.
The death of 3,485 foreign
soldiers, thousands of innocent Afghan civilians and armed forces must be taken
as evident to brutal consequences of our internal conflicts. Let’s admit we still conflict on our “real” independence day; either to celebrate
August 19 reclaiming our independence from the Great Britain or the February 15
on the climax of USSR chapter. Even if we agree on date, our government and
country-men celebrate behind closed doors like America’s avenge termination.
soldiers, thousands of innocent Afghan civilians and armed forces must be taken
as evident to brutal consequences of our internal conflicts. Let’s admit we still conflict on our “real” independence day; either to celebrate
August 19 reclaiming our independence from the Great Britain or the February 15
on the climax of USSR chapter. Even if we agree on date, our government and
country-men celebrate behind closed doors like America’s avenge termination.
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was
reference to an influential Muslim leader by my Social Studies teacher in high
school “…by complete independence, we mean of course complete economic,
financial, juridical, military, cultural independence and freedom in all
matters. Being deprived of independence in any of these is equivalent to the
nation and country being deprived of all its independence.” The Afghans are on
the verge of, “Now or Never” challenge. Provided we forget our differences, the
country steers to the right direction or else we rewind the history by our
hands.
reference to an influential Muslim leader by my Social Studies teacher in high
school “…by complete independence, we mean of course complete economic,
financial, juridical, military, cultural independence and freedom in all
matters. Being deprived of independence in any of these is equivalent to the
nation and country being deprived of all its independence.” The Afghans are on
the verge of, “Now or Never” challenge. Provided we forget our differences, the
country steers to the right direction or else we rewind the history by our
hands.
I list five major challenges and
opportunities to our nation-building/ prosperity formula:
opportunities to our nation-building/ prosperity formula:
1. Leadership
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| A nation that kills its children is a nation without hope – John Paul II |
After 6 months of 2
rounds-presidential election’s turmoil, President Ghani and Chief Executive
Abdullah Abdullah having formed coalition government, have failed to substantially
agree on cabinet members. Both tempt to obsequiously play with handful warlords
and capitalists. This has led to greater terrorist attacks on civilians in
almost all parts of the country. The fate of our nation lies in the hands of a
former Mujahid and technocrat whose reciprocal strategy turn deleterious to the
public. When the government set-up is uncertain, no security strategy,
socio-economic plan and education reform will be established post NATO forces
withdrawal. Hence, directing the country to the brink of economic downfall.
rounds-presidential election’s turmoil, President Ghani and Chief Executive
Abdullah Abdullah having formed coalition government, have failed to substantially
agree on cabinet members. Both tempt to obsequiously play with handful warlords
and capitalists. This has led to greater terrorist attacks on civilians in
almost all parts of the country. The fate of our nation lies in the hands of a
former Mujahid and technocrat whose reciprocal strategy turn deleterious to the
public. When the government set-up is uncertain, no security strategy,
socio-economic plan and education reform will be established post NATO forces
withdrawal. Hence, directing the country to the brink of economic downfall.
Ideally, at the
national level youths and civil society members shall be appointed to
experiment with technical support of Afghan technocrats and experts invited
from abroad. At the provincial level,
provincial council members have better understanding of community miseries and
priorities; therefore, their capacity and
authority shall be enhanced to design provincial development plans based on given priorities, funds raising and monitoring development
projects in close collaboration with Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and
Development.
national level youths and civil society members shall be appointed to
experiment with technical support of Afghan technocrats and experts invited
from abroad. At the provincial level,
provincial council members have better understanding of community miseries and
priorities; therefore, their capacity and
authority shall be enhanced to design provincial development plans based on given priorities, funds raising and monitoring development
projects in close collaboration with Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and
Development.
Let’s give a try to
Lao Tzu’s idea, “governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish – too
much handling will spoil it”. Giving a chance to the youths may increase their
understanding of executing governance and enhance their responsibility against
their national interests. Only then, the country will produce leaders to
negotiate with neighbors and enemies.
Lao Tzu’s idea, “governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish – too
much handling will spoil it”. Giving a chance to the youths may increase their
understanding of executing governance and enhance their responsibility against
their national interests. Only then, the country will produce leaders to
negotiate with neighbors and enemies.
2. Security:
Our security is threatened by
internal and external factors. Afghanistan’s poor economy makes it battle-field
to proxy war of neighbors and power-players. Afghanistan’s soil is being used
for regional war between Pakistan and India whereas; Iran and Saudi Arabia
openly promote their version of Islam by steaming religious differences among
the masses. We need to decide now whether we aspire Pakistan’s current
scenario, when it’s replete with terrorism in the most extreme forms.
internal and external factors. Afghanistan’s poor economy makes it battle-field
to proxy war of neighbors and power-players. Afghanistan’s soil is being used
for regional war between Pakistan and India whereas; Iran and Saudi Arabia
openly promote their version of Islam by steaming religious differences among
the masses. We need to decide now whether we aspire Pakistan’s current
scenario, when it’s replete with terrorism in the most extreme forms.
Let’s not forget the miseries we
brought to each other on the basis of ethnic discrimination. If we confound
with demographic variances, we will be fooled by foreign policies to
materialize their objectives than of our very own. Paul Harris quotes, “the
very strength of a nation eventually proves to be its weakness” and we “AFGHANS” need that understanding. Like Attaturk
once said, “I am Turkey, to destroy me is to destroy Turkey”, Afghans shall feel
protected within themselves which will make the enemies think before to strike.
brought to each other on the basis of ethnic discrimination. If we confound
with demographic variances, we will be fooled by foreign policies to
materialize their objectives than of our very own. Paul Harris quotes, “the
very strength of a nation eventually proves to be its weakness” and we “AFGHANS” need that understanding. Like Attaturk
once said, “I am Turkey, to destroy me is to destroy Turkey”, Afghans shall feel
protected within themselves which will make the enemies think before to strike.
Afghan military capacity in terms
of number (3,50,000) and ability to fight is doubted but not the spirits. But
on battle ground not only spirit works; thereof, the mission Resolute Support
plays crucial role in further strengthening planning, executing and monitoring
military operations of both small and large scales.
of number (3,50,000) and ability to fight is doubted but not the spirits. But
on battle ground not only spirit works; thereof, the mission Resolute Support
plays crucial role in further strengthening planning, executing and monitoring
military operations of both small and large scales.
3. Economy
According to World Bank,
Afghanistan’s GDP growth rate dropped drastically from 13.5 to 3.2 percent in
wake of foreign forces withdrawal leading to greater business uncertainties. The
withdrawal of US-led NATO forces is not to blame for economic downfall but the
lack of economic development vision by Afghan government. At national level,
there is no economic development plan not even primarily discussed at house.
This makes the masses prone to religious military groups which promise
to pay handful monthly salary and handsome rewards to carry out terrorist
attacks.
Afghanistan’s GDP growth rate dropped drastically from 13.5 to 3.2 percent in
wake of foreign forces withdrawal leading to greater business uncertainties. The
withdrawal of US-led NATO forces is not to blame for economic downfall but the
lack of economic development vision by Afghan government. At national level,
there is no economic development plan not even primarily discussed at house.
This makes the masses prone to religious military groups which promise
to pay handful monthly salary and handsome rewards to carry out terrorist
attacks.
Therefore, economic development
plan shall be top agenda of the government to thwart threats to national
security. Afghan economic geniuses settled in abroad shall be welcomed to draw
realistic plans benefitting communities in remote areas at the very grassroots
level. International investment companies shall be ensured of greater security,
flexibility of government policies and human resource support. However,
national and provincial monitoring teams need to be strengthened ensuring
transparent implementation of development projects by INGOs and local
organizations.
plan shall be top agenda of the government to thwart threats to national
security. Afghan economic geniuses settled in abroad shall be welcomed to draw
realistic plans benefitting communities in remote areas at the very grassroots
level. International investment companies shall be ensured of greater security,
flexibility of government policies and human resource support. However,
national and provincial monitoring teams need to be strengthened ensuring
transparent implementation of development projects by INGOs and local
organizations.
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| Aerial view of Kabul |
4. Education
A country with literacy rate of
around 30% survives merely on personal struggles of its students and a number
of private high education institutes. Let’s confess, we bomb our schools, shut
down their doors to girls and those studying abroad are subject to hypnotic
lifestyle and career outside the country. Taking this advantage, religious
schools are increasingly influencing educational system with new madrasas being
established in all parts of the country. No single government official pretends
to be in picture of their funding.
around 30% survives merely on personal struggles of its students and a number
of private high education institutes. Let’s confess, we bomb our schools, shut
down their doors to girls and those studying abroad are subject to hypnotic
lifestyle and career outside the country. Taking this advantage, religious
schools are increasingly influencing educational system with new madrasas being
established in all parts of the country. No single government official pretends
to be in picture of their funding.
It is not only the kinds of schools but the curriculum content formulating modern technical and humanities subjects and religious teachings. With failed parameters of
government, public need to promote and support schools and higher education
institutes to fight miseries we brought ourselves by ignorance or negligence.
government, public need to promote and support schools and higher education
institutes to fight miseries we brought ourselves by ignorance or negligence.
5. Relationship
with neighbors
with neighbors
The withdrawal of Red Army from
our soil brought hopes, but not long enough the celebration was replaced with
disastrous civil war financially and strategically supported by our neighbors.
We killed almost one million of our countrymen/ women and displaced
another 5.5 million having the largest migrants around the world. Rendering similar
lugubrious fate, our [hopefully established] government need to deal with major
neighbors tactfully in terms of joint military operations against terror groups,
investment ventures and promotion of culture. No blame-game-policy with India
and Pakistan will lead to better security and thriving socioeconomic
situation.
our soil brought hopes, but not long enough the celebration was replaced with
disastrous civil war financially and strategically supported by our neighbors.
We killed almost one million of our countrymen/ women and displaced
another 5.5 million having the largest migrants around the world. Rendering similar
lugubrious fate, our [hopefully established] government need to deal with major
neighbors tactfully in terms of joint military operations against terror groups,
investment ventures and promotion of culture. No blame-game-policy with India
and Pakistan will lead to better security and thriving socioeconomic
situation.
With Chinese economic interest
like in copper mine project worth $ 2.87 million, other mining projects of
natural resources worth 3 trillion can create greater job opportunities and
self-sufficiency to national economy. Therefore, all investment projects from
all countries including India, Pakistan and Iran shall be handled to benefit
the Afghans not to help them carry out their missions on our soil.
like in copper mine project worth $ 2.87 million, other mining projects of
natural resources worth 3 trillion can create greater job opportunities and
self-sufficiency to national economy. Therefore, all investment projects from
all countries including India, Pakistan and Iran shall be handled to benefit
the Afghans not to help them carry out their missions on our soil.
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| There is always silver lining behind dark clouds |
This sounds over-optimistic but not unrealistic. Moreover,
we shall learn from the history and I leave the general public –not the politicians
– with the following questions with decision resting on yourselves:
we shall learn from the history and I leave the general public –not the politicians
– with the following questions with decision resting on yourselves:
1.
Was Afghanistan invaded to destroy Taliban or Al-Qaeda
network whereas Al-Qaeda was based and controlled from Yemen and other Arab
States?
Was Afghanistan invaded to destroy Taliban or Al-Qaeda
network whereas Al-Qaeda was based and controlled from Yemen and other Arab
States?
2.
Are we in a position to promote hatred and war
with Pakistan, Iran or else or to bargain with them economically, culturally
and politically?
Are we in a position to promote hatred and war
with Pakistan, Iran or else or to bargain with them economically, culturally
and politically?
3.
Will our present actions (religious sentiments
& practices) produce jihadists or otherwise? Is Haqoq-ul-Allah greater or
Haqoq-ul-Ibad both in belief and practice?
Will our present actions (religious sentiments
& practices) produce jihadists or otherwise? Is Haqoq-ul-Allah greater or
Haqoq-ul-Ibad both in belief and practice?
4.
Do we remain Pashtun, Tajek, Uzbek and Hazara or
AFGHANS, because it is the question of our identity and destiny?
Do we remain Pashtun, Tajek, Uzbek and Hazara or
AFGHANS, because it is the question of our identity and destiny?
Spread the words in thoughtful way…
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| You have to dream before your dreams come true – Abdul Kalam-India |
Jawad Jahid – Text & Photos
