Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=ZLH5lU0YQ_w

Bruce Riedel, Fellow at Brookings

Madiha Afzal,

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 - Pakistan is the fastest growing nuclear arsenal (Top 6).
- z

Madiha- History of Pakistan

- Two Pillar that has defined direction

The notion of the Muslims rallying across the east and west Pakistan right after its creation
evoked the notion of Islam in danger.
Two pillars that seem to underly the Pakistan state are the following:
1. Islam- A nationalism that is derived from religion.
2. Opposition to India- A nationalism derived in opposition to India. Pakistan is
fearful of its larger neighbor India and has defined it as an existential threat.

This has served the ground for the dominant military, which has dominated over Pakistan’s
civilian Govt. for past 70 years with alternative between civilian and military govt.

These two pillars has defined the decisions Pakistan has taken which might look ideological
at face but are really strategic in nature.

- Islamization and Jihad

Pakistan stamped down its ethnicities and provincial identities to create this notion of
country that was Islamic.
Jihad- Military uses it in the fight with India (External) and in Kashmir Jihad.
It blames attacks as conspiracies that come from India rather than the citizens who are
staging an insurgency against state.
General Zia want to put his weight behind those Jihadist that were most extreme and a
counter to threatening Pashtun Nationalism.
Islamization of country in terms of law- Those have led to big problems in terms of Ahmedi
law, blasphemy way which has fostered sense of intolerance in the entire nation.

Islamization from legal progression- It was gradual Islamization that Pakistan engaged in.
Islamization began gradually in 1949 with the objective’s resolution of Pakistan. Constitution
started talking about enabling all Muslims to live their lives according to Islam, Promotion of
Islamic ideals. None of this is bad necessarily. But it led to increased influence of Islamists
who lead to push Islamic laws into the constitution and penal code. Bhutto, who was secular
and liberal, declared Ahmadi minorities as non-Muslims. Real inflection points was Zia. He
put in place Blasphemy laws which paved the way for more violence. Politicians and
students being killed. Zia also cultivated militant madarsa in pre 1980s to use in service for
Afghan Jihad. The glorified violence in the religion. 1971 was catalyst to double on these
things. However, subsequent Govts. Are trying to role back on changes that Zia has put in
place.

Is Pakistan in a more Perilous place other giants of South Asia?

It is in a perilous state, but country has been progressing and doing okay.
There are issues to access to healthcare, education, and others. Pakistan lags behind in
terms of development indicators, but economy is doing well.
Real problem lies how Pakistan defines itself and how world perceives it.
World see it as a failing state country of 200+ million people which is in this state due to the
problems caused by west or itself.
But Pakistan can take the good it’s got: Economic vibrancy, developing democratic govt.
India has a positive vision of itself. Bangladesh is a secular country and has a vision. Pakistan
has remained stuck in a loop of unifying the country and dealing with the problems faced by
idea.

US Pakistani relations
Pakistan and US started out as allies. Good relations of 1960s.
1971 played a role when Pakistan saw US not coming for its aid and considered it a betrayal.
Post-Soviet-Afghan war’s abandonment is considered as a betrayal of dealing with all the
refugee that in after math of war. It has costed Pakistan as country.
The returning Mujahidin from the war morphed to become the insurgents who attacked the
Pakistan itself.
The nuclear weapons program. Pakistan has wanted parity with India of being equal. That
leads to engaging on cultivating militants to support army and cultivating nuclear weapon.

When in 1998 Clinton imposed sanctions on Pakistan for testing nuclear weapons,
Pakistani’s retaliated opposite because it was a reaction to India’s testing. Another form of
American betray when US imposed sanctions on PK but not on India.
Bruce Raidel comments-

Pakistan an unlucky-
Jinnah was not a religious fanatic. Jinnah achieved a political trick of founding Pakistan.
Unfortunately, he died.
Zia ul Haq tilted Pakistani history in the direction of radical Islam. He was also a incident of
history.
Bush wanted to improve relations with Pakistan in early 90s. But by the end of his term, he
was on verge to labeling Pakistan as patron state of terrorism. Zia ul Haq took US’ support to
pass it on Kashmir in early 90s. By 1992, ISIS support for these Kashmir groups was
compelling.

Zia’s leverage
With the invasion of Soviet Union in 1979, it is indeed an existential threat to general. Soviet
is not interested in the Kabul but the access to see. And the people who are going to walk
with soviet for it are Indians. Hence, both the Regan and Carter administration bought the
argument. In a nutshell, Zia was in position by chance to negotiate and do the things he
wanted.
The legacy of Zia is not in law but the politicians too. Nawaz shareef is the output of Zia.
Zia first turned to King of Saudia in 1979 with the invasion of Soviet Union. Saudis were
willing to help and advice, but it came with a price: Saudi kind of islam. This is one of the
factors that lead to the push of islamization.
Pakistan Under Siege by Madiha

Take away 1- US should not paint the Pakistani’s military, democratic government, and the
common citizens with same brush. The idea of cutting off assistance to military is
independent. So, treating it like that may enhance the views of population towards US.

Take away 2- In long term, making Pakistan civilian Govt primary partner for cooperation
between US and Pakistan is essential. They should prioritize relation with the democratic
Govt not the direct military talks.