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Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Book review: the shine wears off India
Some books document history. Others demand that we reckon with it. Danish Javeed's 'Incredible and Shining India!' is one such book — a deeply disturbing and powerfully moving chronicle of a country that once prided itself on pluralism, now slipping into the grip of a majoritarian, ideological transformation. Javeed, a meticulous researcher and passionate humanist, takes us through the complex landscape of modern India, charting the shift from its secular foundations to the rise of Hindutva-driven extremism. What makes this book especially important is that it doesn't merely present facts — it evokes memory, moral urgency, and collective responsibility. The heart of the book lies in Gujarat, 2002 — a year and place that shattered the myth of Indian secularism. Javeed revisits the horrifying days when mobs, armed with voter lists and emboldened by police complicity, slaughtered over a thousand Muslims, many of them women and children. Drawing from court testimonies, sting operations, and human rights reports, he lays bare a haunting reality: this was not spontaneous violence, but a premeditated pogrom. His descriptions are not sensational, but honest — raw with grief, anger, and the lingering question: how did a nation built on Gandhian ideals fall so far? But the story doesn't stop there. Javeed moves with painful precision across the country and the years that followed. We are taken to Manipur, where women are paraded naked during ethnic violence. To Uttar Pradesh, where Muslim men are lynched in broad daylight for allegedly transporting beef. To Delhi, where bulldozers raze homes with the kind of impunity only state backing can provide. To Kashmir, where pellet guns blind children and entire neighbourhoods live under military lockdown. And to India's courtrooms and television studios, where justice is delayed, denied, or distorted. Through it all, Javeed weaves in the voices of those resisting — from journalists like Ravish Kumar to international observers like Gregory Stanton of Genocide Watch. He quotes Arundhati Roy's warning of India becoming a 'lynching nation,' and shows how legislation like the CAA, NRC, and UAPA are being used not to safeguard democracy but to undermine it. One of the book's strengths is how it connects the dots. Hindutva, Javeed explains, is not just a political ideology — it is a cultural project. It seeps into textbooks, courtrooms, films, and even food habits. And it's not limited to India alone. He raises a sobering point: the normalization of hate in a country of over 1.4 billion people does not just threaten its minorities — it endangers regional peace and global stability. But Javeed's tone is never vengeful. Rather, it is elegiac. His foreword reads like a personal confession — haunted by the stories he has collected, unable to forget the images of burnt homes, mutilated bodies, and the silence of those who chose comfort over conscience. There's an aching empathy in his writing, especially when he reflects on how easily the cycle of hatred can consume any society, and how important it is for every individual to choose dignity over division. Reading this book as a Pakistani, one is struck by its mirror-like quality. While the focus is India, the warning is universal. History has shown us how fascism creeps in — through laws, through silence, through media complicity — and before we know it, it's no longer creeping. It's marching. 'Incredible and Shining India!' is not a casual read. It is demanding. It is often heartbreaking. But it is necessary. For those who want to understand why the idea of India — of a secular, democratic republic — is under such threat today, this book is indispensable. It is not just a documentation of violence; it is a call for introspection, for resistance, and for hope. In the end, Javeed does what many cannot: he transforms trauma into testimony, and testimony into a tool for awareness. He writes not to accuse, but to awaken. And that, in today's climate, is a brave and timely act. Muhammad Akmal is an Islamabad-based senior journalist All facts and information are the sole responsibility of the author
Express Tribune
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
CCC asserts action against 'Indian-sponsored proxies imperative at all levels'
Listen to article Corps Commanders' Conference (CCC) has strongly asserted that it is imperative to take decisive and holistic actions at all levels against Indian-backed and sponsored proxies. "Following its manifest defeat in direct aggression against Pakistan, after the Pahalgam incident, India is now doubling down to further its nefarious agenda through its proxies of Fitna Al Khawarij and Fitna Al Hindustan," the forum stated. Field Marshal Asim Munir chaired the 271st Corps Commanders' Conference (CCC) at the General Headquarters (GHQ) on Thursday, where key security issues and regional threats were discussed, according to the military's media wing. A statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said the meeting, attended by senior military officials, began with a prayer for the martyrs of recent terrorist attacks by Indian-sponsored proxies. The forum also reviewed Pakistan's recent successes in combating these proxies. 'Blood of our Shuhada will not go waste, and the safety and security of the people of Pakistan remain the topmost priority for the Armed Forces of Pakistan,' the CCC resolved. During the meeting, Field Marshal Asim Munir shared details of Pakistan's successful diplomatic efforts, highlighting recent visits to Iran, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, where he accompanied Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The forum was also briefed on the COAS's historic visit to the United States, where he engaged with top-tier leadership to provide Pakistan's perspective on bilateral, regional, and extra-regional developments. The conference further focused on the security situation, with particular attention given to recent developments in the Middle East and Iran. It noted the increasing use of force as a preferred policy tool in the region, which necessitates the continuous development of self-reliant military capabilities and national unity. Field Marshal Munir responded to the Indian Army's recent baseless allegations, stating, "Invoking third parties in what is unmistakably a bilateral military confrontation reflects a disingenuous attempt at bloc politics aimed at falsely projecting India's self-assigned role as a net security provider to accrue benefits in a region that is visibly growing disillusioned with Indian hegemonic ambitions and Hindutva-driven extremism." The forum also reviewed Pakistan's military's ongoing adaptation to the evolving threat spectrum and the changing character of modern warfare. In his closing remarks, the COAS expressed full confidence in the operational readiness of the Pakistan Army to address the full spectrum of threats, further commending the leadership of the Pakistan Navy and Air Force for strengthening tri-service synergy.
Business Recorder
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
COAS rejects Indian allegation of Chinese help
ISLAMABAD: Field Marshal, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Syed Asim Munir categorically denied India's baseless allegations that China supported Pakistan during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos. Addressing the graduating officers of the National Security and War Course at the National Defence University (NDU) Islamabad, the army chief termed the Indian claims 'irresponsible and contrary to facts', emphasising that Pakistan's success was rooted in its own strategic foresight, professional excellence, and institutional strength. He stated that such accusations reflect India's habitual reluctance to acknowledge Pakistan's indigenous capabilities and long-term strategic planning. 'These statements are an attempt to undermine our achievements and shift focus from India's own military and strategic failures,' said the Field Marshal. He said that Operation Sindoor marked a strategic failure for India, where it could not achieve its declared military objectives. 'India's irrational justifications following the operation only expose its lack of operational readiness and poor strategic depth,' he added. The army chief stressed that wars are not won through political rhetoric, media campaigns, or imported weaponry. 'They are won through unwavering resolve, professional competence, operational clarity, and strong institutions backed by national will,' he asserted. Highlighting the evolving nature of warfare, Field Marshal Munir spoke on the importance of mental preparedness, strategic understanding, and professional excellence in tackling complex, multi-domain threats. He emphasised that institutions like the National Defence University play a vital role in preparing leadership capable of dealing with hybrid, conventional, and non-conventional challenges. He also called for greater synergy between civil and military institutions to effectively manage national security imperatives. Commenting on India's recent provocative statements, the army chief said, 'Trying to involve third parties in a purely bilateral conflict is a reflection of India's failed political and military approach. The narrative of being a 'net security provider' in the region is a false construct— especially when regional countries are themselves frustrated by India's aggressive behaviour and Hindutva-driven ideology.' Contrasting this with Pakistan's diplomatic conduct, he said, 'Pakistan has built durable partnerships on the basis of mutual respect, peace, and principled diplomacy. Our approach has proven us to be a net regional stabiliser.' Reaffirming Pakistan's firm position on national sovereignty, Field Marshal Munir warned, 'Any misadventure or violation of Pakistan's territorial integrity will be met with an immediate, forceful, and uncompromising response.' He added that any attempt to target Pakistan's population centres, economic hubs, military bases, or ports would result in a 'severe, painful, and disproportionate retaliation,' and that the responsibility for such escalation would lie entirely with the 'reckless aggressor'— India—whose leadership fails to grasp the consequences of provoking a sovereign nuclear state. Expressing full confidence in the professionalism, readiness, and spirit of Pakistan's Armed Forces, the Field Marshal urged the graduating officers to remain committed to integrity, selfless service, and unwavering dedication to the nation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Kidwai explains criticality of country's N-capability
ISLAMABAD: Former DG National Command Authority (NCA), Lt General Khalid Ahmed Kidwai (retd) has highlighted that the four-day conflict, lasting only 87 hours, was a profound test of both conventional and nuclear deterrence, as well as the integration of modern technologies in warfare. Lt Gen Kidwai has stated this while speaking at a seminar hosted by ISSI seminar on 'The Future of Deterrence and Emerging Challenges' in connection with Youm-e-Takbeer here on Wednesday. He underscored the emergence of a 'new normal' in South Asia's strategic environment following the recent intense escalation-cum-retaliation mini war between India and Pakistan. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF)'s decisive performance, leveraging advanced Chinese-technology and using integrated multi-domain tactics, has established Pakistan as the dominant air power in South Asia. Gen Kidwai further said this shift validates Pakistan's conventional deterrence as an effective complement to its robust nuclear arsenal. He outlined the key tenets of the 'new normal': Air superiority has shifted decisively to Pakistan, with the Pakistan Air Force now the dominant air power in South Asia; Pakistan's battle-tested conventional deterrent, especially its Air Force, has assumed a leading role in regional deterrence; Pakistan's credible nuclear deterrence will continue to constrain and limit India's political and operational choices, thereby maintaining strategic stability; any Indian aggression will be met with a 'notch-up response' as Field Marshal Asim Munir has promised, a 'Quid Pro Quo Plus', as Pakistan's retaliation will always be a calibrated and escalated response; India's pattern of seeking ceasefires following Pakistan's intense retaliation has become an established norm; and international diplomatic interventions will persist in managing crises to prevent escalation beyond defined limits. Additionally, former DG NCA asserts that Pakistan reserves the right to reciprocate any terror attack with conventional responses against pre-determined adversaries, reflecting a reciprocal logic to India's declared doctrines. While commemorating the 27th anniversary of Pakistan's nuclear tests, Lt. Gen. Kidwai reaffirmed that Pakistan's nuclear capability remains the cornerstone of its national security, ensuring strategic stability and restoring balance in South Asia. He emphasized that the defining feature of the new strategic reality is the reversal of air superiority in the region. He further outlined that Pakistan's nuclear weapons program had continued to serve as a robust deterrent and the guarantor of peace and stability in South Asia. Over the last six years, India's Hindutva-driven BJP government had twice tested nuclear-armed Pakistan's political will, strategic resolve, and military capability first by striking mainland Pakistan in February 2019, and again in Azad Kashmir in May 2025. On both occasions, India emerged second best. These confrontations reaffirmed the credibility of Pakistan's deterrent posture both conventional and nuclear and demonstrated that any Indian aggression would be met with a stronger-than-proportional response. He concluded by stressing Pakistan's steadfast resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and regional peace in an environment shaped by emerging threats and technological advancements, marking a strategic shift that firmly favours Pakistan's security interests in South Asia. He also underlined that India and Pakistan should seize the opening provided by President Trump's diplomatic initiative by taking the path of dialogue and addressing the conflicts plaguing South Asia. In his remarks DG ISSI Ambassador as part of the commemoration of Youm-e-Takbeer, the Arms Control and Sohail Mahmood emphasized the enduring significance of Youm-e-Takbeer as a landmark in South Asia's strategic history. He recalled Pakistan's decisive response to India's nuclear provocations in 1998, which reestablished deterrence and restored strategic balance in the region. He noted that Pakistan's nuclear journey was not a choice but a necessity driven by existential security imperatives. He highlighted Pakistan's responsible conduct as a nuclear state over the past 27 years, and stressed five key elements of national policy: a credible and operationalized deterrent; an impeccable nuclear safety and security regime; a growing record of peaceful nuclear applications; responsible international conduct; and consistent nuclear diplomacy to combat discrimination and misperception. He cautioned that the regional security environment is increasingly volatile due to disruptive technologies, and India's destabilizing posture, including MIRVs, sea-based deterrents, and counterforce strategies. He also referred to India's post-Pahalgam misadventure, and lauded Pakistan's calibrated response, while warning about New Delhi's strategic recklessness, driven by Hindutva ideology and electoral calculation. He reaffirmed that Pakistan's Full Spectrum Deterrence under Credible Minimum Deterrence ensures that no space exists for aggression below the nuclear threshold. He concluded by reiterating that deterrence is not about fear it is about stability, responsibility, and peace through strength and emphasized that Pakistan remains fully committed to its strategic posture, with clarity, restraint, and resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and regional stability. Amb Zamir Akram discussed 'Emerging Challenges and Regional Deterrence,' emphasizing the transformation of South Asia's strategic landscape post-nuclearisation. He highlighted India's increasingly aggressive posture, including false flag operations and hybrid warfare tactics involving proxies like the BLA. He analysed Pakistan's calibrated and robust military response, particularly following India's 2025 misadventure, which resulted in the downing of several Indian aircraft and exposed the vulnerability of its advanced air defence systems. He emphasized that while nuclear deterrence prevents full-scale war, India's coercive strategies continue to undermine strategic stability in the region. He concluded that India's strategic autonomy has weakened, while Pakistan's resilience and strategic partnership with China remain critical for regional stability. Air Commodore Khalid Banuri delivered an insightful discussion on 'Emerging Technologies and the Changing Nature of Warfare.' He examined the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence, cyber and electronic warfare, hypersonic systems, and space-based capabilities, highlighting their implications for speed, precision, and asymmetry in conflict. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Indian leadership's rhetoric shows Hindutva mindset: Rizwan Saeed
Listen to article Pakistan's Ambassador to the US, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has warned that Indian leadership's recent Hindutva-driven rhetoric and actions, that reflect a 'terrorist mindset,' threaten regional stability. Speaking to multiple media outlets in Washington, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh said India's handling of the Indus Waters Treaty showed a disregard for international law. 'The treaty contains no provision for unilateral termination or suspension,' the ambassador said. 'India's attempt to use water as a weapon is both illegal and inhumane, and the international community will not support such actions.' He further criticised Indian leadership's recent remarks and visual displays, including a map of Akhand Bharat in the Indian Parliament, calling it a reflection of 'hegemonic mentality and sinister intentions.' The ambassador claimed that the use of anti-Pakistan rhetoric for domestic political gain in India was a 'dangerous strategy' that risked inflaming nationalism.'India's involvement in Balochistan is no longer a secret,' Rizwan Saeed Sheikh added. Ambassador Sheikh also commended the United States for its role in maintaining the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. He praised former US President Donald Trump for promoting peace in the region and called for continued American engagement on the Kashmir issue. 'We appreciate President Trump's peace efforts and hope they continue within the established framework to resolve the Kashmir dispute.' The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 under World Bank supervision, governs water sharing between India and Pakistan. Earlier, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Pakistan will not get water from rivers over which India has rights upping the rhetoric in a standoff over water access triggered by a deadly attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Pakistan's chief legal officer, in an interview with Reuters, responded that Islamabad remained willing to discuss water sharing between the neighbours but said India must stick to a decades-old treaty. "Pakistan will have to pay a heavy price for every terrorist attack ... Pakistan's army will pay it. Pakistan's economy will pay it," Modi said at a public event in Rajasthan. India-Pakistan standoff The latest escalation between Pakistan and India began on April 22, when an attack in the IIOJK resort town of Pahalgam killed 26 people. India immediately blamed Pakistan for the incident, despite providing no public evidence. In response, India undertook a series of hostile actions the next day on April 23, including suspending the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), cancelling visas for Pakistani citizens, closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing, ordering the shutdown of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, and reducing diplomatic staff at each other's embassies. Pakistan strongly rejected the accusation, calling it unsubstantiated, but took reciprocal measures through its National Security Committee (NSC). These included halting trade with India, closing Pakistani airspace to Indian aircraft, and other countersteps. Tensions further escalated in the early hours of May 7, when missile strikes hit six cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), destroying a mosque and killing dozens of civilians, including women, children, and the elderly. In a swift military response, Pakistan's armed forces shot down Indian warplanes, including three Rafale jets, widely regarded as a key asset of the Indian Air Force. Over the following two days, India launched waves of Israeli-made drones, which were also neutralised by Pakistan's military. The confrontation intensified again in the early hours of May 10, when India targeted several Pakistani airbases with missile strikes. In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, damaging Indian military installations, including missile storage sites, airbases, and other strategic targets. By Saturday evening, US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire had been reached following intense diplomatic efforts overnight. Minutes later, the agreement was confirmed separately by Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the Indian foreign secretary. But despite the military ceasefire the war of narratives has waged on. While Pakistan publicly credited US President Donald Trump — along with China and Gulf states — for playing a vital role in defusing tensions, India downplayed foreign involvement. Indian officials have insisted the truce was the result of direct bilateral talks. Trump, has however, reiterated his stance twice following the initial announcement.
