PAKISTAN means "THE LAND OF THE PURE" according to Kamran Riaz of the University of Houston, USA. However, one would find it hard to link the purity and holiness of Pakistan up with her modern history ever since its inception in 1947. For example, some 15 million people fled religious persecution in 1947 – Muslim fleeing to East and West Pakistan while Hindus fleeing to India. An estimated one million people were killed in widespread communal violence and millions were made homeless.
In the next year (1948), Pakistan was fighting with India over Kashmir. In 1951, Liaquat Ali Khan (Pakistan’s first prime minister) was assassinated in Rawalpindi – what a coincident! On April 17, 1953 -- Malik Ghulam Mohammad (Pakistan’s 3rd Governor General) dismissed Khawaja Nazimuddin (2nd prime minister). Such an act of Ghulam Mohammad had set an unhealthy tradition and precedent in Pakistan of presidents removing elected prime ministers. Unfortunately, this tradition was carried on by various Pakistani presidents creating a continuous instability in the country. Military interventions and coups also came into place rather frequently during the ensuing history of Pakistan.
I am shocked at hearing the news of Madam Benazir Bhutto’s assassination today (27th Dec., 2007)! It is certainly a great blow to this already unstable country and its poor people. Furthermore, the fate of Pakistan also hinges on the stability of the region when the Americans are fighting their war of terrorism. It wouldn’t be difficult for a sober-minded person to envision the likely destabilizing effect of Madam Bhutto’s assassination on the region’s stability and politics. In fact, there is an appreciable chance of Pakistan’s instability being spilled over to her neighbours including Afghanistan and India. It would also give way to a greater terrorists’ influence both in Pakistan and her neighbours as well as the western world.
Dear brothers and sisters, let’s pray for Pakistan for its recovery from the recent political turmoil as well as for the nation’s stability, the welfare of its people and their freedom to receive the Gospel of the Lord Jesus in order that Pakistan may become a truly holy and peaceful member of the world nations. Amen.
Howard
In the next year (1948), Pakistan was fighting with India over Kashmir. In 1951, Liaquat Ali Khan (Pakistan’s first prime minister) was assassinated in Rawalpindi – what a coincident! On April 17, 1953 -- Malik Ghulam Mohammad (Pakistan’s 3rd Governor General) dismissed Khawaja Nazimuddin (2nd prime minister). Such an act of Ghulam Mohammad had set an unhealthy tradition and precedent in Pakistan of presidents removing elected prime ministers. Unfortunately, this tradition was carried on by various Pakistani presidents creating a continuous instability in the country. Military interventions and coups also came into place rather frequently during the ensuing history of Pakistan.
I am shocked at hearing the news of Madam Benazir Bhutto’s assassination today (27th Dec., 2007)! It is certainly a great blow to this already unstable country and its poor people. Furthermore, the fate of Pakistan also hinges on the stability of the region when the Americans are fighting their war of terrorism. It wouldn’t be difficult for a sober-minded person to envision the likely destabilizing effect of Madam Bhutto’s assassination on the region’s stability and politics. In fact, there is an appreciable chance of Pakistan’s instability being spilled over to her neighbours including Afghanistan and India. It would also give way to a greater terrorists’ influence both in Pakistan and her neighbours as well as the western world.
Dear brothers and sisters, let’s pray for Pakistan for its recovery from the recent political turmoil as well as for the nation’s stability, the welfare of its people and their freedom to receive the Gospel of the Lord Jesus in order that Pakistan may become a truly holy and peaceful member of the world nations. Amen.
Howard
