Colonial Mentality of UK
By the Editor

GOING by all parameters of decent diplomatic norms, British High Commissioner to Pakistan Mark Lyall Grant’s remarks at the launching of country assistance programme for Pakistan that the role of the military in economic field has increased are uncalled-for and—of-course a clear interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign State.

Seemingly, the envoy misused the occasion to cast aspersions on a vital institution of our magnificent country—Pakistan.

The utterances of the British High Commissioner are not only against diplomatic nucleus and ethics but are also reflective of colonial mentality—ignoring laws governing inter-state relationship.

Perhaps he might have thought that while doling out a few pounds for assistance—he was at liberty to churn out venom against a sovereign State.

The diplomat must realize that all institutions of the State are bound to work cohesively for the overall development of the country and the armed forces in Pakistan, side-by-side defending the frontiers of the country, are doing a marvelous job in assisting the masses during all types of natural calamities and—of-course through other developmental activities.

To quote a single example, they have constructed roads and communication links in hitherto inaccessible areas—where the civil contractors would have felt shy to undertake projects, thus opening the modern day facilities for the poor masses of the far-flung vicinities.

By recalling the index of the history, the British diplomat would turn well aware that his ancestors were part of the colonial era—and the masses suffered the most at their hands because all those speaking against excesses and for their rights were crushed either through the then State machinery or their local loyalists—well known as the sycophants.

Amid such a milieu, it was the colonial power that introduced the abhorrent culture of Wadaira, Sardari and Jagirdari in this part of the world by lavish allotment of land of the poor people of the area—as if considering it was their personal property.

Lexicon of the pre-Independence epoch would make apparent that these Wadairas, Jagirdars and Sardars served the colonial interests—by suppressing voices of dissent and subjugating the masses to live in below poverty lines as this was the only way to prolong the British colonial rule.

At the same time, by analyzing the events of the pre-1947 years, with a pragmatic approach, the reality would surface that in view of those episodes, Pakistan is still suffering the wounds of colonial era as well as the pro-Indian stance of the British rulers at the time of partition of the sub-continent.

It is one of the major factors that Pakistan has, by now not been able to fully achieve the goals of its development and prosperity.

Thursday’s statement by Pakistan’s Foreign Office that with Mark Lyall Grant clarifying his remarks with the words that he was quoted 'out of context’; the issue had been resolved amicably—is not enough.

Our FO has to recap that the remarks of British High Commissioner did create a stir in every segment of society in Pakistan.

To this effect, we would certainly endorse the contents of a press communiqué, wherein a senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was quoted on Wednesday as saying that the remarks made by the British High Commissioner were "unwarranted and inaccurate besides being an infringement of diplomatic norms."

With this perception, the nation expects that not only the British High Commissioner would be formally summoned to the Foreign Office to tell him in categorical terms to concentrate on his real job which calls for promoting relations between the two countries—Pakistan and the UK—rather than creating fissures but a strong protest would also be lodged with British Government so as to ensure that such a scenario does not recur—in any mode or manner.● 

 —  Mumtaz Hamid Rao
www.MumtazRao.net