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Editor notes:
The author is Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Editor, Analyst, Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.(E-mail: [email protected]).
Nineteen years ago, on 11 September 2001, an incident in the World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan, New York, USA, resulted in 2,877 precious human lives, and over 25,000 injuries, and significant damages in property and economic loss.
It was a tragedy, and the loss of human lives has saddened the whole world. It is believed that the most precious thing in this universe is human life. Economic loss can be compensated or recovered by hard work, but the loss of human life is a biological process, which is irreversible, irrecoverable, and cannot be compensated by any means.
The immediate reaction by President Bush, just within hours, was the "beginning of Crusade" without investigation, compiling any concrete evidence, and collecting witnesses, Muslims were blamed and held responsible. The US was a unique Superpower in the unipolar world, and no one can argue with the US at that time. The media was used to project the American narrative only and defamed the Muslim world. The incredibly biased Western Media defamed Muslims and launched a distorted image of Muslims, and built a level playground to attack the Muslim world.
There is around two billion Muslim population around the world, every fifth person in this world is a Muslim, and 57 Muslim countries are the sovereign states and member of the United Nations. The Muslim world is rich in natural resources, especially Oil and Gas. But not united and politically, not matured.
The War on Terror was imposed with the objective of destroyingthe Muslim world. Afghanistan and Sudan were bombed immediately, and Iraq, Libya, Syria were attacked later on. Arab spring was launched for destabilizing the Arab world; Muslims in non-Muslin countries were also not spared, like in Philippine, and in some African countries, etc. Muslims were victimized all over the world. Legislations were passed harming Muslims living in the Western World, new Immigration and Visa rules were introduced to target Muslims.
Estimated 12 Million Muslims lost lives directly or indirectly, outnumbered injured, and even more, were made homeless. The irony is that the US created an environment that the Muslims cannot live in their own country, and moreover, do not allow them to migrate to Europe and America. The earth was shortened for them. Open discrimination and targeted action against the Muslims were witnessed by the US and allies.
Around 3000 Americans lost their lives on 9/11, but 12 Million Muslims lost lives during War on terror. The UN was by-passed, and the UN charter was ignored, deliberately made the UN a dysfunction organization.
Pakistan was a partner and close ally with the US during the cold war era, the front-line state during the Afghan War, and Non-NATO closest ally during the War on terror. Pakistan was with the US for Seven-Decades and had been protecting the US interests in this part of the world. As long as Pakistan was a close ally with the US, it was ensured that the US had achieved all its strategic goals in this region. The day the US started keeping a distance from Pakistan, and aligning its interests and cooperation with India, has been facing failure one after another. The American leadership, especially the Military leadership, understands the pivotal potential of Pakistan very well.
Pakistan sacrificed 80,000 precious lives during the Afghan War, outnumbered injuries, and an economic loss of estimated at US Dollars 250 billion, in addition to the gift of terrorism, extremist, trafficking, drugs, and gun culture. Pakistan suffered hugely but ensured American victory. Pakistan was a victim of terrorism but unacknowledged by the US.
On 11September 2020, Trump and his staff observed a moment of silence in honor of the victims of the 9 / 11 incident. Then, in a speech, President Trump said: "Today, we pay tribute to their sacrifices, and we deeply mourn the nearly 3000 precious and beautiful lives that were taken away from us on 11 September 2001." Trump also stressed that the United States would not be soft in the pursuit of terrorists who threaten the safety of its people.
On this particular occasion, however, the United States and India issued a joint statement of intent to "attack" Pakistan. Refereingto the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 11 September, the United States and India, in a joint statement, demanded that Pakistan take an immediate, sustained, and irreversible action to ensure that no territory under its control is used in terrorist attacks and that those responsible are promptly brought to justice in the event of terrorist attacks. The statement deliberately links Pakistan to terrorism, and its implications for Pakistan are self-evident.
220 Million Brave men and women of Pakistan condemned it and rejected all false allegations. Pakistan is a peace-loving nation and believes in peace globally. Pakistan is a victim of terrorism, not involved in any kind of terrorism. It is a clear and open policy of the Government of Pakistan that Pakistan is a partner with everyone in "Peace" and is never a partner or party in "conflict" or "war" with any other country.
The American-Indian joint statement is ridiculous and inappropriate and considered coercion—such a statement only hurt Pakistan's feeling. The UN, the International Community, and all individuals with human consciousness may reject such statements and show solidarity with Pakistan.
Mr. Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, who has served in Pakistan as a senior diplomate and understands the whole situation, responded at a regular press conference on 11 September: "terrorism is a common challenge facing all countries in the world. Pakistan has made great efforts and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, which should be fully affirmed and respected by the international community. All countries should jointly carry out international cooperation against terrorism based on mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit, and make joint efforts to maintain international peace and security."
He also stressed that China opposes terrorism in all its forms, actively advocates responding to the threat of terrorism through strengthening international counter-terrorism cooperation, supports that the United Nations plays a leading role, opposes double standards on counter-terrorism issues, and opposes linking terrorism to specific ethnic and religious groups. China will remain to carry out counter-terrorism cooperation with other countries, jointly prevent and combat terrorism, and safeguard world peace and stability. Finally, Mr. Zhao Lijian reminded the United States: "on this special day today, I hope the United States will not forget that terrorism and novel coronavirus are the common enemies of mankind. China and Pakistan are not enemies of the United States."
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
