Last month the Bangladesh government awarded a number of international figures in recognition of their services during the country’s freedom movement. “Friends of Bangladesh” were honored for standing by the Bengalis in their struggle. Apart from a number of prominent leaders from other countries, 13 Pakistanis were also selected for resisting Pakistan Army’s operation in the then East Pakistan and advocating a peaceful negotiated solution of the crisis.

However, back in Pakistan, award winners were openly criticized in the electronic and print media. They were termed as traitors who shook hands with the enemies of Pakistan. It obviously shows that even after four decades of the separation, we are not ready to accept the reasons why the Bengalis, despite being in majority, sought a separation from Pakistan.

Apparently we are not ready to face the facts. We keep sticking to a false premise, distorted and doctored history, and then wonder what went wrong. It all started in 1949. Soon after the death of Quaid-e-Azam, Pakistan’s founder, we forgot the real reasons for which this country was created. It was founded to provide social justice to all its citizens irrespective of religion, sect, caste, ethnicity and language. — Masood Khan, Jubail