PAKISTAN: Making a nation from Anagram
New York Times

C.L Sulzberger
Feb 7, 1955


By C.L.Sulzberger

KARACHI, Pakistan, Feb 6—Pakistan is more a geographical expression than a nation. The idea of a separate Moslem state in India was invented by a poet. It received political backing from the independence movement only in 1940—seven years before the British pulled out.

But there are no Pakistani people. The word, which also means “Land of the Pure,” derives from an anagram based on territorial provinces. P is for Punjab; A is for Afghan Pathans of the North-West Frontier; K is for Kashmir; S is for Sind; Tan is for Baluchistan. Significantly, there is no reference to East Bengal. Yet it is that area, one thousand miles away on the other side of India, that most Pakistanis live.

This anagrammatic origin may yet symbolize Pakistan’s ultimate development. Karachi covets K for Kashmir—of which it holds but a minor chunk. There are those who think of A for Afghanistan in larger terms than Pathans and talk of ultimate union with that country. But there is nothing serious to this project now. The Afghans are playing a dangerous game, courting the Russians and trying to promote Pathan insurrection in Pakistan. Karachi has suggested that at least pursue a common policy in economics, defense and foreign affairs. The response, in terms of acts, is negative.

Latent Trouble suspected

Less philosophical perhaps is a small powerful faction within the dominant hierarchy which believes in a period of “controlled democracy” under some local version of Turkey’s Kemal Ataturk. The only visible role candidate for such role is Maj.Gen Iskander Mirza, Interior Minister whose son recently married the American Ambassador’s daughter. Mirza feels that if democracy goes off the rails—as it has threatened to do here—a strong hand must put it back. He tried the experiment successfully when he restored order from chaos in East Bengal.

He is tough, intelligent and Western-minded. The first Indian cadet to enter the Army through Sandhurst, England’s West Point, he worked twenty-eight years in British India’s Political Service. He headed Pakistan’s defense system. Colorful enough to attract legend. Mirza supposedly forestalled a riot once by having his agents mix purgatives in the plotter’s rice. He offends Islam’s fanatical priests, the Mullahs, by warning religion out of politics. He proclaims, “We can’t run wild on Islam, it’s Pakistan first and last.” One of his officer supporters broke up a mob by ordering troops: “Shoot to kill and aim at beards.” [ Mullahs wear beards.]

Whether Pakistan will shelve democracy in favour of a “strong hand” remains to be seen. There is no doubt that this country, which leans into both the Middle East and Southeast Asia, inherits Political weakness from each. Nevertheless, it has displayed considerable energy, imagination and determination during its difficult youth. It has managed to produce a very few remarkable able men. The future will depend largely upon the quality of their leadership.