De-Bunking Myths of History

Following key myths found in Pakistani text books need to be expunged: 1) Pakistan was created by Mohammed bin Qasem in the 8th century and reached its zenith under Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th century. (In reality, the name Pakistan was first used by Choudhry Rehmat Ali in 1940.) 2) Muslim League was created to form Pakistan. (In reality, the League was formed in early 20th century to protects interests of Muslims in India and maintain ties with non-Muslims.) 3) Allama Iqbal presented a vision for Pakistan as a separate country at Allahbad address in 1930. (In reality, he asked for autonomous states comparising Muslim majority areas within an Indian federation.) 4) Jinnah always wanted Pakistan. (In reality, Quaid-e-Azam worked till 1935 as the Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity was only interested in protecting Muslims' political and economic rights.) 5) Muslim majority areas that became Pakistan always voted for the Muslim League. (In reality, Congress continued to win most votes in almost all Muslim areas that became Pakistan.) 6) NWFP (Frontier Province) voted overwhelmingly to join Pakistan in a referendum. (In reality, only 51% of the population voted in Pakistan's favor after Congress and Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan's Red Shirts boycotted the referendum.) 7) Communalism was instigated and perpetuated exclusively by Hindus and Sikhs. (In reality, Muslims were equally guilty of committing atrocities against Hindu and

Sikh populations.) 8) Jinnah campaigned for an Islamic state. (In reality, Jinnah wanted to establish a secular and constitutional state in which Islamic clergy and Sharia would have no role.) 9) The ideology of Pakistan was defined by Jinnah. (In reality, Jinnah never even used the term "ideology" in any of his addresses. Pak ideology as an Islamic state was largely defined by General Zia-ul-Haq during his Martial Law.) 10) India started the 1965 war, was defeated by Pakistan, and went to the UN for a ceasefire. (In reality, Pakistan perpetuated the war by sending armed insurgents into Indian Kashmir. The war ended in a stalemate and India never petitioned UN.) 11) Hindu population of East Pakistan was not loyal and stoked feelings of independence. (In reality, Muslim Bengali economists complained about their province's economic exploitation by West Pakistan and general treatment as secondclass citizens.) 12) India started 1971 war and broke Pakistan. (In reality, Awami League was denied a transfer of power despite winning 1970 elections and the resulting uprising dealt with military force. India used its army only after Pak attacked first on Western front.) 13) Kargil was initiated by Kashmiri insurgents. (In reality, the war was started by Pakistan with placement of regular army soldiers dressed in civilian garb in Indian Kashmir.)