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the-nine-lives-of-pakistan-dispatches-from-a-divided-nation
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Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities 189
Vol: 60(1) Jan-Jun 2021
Reviewer’s Name: Kashif Iqbal
Author of the book: Declan Walsh
Title of the Book: The Nine Lives of Pakistan: Dispatches From A Divided Nation
Publication detail: BLOOMSBURY PUBLISHING Plc, London, 2020.
ISBN: HB: 978-I-4088-6846-I
TPB: 978-I-4088-6847-8
EBOOK: 978-I-4088-6848-5
No. of Page: 332
Declan Walsh writes, “A journalist for The Guardian and for New York Times who has
been chased and fettered not to report 2014 elections. One of the top establishment’s
agencies glued him and cautioned him about the repercussions- Later. His visa has been
cancelled and he was declared ‘Enemy of the State’ Declan Walsh’s approximately a
decade’s deep insight into the political and religious observation unveils many policy
errors of Pakistan. A journalist by profession and story-teller as a writer rounds up the
book by providing informative and interesting facts about Pakistan’s most referred topics.
His book revolves around some military policies which seem wrong regarding the future
of the nation of Pakistan. Whether its steps in Balochistan or taking Taliban’s into their
fold went against Pakistanis as a whole nation. The author comments, “Nobody can stop
them- no judge, no lawyer, no ambassador, not even a minister. The angels rule.
Depicting Islamabad’s scenery and cultural mingling, the writer discloses some very
secret truths. His approach to the affairs related to top brass of Pakistan and his diving
deep look into some Musharaf’s personal habits is shocking. “President Musharaf, who,
it was widely known, was partial to a dose of Johnew Walker Premium blend Blue Label
in the evening”. While residing in Islamabad which is the city of, to some extent, migrants
(official migrants), he describes severity of fundamentalism that was also mishandled by
USA during cold war years. The state of religious affairs has been discussed in detailed
as well. Unknown to many is the truth of Maulana Sami-ul-Haq ( head of one of the
biggest Madaressa in Pakistan comprising almost 4000 students), says that he was caught
red handed while visiting brother with some other people with him as well. The author
ridicules the Maulana “Maulana Sami ul Haq, was informally known in political and
media circles as ‘Sami the Sandwich’.
The author’s glimpses on the political history of Pakistan opens some robust declarations.
His way of taking the roles of Benazir Bhutto and that of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and even
Musharaf went towards criticism on their promises and results.
Author’s tickling comments on corruption which seems the only source of survival for
those who are in power is also an interesting and eye opening episode. Mr. Walsh’s current
as well as historical insight in to the troubled situation of Pakistan is a direct lesson for
those who are in authority to direct Pakistan on the straight direction of corruption free
Pakistan. The itching phrase of Inshallah (If God wills it) stresses focus because author’s
opinion related to the phrase is on the lack of practical measures. Rather than ideologically
satisfying oneself that if God will, the harsh situation would be changed. A deep
observation can prove that most of the people of Pakistan depend on ideologically
This work is Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 International License.
190 Book Review
satisfying themselves rather practically doing something to change their miserable
situation.
Most of the present generation remembers the episode of Red Mosque tragedy. Author’s
way of defining the episode of Red Mosque in Islamabad and its linkages with some
historical events is worth-reading. It should be also noted that in defining the Red Mosque
Tragedy, the author lacks one important point. It seems what has been said by Ghazi
Abdul Rasheed is the final word regarding Political System of Islam. But the fact is not
as Ghazi defines. Apart from the political narration, 1831s Jihad War of Sayyid Ahmad
has been linked with the Islamic Revolution. The point of great interest is that Islamic
Revolution, Sayyid Ahmad’s Jihad and Red Mosque episode have all been co-related by
the author. Mr. Walsh here creates a mess of ideological clashes because all the episodes
bear different political backgrounds. Therefore, it would not be fair in any sense to link
all the episodes with Islamic Revolution.
Further, Pakistan’s societal shift after the hanging of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in April 1979
has been explained with the inclusion of Jihad war against USSR. Zia’s transformation of
Pakistan from a political modernist democratic state to the jihad a moral cause has been
highlighted factually. The author’s presenting touch of the episode of Zia and his death is
fabulous. He writes, “All that remained of the dictator was his jawbone, which was buried
inside a tomb at Islamabad’s Faisal Mosque. But Zia had bequeathed a poisonous legacy
to his country”. The historical background of the ‘poisonous legacy’ contains a high level
of religious institutional empowerment and Pakistan’s extremist outfit.
Declan Walsh traces interesting episode of Lal Masjid in terms of its strength and
bulldozing. General Zia strengthened by appointing Muhammad Abdullah Ghazi and
General Musharaf bulldozed by operationalizing special Services Groups Commandoes.
Fundamental episode initiated by the official authorities was ended by the same hands.
Author’s narrative style of story-telling is touching. Most of the people of Pakistan
consider the event only related to Islamabad but Mr. Walsh makes them wrong while
writing that the death of Ghazi Abdul Rasheed was paid a tribute by Osama Bin Laden as
well.
Moreover, Mr. Walsh after giving overall scenario of the extremist outlook of Pakistan
jumps on the Pakistan envisioned by Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Jinnah’s biographical sketch
has been rolled out in a very interesting way. From early education to his marriage with
Ruttie is an account of interest. Jinnah’s political as well as religious views has been
presented in a way that a reader may himself understand what Jinnah’s real intentions
were regarding the role of religion in Pakistan. Three month’s struggle of Muhammad Ali
Jinnah has been portrayed in a very serious say. Likewise, the author also supports
Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir as well.
Jinnah’s struggle has been traced very enthusiastically. The author refers Ayesha Jalal
who is of the view that Jinnah only pressed Pakistan as a bargaining chip. He was not in
a mood of acquiring any nation. However, reasons can be hundreds for the acquiral of
Pakistan. The point is here related to some conflicts that could not be resolved. Even
Mohammad Ali Jinnah could not stop the carnage which took place in India and Pakistan
Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities 191
Vol: 60(1) Jan-Jun 2021
after independence. The author argues that it was too late for Jinnah to cool down the fire.
The religious brands of the both sides (from India and from Pakistan) were so extreme.
Moreover, passing by the depending brand of Pakistanis on Inshallah, extremism and
Jinnah’s stance of Pakistan, the author gives deep insight into the mixing of Pashtunwali
and Sharia (Sharia brand by Taliban only). Mr. Walsh draws a neat and visible difference
between Pashtunwali and Talibanization of the ethnic group. Further, what type of
importance they give to pashtunwali has also been analyzed with first sight evidences.
The roles of Taliban and Al-Qaeda in the tribal areas of Pakistan have always been a
headache for Americans. For American wishes, Parvez Musharaf initiated operation in
Waziristan which resulted into a disaster. It should also be noted that Pakistan has always
fought other’s wars that shocked even very basis of Pakistan on all fronts. What was the
purpose of the state of Pakistan that at first allowed Taliban to grow and transform Pashtun
society from Jirga to Saudi-style Sharia courts is also a chapter of great interest. Mr. Walsh
portrays a visionary discussion between two ideologies. The first is related to Baitullah
Mehsud and the second is related to a political activist Kamal Marwat. The author refers
to the discussion as “It was effectively a debate between two visions of the frontier, Kamal
representing the old ways, Mehsud as the harbinger of a new order that justified its
violence with a lumped version of Sharia Law”. Mr. Walsh analyzes military rule of
Parvez Musharaf, Pashtun Society, and their cultural code, as well as extremism in a way
that a common man would be able to understand the arithmetic that played in Pashtun
areas.
Moreover, the book leads towards a thought provoking battle between a lady of Pakistan,
Asima Jahangir, and the generals. The author writes, “Asima Jahangir’s account not only
depicts her own life but the confrontations she took up against those who were stronger”.
A stance taken by a woman has been portrayed in a way that one has to rethink the image
of women in Pakistan. Highly influential examples regarding the imagination of Malala
Yousufzai and Aafia Siddique have been presented. How some hidden hands are
portraying and following some failed policies become open-secret after going through the
pages 126-127.
Eye-opening evidences that were gathered or pointed out after the assassination of Benazir
Bhutto are good enough to speculate the Hatcher of the assassination. Mr. Walsh presents
a daring case of Asima Jahangir. Asima Jahangir’s bold stance against military recalls
some bitter truth of the history of Pakistan.
A major chunk of the governing years have been controlled by establishment. Extra-
judicial killings and corporate sector of the askari wing all are the factors that halt Pakistan
progressing. Mrs. Jahangir case study depicts all the sides of brutal conduct of the
powerful hands in Pakistan.
Leading to the Asima Jahangir’s role the author drags attention of the readers towards
killing of a political in Kausar Market Islamabad. Salman Taseer’s death and Aasia Bibi’s
story resembles some mythical traits of history when some blasphemous accuses sets two
lives on fire. Impartial views of the both sides of stories have been depicted with great
This work is Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 International License.
192 Book Review
interest. Salman Taseer’s own biographical portrayal and Aasia Bibi’s plight is somehow
attached with sadness.
Declan Walsh traces plight of the city of lights (Karachi). The golden years of Karachi
have been beautifully described. On the other hand, those who contributed to develop the
city socially have also been mentioned. Chaudhary Aslam’s famous style of dealing with
criminals and his skirmishes with Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan’s terrorists is an example of
courage and confidence.
Chaudhary Aslam’s story in the book indirectly unveils hidden secrets of Karachi by
lengthy details on MQM’s working, Pashtun infiltration, changing social fabric of the city
intentionally converting of the city from homogenous to heterogeneous. The main thing
that the author has skipped is the 1747’s migration and role of those who facilitated the
migration process. The author has not dealt the issue with reference to the migration after
partition of India.
Declan Walsh describes an interview type discussion with Nawab Akbar Bugti of
Balochistan. During the interview Nawab Akbar Bugti explains some details of code of
honor killing and calls all the codes of the Baloch culture as “Namus/honor. The story of
pursuing Nawab Akbar Bugti and his killing presents many factual insights into the life
of the people of Bugti tribe
Author’s whole commentary and his last words are somehow more important. Analyzing
the deep state situation of Pakistan author writes, “Nor for the first time, the army was
trying to hold Pakistan together by force, crushing its critics instead of talking to them.”
In a nutshell, the detailed study of the book is crucial with reference to the positioning of
Pakistan in 21st century. Deep view of the current as well as historical situation of Pakistan
has been presented in a way that one enjoys while going through the book.
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