Memorandum

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A       MEMORANDUM OF DEFENCE AND RECRUTTMENTS OF EAST PAKISTAN BY MAJOR A GHANI, M.L.A (INDEPENDENT).

1.       Although the talk about the American Military & Economic aid to Pakistan has been going on for quite a long time at any rate the public did not know anything about the shape. extent, and quantity of these aids. In the absence of any positive public indication about these vital facts the confusion about the disirability or otherwise of such an Arm aid fed by criticism at home in Pakistan abroad and some of the Middle Eastern countries had been worse confounded; especially from the context of Eastern Wing of Pakistan this aid had received further hostile criticism, until, our prime Minister and Defence Minister made declaration of these aids. of course, it is clear that the details of tanks, guns and ammunition cannot be discussed in public.

2.       I take the liberty of making the following observations as I sincerly feel, as a former officer of Pak. Army and as a Member of East Pakistan Legislative Assembly returned as an Independent candidate, that there is no adequate appreciation of the East Pakistan affairs from the stand point of Geopolitics, more particularly from the South East Asia and Indian ocean Political and Military Strategy, 

3.       I do not propose to discuss the purely national regional problem but would like to confine briefly to the geopolitical aspects of the issue.

4.       If I correctly understand the broad American policy it is to strengthen the democratic front in backward countries by raising their standard of life, by developing industries, social security, public health and also by building their military night, their fighting capacity-offensive and defensive. The object of Us Arms Aid to Pakistan, therefore, one should realise, is to strengthen the military power of Pakistan which means the strenthning of the defensive strength and Reasource of the Western as well as the Eastern wing, to contain possible armed aggression as well as infiltration through cold war tactics.

5.       Now coming to the East Bengal aspect of the aid some question are asked and on a satisfactory answer to them alone will it be possible to clear the confusion, misunderstanding and prejudice on the issue.

a.       WILL THE ARMS AID COME TO EAST PAKISTAN AT ALL?

b.       IF AT ALL IT COMES TO EAST PAKISTAN IN WHAT SHAPE? – IN THE FORM EQUIPMENT ONLY FOR THE ARMY OR IN THE SHAPE OF MILITARISATION OF THE PEOPLE OF THE REGION BY DEVELOPING DEFENCE INDUSTRIES BY BUIIDING OF TRAINING AND GARRISON ESTABLISHMENTS FOR ARMY, ANVY AND AIR FORCE AID RECRUITING LARGE NUMBER OF YOUTHS FROM EAST PAKISTAN?

6.       If our government thinks that East Pakistan is exposed to foreign aggression which I think is a general appreciation. I very strongly feel that the question raised above should be examined, not already done, and decisions taken without delay and an authoritative public announcement should be made to satisfy the people’s ansieties in this wing. A dangerous, demoralising and frustrating feeling has been caused here and is daily gaining ground because of the alleged apathy and indifference shown to East Pakistan and East Pakistanees and because of the alleged feeling that East Pakistanees are not suitable to defend their own land, that is Pakistan, this impression should not be allowed to gain ground further in the interest of all concerned. There is an apprehension that the prevailing opinion is that in any milita planning and strategic calculation East Pakistan does not merit consideration because of the belief prevailing in the West that East Pakistan’s security lied on the strenth of West Pakistan. 

7.       I do not want to underline the most obvious but I must, in passing for emphasise that in any defensive or offensive preparation the hard fact of geography of Pakistan can be ignored that is why there should be more realistic approach to make East Pakistan self reliant and self sufficient millitarily to meet any crisis whether it is a “cold” war or a “hot” war, whether it is a military offensive or an infiltration from subversive elements or a combination of both. 

8.       Another point which needs stressing is that a successful defence policy can only be based on the military resources of the area itself on the fighting capacity of the sons of the soil. They shall be the ‘fighters’ and must be given the proper military training before the become fighters in a truly military sense and the necessary where with a for the military machine which, when applied to local condition in East Pakistan, means that the East Pakistaness should bear arms, raised and trained as proper soldiers, sailors and airman. They have to be militarized by raising local units for all arms of our defence services- Arm, Navy and Air Force and kept in the finest fettle. That does not mean that East Pakistanis will be stationed in East Pakistan only.

9.       In consideration of the geographical situation & strategic position of the two wings of Pakistan, both of them should be equals strong & self sufficient so far as their defence is concerned  in case of any emergency.

If a global war breaks out the armed forces in West Pakistan will have to fulfil the commitment of the Baghdad Pact (mcdo). It will be impracticable & impossible for them to send the armed force from West Pakistan for the defence of East Pakistan and also to full the commitment of SEATO.

10.     The strength of the East Bengal Regiment is only two battalion the raising of which was completed within a couple of years immediate after the partition. But since then no other battalions have yet be raised even in spite of the persistent demands of the East Pakistan. among whom there is no dearth of suitable human materials for the infantry and other arms services. 

11.     Due to the repeated demands of the East Pakistanis & the Sindh to give them reasonable & legitimate representation in the different branches of the armed forces, a Recruitment Inquiry Committee was formed with the then Central Minister Dr. Mohammad Hussain as Chairmen in 1951. The Committee visited the different places of East Pakistan & Sindh & held discussions to study the local circumstances & conditions with a view to find out ways & means for the proper representation of the East Pakistanis * Shindhis to the various branches of the defence forces of Pakistan. But strangely enough, the reports to the Committee have not yet seen the light & it is doubtful whether any action on the findings of the Committee has been taken. 

12.     During the spell of the financial crisis in 1952 about 1000 young trained personal had been released from the East Bengal Regiment the only Regiment of the East Pakistanis in the making. It is now reported that about 400 personnel including a dozen officers have released from the same regiment and other arms very recently on various grounds. In the past more battalions of this regiment were not raised on the ground of the dearth to the trained instructors. Out of the released personnel, two more battalions could have easily been raised. This weightage should have been considered in view of this newly East Bengal Regiment and representation of East Pakistani Wing negligible. This untimely & occasional retrenchment has surely & direct adverse effect on recruitment in East Pakistan. But in order to meet this situation colour services should be extended from 7 year to 15 years.

SUGGESTIONS

13.     A pre-cadet school should start functioning at once in East Pakistan, to train youths for Army, Navy and Air Force.

14.     Military training should be made compulsory in High Schools & Colleges which will serve as feeder institutions to the Pre-cadet & training school. In other words, the Unit of National Cadet corps should be raised. 

15.     A public school after the model of the schools at Sargoda & Murree Hills should be established as early as possible which will supply the officer cadre in the Army, Navy & Air Force. 

16.     More recruiting offices should be opened in East Pakistan. In 1948 only one Recruiting office had to cover the entire East Pakistan. In 1951 two Branches Recruiting offices were opened at Comilla & another at Rangpur. But it is a matter of regret to say that the Rangpur Office is a mere apology for a recruiting office as until now no Recruiting Officer & Medical Officer have been posted there. As such it is not functioning as recruiting Officer.

17.     A combined recruit training center to impart basic military training to the enrolled recruits bound for their respective units in West Pakistan should be established without any further delay instead of detaining the recruits in transit camps and demoralizing them. 

18.     Garrison battalions should be raised with the released suitable ex-service personnel, required by the Govt, time to time for various local duties. 

19.     Territorial forces should be raised, which is being vigorously pursued by other nations. The steps taken by our neighboring country in this connection should be an eye opener for us. 

20.     P.W.P.G should be re-organized extensively & given intensive training in First Aids, Nursing, Telegraphy, Typewriting, etc, in addition to the necessary military training. 

21.     The annual training should be made compulsory for all office staff between PNG. Battalions of this wing since 1953. This training should start immediately. 

22.     Military training should be made compulsory for all office staff between the ages of 18 of 45. They must parade at least two days in a week. 

23.     A well represented committee should be set up soon to investigate into the matter why the officers & other ranks from this wing in the different Armed Services are not feeling happy, contended & secure. 

24.     In the Indian Army the requisite eight for the enrolment of Madrasses & the Maharatties is 5.4" & that of the Gurkhas is 5 ft only. They average height of the East Pakistanis with good physique is 5" - 4". This standard was observed in respect of the East Pakistanis till 1952. Since then it has been raised to 5' - 6". The physical of the East Pakistanis should be reduced to 5' - 2" for Metric entries which will afford greater scope and better opportunities to them to join the defence forces of Pakistan in larger number. 

25.     At present the Recruiting Officers of the Army, the Nevy & Air Force in East Pakistan have to depend wholly and solely upon the publicity of the Provincial Govt, in connection with their recruitment. But the civil publicity organization is always frightfully busy with their multifarious affairs and finds no time to do anything on behalf of the military recruitment. As such, a separate publicity organization for the Army, the Navy and the Air Force recruitment in East Pakistan should be arranged by the Central Govt, immediately.

26.     An ordinance factory should be set up in East Pakistan to cater the needs of various items of ordinance stores and equipments required for the forces stationed here. At the present moment all such items are imported form West Pakistan which is very expensive.

27.     Finally, the discontented and forlorn condition that is writ large in East Pakistan because of mass unemployment and under- employment will have been mitigated if employment in Defence services is adequate number besides Defence and Civil Industry were available.

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