By: Ms Sumblina Hassan
Secretary to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto
Former Consultant to the Foreign Office, Islamabad
In charge of Office 10, UK, RCC, Bilawal House
Published By: ANI News Agency
When we call upon Allah Ta’ala by one of His greatest names, Al-Ism Al-Azam, He answers and grants what is asked. He is Dhul-Jalali wal-Ikram, the Lord of Majesty and Generosity.
Allah Ta’ala declares in Surah Al-An’am (6:14): “And He it is who causes gardens to grow, both trellised and untrellised, and palm trees and crops of different kinds, and olives…” Allah Ta’ala proceeds to say: “Eat of their fruits when they yield, and give their due Zakat on the day of their harvest, and do not be excessive.”
Allah Ta’ala commands us to notice what He produces and asks whether we do not reflect upon His signs.
In Surah An-Naba (78:6–7), Allah Ta’ala wants us to think deeply about His creation and its significance when He draws our attention to the mountains: “Have We not made the earth as a bed, and the mountains as pegs?”
In accordance with modern geology, this concept aligns with what scientists call mountain roots and the principle of isostasy. This means that mountains have deep “roots” embedded in the denser mantle below. Therefore, for a mountain to rise and stand tall, its underground root can extend to depths virtually four to five times greater than its height.
Our mountain ranges in Pakistan, therefore, have a stabilising function. The crust thickens to support their weight, and they act like anchors, thereby stabilising the continental lithosphere. Their role is to provide a comfortable “bed” or resting place that ensures stability and cohesion on Earth. They help maintain the Earth’s structural stability and contribute to the conditions that make life possible, allowing human civilisation and agriculture to prosper and survive.
With respect, my aim is to analyse the subjective views of Asim Munir and our Prime Minister regarding what could be described as “selling out”, or should we say, their proposal to pander to the mega-rich in America through a sudden, impulsive desire to sell our mineral wealth. What will this project entail? Who will it really benefit, and what will be the repercussions of this deal?
The US wants to partner with Pakistan to extract and mine significant quantities of rare earth and other mineral resources from our mountains, including copper, gold and other valuable metals that will enhance and advance its technological development. If these developments were to be used in an ethical and moral manner to improve society and ensure that people could live with dignity and longevity, without being subjected to the abuse of warlike technologies or technologies that could lead to the annihilation of the human race, then I would support this project.
Let’s not forget that the US and Russia fought wars involving Afghanistan in a region rich in lithium and other minerals used in the worldwide production of mobile phones and other technologies. These are machines that can also be deployed for destructive purposes, including the detonation of devices to harm people, as was reportedly done to communities in Lebanon. What, then, will advanced technology look like?
America has recently given the world a thousand days until World War III breaks out. Countries in and around Europe, including the UK, have issued instructions through media platforms for their populations to stock up on essential supplies and be prepared. The world is, therefore, facing a state of confusion and uncertainty.
America is dangling a carrot, so to speak, by suggesting that we will benefit enormously, potentially by trillions of dollars or even more, and that an ecosystem will develop in Balochistan, KPK and other areas where significant mineral deposits may exist. This scheme could effectively enable economic growth while providing jobs, road infrastructure and transportation networks.
The present conflict in Balochistan exacerbates regional instability. It is an ethno-nationalist insurgency driven by historical grievances, alongside concerns over mismanagement and State exploitation of local mineral wealth. There is a conflict of interest between the indigenous people and the wealthy. Do they plan to become richer, or do they genuinely want to enrich the poor?
The British East India Company traded with India for many years, and history tells us the outcome of that story. We are entrusting a vast amount of land, resources and wealth to an outside power that has fought in numerous Islamic countries, drained them of their resources and left their people in destitution.
As God has ordained and reminded us, we are the custodians of His planet. He has entrusted us with maintaining equilibrium, not accumulating excess, but preserving the balance of His creation. We must not violate the natural order of the world; instead, we should enhance it and make good use of it!
Our people have learned that it is not about how much one can accumulate, but how well one can live with what one has. People have partnered with the mountains and observe the beginning of each day by watching the sun, which provides energy.
We, too, must invest in our people, our scientists and our engineers, who can be trained overseas and bring back their knowledge to do exactly what others want to do. Overseas Pakistani experts and professionals can make a great contribution by working with their counterparts to build, create and advance Pakistan through our own methods, rather than continuing to rely on others.
We must not support a state that has ambitions to empower itself in order to dominate others.
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