Belokrenitsky said the book has been written from the Russian perspective, with a particular emphasis on the relationship between the two countries.
Many intellectuals believe that internal problems and geopolitical upheavals have taken Pakistan to the brink. But according to Russian scholar VY Belokrenitsky, who has spent decades studying its history, the country remains as strong as any other.
“If you look at all that has happened in the past, Pakistan’s is a success story,” he said during the launch of the book ‘A Political History of Pakistan: 1947 to 2007’ on day two of the fourth Karachi Literature Festival on February 16. He has co-authored the book with compatriot VN Moskalenko.
Belokrenitsky said that at the time of Partition, Pakistan was made up of areas which were less developed and faced problems. “Since then, many parts have urbanised and the population has grown manifold. It has become a vibrant society.”
The book has been divided into seven parts which trace the country’s history from the pre-partition era to the tumultuous end of General (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s government.
Belokrenitsky said the book has been written from the Russian perspective, with a particular emphasis on the relationship between the two countries. However, it also deals with prominent political developments.
“We have discussed matters related to the upper level of politics. There is something going on underneath all that as well and not many people know about that. It needs to be studied more.”
He said that years 2013 and 2014 can be a turning point for Pakistan as foreign troops are expected to exit Afghanistan. Columnist Humayun Gauhar also spoke at the event.
Correction: An earlier version of the story carried an incorrect photo of the VY Belokrenitsky. The error is regretted.
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What I hear from people returning from Pakistan is that in certain areas there are Pop Pop going on. Few people die everyday. It gets cleaned up and business is as usual. The stores open up and things get back to normal. Some people don't pay much attention. It scares the bejjejus out of me to think of the fate of the broken families and their sufferings.
I go on Dawn internet and I see leaders who never have never gone to a university talk and do nonsense work.Very efficiently. It is disheartening. On Television news all I hear petty bickering by the leaders. We have to change to succeed., Peace my brother.
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What to say and what not ! .....I Adnan Sadiq Butt who dared to e-mail the C.E( Uncle Mushraf ) to remove the Colonial Law(Britishers slavery laws) of rental tax for the widows and retired persons of pakistan (thinking of that Uncle Mushraf by himself retire on day and be also be saved form rental tax of immoveble properties) Hishighness replied with an ordinance(the quickest way law making) giving exemption of rental tax to W&R.Then I moved the Hong Kong for IT certification from whole world's computer manufacturers association comPTIA . I passed Core Hardware Technologies test - then I had an accident and injured with a head skin cut but my brain was tested with many heavy machines in a hospital and report was made that my brain is 100% ok and my head skin cut was stiched which healed soon .100% ok inside made me think of doing something that can be main solution for top Pakistan problem .I read all speaches of then President's(Uncle Mushraf) on net. Two things found main one Povery Eleviation oth Foreign Debt redution ..For six days and nights I researched for forms and origin of money and loans and world bank and IMF ect etc , haiving 24 hours internet and news and financial Chennals .Pakistan was having only 34 Billion $ loan burdon .I recorded my call calling 9200575 (knowing all 9200??? calls are recorded in G.H.Q. ang gave a quick solution to pak gov to fill the treasury with $s unlimited and endlessly .and after that intensive changes in the economy of Pakistan ...I hope now pakistan will be like Europe no person will wish to go abroad .but one more thing is left to be done that is removel of all laws and upgrade them uptodate ..because all are Colonial (Britishers left slavery laws ) .Lowest level of colonial laws is spoiling the 18 crore people's lives.Uncle got 1 million puonds home in london at king Edward Road ...But not even a flat for me in defence ....so surprised ...Any how God may progress Pakistan by leaps and bounds .. and make it free laws for free people counrty as well .I hope n pray .
@Rashid: if u think any muslim doesn't belong to india then why can't u call back indian bihari muslims to pak...won't u welcome them? won't u share ur house with them...or are u just a hypocrite?
@Raj - USA: You sir, have eagle eyes. Good catch! ET now has to make a correction. Let's see how long it takes :)
@Diggvijay Singh: Sir, I like your neutral but valuable views about most everything here. Miss Belokrenitsky definitely has included that time when Russia was a communist Soviet Union and Pakistan was assessed with a different approach. So now she has combined both the Communist and Capitalist benchmarks plus after 9/11 economic recovery story. I agree with her 100%, basically after visiting and seeing the land &it's people up-close and personal.
I saw there is a positive mentality & an honest desire of achievement & success in every person's eyes and actions that tells you either they have it or are not very far from it. Any how, with little fine tuning and some work on chronic rattling issues the Pak Motor is good to put on any race track. The leaders must now make an honest effort for the people who have shown unimaginable resilience and steadfastness against all odds and time has proven they can rise-n-shine in any test of time.@Raj - USA: The lady in the picture is NOT the author. The author is a man and not in the picture. ET seems to have blindly picked the first picture they got on google images.
@abdussamad: "Why is there a picture of a woman and some balding heads? Where is the author’s picture?" I thought the author is shown addressing the crowd. But then, both the commentators and the reporter have confused the gender of the author, referring to "him" and "her" according to convenience unless Russian males have taken to wearing skirts and sporting bob cuts. Regardless, the author (gender-neutral) ought to have advised the President of Russia about this rather shocking image change of Pakistan. He would not have had to make a lot of lame excuses to avoid traveling to Pakistan.
@Raj-USA and others
Please read the caption carefully before blindly criticizing. This is a file photo taken from the Russian Embassy website.
Pakistan's biggest hurdle and challenge is energy. This is the same assessment IMF panned out. Pakistan is ripe for industrialization: infrastructure is there, labor force is there, only thing missing is energy policy. In any case, we remain hopeful. We are the dreams of Jinnah, we simply cannot fail. It's not even an option.
@Raj - USA: @aj:
Read the caption carefully. It clearly says "RUSEMBASSY.IN", means it is a file photo taken from Russian Embassy in India website.
99.99% of Pakistani citizens have not been killed by terrorist activities. Most of them are not feudal and believe in democracy. Most of them have a live and let live outlook. Majority of the cricket players are not corrupt. Majority of the country has stayed intact in the last 40 years. We have lots of bombs - all types of bombs. Pakistan and Pakistanis are well known around the world. Holders of our green passport get special and extra attention at all airports.
So why should we not be proud of our successful country?
indian embassy placard in bacground?
Best of luck Pakistan !!! You need it. Best regards, as wishes were birds .rab rakha
Very True. No matter how much media tries to defame us, we know what we really are. Proud of being a 'strong' Pakistani!
@Green Tiger:
“The media's the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that's power. Because they control the minds of the masses.”
― Malcolm X
Thanks to Vodka...!
but the cover photo looks indian??
@Paki: ok but why you used term "Paki"..don't you think term "pakistani" is better..paki is considered a sort of abuse???
@Dr. A.K.Tewari
Doctor please doctor, would you please define this 'complexity syndrome' to us? By the way I am glad you are not the Indian hidden behind Muslim name.
She is right ... next decade is ours !!!! watch out world
Can't understand this at all. Indian Embassy placard at the background, Indian National Symbol on the podium, the author VY Belokrenitsky, a lady as shown in the photo is referred as "he" throughout the article...........
Can't fail to notice that vacant seats in the front row.
Why is there a picture of a woman and some balding heads? Where is the author's picture?
A correct and pragmatic assessment of Pakistans' future.
Clutching at straws.
Ooooo reallyyy ?? We had no idea :p
Many positive changes taking place in Pakistan often go neglected. Democracy has found its roots; for the first time an elected government will complete its term. The media is growing and is very free with debates on many issues. Media can act as a fourth pillar of democracy. Among Pakistan's youth there is much greater awareness about the governance and issues like corruption, feudalism, extremism etc.
Ha ha.... She`s funny..really funny.. Does she reads the news?
Pakistan is a success story except that we don't realize it. We fight on religious basis, we fight for our families name, we fight for blood but not for our homeland.
We talk about how great Islam is but we don't learn a single thing from Islam.
We vote for people who promise Roti and Kapra but when they don't deliver after 5 years, we still chant to Vote for them. Such is our insanity that we have to vote for family party even though they are the Enemy of Pakistan!!!
May Pakistan prosper :)
Thanks to the Americans and the Ahmadi merchants who kept PAK afloat!
The Russian author's views may sound unconventional but he has made a long term assessment. Everyone knows urbanisation has grown in Pakistan and population has also gone up at a good rate. If urbanisation keeps pace with or exceeds the population growth it will be a much stronger and credible success story in the coming 50 years.
Please also mention the reaction of Mr H. Gauhar on the book. And also clearify how it is going to serve the Russians interests ? Tell me how a country facing a syndrom of complexity can be a '' success story '' . Russia is far away now after leaving the lap of US, now they are preferring to be in the lap of China . What the author will react on this ground reality of Pakist
It's only people living on foreign shores who have no idea how strong Pakistan is!!