In a recent column in the Urdu daily Roznama Jang, Pakistan's leading columnist Mahmood Shaam argued that the U.S. did not help Pakistan in its hours of need, notably during the 1965 and 1971 wars, and that educated Pakistanis are yearning for a Donald Trump-like leader who can defy the Pakistani military establishment and work for Pakistan's interests.
Shaam argues that Pakistanis who are aware of the political situation "also long for a leader to emerge with a strong majority, who would address the National Assembly and declare that Pakistan's decline ends today. The [Pakistani military] establishment has imposed corrupt, unrepresentative rulers, and lawbreakers on the country, used the courts, acquitted the guilty, and given long sentences to the innocent [such as deposed prime minister Imran Khan]," Mahmood Shaam said.
In his column, titled "America Never Came To Help Pakistanis" and written soon after Donald Trump took the oath of office and was inaugurated for a second time as U.S. President on January 20, 2025, the respected Pakistani columnist asked: "Will we Pakistanis also step forward to make Pakistan greater?"
Following are excerpts from the article:[1]
"Now, The American Public Has Given Their Enthusiastic Support; The Whites Are Feeling A New Sense Of Passion; Spring Has Arrived For White Americans; But What Will Happen To The Blacks And The Browns?"
"[Speaking after taking oath, President Donald Trump said:] 'America's golden era has now begun. From now on, our country will be prosperous and will be respected worldwide. Now America will be first. We will reclaim our sovereignty. We will restore our security. The balance of the scales of justice will be correct once again. The malice between the judiciary and the government, the use of force like weapons, will now end forever...'[2]
"Will America really be freed from its decline now, or will the whole world be concerned that America might start trampling smaller nations to improve its own affairs?
"Finally, the sun of January 20 rose in the world. Donald Trump, who was convicted in court, took the oath and became the 47th President of the United States. Despite all the efforts and conspiracies by the establishment, Trump became the occupant of the White House for the next crucial four years. This long excerpt from his inauguration speech reflects his determination, perseverance, and the promise of making America greater.
"Now, the American public has given their enthusiastic support. The whites are feeling a new sense of passion. Spring has arrived for the white Americans. But what will happen to the blacks and the browns? How many millions of illegal foreigners will be removed from America? The whole world considers America to be a paradise. People endure different types of hardships and take illegal paths to reach this earthly paradise."
"Whether It Was The 1965 War [With India] Or The Dangerous And Terrifying Months Of The 1971 [Bangladesh War], America Did Not Come To Our Aid; We Kept Waiting For The Seventh American Fleet"
"A particularly difficult time is coming for the residents of neighboring countries [such as Mexico]. In the past, America invited immigrants to settle and took pride in the fact that people from other countries, continents, and lands enriched America's culture, society, and literature. But now, the whites are becoming fearful of the increasing number of foreigners, and they are placing their hopes in Trump. They expect him to run a campaign of 'America only for white people' and to succeed.
"The inaugural ceremony was dominated by spirituality. The oath was taken on the 'Bible' from Abraham Lincoln's time. In his speech, the American president repeatedly stated that he was appointed by Almighty God to make America great again. We will not forget God – Trump described his arrival as the Revolution of Common Sense. He also said that America's decline has come to an end.
"My observation raises the question: Will America still remember God while oppressing smaller nations? After World War II, America achieved political, social, and economic centrality in the world, which is why Washington is called the global capital. It is also a fact that now the fate of countries worldwide is decided in the White House. Foreign policy is determined in the State Department. Plans for when to attack which country, which country's military to weaken, and which country to impose martial law on are made in the Pentagon.
"Pakistan's history of subjugation to America is very old. In the 1950s, even prime ministers were sent by America. We became members of SEATO and CENTO. Pakistanis were also enthusiastic about stopping the spread of communism. America made good use of them. But when tough times came, America always remained neutral. Whether it was the 1965 war [with India] or the dangerous and terrifying months of 1971 [Bangladesh war], America did not come to our aid. We kept waiting for the Seventh American Fleet."
"In His Inaugural Speech, Trump Painted A Picture Of America's Condition [Against The Establishment] That Even The Aware People Of Pakistan Are Yearning To Hear Such Promises For Their Own Country"
"In the 1950s and '60s, countries gained independence from France, Portugal, and Britain, but they continued to become slaves to America. In the Middle East, America always supported Israel. However, the Soviet Union continued to resist the American block. After the Soviet Union's military intervention in Afghanistan, America got an opportunity. With regard to religion [i.e., to aid anti-Soviet Afghan jihad], it sought help from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and several other Islamic countries.
"Pakistan also raised slogans [saying] that: 'We have broken the Soviet Union into pieces.' In the Middle East and the Far East, when America executed acts of aggression, strong responses would come from the Soviet Union and China. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, observe how continuous oppression has been happening in Palestine since the 1990s. No country has come to its aid.
"Now, in 2025, will the new American president really bring the promising changes he is claiming? Will the Invisible Government finally come to an end in America? Will it no longer remain under the patronage of the Deep State? In his inaugural speech, Trump painted a picture of America's condition [against the establishment]; even the aware people of Pakistan are yearning to hear such promises for their own country.
"They also long for a leader to emerge with a strong majority and address the National Assembly and declare that Pakistan's decline ends today. The [Pakistani military] establishment has imposed corrupt, unrepresentative rulers and lawbreakers on the country, used the courts, acquitted the guilty, and given long sentences to the innocent [such as deposed prime minister Imran Khan]. From now on, the rule of law will be equal for everyone in the country. Will we Pakistanis also step forward to make Pakistan greater?"
[1] Roznama Jang (Pakistan), January 23, 2024.
[2] This section is a translation back into English of an Urdu translation of the excerpt of President Trump's inauguration speech, which actually read: "The golden age of America begins right now. From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer. During every single day of the Trump administration, I will, very simply, put America first. Our sovereignty will be reclaimed. Our safety will be restored. The scales of justice will be rebalanced. The vicious, violent, and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department and our government will end." Whitehouse.gov/remarks/2025/01/the-inaugural-address, January 20, 2025.