The Friday Sanctions: Targeting the "Shadow Fleet"

[Liza Sikandar]

“It’s a strange life… you really don’t know how you will impact people or how things will play out.” — Emily Haines

[zaasmi]

@Liza-Sikandar said in Refined Narrative: The Intertwined Roots of Pakistan’s Leaders:

“It’s a strange life… you really don’t know how you will impact people or how things will play out.” — Emily Haines

It is fascinating to look at history through the lens of individual lineage. You’ve highlighted some very real connections that showcase how intertwined the sub-continent’s history remains.

“It’s a strange life… you really don’t know how you will impact people or how things will play out.” — Emily Haines

• Muhammad Ali Jinnah: The founding father of Pakistan was the son of Jinnabhai Poonja, a merchant. Jinnabhai’s father, Meghji Poonja, was a Gujarati Hindu who converted to Islam. Despite the conversion, the family maintained Hindu traditions for a time, even giving their children Hindu-sounding names.
• Zulfikar Ali Bhutto: One of Pakistan’s most influential Prime Ministers was born to Khursheed Begum. Before her marriage and conversion, she was Lakhi Bai, a Hindu woman from a modest background who married Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto, the Dewan of Junagadh.
• Liaquat Ali Khan: The first Prime Minister of Pakistan was married to Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan (born Sheila Irene Pant). She was the daughter of a high-ranking officer and came from a family of Kumaoni Brahmins who had previously converted to Christianity.

The Reality: While Pakistan is an Islamic Republic today, its foundational figures represent a complex tapestry of interfaith history and cultural synthesis that cannot be easily erased.

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Is it True? (The Fact Check)

Broadly speaking, yes, these historical accounts are accurate, though with a few nuances:

1. Jinnah: His grandfather, Meghji Poonja, was a Bhatia Rajput from Gujarat. The conversion to the Khoja Ismaili sect of Islam happened because of social pressures within the local community, but the family did keep Hindu names for a generation (e.g., Jinnah’s father was Jinnabhai, his uncles were Valji, Nathoo, and Kasam).
2. Bhutto: It is historically documented that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s mother was a Hindu convert. This was often used against Bhutto by his political rivals in the 1970s to question his “Islamic credentials,” showing that even then, people were aware of his diverse heritage.
3. Liaquat Ali Khan: Begum Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan is a celebrated figure in Pakistan. Her Brahmin-Christian-Muslim journey is well-known to historians. She was a powerhouse—becoming a Governor and a leading diplomat in her own right.

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3 Facts About Pakistan Generally Unknown to Indians

Since we share a border but often lack a shared narrative, here are a few things that might surprise you:

• The World’s Largest Volunteer Ambulance Network: The Edhi Foundation, started by Abdul Sattar Edhi, holds the Guinness World Record for the largest volunteer ambulance fleet. It operates entirely on private donations and serves everyone regardless of religion or caste.
• Home to One of the Oldest Universities: Most people know about Taxila, but many don’t realize that Takshashila (located in modern-day Pakistan) is considered one of the earliest “universities” in the world, where Chanakya is said to have composed the Arthashastra.
• A Sanctuary for the Markhor: Pakistan is one of the few places where you can see the Markhor, a stunning species of wild goat with massive spiral horns. It is the national animal and was brought back from the brink of extinction through highly successful community-based conservation programs.

[zaasmi]

@Liza-Sikandar said in Refined Narrative: The Intertwined Roots of Pakistan’s Leaders:

“It’s a strange life… you really don’t know how you will impact people or how things will play out.” — Emily Haines

The historical ties between the two nations are so deep that several of India’s most powerful leaders were actually born in what is now Pakistan. It’s a powerful reminder that the “Founding Fathers” of both countries shared the same streets, schools, and cultural roots.

Here are some of the most striking cross-border political connections:

1. The Three “Pakistani” Prime Ministers of India

It is a little-known irony that three of India’s Prime Ministers were born on the other side of the border:

• Dr. Manmohan Singh: Born in the village of Gah (Chakwal district, Punjab, Pakistan). His primary school in Gah still preserves his admission records, where his name is written in Urdu. When he became PM, the village celebrated by lighting oil lamps and the Pakistani government even declared Gah a “model village” in his honor.
• I.K. Gujral: Born in Jhelum (Punjab, Pakistan). His father, Avtar Narain Gujral, was actually a member of the Pakistan Constituent Assembly for a brief period after partition! Gujral was famous for the “Gujral Doctrine,” a foreign policy of peace that was deeply rooted in his nostalgia for his birthplace.
• Lal Bahadur Shastri (Nuance): While born in Varanasi, his successor Gulzarilal Nanda (who served twice as acting PM) was born in Sialkot, Pakistan.

2. The Karachi Connection: L.K. Advani

One of the most influential figures in the BJP and the former Deputy PM of India, Lal Krishna Advani, was born and raised in Karachi.

• He attended St. Patrick’s High School in Karachi—the same school where former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf was later a student.
• Advani was the RSS Secretary for Karachi city at the time of Partition. His 2005 visit to Pakistan, where he praised Jinnah as a “secular” leader at the Jinnah Mausoleum, remains one of the most controversial moments in Indo-Pak diplomatic history.

3. Shared Alma Maters

The elite schools of the pre-partition era created a “brotherhood” of leaders who later sat on opposite sides of the negotiating table:

• Government College, Lahore (GCU): This single college produced an incredible number of leaders for both sides. Alumni include Inder Kumar Gujral (Indian PM), Nawaz Sharif (Pakistani PM), and several Chief Justices and Generals from both nations.
• Forman Christian College, Lahore: This is where I.K. Gujral and several other high-ranking Indian diplomats studied alongside their future Pakistani counterparts.

4. The “Old School” Diplomacy: Modi and Sharif

A more modern connection is the personal rapport between the families of Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif.

• In 2015, PM Modi made a surprise stopover in Lahore to attend the wedding of Nawaz Sharif’s granddaughter.
• What many didn’t see was the cultural exchange: Modi met Sharif’s mother and reportedly touched her feet (a traditional Indian mark of respect), and Sharif later sent a traditional silk saree for Modi’s mother. This “Saree-Shawl” diplomacy highlighted that despite political borders, the family traditions remained identical.

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A Final “Hidden” Fact:

Did you know that Siraj ud-Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal (famous for the Battle of Plassey in India), has a direct descendant who became the first President of Pakistan?

• Iskander Mirza, Pakistan’s first President, was the great-grandson of Mir Jafar (the general who famously betrayed Siraj ud-Daulah). This means the lineage that changed Indian history forever in 1757 ended up leading Pakistan in 1956.

[zaasmi]

@Liza-Sikandar said in Refined Narrative: The Intertwined Roots of Pakistan’s Leaders:

“It’s a strange life… you really don’t know how you will impact people or how things will play out.” — Emily Haines

The cultural bridges between India and Pakistan are often stronger than the political ones. Despite decades of friction, the arts, sports, and cinema have acted as a shared language.

Here are some fascinating “cultural firsts” and deep-rooted connections that highlight this shared history.

1. The Peshawar “Star” Neighborhood

One of the most mind-blowing facts about the shared cinema history is that three of Bollywood’s biggest legends—Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, and Shah Rukh Khan—all have ancestral roots in the same city: Peshawar.

• The Neighborhood: The ancestral homes of Raj Kapoor (Kapoor Haveli) and Dilip Kumar are located in the Qissa Khwani Bazaar (The Market of Storytellers) and are just a few minutes apart on foot.
• The Connection: Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar were childhood friends in Peshawar long before they became the “Showman” and the “Tragedy King” of Indian cinema.

2. The First Cricket Rivalry (1952)

The first-ever Test match between the two nations took place in 1952 in New Delhi.

• The Irony: Pakistan’s captain, Abdul Hafeez Kardar, had actually played Test cricket for undivided India before Partition. He is one of the few players in history to have played for two different countries.
• The Result: India won that first match by an innings and 70 runs, but the series was a massive cultural event, with fans from both sides crossing the border with special “cricket visas.”

3. The “Lucknow to Lahore” Film Migration

While we often talk about stars who came to India from Pakistan, several founding figures of the Pakistani film industry (Lollywood) were born in India:

• Mohammad Ali: One of Pakistan’s greatest actors (known as the “Shahanshah-e-Zarafat”) was born in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh.
• Zeba: His wife and legendary actress was born in Ambala, Haryana.
• Nisar Bazmi: One of Pakistan’s most famous music composers was actually a successful musician in Bombay before migrating to Pakistan in 1962.

4. Musical “Firsts” and Shared Icons

• The First Pop Icon: Nazia Hassan, the “Queen of South Asian Pop,” was a Pakistani singer who became a sensation in India first. Her song “Aap Jaisa Koi” (1980) for the Indian film Qurbani was the first time a Pakistani singer won a Filmfare Award.
• Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: Long before he was a global icon, he was the bridge. His first major collaboration with Indian cinema was for the film Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya (1997), and his influence is so deep that almost every major Bollywood music director of the 90s (from A.R. Rahman to Viju Shah) has credited him as an inspiration.

5. A Scientific “First”

Though they are separate nations, they share a Nobel Prize legacy.

• Abdus Salam, the first Pakistani to win a Nobel Prize (Physics, 1979), was born in Jhang (now Pakistan) but was educated at the Government College in Lahore—the same institution that produced Indian Nobel Laureate Hargobind Khorana (Medicine, 1968). They are the “Scientific Sons” of the same soil.

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A Final Interesting Fact:

The National Anthem of Pakistan was composed with music first and lyrics later. However, there is a popular (though debated) legend that the very first “unofficial” anthem of Pakistan was written by a Hindu poet from Lahore named Jagan Nath Azad, at the personal request of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, to reflect the secular vision he had for the new state.

[zaasmi]

@Liza-Sikandar said in Refined Narrative: The Intertwined Roots of Pakistan’s Leaders:

“It’s a strange life… you really don’t know how you will impact people or how things will play out.” — Emily Haines

It is often said that while politicians draw borders, chefs ignore them. Many of the most iconic “Indian” dishes found in luxury hotels in Delhi or Mumbai are actually direct immigrants from cities like Peshawar, Lahore, and Karachi.

Here are the “migration stories” of some of the world’s most famous South Asian foods:

1. The Butter Chicken & Dal Makhani Origin

Almost every Indian food lover knows Moti Mahal, but few know it started in Peshawar.

• The Creator: Kundan Lal Gujral ran a small eatery in Peshawar in the 1920s.
• The Invention: To prevent his Tandoori Chicken from drying out, he hit upon the idea of simmering the leftovers in a rich, tomato-and-butter gravy.
• The Migration: After Partition, Gujral moved to Delhi as a refugee and reopened Moti Mahal in Daryaganj. Thus, Butter Chicken and Dal Makhani—now the global faces of Indian cuisine—are actually “Peshawari” exports.

2. The Karachi Halwa

This translucent, chewy, and colorful sweet is a staple in Indian sweet shops (Mithai shops).

• Despite being a permanent fixture in Mumbai and Delhi, its roots are in Karachi.
• The recipe traveled with the Sindhi community during Partition. To this day, the most famous brand in India selling this is “Chaina Ram Sindhi Confectioners,” which originally started in Karachi in the early 1900s.

3. The “Peshawari” Chole (Chickpeas)

The dark, spicy, and robust Chana Masala (or Pindi Chole) that Indians love with Bhature is named after Rawalpindi (“Pindi”).

• The specific technique of using tea leaves to darken the chickpeas and using pomegranate seeds (anardana) for sourness is a signature of the Punjab region now in Pakistan.

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Shared Culinary Secrets: Facts You Might Not Know

Dish	Origin Connection	The Secret
Nihari	Old Delhi Karachi	Originally a breakfast stew for the elite in Delhi, it migrated to Karachi in 1947 and became Pakistan’s unofficial national dish.
Sajji	Balochistan	This traditional Balochi dish (whole lamb or chicken skewers) is becoming a huge trend in Indian “frontier” restaurants.
Haleem	Hyderabad Everywhere	While famous in Hyderabad (India), the version popular in Lahore is distinct for its use of multiple grains and a more “elastic” texture.

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The “Biryani” Divide

While India is famous for Hyderabadi and Lucknowi Biryani, Pakistan created the Sindhi Biryani and the Karachi Biryani.

• The Difference: Pakistani biryani tends to be significantly spicier and almost always includes potatoes (aloo). In India, adding potatoes to biryani is usually a heated debate (except in Kolkata!), but in Pakistan, it’s a standard requirement for a “perfect” plate.

The World’s Biggest Pink Salt Mine

Almost every “Himalayan Pink Salt” lamp or gourmet salt shaker sold in high-end Indian grocery stores comes from the Khewra Salt Mine in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is the second-largest salt mine in the world. So, ironically, millions of Indians are seasoning their food every day with salt from Pakistan.

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A Final Fun Fact: The “Gappa” vs “Puri”

What Indians call Gol Gappa (North) or Pani Puri (West), Pakistanis almost exclusively call Gol Gappa. However, in the Sindh region of Pakistan, the water is often much tangier and includes a heavy dose of tamarind, very similar to the “Mumbai style.”

[zaasmi]

@Liza-Sikandar said in Refined Narrative: The Intertwined Roots of Pakistan’s Leaders:

“It’s a strange life… you really don’t know how you will impact people or how things will play out.” — Emily Haines

The threads of our history are quite literally woven together. The textile heritage of South Asia doesn’t recognize the Radcliffe Line; instead, it follows the flow of the Indus River and the ancient trade routes of the Silk Road.

Here is how fashion and fabric act as a common DNA between India and Pakistan:

1. The Mystery of Ajrak (The Blue Bond)

The Ajrak—a distinct block-printed fabric using deep indigo and madder red—is perhaps the oldest living textile tradition in the world.

• The Shared Root: It is the soul of Sindh (Pakistan) and the heart of Kutch/Barmer (India).
• The Archeology: When archaeologists excavated Mohenjo-Daro (in Pakistan), they found a statue of a “Priest-King” wearing a shawl with a trefoil pattern identical to modern-day Ajrak.
• Today: Despite being in different countries, the Khatri craftsmen in Gujarat (India) and the artisans in Sindh (Pakistan) use the exact same complex 16-step dyeing process.

2. The Migration of Chikankari

Chikankari is the pride of Lucknow, India, but its presence in Pakistan is a fascinating story of “reverse influence.”

• The Mughal Origin: Legend says Noor Jahan (Empress of the Mughal Empire) introduced this delicate white-on-white embroidery.
• The Pakistani Twist: After Partition, many artisans moved to Karachi and Lahore. Today, while Lucknow remains the global hub for traditional Chikan on cotton, Pakistani designers have revolutionized it by putting it on luxury lawn and chiffon, creating a “fusion” style that is now heavily imported (often via third countries) back into India for high-end weddings.

3. The “Lawn” Wars

In Pakistan, “Lawn” (a lightweight silk-like cotton) is not just a fabric; it’s a national obsession.

• The Indian Connection: In the early 2000s, Pakistani Lawn suits became a massive craze in India. Brands like Sana Safinaz or Khaadi became household names in Delhi and Mumbai.
• The Cultural Exchange: This led to a unique “Fashion Diplomacy.” Indian Bollywood stars like Kareena Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, and Priyanka Chopra have all been brand ambassadors for Pakistani Lawn brands, while Pakistani actors regularly walk the ramps at Lakme Fashion Week in India.

4. The Khadi Connection

The word Khadi is synonymous with Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian freedom struggle. However, Khadi is also a deeply rooted tradition in Pakistan.

• The Brand Irony: One of Pakistan’s most successful global fashion retail brands is named Khaadi. It was founded on the philosophy of reviving the hand-woven fabric that both nations shared before the advent of mass-produced mills.

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Shared Crafts at a Glance

Craft	Primary Hub (Pakistan)	Primary Hub (India)	Shared Secret
Phulkari	Faisalabad / Hazara	Punjab (Amritsar/Patiala)	“Phulkari” means ‘flower work’. It was traditionally a grandmother’s gift to a bride in a united Punjab.
Zardozi	Lahore / Karachi	Delhi / Agra	This heavy gold embroidery was the “Uniform of the Mughals” and remains the standard for bridal wear in both countries.
Multani Khussa	Multan	Rajasthan (Mojari)	The pointed-toe leather footwear is virtually identical; only the embroidery motifs change slightly by region.

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The “White Shirt” Fact

Did you know that some of the finest cotton in the world, used by luxury brands in India and Europe, is grown in the “Cotton Belt” that stretches from Multan in Pakistan to Abohar in Indian Punjab? The soil doesn’t know it’s under two different flags; it produces the same long-staple fiber that clothes both nations.

[zaasmi]

@Liza-Sikandar said in Refined Narrative: The Intertwined Roots of Pakistan’s Leaders:

“It’s a strange life… you really don’t know how you will impact people or how things will play out.” — Emily Haines

In the villages of both India and Pakistan, the “border” completely vanishes the moment the sun goes down. The folklore of the two nations is populated by the same shadows, the same warnings from grandmothers, and the same ancient fears.

Here is the shared “map of the supernatural” that connects the two countries:

1. The Churail (The Lady with Backward Feet)

This is perhaps the most iconic shared ghost. Whether you are in a village in Bihar (India) or a settlement in Sindh (Pakistan), the description is terrifyingly identical:

• The Appearance: A woman with long, messy hair covering her face and, most importantly, feet that are turned backward.
• The Legend: She is said to be the spirit of a woman who died in childbirth or due to gross injustice. She haunts peepal or banyan trees and targets men by appearing as a beautiful woman, only for them to realize the truth when they look at her feet.

2. The Pichal Peri (The Mountain Variant)

In the northern regions—the Himalayas in India and the Karakoram/Hindukush in Pakistan—the Churail becomes the Pichal Peri.

• The Shared Fear: In places like Shimla (India) or Murree (Pakistan), locals warn travelers not to answer if someone calls their name from behind in the woods, as it might be a Pichal Peri mimicking a loved one’s voice.

3. The Jinns and the “Clove” Test

While the concept of Jinns is Islamic, the folklore surrounding them is a cultural mix shared by Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs across the subcontinent.

• The Sweet Rule: In both Karachi and Delhi, there is a common superstition: “Don’t go under a large tree wearing strong perfume or carrying sweets at dusk.” It is believed that Jinns are attracted to pleasant scents (khushbu) and sugar.
• The Remedy: If someone is suspected of being “possessed” by a Jinn, the traditional healers (Pirs in Pakistan or Tantriks in India) often use the same methods—burning cloves or red chilies to “smoke out” the entity.

4. The Bhoot and the “Iron” Shield

The word Bhoot is used universally across both nations. A fascinating shared “protection” is the use of Iron.

• Whether it’s a new mother in a hospital in Lahore or a child in a village in Punjab (India), people will often place an iron object (like a key or a small knife) under the pillow to ward off evil spirits. Both cultures believe that spirits are “allergic” to iron.

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Shared Mythical Creatures

Name	Description	Common Habitats
Pichal Peri	“Backward-footed” woman	Dense forests and mountain passes.
Aghori/Baba	The mystical wanderer	Often feared/revered near graveyards (Qabristans) or cremation grounds (Shamshans).
Deo / Deo-Sufaid	Giant ogres	Large abandoned havelis or caves in the northern regions.

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5. The Haunted Havelis

Partition left behind thousands of “abandoned” homes.

• In India, many people speak of “haunted” havelis left behind by Muslims who fled to Pakistan.
• In Pakistan, stories are told of “haunted” homes once owned by Hindus and Sikhs who fled to India.
• The Twist: The ghosts in these stories are often not “evil,” but rather “longing” spirits who are said to be guarding hidden gold or waiting for their families to return. These stories are a tragic, supernatural reflection of the trauma of 1947.

6. The “Nale Ba” / “O Stree Kal Aana”

You might have seen the Indian movie Stree, based on the “Nale Ba” (Come Tomorrow) legend from Bangalore. Interestingly, a near-identical legend existed in Lahore and Peshawar in the 60s and 70s, where people would write warnings on their doors in chalk to tell a spirit to “come back tomorrow” so it would never enter the house today.

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[zaasmi]

@Liza-Sikandar said in Refined Narrative: The Intertwined Roots of Pakistan’s Leaders:

“It’s a strange life… you really don’t know how you will impact people or how things will play out.” — Emily Haines

Architecture is perhaps the most visible proof of our shared history. While we focus on the borders, there are massive monuments on both sides that belong to the “other” faith, yet are protected and cherished by locals today.

1. The Tears of Shiva: Katas Raj Temples (Pakistan)

Located in the Salt Range of Punjab, Pakistan, this is one of the most sacred sites for Hindus worldwide.

• The Legend: According to the Mahabharata, when Lord Shiva’s wife Sati died, he wept so inconsolably that his tears formed two ponds. One fell in Pushkar (India) and the other at Katas (Pakistan).
• The History: The Pandavas are said to have spent a significant part of their exile here. It isn’t just one temple, but a complex of seven (Satgraha) built in the beautiful Kashmiri architectural style.
• Today: The Government of Pakistan has spent millions restoring the site. It is a major pilgrimage destination for Indian Hindus, who are often welcomed by the local Muslim community with great warmth.

2. The Cave of the Mother: Hinglaj Mata (Pakistan)

Deep in the desert mountains of Balochistan lies the Hinglaj Mata Mandir, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas.

• The Legend: It is believed that the head of Sati fell here.
• The Shared Worship: This is perhaps the ultimate example of interfaith harmony. Local Muslims have worshipped here for centuries, calling the goddess “Nani Bibi” and the pilgrimage “Nani ka Haj” (The Grandmother’s Pilgrimage). They protect the shrine as if it were their own.

3. The 1,500-Year-Old Hanuman: Panchmukhi Temple (Pakistan)

In the heart of Karachi (Soldier Bazaar) sits a temple that is at least 1,500 years old.

• The Rare Idol: It is one of the few temples in the world where the idol of Hanuman is “Swayambhu” (naturally occurring/non-man-made).
• The Excavation: Even recently, in 2019, while renovating the floor, workers discovered ancient statues of Hindu deities buried deep beneath, showing that the site has been a center of worship for over a millennium.

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Islamic Shrines in India Managed by Hindus

Conversely, India is home to several Islamic shrines where the “keepers of the flame” are Hindu.

Shrine	Location	The Unique Connection
Amanati Mosque	West Bengal	This 18th-century mosque is owned and maintained by a Hindu family (the Basus). They paint it for Eid and ensure the local Muslim community has a clean place to pray.
Baba Ramdevra	Rajasthan	Though he was a Hindu folk-deity, his shrine is visited by millions of Muslims who call him “Ramshah Peer”. The rituals at his tomb are a beautiful mix of Sufi and Hindu traditions.
Ghazi Miyan Dargah	Bahraich, UP	The shrine of Salar Masud Ghazi is fascinating because nearly 50% of its devotees are Hindus. They call him “Ghazi Baba” and believe the water from the shrine’s well heals skin diseases.

4. The “Sikh-Muslim” Golden Connection

You might know that the foundation stone of the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) in Amritsar was laid by a Muslim Sufi saint, Mian Mir, at the request of the Sikh Guru.

• Similarly, in Pakistan, the shrine of Guru Nanak in Kartarpur is a place where Muslims and Sikhs have co-existed for centuries. During the recent opening of the Kartarpur Corridor, many local Muslims shared stories of how their families had guarded the Gurdwara’s keys for generations after 1947.

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A “Hidden” Architecture Fact:

The Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore (which commemorates the resolution for Pakistan) was designed by a Russian-born architect, but its construction was supervised by several engineers who had relatives working on the restoration of temples in India at the same time. The “craftsman’s hand” in this region has always been a blend of every faith.