1971, PDM, PPP and a history of the Left - Tariq Ali - Writer/Intellectual - TPE  

It was like a grandpa spilling his treasured secrets to his favorite grandchild. Loved the podcast.

Rip Pakistan Studies. A total different perspective of reality and is difficult to be digested by most of Pakistanis. Thanks for bringing this side of history.

If "the truth hurts" could be a podcast, it's this one. Tariq Ali is a goddamned treasure.

I'm an Indian, and Tariq Ali is more or less one of my favorite intellectuals in South Asia. Feels really good hearing him speak in Urdu.

Aesay buht hi kam ashkhas hain jo karwi baatain itnay meethay andaaz main kartay. Tariq shb is not a person: he is a principle, a benchmark of perfection and epitome of integrity. God bless this legend with a life of thousand years.

Great Tariq Ali , i love listening to him ...... From Punjab (India )

From an Indian perspective I'm getting to learn so much. You are doin an amazing work. Keep at it bruv. Bless. Cheers.

Words lost! He is such a gem. Please do more with him. Well done!🎉

dill karta hy, yeh banda bas bolta rahay , aour hum suntay raheen. what an historian

Some of the comments by Tariq Ali regarding behavior of Pakistan towards Bengalis were absolutely true, and followed by Punjabi establishment (Army and Civil) in Bangladesh from 1947 to 1970. I met Tariq Ali as a child in Dhaka (I think around the 1969 Movement) in Mashiur Rahman's house in Eskaton as he was being introduced as a young firebrand, and I was curious and went to that house with elders to listen.. Mr. Ali looks totally different now. Question is why he did not try to change the Pakistani society still believing that women are to be used to produce babies only as cows and stay at home so that Pakistan's population is now more than Bangladesh's. There are many other Pakistani values that need to be radically changed and Tariq Ali of 1969 could have contributed to help his society. Proud Bangladeshi, from Boston, USA

We need this detoxifying podcast. Thanks shehzad bhai. We need this one. You're doing a great service to this society.

What a priceless anecdote about Mrs. Gandhi. Tariq sahab is a masterful storyteller. Thank you so much for this!

Been listening to him for years

Schrodinger from insta here.... You made my fav person come again... Thank you so much.

بائیں بازو کے نظریات کابڑا دانشور سرخ سلام

really learned a lot ...thank to Tariq Ali from i'am an Indian bengali

Shehzad you are an excellent interviewer. You had complete respect for him throughout the interview, and Let him speak his mind without interruption.

Tariq Ali is a class in himself. Speaking truth to power. Listening him is an education.

Many thanks Shahzad, be safe , be strong, Tariq Saab is a legend and a true Pakistani, hoping to see many more videos like this on your channel, also loved Dr. Taimur's discussion

Watched Tarik Ali after long time.He is INTELLECTUAL par excellence.It is always treat to listen to him.

It was amazing when Tariq sir started speaking naturally in punjabi .

Here are the timestamps. 00:00:45 Which virus effect tariq ali and the world 00:02:30 -- On 50th anniversary Bangladesh independence. End of Jinnah's Pakistan. 00:03:53 Fragile ego of west Pakistanis 00:04:16 Why breakage of Pakistan was necessary 00:05:12 End of Ayyub era, First free fair election in Pakistan's history. 00:06:26 False Conspiracy theories regarding 71 war Indian Intervention in 71 war How Indira Gandhi solved refugee crisis. 00:07:40 Bhutto's blunder in 71 How Pakistan can be saved in 71 00:08:30 Bhutto's wrong assessment Talks were made to be broken or not? 00:09:31 Mentality of west Pakistan’s elite How Bengali’s were made inferior by the Britishers 00:11:30 First time Pakistanis were united in 68-70 Pakistanis resistance against the military 00:12:50 Army's propaganda against the Bengalis. Mass rape orchestrated by the army 00:14:40 Indira's Gandhi interview regarding his book Indira Gandhi interviewed me. 00:15:58 Is Pakistan preparing to invade India Attacking India is a suicide for Pakistan 00:17:40 RAW's intelligence on Pakistan's attack on India 00:18:50 How military takeover in India is difficult How she stopped Sam Manekshaw 00:24:01 "If i had been prime minister of India at that time, i would've moved heaven and earth to stop him (zulfiqar bhutto) being hanged, it's unacceptable" Indira Gandhi 00:25:58 Conversation with Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto On hostility with India His role in 71 war Pakistan's army role in 00:29:01 Do you feel Fatimah Jinnah's campaign was pivotal for Pakistan's politics? How Ayyub rigged the election against Fatimah Jinnah 00:31:00 Mysterious death of Fatimah Jinnah 00:32:18 Pakistani Diaspora's colonial attitude. Their support for Ayyub 00:35:01 Pakistan - A rentier economy How petro-dollar saved Pakistan. Mercenaries 00:36:30 How Indian capitalism is different from Pakistan Why it's backward Govt backing of industrialization of Pakistan. How 22 families gained control of Pakistan's economy 00:37:29 Failed nationalization of Bhutto 00:38:35 Muslim league manifesto 1947 regarding Land Reforms Why it failed How feudalism gets stronger in Pakistan. 00:40:13 Current govt performance Imran Khan's broken promises. 00:41:21 Clashes among PTI A tale of two ministers. 00:43:09 Hafiz Jalandri's mushaira heckled by a young lahori "Goliyan khanda hoye ga" 00:46:27 Social Media ki siyasat Passing the ball 00:46:54 Koi ummed thi PDM se? PMLN and PPP's dark past How PPP got hijacked. Zardari's competition to Nawaz in Corruption 00:50:10 Benazir wanted to make Zardari stay away from politics. Benazir's dynastic decision. 00:52:35 On PTM Why I trust PTM. Why PTM is a new kind of political party 00:54:20 PPP and PMLN political culture How bhutto made PMLN through Zia. Army's intervention in politics 00:55:30 Every province has the same problem. On the hegemony of Punjab. 00:56:40 Why Pakistan's left consolidation is important Weak base of left in Afghanistan during 70s Why left failed in Afghanistan. 00:59:38 Lenin when he heard about communisms overtake of Mongolia Left's assessment of geopolitics. 01:01:20 Imperialists strategy of divide and rule 01:02:14 America story of betrayal in Middle East Why I hate being right. 01:04:50 Only way is to consolidate left all over Pakistan. 01:05:50 Why current left is dogmatic? How Lenin made Marxism a reality. Lenin was a supreme realist. 01:08:40 How Marxism took over the world. Mao and Lenin's practical approach to Marxism 01:11:57 We don't need dogmatic Marxists. 01:12:40 What we really need? 01:13:05 On Pakistan's language issue. Elite's hegemony over language 01:40:00 Language and Identity issue. 01:14:55 Sufi Tabbasum's Punjabi Hamlet 01:17:38 Dr. Nazir Ahmed and Punjabi Political drama 01:19:03 Tariq Ali's interview in Punjabi during his India stay 01:21:30 Faiz Ahmed stance on Punjabi language Why every Punjabi poet wrote in Urdu? 01:24:20 How Punjabi language was saved by East Punjab 01:27:29 How Pakistanis treat Punjabi Elite mentality 01:29:05 On Urdu language 01:31:00 Status quo fear of the opposition. Why state is so insecure? 01:32:01 How Zia made us hypocrite. 01:32:38 How Britishers made Punjab a model state 01:34:03 End

Again, an outstanding conversation!!👍🏻👍🏻

He's not just a great intellectual but an excellent story teller. Such an engaging podcast!

Loved It, and the guest you brought are Just Waooooh.

Just came across this. Always thought about this topic and honestly, such a nuanced take on it is refreshing! Sh. Tariq Ali's books have always been on my list but shall not remain there for long! Can't wait to engage with his writings =D. Thank you for conducting this interview and sharing it with us!

What a legendary person! Great interviewing as well. Unlike most Pakistani hosts and podcasters, Shahzad doesn't try to act like a a second expert and intervenes with just the right frequency. Keep it up!

What a personality! Could have listened to him hours on end! Thanks Shehzad.

Aaj is channel k bananay ka maqsad achieve ho gya hai loved it❤ One liner : pakistan ka hal sirf INQILAB hai❤ Salute : TARIQ SIR

Tariq Ali is unquestionably one to the most brilliant Pakistanis of his generation. He. is close to what Noam Chomsky Is the USA. What we need to recall is Indira Gandhi is reported to advised Bhutto at Simla, after the signing of the peace agreement. She as a fellow politician advised ZAB that he had the historic opportunity to firmly cork up the then defeated humiliated Pakistani generals in the bottle for all time to come. And, if he failed to that, they would, in time "eat up his Country ".

Tariq Ali a symbol of truth A great intellectual personality

Amazing talk

Very brave talking gives me different dimensions of thinking

Great Job Dear,

my grandpa used to spill beans on bhutto tenure like this with me.

Agree Sir, even today, Bengalis are more revolutionary and emotional. I been to Port Blair in Andaman Island (popular as kale pani jail). Most names on the list put there of freedom fighters is Bengalis and next are Punjabis, Hindu Muslims and Sikhs together. Even demand for pakistan started from Bengal and they worked more and sacrificed. Indira was a wise person but only mistake she made was to attack Golden Temple. She misjudged the Fire of Sikhs and history of them. They never pardon an attacker, what ever is the cost.

Fabulous discourse - Really enjoyed it . and learned a lot - loads of love !

Great analyst Sir Tariq Ali.

Excellent Analysis

Great PODCAST. Tariq Ali brilliant as always. Minor correction: Last interior minister was Brig. Ijaz Ahmed Shah and has nothing to do Zia Ul Haq.

What an amazing podcast 👏👏👏 Tariq Ali sb , a treat to listen to❤️ Its like listening to an old buddy, very nostalgic yet extending up to present times. Thanks for your efforts shehzad.

Thanks Shehzad for this amazing podcast!!

Today is just like listening stories from the eldest member of the family great man love to see him.

Loved it Shehzad keep up the good work. Please also do a podcast on the Soviets' invasion of Afghanistan and how Pakistan tackled it. 💕💕

TARIQ WAS A "GREAT AND PROMINENT" STUDENT LEADER OF PAKISTAN.

Always a treat to listen to Tariq Ali. On the other end, Najm Sethi sold himself to the dynastic parties.

Thank you shahzad for another amazing podcast with tariq sahab🙏

Salute to Mr.Tariq Ali for telling us the truth all so deepest gratitude to Bongobondu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Joy Bangla

So insightful! Still thinking why I did not know about this great man before listening to ur podcasts. You introduce me to so many intellectuals. Thank you so much shehzad

What a program, brilliant

The Indira Gandhi excerpt from this episode was really interesting and surprising from an Indian standpoint. I though I knew a lot. But learned a lot today. Thanks to this amazing platform!!! Love from Delhi!!!

This was brilliant and insightful! Thank you for having Tariq Ali as your guest. I thoroughly enjoyed the Punjabi also.

Thank you so much for bringing this living legend ,Tariq Ali to us.. i have heard him many times , in English.. even with Karen Armstrong , but jo maza idhar aagiya wahan nahi... reason... though i am Pashtun , but yet enjoyed , when Tariq Ali spoke in Punjabi.. Thank you once again..

Lots of love and respect for Mr. Tariq. He is a divine orator

Wonderful!!! What a great historian and storyteller. Being a leftist, he doesn’t hesitate to tell the truth.

Ustad daaman wrote beautiful heart wrenching poem on partition

Zabardsst . . what a man Tariq Ali sb. its always great to watch him 👍👍👍

Long life to Tarique Ali sir ,,🙏

Mr. Tariq Ali should have mentioned here that the "All Indian Muslim League" was formed in Dacca (Now Dhaka, Bangladesh) in 1905 Mr. Jinnah, i believe, was not a participant in that meeting. Bengal politics and politicians were then much advanced than the rest of India. Significant names are Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy A. K. Fazlul Haque Netaji Subhash Chandra Basu.. And more

Very well done Shezad. You didn't act like many other hosts, you let us listen the legend so freely. Thanks

Listening him again 👍🏻

Bro you have my respect , your ability to hang with this intellectual giant without sounding like a moron is nothing short of brilliant. Kia baat hai maza agya .

48:10 knock knock, Shehzad: who's there? Crore commander 😂

Spell-binding! 🌻

Ohh . Bahot hard guest.. Bravo.

Great Tariq Ali

another awesome interview...thank u for bringing him back on the podcast bro..i got to learn a lot abt punjab in this one..100th episode is nearing already!!

Very great impartial intellectual😊

❤ from Bangladesh

brilliant..i love this guy...tarriq ali...the writer of the extreme centre

such a great person ❤❤

It's history revisited. Great show

19:06 - 23:50 Mr. Tariq Ali provides two dramatically different versions of this encounter in his books namely, _An Indian Dynasty: The Story of the Nehru-Gandhi Family (1985)_ & _The Duel: Pakistan on The Flightpath of American Power (2008)_ . The version he is narrating here comes from the latter book. In the first version, Indira Gandhi is in the middle of an interview being conducted by the Swedish TV when the phone rings. The Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw is on the other side who informs her of the surrender. She thanks him and gets on with the interview. On the next day, during a cabinet meeting, her *ministers* insist 'on finishing the job'. She then meets her Generals who also request her to let them have their way which she declines. There is absolutely NO mention of the Field Marshal marching in and behaving in a manner Mr. Ali is describing here. Hence, either Mr. Ali again somehow met Mrs. Gandhi after her assassination in some other dimension to update his previous version or the novelist Tariq Ali got the better of the journalist Tariq Ali and thus flowed a colorful albeit fictional version. Furthermore, anyone who has read about and seriously observed the late Field Marshal speaking can discern that he couldn't have displayed such gross indiscretion. He appeared a thorough professional not some sycophantic, run of the mill Bonapartist eager to gratify his superiors for promotion or other perks and privileges. Lastly, John Richard Sisson & Leo Rose in their book _War and Secession: Pakistan, India, and the Creation of Bangladesh (1990)_ question the veracity of the whole event. According to the interviews they did with Mrs. Gandhi and other officials, the policy debate over West Pakistan happened in _early_ December not after the fall of Dhaka. Also, interestingly, none of the interviewees highlighted any serious disagreement over the decision of unilateral cease fire.

Very intelligent person proud of pakistan, we must respect our intelligencia,

Excellent, great to hear Tariq Ali sir.

Can't thank you enough Shehzad. You're doing a great job ❤

সত্য কথা বলার জন্য ধন্যবাদ ঢাকা বাংলাদেশ থেকে শুভেচ্ছা 💚❤

Please ! Bring him again as an Indian I want to ask some questions to him .! Thank you for the lovely podcast TPE . توهان جي مهرباني 🕉

Unbelievable work Shehzad, love from India❤️🧿

I'm surprised you haven't invited Vijay Parshad on yet, such a brilliant Marxist intellectual.

Correct me if I am wrong, Kipling didn't even spared Pakhtuns, he writes of Peshawar in his book “Kim” that it is an “insalubrious city” More famously, he describes it as a “city of evil countenances”. In his essay of the same name, he cements many stereotypes of Pakhtuns; that they are warrior-like, vicious, oppressive to women, and highly sexualized.

It would definitely considered to be a propaganda or shit by an old man, if id have been listening it before 9 April 2023 and 9th May... Great analysis and history lesson..

As Pakistani I admire tariq sir

Lovely podcast, 46:20 here just 1 correction previous Interior Minister was not Ijaz ul Haz it was Ijaz Ahmed Shah...

such an awesome conversation 😍

The military is more than the de facto political party in Pakistan’s political spectrum with strong authoritarian mind set because of its training and experience. Not de Jure. Because it has no social contract with Gen Gracy’s ‘bloody civilians” bit that never got trashed.

Tremendous class 🙏🙏

Amazing podcast bro !

As per my information the army had agreed to all six points but talks broke down on moving the capital to Dacca. Mujib knew what that meant. That the army intended to bring a coup after things had simmered down and he was adamant that the capital be moved to Dacca, thus making it impossible for the Punjabi army to ever bring a coup again. When talks broke down the army decided to begin military action to start the war and deliberately let East Pakistan break away. They did this to consolidate their position in the west.

A great interview 👍

"Despotism creates the circumstances of its own undermining. The information gets worse. The sycophants get greater in number. The corrective mechanisms become fewer. And the mistakes become much more consequential. " - Stephen Kotkin

Excellent video. One gets the impression Pakistan suffers from an identity crisis. 75 years on they don't seem to have built a nation and exist as a loose union of ethnicities. The ensuing insecurity complex is making them adopt languages and cultures. Islam and India-hatred seem to be the factors that unite them. If that be the case lasting peace between India and Pakistan will be pipe dream as their establishment will not allow it.

Well done👍✌️

Thanks Shikar pur for inter view of Tariq sb

Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev: " Its his life - or his revenge. There is no third choice " 1953

Why Z. A. Bhutto disagreed to handover power to Mujeeb? He was power hungry. He was a key catalyst to break Pakistan and separate East Pakistan.

The Left has left the power of political theory. There are as many hypotheses in present Pakistan as the number of leftists. This is the worst kind of problem with left in Pakistan. I do not claim that Lenin is the God of Revolution but still...what's the alternative? Postmodernism perhaps?

Ali, the handsome young communist of my childhood☺Great to watch him and speak his mind!

The defense expenditure should be halved. If we have a true deterrant then we should be able to do that. If not then we must give up this expensive option.

“ I am off to represent the entire Red Army at the Buffet. You girls enjoy yourselves !“ - Field Marshal Georgi Zhukov - 1953 - Moscow - USSR