“From Jihadistan to ‘Ancient Pakistan’ – Virendra Parekh”, Bharat Bharti, July 09, 2026
“Across the world, Pakistanis are generally viewed with suspicion and distrust. Pakistan seems to hope that this gambit of projecting itself as a seat of a great ancient civilisation might help redeem its image somewhat in the eyes of the world – Virendra Parekh
After spending nearly eight decades repudiating and destroying its Hindu past, Pakistan has suddenly discovered that it is, after all, an ancient civilisation. It is laying claim not just to Chanakya, Panini the grammarian, the great king Porus/Purushottam and Takshashila university, but also to Sanskrit language and Indus Valley Civilisation. We are now told that “Pāṇini, the greatest grammarian of Sanskrit, was a Pakistani. The Sanskrit you (Hindus) hang on to today was standardized by a Pakistani.” “Chanakya the Great studied at Pakistani university of Taxila. The knowledge he gained there shaped him into one of history’s greatest strategists.” A Pakistani X user has declared that Raja Purushottam, widely known as King Porus who ruled the region between the Hydaspes (Vitasta/Jhelum) and Acesines (Asikani/Chenab) rivers and halted Macedonian conqueror Alexander on the banks of the River Jhelum in 326 BCE was a Buddhist, although there is not much clarity on Raja Purushottama’s religion.
This change of heart is probably explained by two factors. Over the decades, Pakistan has justly earned an unflattering reputation as a hub of Islamic terrorism. Across the world, Pakistanis are generally viewed with suspicion and distrust. Pakistan seems to hope that this gambit of projecting itself as a seat of a great ancient civilisation might help redeem its image somewhat in the eyes of the world. The other probable reason could be the Indus Water Treaty, suspended by India in the wake of the Pahelgam terror attack. Pakistan is becoming increasingly aware of the cost that this suspension—virtual abrogation—could impose on its agriculture, economy and society. It has knocked at every door and tried every trick in the book to persuade, cajole or frighten India into restoring the treaty. Nothing has availed. Now it seems to think that laying a claim to the great Indus Valley Civilisation might strengthen its claim to the waters of the Indus river system. Needless to say, neither of the objectives, if Pakistan indeed harbours them, is likely to be achieved……..”
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