STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan
Sixties and seventies was the golden era of Pakistani andPunjabi film industry. There are commonalities between blockbusters in those days and what is happening on our political horizon. “Phaney Khan” was one of them,depicting a Lahori bad boy who would intimidate others by waving a “kachu”, a large knife. He would demonstrate his abilities for gory deeds by uttering sound bites like a stabbing attack. This comedy film made viewers roll in laughter. Similar scenes are being repeated by our honourable Prime Minister that are equally comic on the international stage. Unfortunately it is tragic because it involves national pride.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit recently concluded under Indian Chairmanship. It took upmany important matters. Iran was accepted as its 9thmember. It comprises of former Soviet states Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Their joint landmass is greater than Europe. Then there are the heavyweights; China, Russia and India and our beloved Pakistan. Put together, they make up about 35% of the world’s population. It is an emerging new world order.
The theme of this Summit was “Secure SCO”. The final communiqué, “The New Delhi Declaration” covered security, economic development, connectivity, unity, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and environmental protection. It would take up the entire article to cover SCO positions, so I will limit myself to India’s reservations on China’s “Belt and road Initiative” on “BRI”’s 10 birthday. India’s opposition stems from inclusion of projects in “Pakistan-occupied Kashmir”. It’s a shot at the heart of CPEC challenging roads and other projects in Gilgit and Baltistan. The Chinese President responded bycalling for a political solution to all disputes.
However our Prime Minister, who attended virtually, went into silent mode. He hardly offered any defense. Instead within days of this declaration our rulers disrupted and overthrew a smoothly functioning Government in Gilgit Baltistan using their tested tool of disruption through judiciary. Such a drastic step in an extremely sensitive region spells disaster. We are already damaged goods on the economic and political front; this unfortunate move shall only add fuel to the fire.
In the recent past a number of global realignments have taken place re-shaping strategic interests. Other than SCO, another alliance known as BRICS is emerging as a geopolitical rival to G7 bloc. It includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, considered to be the five foremost emerging economies. They represent 40% of global population. Saudi Arabia and many other emerging global powers have expressed interest in joining this bloc.
The improvement in ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia,facilitated by China, is nothing short of a political miracle between these traditional rivals. It is extinguishing a bloody conflict in Yemen and greatly reduces the pain and sufferings of people stuck in proxy wars. Pakistan was side-lined in this entire process by its closest friends and neighbors.
Ever since the ouster of PTI, Pakistan has been reduced to a bystander with no role or recognition. It is a huge step backwards from IK’s efforts to bring Pakistan onto the world map as a self respecting nation, progressing and stabilizing economically. Within the past 15 months we have lost all ground and have been reduced to a nation of beggars seeking dole-outs.
A strong and resurgent Pakistan did not suit our traditional masters. They did not have to do much; throw some juicy bones to the corrupt elite and twist some arms of those in uniform. Just watch the jubilant celebrations for getting a standby facility from IMF for 9 months. The 1st tranche in July of 1 billion will be soaked up within days settling humungous payables. This incompetent and corrupt regime has lost more money through reduced remittances and exports each month through their mishandling of the economy. Are we really falling apart under our own weight as stated by PM Modi? Just to meet our existing liabilities we need 25 to 30 billion dollars each year.
The real cruelty is being meted out to the common man. The entire burden of additional taxes to generate revenues is being recovered through indirect taxes on fuel, electricity and gas hitting the masses. The man-eating corrupt elite are scot free escaping the tax net yet again.
Electronic media is muzzled. The name of their one credible critic, IK, has been banished. Mentioning his name is akin to blasphemy in the eyes of those who bear weapons. The entire power structure is focused on rooting out PTI from the political arena. It is the worst period in Pakistan’s history barring the break-up in 1971.
The dividing lines are clear. IK and an overwhelming part of the population are one side; the corrupt ruling elite and the weaponized establishment on the other. The nation is helpless, disenfranchised and living in fear of the brutal force unleashed on them by this power hungry pack of wolves. This ambition to have a stranglehold on power by the uniforms dates back to 1958. After four martial laws of direct rule and ruling through their toadies; it appears it has not quenched their thirst and hunger for power at all costs. It is being repeated again through this civilian martial law. Some claim IK appears sad. Yes, he is sad but not for himself. His pain emanates from what is being done to our nation through cooked up events of May 9th. Anyone with a sliver of decency in their body feels the same.
