STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan
Anytime you think the prevalent cruel and mindless suppression has peaked, a new bombshell is lobbed. It supersedes prior acts of insane brutality. Young Ammar Farooq’s sickness and eventual passing away is the latest sacrifice. It appears our rulers are influenced by “Kaali Mata”, the Indian goddess of death and destruction. Its spirit seems to have penetrated their souls driven by an insane desire to dominate and rule. The biggest casualty is human and religious values preached by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him). He promoted kindness, fairness, decency, respect and equality for all humans. His message resonated everywhere in his endeavor to make his followers better human beings. Alas all that has been lost here.
The scenes at the burial of Ammar were heart wrenching.It jolted the whole nation except the perpetuators. The sufferings of his father Abad Farooq, his mother and the rest of the family and prayers offered for them will not go unheeded by Providence. Where have these demons in police uniforms descended from? They can’t be from amongst us. They are led by an IGP who seems to have inherited genes of Mongols who prided themselves in building towers from human scalps. The foot soldiers have been demonized and de-sensitized ripping apart all the norms of decency like the Nazi death squads during WW 2.
All thinking minds are outraged by this “Qahr” unleashed on Pakistanis by the ruling Junta that has made life unbearable. Each time I communicate with friends back home I get deeply depressed by stories of innocent political workers facing this grinding machine. Women, children, our youth and elders are being pulverized for believing in PTI and its leader IK. How do you make sense of it all?
It started with backroom deals between General Bajwa and Nawaz Sharif to give Army Chief an extension for a 2nd term. Rana Sana’s admission in a TV interview confirmed it. This deal amongst the devils laid the foundations for the eventual ouster of PTI’s Government in April 2022. It was the beginning of the worst mayhem unleashed on Pakistanis since military action in East Pakistan in 1971. It was extreme suppression of popular will of Bengalis by arrogant generals and selfish political leaders that ended in total humiliation. Indian intervention was the drop scene of this senseless adventure. It couldhave been prevented by handing over power to democratically elected Awami League.
The same is being repeated nearly fifty years later. This time around the considerations are different but the tactics are the same. In my opinion India is again a key stakeholder. In the past 30 years China has emerged as a global challenger of Western domination and hegemony. Recent realignments led to emergence of organizations like BRICS that represents nearly half the world’s population. Belt and Road Initiative is paving the way for a global outreach. Independently wealthy states like Saudi Arabia have become more assertive. All these events have unnerved our traditional masters led by USA. They have their own plans driven by their intense desire to contain China.
The recent pronouncements at G20 of an alternative route linking India and Middle East to Europe are part of this strategy. This is where Pakistan comes into focus. Since the 50’s we opted for the Western alliance starting from SEATO, CENTO and subsequent initiatives. Over the years US has achieved a comfort level in dealing with Pakistani Generals and have made deep inroads into the army, bureaucracy, politicians and the ruling elite. It is exemplified by General Zia’s takeover before USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan and Musharraf’s take over before 9/11. As the politicians and general filled their own coffers the nation became impoverished and deeply indebted.
It suited the West who wasted trillions on their Iraq and Afghan military adventures. They can keep feeding a few billion each year to Pakistan and keep us on a tight leash. It began to unravel when Imran Khan appeared on the scene. His popularity in Pakistan matches Mujib Ur Rehman’s amongst the Bengalis. Elevated as Prime Minister, he displayed signs of independence that unnerved our masters.
Thus an axis developed between US and then Army leadership. They selected Sharifs as their political face backed by Zardari and Fazal. Why? Because this coterie is thoroughly disgraced for their corruption, have no morality or ideology except self-enrichment. They were molded at will to deliver whatever their masters required. Shahbaz Sharif led PDM government has destroyed the economy, unleashed a reign of terror, broke every law and softened Pakistanis for the final blow.
The stage is being set to launch Nawaz Sharif as PM. In the eyes of the masters he is a toothless lion who can only roar. NS will pave the way to make deals with his beloved Modi to make Pakistan subservient to India. This will enable the West to contain China.
This could be their gravest mistake. They are making an ambitious and ruthless General cohabit with a wily snake who is full of venom out to seek revenge. He gave a clear message in his latest speech. We will face upheavals not seen before. My question is simple to the Pindi’s powerful. Why take this convoluted route when the Constitutional path can remove all these anomalies? Allow free and fair elections and let the peoples’ will prevail. Get rid of the scary profile of IK that hounds you. He is a builder of this nation not a destroyer of our national institutions.
