STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan
We read stories or watched movies about the dreaded late night knocks by ruthless Nazis during WW2 and other oppressive dictatorships. It is now happening in our own country. We have faced military dictatorships in Pakistan since 1958; however their iron rule fades in the face of the viciousness and brutality of the present Junta. With each passing day their tactics are increasingly ferocious; without pretensions of caring about legalities and openly kidnapping people. It has become “Daku” raj.
Till recently, at least FIRs were registered to justify their violent crackdowns. Now even that façade has been dropped. Unformed goons in plain clothes openly kidnapdissidents, especially PTI leaders. Sheikh Rashid, Farukh Habib, Usman Dar are their latest victims. When the Courts are approached, all agencies and police deny any knowledge of victims or their whereabouts. It is the same shameful drama that unfolded in the case of Imran Riaz Khan. The Courts appear helpless in the face of blatant lies told under oath by IGs, SPs, SHOs and DCs.
This new strategy has been adopted after our High Courts reacted to the blatant flouting of their orders. They have pulled up the bureaucrats and police officials who have willingly become errand boys for this ruthless regime having no morals or principals. This Junta finds any judicial oversight or adherence to laws a hindrance and waste of time. Relief granted to victims through bails is nullified immediately by these barbarians. Chaudhry Pervez Ellahi’s 14 bails and re-arrests exemplify this worst kind of contempt for law or civilized behavior. This trigger-happy lot is arresting journalists over tweets.
There is a misconception that only the youth is involved in this struggle. The seniors have also taken a bold stand. Look at Shah Mehmood Qureshi, my dear friends Firdous Naqvi, Mehmood Ur Rashid, Ijaz Chaudhry and Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Azam Swati and many other principled leaders. These last 18 months have been the darkest period in Pakistan’s history. Who is behind this mayhem? If one was to track it back to where it is emanating from, it points towards those who have wielded undisputed power during this period. General Bajwa and the present Chief. They were facilitated by the corrupt mafia of Sharifs, Zardari, Fazal and BAP nonentities who have recently been catapulted to power.
In this day and age of social media, the dark deeds of those in power cannot be brushed under the carpet as in the past, when print media could be bullied into submission. There is a clip making rounds on social media which is difficult to verify. It states General Asim saying that “don’t attack me on Facebook or Twitter, if you have the guts say it to my face”. Truly humorous. General sahib,your control is limited by your ability to physically coerce. The airwaves and internet cloud are beyond you. It reminds me of Punjabi folklore associated to a Robin Hood style character “Malangi” during British Raj. “Dinay raj Farangi da tey rati raj Malangi da” which translates“British rule during the day and Malangi rules at night”. Technological tools will be the undoing of this barbaric regime.
I am informed about attempts to intimidate journalists who left Pakistan under various threats. They are boldly keeping the public informed. Under extremely brutal suppression over prolonged periods people tend to give up. It is these brave voices that keep re-igniting the flame of hope. We have to keep renewing our resolve to win our true freedom. It could be a prolonged struggle. Pakistanis won physical freedom in 1947. In this round, we have to keep up the fight till we win the real freedom. These demi-gods are power drunk for now but they have a short shelf life. There is only one God as stated in our Kalima “La hay laha il-lal-la.”
In this drunken stupor don’t attempt cross border intimidation tactics like the recent assassination of Hardeep Singh Najjar in Canada. It will blow up in your face like it has done for PM Modi, Ajeet Duggal and the RAW Supremo right after the G20 Summit. India has the depth to withstand this backlash. Our impoverished state has no shock absorbers left; it could come crumbling down.
Imran Riaz Khan’s return is a huge relief marred by sadness. He is immensely diminished, both physically and mentally. From the reports from those who met him, he has suffered huge weight loss, has trouble eating, struggles with his speech and bears scars we can’t see. He was not an Indian POW; he was incarcerated inhumanly by our own rulers. This cruelty and injustice was meted out to him for speaking the truth. Details will emerge about his harrowing experience and those responsible will face the consequences. However his one liner has further enhanced his stature when he said “I won.”
Hearings in Supreme Court of Faizabad case has scratched the surface of some no-go areas that most Justices shy away from. It is a bold endeavor by the incoming Chief Justice. Many departments who were hugely critical of the original judgment now want to run away. “Not so fast” said Justice Isa who wants to know about steps taken to implement this decision. As this can of worms opens up, some very sensitive issues could come to light. Freedom, that we all seek, may have a new proponent. Only time will tell.
