STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan
Halaku (Hulagu) Khan was a Mongol ruler who conquered most of Western Asia, laying basis for the Persian Empire in 13th century. He sacked and destroyed Baghdad thereby ending the Islamic Golden Age. According to historians,Halaku had a shock and awe strategy to soften opponents at the start of his campaigns. When he faced his first resistance, he would use utmost might to prevail. Once the enemy was over run, he would mercilessly slaughter the locals and dismember their bodies.
There was no media then and everything was visual. Thus to create fear, he would build pillars of skulls of the vanquished. It would terrorize the entire region, taking away the will to resist his onslaught. A thousand years later the same strategy is being deployed in our much abused country. Shock and awe is being achieved through fear and terror using the tools of 21st century. The ruthlessness is the same in this prolonged campaign unleashed 18 months ago. The tactics have evolved; instead of pillars of skulls we have merciless beatings and massive jailing of opponents. Dissidents are kidnapped, tortured and brutalized till they breakdown and seek forgiveness through holding a press conference to condemn PTI.
Another spice has been added to Halaku’s techniques; the psyche warfare deployed by the Nazis to pulverize opponents and break their will to resist. This entire process is controlled by Pindi and Aabpara. They have a one point agenda; to prolong their rule. IK is the biggest obstacle in their way. Hence the entire system is geared to remove PTI from the electoral process. They have adopted a multi-faceted approach to control media, judiciary, bureaucracy, civil society, business elite and politicians. Let us peel their workings in each sector.
General Musharraf has the credit of opening up free media in Pakistan. Over a period of time some credible names have emerged. Post April 2022, this was unacceptable to the imported regime led by Shahbaz Sharif and his handlers. Using Halaku’s shock and awe technique, the most respectable and credible voice of Arshad Sharif was silenced through mercenaries paid for by London or Aabpara. Imran Riaz Khan was a thorn in the side of this Junta; he suffered the worst form of mistreatment. This brutal suppression has escalated and the media is completely stifled either through terrorizing or bribery. IK’s name is the “forbidden fruit” and shameless big names have surrendered unconditionally. The few left standing are braving their way despite immense pressure; or escaped Pakistan to continue stating the truth on social media. Kudos to the brave.
No nation can prosper without the rule of law. However an independent judiciary is unacceptable for dictators. Through a clever strategy, this Junta has placed their minions on key positions committed to further their agenda. CJ Islamabad is the lead star in this process and it seems the Supreme Court may be headed the same way. Unscrupulous lower court judges are dime a dozen. They are following the Junta’s dictates to the hilt. All of them together have made mincemeat out of the Constitution and rule of law. There is a ray of hope amongst Justices of Supreme and High Court who have stood their ground; they are our heroes in these ghastly times.
Our bureaucracy has become spineless and completely lost any moral compass. Conducting the elections has been handed over to these bureaucrats who have carried out an incessant campaign against PTI workers and leaders. The electoral process will be conducted by these “hangmen”. The deputy commissioners and DPOs have been waging a relentless war against PTI supporters never seen before in Pakistan. How can you expect a free and fair election through them?
The biggest villain amongst them all is the CEC. His crookery knows no bounds. Each day is worse than the last. His rulings and conduct is despicable. He is totally blinded by his single-minded pursuit to dismantle PTI as a political force and bar IK from politics entirely. He is a slur to his position that demands an impartial disposition.
The civil society and business elite’s silence on the injustice being meted out is deafening. It appears their bosses and paymasters from abroad are in cahoots with the oppressors.
Then there are our politicians. They fall into two clear categories. The first are exploiters and looters led by Nawaz, Zardari and Fazal. They have been joined by opportunists who have become touts forming into “Kings Party”. They are willing consorts of the uniformed dictators. The 2nd category who have sided with IK in seeking change, are suffering brutal persecution unseen in Pakistan.
A level playing field has become an illusion. PTI is not being permitted to enter the field. Their candidates can’t even obtain nomination papers! The whole process has been contaminated and elections are becoming farcical. There are tons of incidents circulating on social media about it.
Elections are a measure of popular will. The voters have clearly expressed their preference. Those who control the levers of power have shown that they will go to any extent to suffocate peoples’ verdict. This clash between voters’ desire and Junta’s determination to stifle it could lead to an explosive culmination.
What purpose will this fraudulent election serve? If installing Nawaz as a Prime Minister is Junta’s sole purpose; why not coronate him as a Prime Minister? Under the present civilian martial law, laws and Constitution have no meaning anyways.
