STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan
If it was not so tragic, one would have a good laugh at the stupidity of the decisions being announced against IK. Those who enjoy performing arts would bear me out that a performance is only tantalizing when the artist reveals partially, leaving the rest to imagination. Nakedness is vulgarity. Presently our entire system led by Mr. Powerful,has come out bare naked exposing themselves entirely. This obscenity is disgusting and revolting.
Punishments are being dished out to Imran Khan and his close associates without any legal basis or adherence to law. They are meant to appease Don Nawaz Sharif in every way. The entire government machinery is dedicated to bury PTI and deprive the electorate the right to choose.As 8th February draws closer the viciousness of rulers is growing exponentially. PML(N), PPP and Fazal are getting protocol and facilitation every step of the way. The entire administration has become their errand boys. Yet they are not getting any traction amongst the voters. This is increasing the rulers’ frustration thereby leading to increased brutality.
Here are some hard facts. In 2018 PTI got 17 million votes versus PML(N)’s 13 million. This support has increased by 25%. Then there are 20 million new voters. 70% will vote for IK’s candidates. Thus PTI will get 35 to 40 million votesand sweep the elections. These numbers send shudders up the Junta’s spine.
This has panicked Mr. Powerful and his cohorts. Their actions are becoming more and more ridiculous. The two recent decisions in Cipher and Tosha Khana cases are in complete violation of Pakistan’s penal code. Both the judges were under so much pressure to announce convictions that they threw caution to the wind violating every cannon of justice.
The Cipher case is a double edged sword. The establishment in their mindless pursuit to crucify IK opened a can of worms that will come to bite many of their “sacred cows.” While this matter has been widely discussed, here are some undeniable salient facts. Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary State Department, met our Ambassador to convey demands of US Government to remove IK from office. It was conveyed through this Cipher that this was the sole path available to Pakistan to prevent US ire. Who had the capacity in Pakistan to execute this action? Only the Army Chief. Bajwa ensured that no confidence motion was successful. PM IK, through his foreign minister, found out and obtained a copy of the transcribed Cipher. He took the correct steps and adopted the right procedures to expose this blatant interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan.
The cabinet and subsequently NSC took cognizance and issued a demarche to US Government condemning this action. PM’s copy of the transcript was stolen by one of the uniforms. The real culprits in this entire exercise were General Bajwa and Donald Lu. After months of deliberations an FIR was lodged against IK and Shah Mehmood. The brainless rulers thought this would be enough to coerce IK into submission. Instead IK chose to face the charges. As the case progressed, IK made clear his intentions to call Bajwa, Lu and other uniformed underlings to the witness box.
This took the wind out of the sails of Mr. Powerful and his cohorts. They had to prevent the facts from emerging in public. Using their poodle judges they circumvented all procedures and deprived the defendants their right to defend themselves. The final abnormality was to deny IK and Shah Mehmood’s lawyers the right to conduct theircase. Instead the court appointed public defenders of the prosecutor’s choice. Shah Mehmood was denied his inherent right to record his statement. In the final drop scene judge Husnain announced his judgment and fled the scene. What a shame, only possible in this lawless jungle ruled by the one man.
Tosha Khana decision was even more ridiculous. The entire prosecution case was based on the evidence of an “expert witness” who was a semi-literate, part time employee of an Indian jeweler. He based his appraisal on a photograph of this contentious piece of jewelry. All the prosecution witnesses failed to establish any crime. So what was exit available to this wretched judge? Deny the defendants’’ lawyers to cross examine the witnesses. A total mockery of the justice system.
What did Mr. Powerful and his cohorts achieve from this entire drama? Ridicule from the global community and strengthening of the resolve of the voters to stand up to these bullies on election-day. The realities on the ground are scary. Crushing inflation is suffocating the masses. It is getting worse by the day. Revenues are declining and expenses are out of control. Even if this mindless coterie gets their way, what will this gang of thugs achieve when installed?
There is strong link between political stability and economic viability. Stolen and rigged elections will achieve neither. We are passing through the worst existential crisis in Pakistan. There is only one narrow window available to the suffering masses. They have to keep a low profile and vote on the election-day. They should use PML(N) transport, eat PPP biryani and vote for IK’s candidate. Voters must give one full day of their lives to someone who has sacrificed everything for the masses betterment. They must make this gang of criminals’ runaway like judge Husnain by safeguarding the ballot boxes. Voters do not leave your polling station till the final certified results are handed over to your representatives.
