STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan
Everyone’s perception about a place and its people are based on their personal experiences. I see looks of disbelief or a cynical smile when I state that my stay in Saudi Arabia was pleasant and at times enjoyable. According to the laws during my prolonged stay, a foreigner exists through their Saudi Sponsor known as “Kafeel”. A work permit known as “Iqama” determineslegality of stay. It’s your luck whether you get a good sponsor or a mean one. I was lucky to have Abdul Latif Saleh Alsheikh as my sponsor. Our business was agriculture and our farming operations were an hour south of Riyadh. Close to the oasis township of Al Kharj known as “Green Sands”. It was on the edge of Saudi Arabia’s “Empty Quarter”, the Ruba Al Khali.
Every so often Sheikh Latif and I would venture into Ruba Al Khali for a hunting trip. On one particular occasion we were accompanied by Saeed Al Dossary, a tribal elder and his employee Waleed. Sheikh Saeed was quite an institution. He would share stories of pre-oil boom days when Saudis were impoverished surviving on meagre resources. He used to walk barefoot from Kharj to Riyadh to attend “Council of Elders” in Riyadh Court. Then he would proudly display his bare feet to confirm it. They looked like weathered leather; as if he had double foot-soles. His companion Waleed, was an ex-Syrian Army–man built like a tank. Sheikh Saeed knew the Empty Quarter like the back of his hand and would be our navigator with Waleed driving.
A hunting trip requires meticulous prep with all kind of supplies, guns, a survival kit and a sand bike for emergencies. To drive in sand, one had to deflate tires as necessary. In early eighties the compasses were rudimentary, so we had to rely on Sheikh Saeed’s navigational skills. He used stars to chart our path into thedesert, traveling only at night. It was risky thus exciting. On this occasion we left after a traditional dinner of “Qabsa”, a roasted lamb atop rice resembling our “Pulao”.It took us a couple of hours to reach our destination sharing stories and jokes. We set up camp and went on a prowl looking for prey, mainly rabbits.
We concluded our hunt in the early hours of the morning, quite tired and started our return journey. After a few kilometers the engine started to heat up dramatically. We stopped and checked. Waleed, an accomplished mechanic, found that the fan belt was broken and we had no spare. Such an anti-climax after an extremely enjoyable outing. After Waleed got an earful for not carrying a spare, he and Shiekh Saeed took off on sand bike to procure a replacement. Meantime it was dawn and Abu Ziyad and myself sat down awaiting their return.
As the sun came out, the temperatures started to rise. It is surprising how quickly the desert starts to heat up and temperature go upto 50 degree Celsius. Within an hour it felt like an oven. We had adequate supply of water. However, there was no respite from the scorching sun. Soon we were totally drenched with sweat, trying to stay hydrated and pouring water over our heads. It gave no relief. It felt like hell had descended on us. The next fewhours were complete torture when Sheikh Saeed returned with Waleed. The repair took another couple of hours. This experience was so traumatic that four decades on it is still fresh in my mind. Everyone was quiet on our way back and it took me a couple of days to recover my bearings.
This episode came back to me after the recent reports about what Imran Khan has been put through locked up in this cubby-hole oven in Adiala jail. When I link it to my experience of less than a day, my admiration for IK jumps up by huge notches. Living in such unbearable conditions day in and day out takes a super human effort. IK is completely isolated confined to a 7X8 ft cell surviving on his will power and belief in Allah. Personal interactions confirm he is unfazed.
Like many who feel for Pakistan, I overflow with anger and disgust against the perpetuators of this inhuman treatment. The evil and ruthless rulers sitting in GHQ have lost all sense of balance. Treating a former Prime Minister, the leader of the biggest political party in Pakistan and darling of the masses like that is shameful. But shame is only for those who have it.
I am equally disgusted at the PTI leadership who have not stepped out the way they should to seek the release of their leader. Many owe their political existence to IK. IK’s sense of self respect is preventing him from asking his followers to launch a freedom movement. Why can’t they take that initiative? In view of the brutal suppression of massive gatherings, I repeat my previous suggestion; follow a strategy to come out in groups of one hundred ina thousand locations. There are not enough unforms to prevent that.
It will unleash the pent–up anger and emotions that Pakistanis feel against the present usurpers and their backers. 30 months ago, Pakistan was a relatively decent society. Since the undeclared martial law kidnapping, torture, destruction and humiliation has become the norm. It will end only if people react. The pot is boiling and can erupt into terrible chaos unless these myopic generals wake up.
