STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan
Imran Khan has given his clarion call to action on 24thNovember. Pakistanis shall respond as they have always done. The demands are clear and unambiguous. Return Feb 8th mandate to its rightful owners, free political prisoners jailed without trial, demolish the 26th amendment designed to suffocate judiciary and revival of rule of law. If any of these demands are met, it will lead to demise of the current fraudulent government. No one signs their own death warrant willingly unless they are compelled to. It’s a fight to the finish. It will only be possible if the nation turns out in insurmountable numbers.
In a nation of 250 million where nearly 2/3rd of the people stand behind IK, bringing out 200,000 onto the roads is a definite possibility. It will be brutally suppressed at levels unseen before. Both sides realize the consequences of this “D Day”. IK has sought the participation of all segments of the society correctly stating “it is a decisive battle for our future and that of our coming generations”. I have a suggestion to IK and PTI leadership. The list of demands should be expanded to condemn the Government’s absolute failure to manage the economy leading to crushing inflation. The four demands currently revolve around “highway robbery of democracy”. Theirscope should be expanded.
What do Pakistanis face on a daily basis? Total misery,suffering under a runaway inflation making life unbearable. A loud and clear condemnation needs to be made of failure to govern. IK should demand a stoppage of “daylight robbery” of farmers, working classes and salaried folks. It should protest the unjust taxation imposed so far and ban levying new taxes demanded by IMF. It is required because these nincompoops’ failure to meet targets. The masses are already sympathetic to IK; they would love a spotlight on their pain points. I urge my friends in PTI who have access to IK to bring this to his attention. It could go a long way to expand the base of participants for November 24th protest.
The journey in Pakistan since April 2022 has been a living hell. Corrupt Sharifs, Zardari, MQM are the poster boys for the Generals “civilian rule”. IK has put up resistance and won hearts and minds of Pakistanis. It does not fit into the General’s plans. Despite being jailed since August 2023 IK has been relentless in his struggle. Masses rewarded him by giving PTI an unprecedented mandate. It was stolen to re-install general’s corrupt touts on falsified results. In return Sharifs, Zardari and MQM became the “b—–” of the Generals and brought in 26th amendment rendering Supreme Court and judiciary toothless.
Pakistan is suffering from dual suffocation. One from smog and the other from General’s chokehold preventing rule of law. Punjab’s CM and Environmental Minister have fled the country on the pretext of Maryam’s para thyroid ailment. She has lied again. Treatment for this condition is available everywhere. It revolves around levels of calcium in the body. Worst consequence is tumors in the gland. Generally non-cancerous, they can be removed by an outpatient procedure available all over. However, specialized cosmetic surgery does require a Geneva visit.
In this suffocating environment, PTI’s options have dwindled. Public protest is the only option left. Learning from previous experiences, the public have to turnout in massive numbers to nullify Government suppression tactics of tear gas, rubber bullets and at times live ammo. When the attendance is overwhelming these tactics fail. Destiny of Pakistan will be written on 24th November. Youth with energy, purity of soul and enthusiasm have the ability to lead this charge. They need to be joined by men, women and kids of all ages. Breaking the shackles of present chokehold and future hopelessness demands a full-throated response. If the Generals stifle this legal right to protest the situation may take a scary turn. Underground resistance is an ugly option. The generals need to realize this before it is too late.
As the generals follow an obsessive and blinkered path of breaking IK’s resolve they seem to be oblivious of the real fires burning our nation. The foremost is the impending economic meltdown. Pakistan has failed to meet targets agreed with IMF by a huge number. IMF’s visiting team is demanding a massive reduction in expenditure or new taxes on hapless Pakistanis. Our traditional friends have backed off refusing to provide relief. Relations with China promoted as “taller than Himalayas” have soured. Saudis and Emiratis are playing a waiting game. Chances of an implosion of economy are at their highest levels.
Pakistan’s international prestige is at its lowest ebb. While PM Sharif dashes off to international conferences, he gets the worst seat in the room. Our attempts to move away from the Eastern Block to appease USA and Biden regime will soon amount to a nought. President Elect Trump is his own man who has openly stated that IK is his friend. The shield provided by Biden is likely to disappear soon.
There are repeated intelligence failures in preventing terrorist attacks. Recent massacre of army personal in Baluchistan is a glaring example. In these changing scenarios it is imperative for PTI leadership, not in jail, to rise and shine to mobilize a massive turnout on 24thNovember. We have a mean and ruthless opponent. If the MNAs, MPA’s and ticket holders repay the trust IK has reposed on them and provide leadership to masses, we shall witness a game-changer.
