WINDS OF CHANGE AND THEIR IMPACT ON PAKISTAN
STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan
Ismail Haniyeh, was born in 1962 to Palestinian parents in a refugee camp in Gaza. They had fled from Ashkelon in 1948 after Israeli takeover. Ashkelon has deep historic roots. It was the launching pad for Sultan Salahuddin Ayubi on his way to expand Muslim rule. Haniyeh was a founding member of Hamas. A fearless rebel who was extremely popular in Gaza. He ousted PLO and was elected Prime Minister in March 2006. He continued for five years despite resistance of President Abbas of PLO. He has headed Hamas Political Bureau from 2017 till his martyrdom in Tehran.
Haniyeh was regarded as pragmatic and a moderate leader of Hamas. He lived in Qatar since 2017. He had a leading role in ceasefire negotiations, acting as a bridge between conflicting parties and stakeholders. His elimination, according to reliable sources, was by a bomb planted months ago in the building Haniyeh usually resides. This cowardly strike coupled with murder of Fuad Shukr of Hezbollah has totally derailed the peace process. Volatility in the region has shot up. If Iran reacts along with its allies, one foresees a massive all-out bloodbath. Oil prices will go through the roof and Pakistanis will be see a severe escalation of fuel prices.
Has Netanyahu become unhinged or he is taking advantage of lame-duck Presidency of Biden? Before we move to USA, let me identity the biggest casualty of these assassinations. The loss of a perception built meticulously since the end of World War II about the victimization and persecution of Jews in Europe and elsewhere. Many a tear have been shed watching movies of cruelties meted out to this suffering minority. Establishment of State of Israel on Palestinian land was an effort by Western States to overcome their guilt, egged on by their Zionist lobbies.
Clearly it is no more the case. The genocide being committed against the Palestinians by Benjamin Netanyahu has been condemned globally on every forum. Jews are no longer the victims; they are the aggressors. For many months President Biden’s government resisted all efforts towards a ceasefire. This is an election year in US when public sentiment seriously matters. The heat reached Democratic leadership. They witnessed the meltdown of their traditional support leading US Government to change their tune. By then Israeli PM had grown his own wings and was moving ahead with his murderous enterprise.
President Biden’s support was hemorrhaging; many Americans, especially the minorities and youth were outraged. The failure of US Administration to reign-in their closest ally preventing murder of innocent children, women and civilians was indefensible. I have followed US elections since President Kennedy and over decades developed an understanding of voters’ behavior in electing their Presidents. A strong election machine, sufficient funding are a prerequisite. The candidate must be an excellent communicator, courageous and sensitive to needs of common man. They must come across as astrong believer in American values and be willing to stand up for them.
On all these fronts President Biden, despite many legislative and administrative achievements, fell short. Candidate Trump was literally going to be a shoe-in especially after the debate debacle. Democrats were headed for not just losing the Presidency, but also the Congress and Senate. It was rude awakening, party bigwigs convinced Biden to step aside who had the good grace to read the writing on the wall. This change of guard at this late stage has rejuvenated the party. Let us see whether Kamala Harris can carry the day. She has a black father, an Indian mother and is a female. Let us see if the American society has evolved to the extent to give her a chance to overcome these hurdles. Calling Kamala a “coconut”; brown outside, white on the inside may not work.
Many may disagree; however, it is my opinion that her opponent Donald Trump is his own biggest enemy. Just see his choice of VP’s infinite capacity to put his foot in his mouth of denouncing childless moms. Trump espouses causes that cement his base but has thus far failed to make inroads into uncommitted and independent swing votes that decide elections. His combative posturing may impress many, but it will lose him the majority needed to win elections; especially in the swing states where demography has changed.
How will this change of winds impact Pakistan? Biden has been in the corridors of power for last fifty years. 36 years as a Senator and 12 years in Executive. He is a thoroughbred Establishment person. He is more comfortable dealing with Pakistani Generals as is evident in last three years. Trump is different, he has a transactional personality with strong likes and dislikes. He and IK got along well. Kamala is a trained prosecutor and liberal. Both these contenders will view Pakistan differently.
Pakistan is under proxy martial law, run by an ambitious General. He has bullied everyone into submission except social media and some honorable Judges. He and his lackeys are throwing everything at the two bastions left standing. The recent exposure by Ryan Grim of using serving officers to post falsehoods is a crying shame. The recent reports of negotiations between Army and PTI is another false flag operation. It is upto the masses to come out and drive these usurpers from power. KP is percolating and it is upto Punjab to show courage. All those who got votes in IK’s name have to provide this lead, otherwise we are doomed to years of brutal rule.
