STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan
Freedom is an irrepressible desire, an integral part of human DNA. The urge to be free is part of evolution associeties transition from authoritarian rule towards democratic dispensation. UK was the cradle of democracy from where it made its way into Europe and westwards to North America. Components of British Empire got a taste of this addictive desire to be free in 20th Century. It took root in the Indian subcontinent nurtured by Mahatma Gandhi, Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Jawaharlal Nehru. After partition in 1947, India stayed on democratic coursebecause Congress had solid roots among masses and there was depth in their leadership.
Pakistan’s independence was spearheaded by Quaid-e-Azam. His determination and commitment for a separate Muslim homeland bore fruit. Upon fruition, unfortunatelyhis health failed before he could lay the basis of a democratic setup. Liaqat Ali Khan, who took over the mantle of Jinnah, was eliminated before he made his imprint. Except Bengal, political institutions weredominated by incompetent feudals and controls began to slip into the hands of the bureaucracy. Detailed accounts of this period are available in many books. The upshot is that an ambitious General Ayub began to dominate the scene 1954 onwards, culminating in his first martial law in 1958.
For the next 30 years, during which we witnessed the breakup of Pakistan in 1971, army ruled directly for nearly 25 years. Bhutto’s stint fell off the track when despite being elected, he went into an authoritarian mode. During Zia’s dictatorship there was an emergence of a new phenomenon. Military ruling through surrogates amongst a new class of politicians who emerged in1985 party-less elections. That was when the house of Sharifs become a permanent fixture in the corridors of power. Benazir Bhutto had stepped into the shoes of her father, and was able to gel PPP into a viable force. She was her own person seeking to chart an independent path. She was eliminated and her murder remains unsolved, like Liaqat Ali Khan’s. Her husband Zardari took over PPP and it has been downhill since.
Post Musharraf’s era, a new form of governance emerged in Pakistan. By now Army was deeply entrenched in all the pillars of power. They facilitated PPP getting into power,ruling remotely by controlling Zardari for a five-year term. He was replaced by Nawaz Sharif for the next five years using the same technique. During their ten-year rule both regimes had robbed the nation blind creating an insurmountable debt mountain. Stories of their corruption, leaked by the army, became the talk of the town. Both Sharif and Zardari clans stand utterly disgraced amongst Pakistanis. However, there was a spoke in the wheel when Imran Khan caught the fancy of the masses in 2011 after 15 years of democratic struggle. From 2011 to 2018 Imran Khan, with impeccably clean credentials, clearly emerged as a desirable and viable alternative to this crooked lot. By the time 2018 elections came around manipulative General Bajwa was Army Chief. He did not obstruct IK’s election victory, but clipped his wings in Central Punjab to prevent a clear majority. IK had to rely on army-controlled touts to form Government. He should have gone for re-election, but missed that boat. His 2nd biggest error was giving Gen Bajwa extension. Bajwa had created linkages with Sharifs during this period. Evil “London Plan” was hatched and executed in April 2022 removing PTI Government.
Pakistan has been a part of US camp since 1951. Americans have always preferred to exercise their control through Generals rather than corrupt, compromised Sharifs and Zardari. IK came to power during Trump’s 1stterm. Despite a rough start, both being strong individuals, they developed a rapport of mutual respect evident from IK’s US visit. Biden came to power in 2021; he was always an Establishment person having been in corridors of power for 5 decades. Scheming Bajwa used Biden’s affinity to rely on the system. He secretly lobbied against IK and poisoned the well against him. Bajwa got blessings of US Administration to implement his nefarious London Plan.
Since ouster of IK in April 2022, Democrat regime has turned a blind eye towards brutalization of IK, PTI and free voices. Qazi Isa, ECP Raja, and ISI goons have made life unbearable for anybody who dissents. Trump’s victory is a whiff of fresh air for Pakistanis. He is definitely not a stooge of the Establishment and definitely has a mind of his own. His response to Pakistani groups who met him prior to the elections was positive unlike Harris. At a minimum he will be neutral in Pakistani matters, and at best he can recognize the unprincipled approach of US Government thus far and correct it.
In Pakistan the rule of law is dead after the 26thAmendment. Judiciary provides a relief valve in a pressure cooker situation. That capability has been neutered. General Asim is the unchallenged king after his extension. Through changes in law, PTI like it’s Chief IK, and all freedom lovers are caged in a windowless room. All avenues to wage a struggle against tyranny within the confines of law are blocked. People’s will expressed on 8thFebruary has been dumped into a wastebin. Coming out in overwhelming numbers to boot out this cruel regimeremains the only option. Pakistanis who overwhelminglysupport IK and hate the present rulers have to come out. It will take perseverance, sacrifices and suffering brutal suppression. That is what will enable us to achieve the ultimate goal, freedom.
