STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan
“Rabb narey key ghusan” a Punjabi saying that translates “Is God near or the clenched fist”. Fear of death is the ultimate threat. It happened in abundance on 26thNovember in and around D Chowk. Innocent protestors were sprayed with bullets on ground and from all directions, including rooftops. Trained marksmen were deployed. Drones assisted in picking off the loudest protestors. It was a planned and pre-meditated operation to teach the protestors a lesson. This action is beyond the capacity of our regular police.
The accuracy and precision of isolating the most charged crowd, jamming of signals, turning off lights, drones usageand surgical operation of removing the dead and woundedwas premeditated. These are hallmarks of a well–orchestrated military operation. It is ironic that army was not fighting the enemy; it was murdering its own citizens who were exercising their Constitutional right to protest peacefully. 26th November was a blatant pronouncement that undiluted dictatorship is in place. Dissenters beware, we will shoot you at sight.
Subsequent to carrying out these horrendous murders, the clampdown was complete. Bloodstains were washed away and bullet casings were meticulously removed. The viciousness and brutality had the protestors and the whole nation in a shellshock. The mainstream media was totally silent. Monkey Ministers came out totally denying anyviolence. It reminds me of another Punjabi saying “ishq teymushk chupda nain” translates “overflowing love and bad stench” cannot remain hidden. While the Generals and their political lackeys have stifled the media, their Achilles heel is Overseas Pakistanis, social and international media. This crime cannot be swept under the carpet.
Jailed Imran Khan was kept in the dark. He did not find out details till days later. PTI leadership is in chaos begging for a dialogue. I am sure they were threatened against giving any reaction. Fear of torture, elimination and jail has silenced them. IK had ordered registration of FIRs and other steps. Finally, some progress has been made. An application has been filed in Islamabad. Compiling thedata of wounded, missing and jailed PTI participants dulyverified is crucial. Legal steps shall prevent the evidence from going stale, even if immediate relief is denied.
Early on Prime Minister Sharif attempted to pass the buck onto Army Chief by publicly thanking him for his support in the operation. No one wants to hold onto this hot potato. PML(N) is desperate to distance itself. However, the stench is extreme and it cannot be concealed. Foreign Governments have their sources and resources. They are asking probing questions. The recent article by Ryan Grim and Murtaza Hussain in their publication “Drop site”, USA have given the most damning expose till date of the events of November 26th. Well informed investigative journalist Haider Mehdi has revealed details of army units deployed for this military action. Shahbaz Gill has revealed that there are 35 bodies stashed away in freezers in Islamabad/ Rawalpindi. Army is pushing the police to own upto these shooting deaths; IG Islamabad is thus far giving the slip. He does not want a noose around his neck when the dust clears!
These brutal and criminal murders have the potential of becoming a hangman’s noose for those in power. The present silence is deafening; however, these barricaded flood waters have already started to seep. PTI’s leadership is playing a wimpish role; they have to man up or get out of the way. IK is upset with their posturing. Ironically victims are begging for mercy rather than seeking justice. Even though judiciary is handcuffed and we don’t expect relief, however, facts have to be brought on record for fair adjudication when the time is ripe.
Despite this harsh brutality, the dynamics of the struggle have not changed. On one side we have an ambitious army chief in full control using the guns they wield. He has successfully made the bureaucracy and police subservient. The press is totally tamed through bribes and bullying. Through legal wranglings they have defanged judiciary which is now led by their obedient servants. Army is supported by their corrupt political touts. Major allyPML(N) has many leaders but their following has severely shrunk. They can hardly step out in public. Same is true for MQM etc. PPP controls parts of rural Sind through feudals and brutal force, but they are zero in urban centers.
On the other side we have Imran Khan and PTI. IK has been in jail since August 2023, his party under severe attack, yet he has stood firm not yielding to the unquenching thirst for power of General Asim. Majority of Pakistanis have bought into his brave narrative seeking freedom to serve the masses and uplift them. They are aligned with IK, heart and soul.
The fact is that after 26th November’s bloodbath, it is abundantly clear that army and Pakistanis are on opposite sides. Brute force can prevail in the short-term but eventually truth and justice prevails as per principles enunciated by our holy Quran. PTI moving away from protests to civil disobedience is an appropriate strategic move. For the 1st time Overseas Pakistanis will play a key role in bringing change. Reduced remittances, creating awareness in their adopted homes and using the unlimited power of social media will continue to hollow this brutal dictatorship. Global conscience and their ability to influence Pakistan will be decisive.
