STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan
Washington is abuzz with anticipation for the upcoming Congressional briefing on the massacre of November 26th2024. These days I am in US and had an opportunity to interact with this brave lot leading the charge. Imran Khan after galvanizing the nation has also motivated the Overseas Pakistanis to rise to levels never seen before.
Till three years ago OP’s living in democracies were generally apolitical. They welcomed prominent politicians of all stripes, bureaucrats, generals and media personalities from back home by offering traditional Pakistani hospitality. They would entertain them and shower them with gifts. The pictures from these events would find their way to social media. In return whenever the hosts visited Pakistan, they would taste some showering of “VIP treatment.” It would make for some boastful stories in the drawing rooms.
Living in Canada and frequently visiting USA, I witnessed a change in attitudes after the manipulated removal of PTI Government in April 2022. Pakistanis at home reacted vehemently; rejecting this abomination of General Bajwa’s manipulations. It took some time to mobilize and gain momentum overseas. The brutality and suppression after regime change unleashed by Bajwa fortified the nation behind Imran Khan. They gave their verdict through votes in By-election on July 17th 2022. It amply demonstrated where Pakistanis stood. General Bajwa orchestrated the regime change to please his foreign masters and for selfish reason of getting another extension.
That fell apart when Nawaz Sharif, Bajwa’s co-conspirator, decided to change the pedigree to achieve his goals to become a 3rd time Prime Minister. He selected a rottweiler to replace a bulldog. Events went south after the change of guard atop the army leadership. General Asim, a former spy chief, unleashed a reign of terror like 1971. He chose ISI to be his flag bearers of suppression. Stories abound about the torture and mayhem against PTI supporters, including women and children. The details make you cringe.
Unlike previous martial laws, the news of this mayhemcould not be brushed under the carpet thanks to social media. Generals who usurped power sixties onwards silenced the media permitting only their own narratives to flourish. The technology advances in 21st century has broken this barrier. Through social media the Overseas Pakistanis were kept abreast of these cruelties and it outraged all freedom lovers, whatever their political stripes. This led to activation of groups that do not necessarily belong to PTI. They came out in support of democracy and rule of law in their motherland.
It is a welcome change to the previous approach of “meet and greet.” It mobilized OP’s to seek support amongst the mainstream despite the very partisan approach of Biden Administration. President Joe Biden is a product of Establishment. His nearly 50 years in the corridors of power have turned him into conformist who tows the line of deep state. They have always been comfortable dealing with Pakistani Generals. They prefer to deal with a single bastion of power and use them as tools to promote their own agenda. Over decades our generals have groomed their political touts so they can run the country using them as a political façade.
President Joe Biden turned a deaf ear and a blind eye to the atrocities being meted to hapless Pakistanis. His lead was followed by Western media and other democracies. The cruelties perpetuated by Asim regime were by and large ignored. In this environment credit needs to be given to the efforts of various groups like the doctors, PAKPAC and similar organizations who raised awareness amongst the mainstream politicians. Their high point was the bi-partisan Congressional Resolution 901 that brought together 2/3 of the congress in support of democratic struggle to put a spotlight on the despotic rule of General Asim.
The election of Donald Trump has rejuvenated the entire Pakistani diaspora for very valid reasons. There are similarities between Trump and IK. Both have been hounded by their Establishments. After initially locking horns as strong personalities they got along famously when they met in person. President Trump is his own man who will not submit to the dictates of Establishment. Some of the afore–mentioned groups had the good sense ofendorsing Trump at a time when it mattered. They have made inroads into incoming Administration, sensitizing them to atrocities being meted out. Calls to inquire into the role American Embassy in the regime change operation in 2022 is gaining momentum. It will bring out many skeletons. Similar efforts are afoot in UK and Europe.
In all these happenings I will be amiss not to recognize the humungous efforts of media personalities in and outside Pakistan. Valiant efforts of Imran Riaz Khan, Saddique Jan, Essa Naqvi, Matiullah Jan, Tariq Mateen, Asad Ullah Khan, Haroon Rashid, and many others are commendablefrom within. Sabir Shakir, Moeed Pirzada, Shahbaz Gill, Shaheen Sehbai, Haider Mehdi and others are potent voices from outside. They are systematically demolishingGeneral Asim and his political puppets’ agenda. Hence the impotent rage burning a hole in the sides of General and his lackies. They have strangulated the local media effectively but are powerless against the motivated warriors on social media.
Overseas Pakistanis can play a decisive role in unhinging this brutal regime by continuing their efforts to bring pressure through their home governments. It needs to be augmented by reducing the remittances to Pakistan to bring these usurpers to their knees. The verdict Pakistanis gave on Feb 8th, 2024 needs to honored, no matter what the impediments.
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