STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan
Marie Antoinette was the last Queen of France. An Austrian princess, she married into French royalty. Her husband, King Louis XVI’s degenerative acts were the final straw triggering the French Revolution. Marie got married at the tender age of 14. She had always lived in luxury and wealth and had no understanding of the plight of impoverished peasants. While witnessing a protest behind the safety of palace walls, she asked a courtesan what do they want? The attendant replied the peasants have no bread. Reportedly Queen Marie’s insensitive response that became part of history books, if they don’t have bread why don’t they eat cake? This response can be attributed to either a frivolous disregard for the starving or a very poor understanding of the plight of the deprived classes.
I was reminded of this incident as I listened to reports on the 60–page newspaper advertisements taken out by Maryam Nawaz upon completion of her 1st year as CM Punjab. There are commonalities between Queen Marie and CM Maryam. Both were born into wealth and never did a day’s hard work before being hoisted into positions of power. One through marriage and the other as an inheritance.
There is an overwhelming narcissistic streak that Maryam suffers from. It’s a mental condition in which the person has unreasonably high sense of their own importance. It is apparent she has no real friends or mentors who can advise her to get therapy. Instead she is surrounded by boot lickers egging her on. Essa Naqvi did a count of Maryam’s photos in this bogus attempt to impress. There are 409 pictures of her in different dresses and poses. She believes she can win over hearts through looks. It’s not a beauty contest, your Ladyship. How stupid can you get? It is tragic criminal waste of billions of tax-payers monies.
This came at the heels of another spectacle called “horse and cattle show”. Maryam’s coy looks and ability to carry herself has impressed the most powerful man in the country. General Asim flew in personally to dignify this event full of glamor and wasteful expense. It appears he is mesmerized and is pushing her to become the next Prime Minister. A probability appearing multiple times in the 60-page ad.
The last three years have been a circus in the Asim-Sharif-Zardari regime. The quality of the circus acts are getting worse by the day. The trio are living in a fools’ paradise. They are trying to create falsehoods to create enticements through a make-believe world. The recent release of a supposedly “motivational” song by ISPR has blown up in their faces. There are definitely two worlds existing in Pakistan. One is lies and false perceptions paving the way for a debacle; the other is the actual realities as they exist in Pakistan.
In the 3rd year of his term, General Asim is convinced he has consolidated enough to come out of the closet as the true ruler. He is egging on his political puppets to step out and hold public meetings. Nawaz has emerged from his dormancy and pushing his PML(N) leaders to hold jalsas on the boss’s orders using unlimited funds. Every race has to have competitors. The only other viable option embedded in Pakistani hearts and minds is PTI. They are not being permitted to even hold a workers’ convention. Look at the fate of efforts in Mandi Bahauddin and Gujranwala.
The troika are confronted by the resolve of one man who has put his faith in Allah, coupled by unrelenting support of the masses. IK’s efforts are now beginning to yield results. Through great efforts, PTI team were able to hold a two-day conference in Islamabad under the auspices of “Movement for Protection of Constitution.” It brought together an amazing array of politicians from all parts of the country, intellectuals, media-persons, lawyers and supporters of rule of law. While the mainstream tout media blacked it out, social media is plastered with every detail of the event. Whatever was lacking, was made up by the stupidity of the regime trying to block the 2nd day’s proceedings. The demands enunciated are clear. A return to rule of law, unencumbered justice system, non-intervention of army in politics and holding fresh free and fair elections.
This agenda is set to build the tempo for the final push. These efforts are being augmented by the events in USA, UK and European Union. US Congressmen Joe Wilson, Pfluger and many others are working to present a bill in US Congress in support of a democratic Pakistan. The threat of EU non-renewal of subsidized tariffs looms large. Relentless efforts of Overseas Pakistanis are commendable and gaining traction.
The recent uproar in Romania has brought up another ugly aspect of our military leadership. Romanian President Iohannis has resigned under pressure of Romanians for annulling elections. His main opponent Calin Georgescu has called out Romania’s role as a conduit of arms for Ukraine. Apparently, US arms for the war effort were sent to Pakistan for re-shipment to Romania. This has the potential of blowing up under President Trump.
Recently I voted in Ontario’s elections. I looked on with envy at the smooth process to determine the will of the people in selecting their leaders. When can we transform from this brutal military dictatorship to permit Pakistanis to express and elect their leaders? The struggle must go ontill we achieve our objectives.
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