A Frustrated Pakistani Cries Out: Where Does This End?
If you are even a slightly informed Pakistan – or if you simply have a social media account – the fast few weeks must have been frustrating and confusing to the core. Underneath all the state-run propaganda regarding brilliant diplomacy and major wins on the international stage is a country which is burning, drowning and bleeding all at once. One seriously starts to question the sins we have committed as a nation to be deserving of such penalization, and with the slightest bit of introspection, we can formulate an entire list.
For far too long, Pakistanis were sold a concept which they accepted without questioning: Pakistan was created as an antidote to Israel, and it will be us that will free the Holy Land of Jerusalem. Add on to that the concept of Pakistani Fauj Ki Rohaani Azmat and it can be used to explain the past 78 years of Pakistan’s existence.
Questioning The Lies Fed To Us
From martial laws and continuous military operations in Balochistan and FATA, to crippling poverty, education sector in shambles and lack of basic civil rights – Pakistanis have always been taught to not question or call out the state’s activities, its disproportionate spending patterns or human rights abuses because that make one a ghaddar. State narrative of patriotism was to be accepted which held a certain institute at the core of Pakistan’s identity. Everything else – parliament, judiciary, police and even the people – has to bow down to the whims of that one institution on the narrative that Muslim Ummah’s only nuclear power will free Palestine and lead the ummah to glory.
Yet today, the veil has been taken off, and the reality has started becoming clearer. Behind the mask of the “protectors of the ummah” stand those who brutally torture those who stand for the ummah. A number of events in the past few days have exposed this reality.
The UNGA Disaster
As a proud Pakistani, I wish I could remove this year’s UNGA participation and all the events attached with the trip out of collective national memory. From Pro-Israel Shama Junejo’s infamous “surprise” entry into Pakistan’s official national delegation, to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s embarrassing speech at the UNGA, there was so much to question and fume over. The delegation was a living proof of what happens when non-elected individuals attempt on representing the entire nation.
In the backdrop of devastating floods in Pakistan and the annihilation of Palestinians in Gaza, our Prime Minister decided to utilize the precious space in UNGA for praising Donald Trump and reiterating Pakistan’s nomination of Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. An additional embarrassment came from Defense Minister, Khwaja Asif’s interview to Mehdi Hasan – who he wrongly mistook for a local sell-out journalist. The Minister did not have the answer to a single question – from defending a “hybrid government” to his accusations of Imran Khan being funded by India. The entire interview was a national embarrassment.
A delegation which could have taken the position of a thought leader in the Global South by raising issues such as climate justice, agricultural challenges and genocide, chose to waste this opportunity on a series of ill-planned activities.
The Minerals Deal and the US Base Reports
The picture of Asim Munir proudly handing over Trump a box of what are largely assumed to be Rare Earth Minerals, as Pakistan gears for its first shipment of rare minerals under the MoU signed with US Strategic Metals (USSM), caused a major uproar on social media – and rightfully so. The controversial Minerals Acts were hastily passed through both KPK and Balochistan Assemblies this year, which increase the Federal’s claims and authority over provincial mineral resources. Not only does this undo the progress made under the 18th Amendment of increased decentralization, but also causes further unrest as public sentiment in both Balochistan and KPK is against these Bills as well as additional Federal control of resources.
An additional factor of unrest is the proposed development of Pasni Port in Balochistan to facilitate the shipment of these minerals. While no confirmation has been provided over this yet, fears loom regarding a return of increased US presence in the backdrop of rising cross-border tensions with Afghanistan.
However, the major cause of unease concerning these measures is the lack of debate and clarity concerning the exact details of the agreements. A normal Pakistani citizen having lived through the “do more” era following 9/11 cannot help but question: what have we sold now in return for all these economic benefits?
Country-wide Crackdowns
For over a week, “Azad” Kashmir was cut-off from the rest of the world over a protest. Like every other part of the country, protesting is no longer a right there either. Without any prior information, all communication channels and roads were blocked, protestors were beaten up by imported officials from the rest of the country, and the beautiful valley painted a picture no different from the “occupied” Kashmir we have been told we will “liberate”.
Military operations continue in Bajaur against “terrorists”, but the civilians continue to suffer – especially as they have to rebuild after the floods as well. Terrorism is back in KPK and FATA, and in the middle of attacks and counter-attacks, the sufferers are civilians, the worst case being the killing of 24 civilians in Tirah a couple of weeks ago.
Balochistan continues to suffer with forced disappearances and crack-downs. After Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat Islaami (JI), Tehreek-e-Labaik’s (TLP) protest in Lahore was met with open fire which claimed over 3 lives. The worst part being, the protest was against Israel’s genocide in Gaza. One can criticize the timing of protests, or even the end-goals, but disagreements over the cause of protests does not warrant assaulting – and killing – protestors. Unfortunately, under the imposed hybrid regime, threatening, attacking and even murdering protestors has become a norm.
Read More: Let’s Never Normalize the “New Normal” in Pakistan
One cannot help but question: what legitimacy does the government have when over 60% of the country is faced with one or another form of state-imposed crackdown?
Mushtaq Ahmad, Trump’s 20-Point Agenda and Stance on Israel
Over the last week, Pakistanis witnessed two extremes: Pakistani government and ex-Senator Mushtaq. The latter who was earlier threatened by Islamabad police for protesting for Gaza, proudly represented Pakistan on the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted in Gaza’s water by Israel. Even after being detained, he stood tall on his principles.
On the other hand, we had the Pakistani Prime Minister, proudly cheering for Trump’s 20-point agenda (even before it was made public), and continued to make a mockery of the country by his continuous praise for Trump – more than speaking about Palestine. The Pakistani government – in its marathon to globally humiliate the country – later denounced support for the plan claiming it was changed.
Read More: Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan in full
However, no where between this official clownery was it noticed that this went against Pakistan’s historical stance on Palestine which included a return to pre-1967 borders. The details of the 20-point ceasefire are infuriating as they are coming out. The plan does not give Palestinians the right over their land, but rather place a US-chaired “technocratic committee” which will run the day-to-day operations in Gaza. The committee includes ex-UK Prime Minister Toni Blair – the war-criminal who is behind the murder of thousands in Iraq.
Conclusion
Remaining optimistic about Pakistan is becoming harder by the day. Truth has become a crime in this country. Media and free speech is on a leash, and law-enforcement agencies have no law that they enforce. Just unbridled use of power.
The state of the economy is in shambles, with one after another major business entity closing operations in Pakistan. Floods and the resulting agricultural crisis means the coming months will be unbearable for the nation in regards to inflation, with even basic necessities getting out of reach.
Yet, the authorities want us all to sing praises of the king all day long, because not doing so gives a license to the monitors of “patriotism” to declare anyone an anti-state agent and abduct them.
Pakistan’s ideology and core has been abolished, but the King’s throne must shine on!
