Thursday, March 28, 2024
 
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Pakistan on knife edge




Dr. Syed Nazir Gilani



I had planned to write this column on the special session of UN Human Rights Council requested by Iraq and supported by Group of Arab States, Non Aligned Movement, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and European Union to discuss “the human rights situation in Iraq in light of abuses committed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and associated groups,” on Monday 1 September 2014. UN Secretary General has received JKCHR Written Statement for the Special Session. This will be circulated as a General Assembly document on Monday during the session and shall become part of UN proceedings on the session.



Events unfolding in Pakistan politics and my constant touch with friends in various disciplines of life, in particular the civil society throughout the night overtook this plan and made a case for a column on the situation in Pakistan. I have witnessed the PNA movement against Z A Bhutto on the alleged rigging of elections in March 1977 as Information Officer in the Ministry of Information and faced the clamping down of Martial Law as a Red Cross Officer in July 1977. It was all the right wing political parties and others alike set against Z A Bhutto for the alleged rigging.




It is again 36 years since in May 2013 that Imran Khan a cricketer turned into a politician has brought the charges of rigging against the Nawaz Sharif Government. Initially he wanted a recount in four constituencies. Recount is not a new thing. It has happened in USA during Bush-Gore elections and is happening now in the Presidential elections of Afghanistan. If the Government had conceded soon after elections to re-open four constituencies, results of any manner would have taken the steam out of the Imran’s balloon. The heavy majority syndrome and other consideration, afflicting the politics in Pakistan failed to yield to a very basic and almost non-lethal demand.




The delay of a full year by the Government to conduct a recount inducted other interested variables into the demand and Imran Khan (PTI) suddenly turned into a first cousin in politics with Tahir-ul-Qadri a Pakistani religious scholar settled in Canada (PAT). People of Musharraf’s political camp and out of jobs have also regrouped behind the scenes. There is however, a difference that all the political parties (some 11 in number) in the Parliament remain on the side of the elected Government and want all the grievances to be settled in accordance with the Constitution and Rule of Law.




All the political parties represented in the Parliament have resolved unanimously to support Nawaz Sharif and resist any extra-constitutional action, that is, any intervention by the armed forces of Pakistan to take over the governance or taking over the control through mob violence. Supreme Court of Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to defend the Constitution and Rule of Law and has warned against any unconstitutional adventure seen in the past. Government has invoked article 245 of the Constitution and has called the army to “act in aid of civil power”.




Army has taken over the defence of Red Zone, where Parliament, PM House, Supreme Court, Foreign Embassies and other sensitive institutions of the State are based. People in Pakistan in particular have a regard for Imran Khan and he carried an attraction for Pakistani youth and the middle class. Unfortunately his sons are living in the United Kingdom and the argument is used to enforce a mistrust in his connections with Pakistan. His political narrative and use of a luxurious bullet proof air conditioned container during the last 17 days of protest have solidified his image as an easy going elitist politicians, far remote from the dust, hunger, heat and rain to which the protesters have remained exposed.



Tahir-ul-Qadri a Pakistani - Canadian citizen (Dual nationality) attempted a revolution in January 2012 during PPP Government. His religious rhetoric, life style and introducing the luxury equipped bullet proof air conditioned container politics in Pakistan and keeping his children away outside Pakistan remain serious pointers against his genuine interest in changing the lives of poor people in Pakistan.




PAT chief (TUQ) is distinguishable in using politics on the principles of a cult. He has women and children in his protest and has used them as first line of defence to defend his container. He is at his best in fanning the religious fervour and exploiting the vulnerability of women by promising heaven in politics and changing their lives overnight. Peers in Pakistani society are highly respected and this easy come fame has encouraged many fake Peers to dupe the vulnerable men and women. They are more successful in mesmerising Muslim women living in Europe and other foreign countries. If a female who for genuine family reasons or lack of resources has not been able to see her parents or siblings in Pakistan for two or three years, they take resort to these Peers in Europe, who cleverly put down this to either ‘dark forces’ or husband having started extra martial relations. The depressed woman finds the Peer’s explanation comforting and is sucked into a web of life long mental slavery without anyone knowing about it.




Pakistan has moved from March 1977 elections and from the last military rule of Musharraf. Everyone in Pakistan, every Pakistani outside Pakistan, her neighbours (India, China, and Afghanistan) and the international community want democracy and rule of law in Pakistan. There is a determination on the part of politicians to close the chapter of conspiring with army generals for a future take over and seek berths of benefit. Army too has matured into accepting the supremacy of Constitution. The exit and trial of General Musharraf has made a big difference. It is leaving politics to the politicians to the major part. Therefore, military take-over now or in the future has its serious limitations. Army leadership over the last 6-7 years has distanced itself from a general interest in politics and has made sincere efforts to assist the civilian government and see an enduring future in strengthening the rule of law.




Imran and Qadri protests did not have any proximity at the beginning but some forces worked behind the scenes to inspire a sense of common goal. These forces prevailed and caused Imran to expose himself in character and mind by resorting to a poor narrative and disappointing abuse from the platform. He continued to quote half truths about the right to protest in the West or America. Governments and police in Europe do not arrange for food for the protesters, police does not allow you to carry daggers and knives, heavy cutters to cut barbed wires of protection, gas masks to use after fermenting trouble and carry Slingshots and bags full of stones and sharp pieces of glass to cause harm.




It is for the first time in the history of Pakistan that army, politicians, religious leaders and civil society encouraged a dialogue between PTI chief Imran Khan, PAT chief Tahir-ul-Qadri and the Government in a sincere manner. Parties like MQM played it hot and cold and are not yet ready to give up the urge to keep one foot behind the fence. Tolerance and right to voice their grievances has been a convincing feature of the changing politics in Pakistan. Protesters were allowed a safe passage from Lahore to Islamabad. It is unfortunate that PTI and PAT leaders reneged on the terms agreed between them and the administration. Both parties tricked the administration and the mediators. They played the game of the Camel and the Arab in a tent on a rainy day, until the Camel succeeded to push the Arab out from the tent and occupy it all to himself.




Iago (Othello) like characters remained invisible behind the scene and succeeded to force Imran Khan and Tahir-ul-Qadri change their goal posts either individually or in consultation. PTI chief wants to bring a change but he wants to bring it outside the Constitution and hopes to achieve it by seeking the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Government and the parliamentary parties agreed to Nawaz Sharif’s resignation but only when the Judicial Commission established that the May 2013 elections were rigged to an extent warranting a re-election. PPP is the main party that could have made a case for rigging because it lost the power. It did not allege a rigging to an extent that merited a call for resignation.

Imran Khan stunned everyone across Pakistan and internationally, when he refused the mediation and guarantee of the Judicial Commission (comprised of Judges of SC), Election Commission and ultimately a guarantee offered by the Parliament that PM will resign if the Judicial Commission established that there was a rigging. Tahir-ul-Qadri on the other hand turned extremely uncompromising and blackmailed the Government to a point that he forced Government to register an FIR for murder (deaths of PAT people in Lahore) against Prime Minister (who was not in the country at the time of police action), chief Minister Punjab, many federal ministers, family members of Nawaz Sharif and a long list of police officers. It is generally rumoured that targeting Sharif family is a ‘minus-one’ formula being enacted behind the scenes. Usually fingers would point to the army but in the present case the Umpire behind the scene has surprised and has left everyone guessing.





Late last night UK time and early in the morning Pakistan time PTI and PAT landed in Islamabad and wanted to take control of Parliament and PM House. These institutions are being protected by the army under article 245. The last tier of defence is in the hands of army and the first two are manned by the police and rangers. It is for the first time that police has been disarmed and have to use physical force to restrain any violation or attempt to cross the line. The two parties again reneged on their promise that they will stage a peaceful protest outside the Parliament. The violent attempt to take over the Parliament by running heavy trucks into the walls and using cutters to cut the wires of protection, forced the police to use tear gas. The luxurious comfort of a pampered and perked protesters tasted the first bitterness of law.




Imran Khan and Tahir-ul-Qadri who fanned the sentiments of protesters and had promised to lead them from the front hid themselves in luxurious air conditioned containers for safety. The poor man, the poor woman and the one year old lost child (taken to hospital) were left to lead themselves. It remained a mob without a leader for many hours. Government observed a commendable restraint and our interventions to give women and children a safe passage were taken on board. We hope it ends well into a negotiated settlement according to the Constitution and rule of law.




(Dr. Syed Nazir Gilani is Secretary General – JKCHR, NGO in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations)


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