by B. R. GOWANI
Has Pakistani military returned to politics?
no, because it had never exited
it’s just that first time in Pakistan’s history the army was openly challenged
Imran Khan, the former prime minister, was the person to do so
on May 9, 2023, Khan was kidnapped from the Islamabad High Court
Abdul Qadir Patel, Minister for National Health Services, insists
“When he was taken into custody by NAB, he was in an intoxicated state.”
NAB had accused Khan of corruption and so he was arrested
Khan’s party was corrupt but was in power for just four years
2 other major Parties PPP & PML (N) have been looting for a long time
not to forget the most corrupt institution in Pakistan, the army
(Gen Pervez Musharraf created the National Accountability Bureau in 1999
to fight corruption, but the bureau itself is involved in corruption
Supreme Court Justice J S Khawaja called it “institutionalized corruption“)
Patel also gave out Khan’s medical report to journalists
“The gentleman [Imran Khan] was examined and appears under stress with anxiety symptoms. There was extensive anger/anxiety about the events happening in the last few weeks. He had little insight into the seriousness and reality of the current situation. The mental stability is questionable. There were some inappropriate gestures.”
he then asked the Supreme Court
“If the Supreme Court deems Imran Niazi mentally unstable, we will accept the court’s decision.”
Khan’s supporters & perhaps, ruling elite’s peoples, went on a rampage
(it happens wordwide — government sends its thugs & blames opposition)
two days, May 9 & 10, 2023, army installations and properties were attacked
the Army struck with full vengeance after PTI supporters/members
everyone had to apologize for damage to army properties, out of fear
(seems similar to 9/11, 2001, when most countries had to loudly feel sorry)
poet Shahzad Sharjeel wonders
“How come May 9 [2023] is already referred to as a ‘black day’ but the days when [Pakistan’s first Prime Minister] Liaquat Ali [in 1951] and [two time prime minister] Benazir Bhutto [in 2007] were assassinated [at that time she was in opposition], or the APS [2014 Peshawar school] massacre occurred are not?”
PTI’s leaders are quitting in droves, except people like Yasmin Rashid
court releases Shireen Mazari, she’s rearrested, after 5th arrest she quit
“I have condemned the events that took place on May 9 and 10. I have condemned all forms of disorder.”
“I am leaving politics because of my children, family and health issues. My family and children are my first priority.”
“The constant release and arrest and the ordeal it put my daughter Imaan under had an impact on my health, too. Due to these reasons, I have decided I will quit active politics. And I want to add that from today onwards, I will not be a part of PTI or any other political party.”
last year, Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir apologized to the army
her fault: “abusing and defaming the senior command“
in simple English, criticizing the army
in Pakistan, after Muhammad & Quran, Army is the most sacred entity
Chaudhary Fawad Hussain, senior leader & former minister tweeted:
Ref. My earlier statement where I unequivocally condemned 9th May incidents, I have decided to take a break from politics, therefore, I have resigned from party position and parting ways from Imran Khan
Maleeka Bokhari told the press about her “dissociation” from PTI
“I condemn the events that transpired on May 9. For every Pakistani, the events that took place on May 9 are very painful.” “No one forced me into making this decision.” “As a lawyer, I want to play a positive role in Pakistan. I also want to spend time with my family,” “When a red line has been crossed, then action should be taken in line with the law.”
PTI’s Abrarul Haq quit & stated that emotionally he’s connected to the army
“When I went to the Kaaba for Hajj, instead of praying for something else, I prayed for martyrdom. The passion to do something for Pakistan has always been with me,”
(why spend precious foriegn exhange just to ask for martyrdom from Allah
Haq could gain martyrdom anytime; he just have to annoy the army)
PTI’s Shah Mahmood Qureshi was rearrested on May 22, 2023
moments after his release from prison by the Islamabad High Court
Qureshi is PTI’s vice-chairman & the former foreign affairs minister
anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan has been missing for more than a week
Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar is so right when he says
“This doesn’t bode well for politics in general and those who are beaming at it today will surely regret it tomorrow.”
last year, the army had menaced Khokhar to not talk about missing people
Imran Khan, like other politicians, lies a lot — a bit too much
but sometime he also speaks unvarnished truth, like the following:
“People [of my party] are not quitting; they are being forced to leave the party at gunpoint.” “The political parties could not be dismantled through such tactics.” “A [political] party could only be ceased with depletion of its vote bank.”
“We had all heard about forced marriages in Pakistan but for PTI a new phenomenon has emerged, forced divorces.” “Where have all the human rights organisations in the country disappeared?”
army’s power flows thru the barrel of a gun & support of coward politicians
Pakistani Dawn’s editorial Fear tactics describes the military’s methods
“It is a familiar story. A political party, thinking it can take on the country’s all-powerful establishment, crosses a red line and quickly finds itself losing a ruthless, one-sided war of attrition. One by one, its leaders are picked out and isolated. They may find themselves being summoned by powerful officials. Others are picked up in unmarked vehicles.
Those in hiding learn their families are facing harassment. Ominous phone calls from untraceable numbers and blackmail are par for the course. There is no respite, and the unspoken message, hardened over years and years of such forces operating with complete impunity, is that no one — no judge, no lawyer, no rights organisation — is coming to help. The only way out is to do exactly what you are told.”
Pakistan’s army loses external wars badly, in a humilating manner
at internal wars, it’s good at silencing, disappearing, killing its opponents
it’s reported that some former PTI leaders have a plan for a new party
they may join hands with a sugar baron and politician Jahangir Tareen
it has happened in the past with Pakistan Muslim League (N)
A S Akhtar points out that PTI’s demise won’t bring any progressive relief
“I am not naïve enough to believe that a progressive politics can or will be constructed on the ashes of the PTI, at least partially because the latter can be resurrected by the establishment in a new form to suit its needs.”
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told reporters
“It is under consideration to ban PTI.” “The PTI has attacked very basis of the state, that never happened before. It can’t be tolerated.”
who is Asif fooling?
the basis of Pakistan is people not the bloody army
it was Pakistan’s army that attacked the very basis of the state in 1971
it was in 1971, that the army attacked over 50% of its population
the atrocities, rapes, killings, destruction by the army broke Pakistan
the eastern wing called East Pakistan seceded and became Bangladesh
politicians in Pakistan, like elsewhere, are corrupt, selfish, liars, cruel, …
but the most harm done to Pakistan is not by politicians but by the army
the cycle of military interventions, overt/covert, will continue
with what face and moral authority could Pakistan support Kashmiris
India’s fascist Hindutva regime will point finger at burning/bankrupt Pak
last week I questioned: “End of Imran Khan’s PTI?”
it seems the PTI we knew is finished
perhaps Khan will chose new people to run for the parliament and senate
Khan has people’s support but will he be able to win majority? doubtful
let’s say Imran Khan fails to gain enough seats to grab the premiership
another drama will unfold; the governing coalition will disintegrate
whatever happens, for a long time to come, military rules, people suffer
B. R. Gowani can be reached at brgowani@hotmail.com