Pakistan’s military & the West
A string of articles published in Western media along with Imran’s interviews are blaming Pakistan’s military which is beacon of hope for democracy like its western counterparts. Khokar’s Guardian article reiterates military’s hold over Pakistan and repeats its looming constitutional, political and economic crises. It shows editorial failure of Western media. A wider view of the UK, US and Europe will show that on the scale of 1 to 5 if Pakistan is on 2, West is worse off at 4 and Pakistan’s democracy is their reflection.
As compared to 9 May, the West is facing a huge challenge after 6 Jan including allegations of witch-hunt by Boris Johnson and Trump. Reportedly, 978 people have been charged with multiple crimes related to 6 Jan including sedition and long jail terms for planners and organizers facing these charges. Prosecutor seeks 25 years for Oath Keepers group leader to receive first seditious conspiracy sentence for 6 January (6 Jan Insurrection 2 Years Later: How Many Arrested, Convicted and What Price Donald Trump May Still Pay, 7 Jan 2023, Forbes and 24 May 2023, the Guardian).
The politicians have weakened state institutions of America, UK and EU. They can hardly challenge anyone anymore. The approval ratings of President, US Supreme Court and Congress are at record low. The US Chief Justice refused to attend Ethics Committee hearing on justice’s corruption. Reportedly Chief Justice’s wife also earned $10M in consultancy. In the UK, Supreme Court ruled suspension of parliament by Boris Johnson unlawful but failed to punish him. In retaliation, PM tried to bring judicial reforms allowing ministers to overturn court orders. Like 90 MPs earning £4M annually in their second jobs, Rishi Sunak’s wife also escaped accountability for avoiding £20M tax. The 14-point action plan of EU has been called a sham to address corruption after its MEPs football corruption scandal.
Khokar’s view from 2008 (CoD against military), military backing for Imran Khan, his dictatorial rule, election rigging, media suppression, his anti-corruption narrative, hybrid regime, increase in corruption, no confidence vote and rise of populism are photocopy of Trump’s rise and fall in America. Both Trump and Imran were ‘out of box’ candidates of establishment to drain the corruption swamp in DC, end hold of two-party system and help constitution and democracy serve public on economy, jobs and cost of living crises including 1 in 5 children living below poverty, five decades of stagnant wages and staggering national debts. They lost support of establishment after they failed to bring desired results. They both reacted in similar fashion: 6 Jan and 9 May.
Both are facing similar corruption allegations and giving almost same statements of witch-hunt. The alleged corruption reports of their family members are also similar. Trump’s son-in-law got staggering $ 2bn investment for his new company. Trump is facing charges of directing $250M in donations to PAC Leadership to keep control of the [Republican] Party (17 June 2022, VoA). Imran and his wife and her children are also facing corruption allegations including £190M Al-Qadir Trust money UK laundering case with NAB. There is no progress on party fund cases of Trump and Imran so far.
America also used hybrid regime. Hillary won 6M more popular votes, but Trump was made President in 2016. Trump like America was shocked to hear about his victory. Many retired generals were made part of his cabinet. He soon fell out with the generals so did Imran after one year in power. Independent observers blame them more for their failures. Pelosi thanked National Guard on Capitol Hill for helping to indict Trump showing government and military was on one page.
Pakistan was no different including Imran’s miracle victory. They both reacted similarly on their defeats as if it was scripted. Trump refused to accept election results. ‘Far From Over’: Trump refuses to concede as Biden’s margin of victory widens (7 Nov 2020, NPR). Imran refused to accept result of vote of no confidence. Both leaders brought their countries where they stand today: the rise of populism and fall of democracy.
DeSantis election pitch for 2024 presidential race is family and faith. It is next level of Trump holding Bible. Nearly half of Republicans think God wanted Trump to be President (14 Feb 2019, Washington Post). Imran is facing similar criticism for being declared as truthful and honest by the Apex Court and hallucinating to be the chosen one after creating political slogan of State of Madina. The real challenge of Western democracy is populism not Pakistan military which Western media is ignoring democracy’s peril.
It is due to this failure of Western media editorial boards that democracy is dying at the hands of populism. They must acknowledge that military is part of democratic check and balance without which judiciary and executive cannot deliver. The sidelining of military in American, UK and major democracies of Europe has fuelled populism and it is increasing with time in the race for political power. Without restoring military’s share in the balance of power, the rise of populism will be at the cost of democracy.
—The writer is senior political analyst based in Islamabad.
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