ON 9 May 2023 political activists of a party staged protests, indulging in vandalism, arson and burning sensitive defence installations, simultaneously in many cities, within hours of their political leader’s arrest. The party leaders was removed through No-Confidence procedure and he embarked on a campaign, that this was a regime change conspiracy, inspired allegedly by US. Within hours of the arrest of their political leader, they marched and attacked our GHQ, which is the equivalent of Pentagon, other sensitive security related sites, including an Airbase, intelligence offices, Corp Commanders house in Lahore etc.
The State moved to take to task those responsible, and lo and behold diplomats of western countries are seen to intervene, as if the human rights of innocent people are being violated. The question arises why should these diplomats be seen to intervene in what is an internal domestic matter, where a serious breach of national security has occurred. Is this because the State of Pakistan allows dual nationals, who have on oath pledged their loyalty to these foreign nations, to become members of political parties, hold important portfolios, diplomatic assignments etc., even after they have on oath renounced their previous loyalties; or is there some other reason. The problem is within our own policies where we allow individuals with split loyalties to be at helm in Pakistan. Even our Economic Policies, which directly impact national security, have often been in the hands of such people.
Earlier in 2001, the US Government enacted US Patriots Act, depriving citizens involved in act of terrorism, including those suspected of being involved, of their basic rights. In 2015 with reference to Edward Snowden, the Freedom Act stipulated that the government can access even voice mail, etc. after submitting a request to FISA to protect its vital national security interests.
When over 2000 activists of President Trump, participated in a protest march on 6 January 2021, and a large number entered and vandalized the Capitol building in Washington, because they believed that the elections was stolen, the American Government came down hard on them. They moved swiftly, arresting over 900 giving them exemplary punishments.
They were proceeded against, because they had challenged writ of state by attacking an important symbol of the state. There were no voices raised by so-called human rights champions, nor by any foreign diplomats. On 9/11 two commercial aircrafts on domestic flights were hijacked and were flown into the Twin Towers, a building in the financial district of NYC, whilst the second headed towards Pentagon. What followed after these barbaric attacks, was what any sovereign state would do. They went after those who were involved in planning of these barbaric terrorist attacks.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Lahore.
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