OUR motherland has endured terrorism, inflation, uncertainty and political turmoil for the past 76 years. After Quaid-i-Azam, the country fell into the hands of politicians who led it toward destruction. They divided the nation for their political interests. Sadly, our politicians have forgotten this tragedy as a story of the past. Those nations who do not learn from the past and repeat their mistakes again and again, face the same fate as what happened to us in 1971 and is happening today. We use the word ‘two taka’ to denigrate something, but today ‘taka’ has overtaken us. We have lost a large part of Kashmir. Extremist elements are active in Balochistan. Today, Mukti Bahini is flourishing again. Mir Jafar, hiding in the nation, is hollowing the country economically, socially, politically and ideologically. Even today, fully democratic institutions are missing in the country.
The main reason for the political instability in the country is the claims of the politicians who blame institutions for the interventions in order to cover their shortcomings and mistakes. For this reason, our political and democratic processes have become controversial because political leaders and governments are not ready to accept responsibility for their failures. The people in power who rule the state have no idea about the growing problems of the people like poverty and unemployment. Due to the fact that expensive electricity, petrol and food items are out of the purchasing power, it has become more difficult for the people to maintain the relationship between body and soul. The conditions of the IMF have made the life expectancy of the people narrower. In the context of increasing political turmoil, the helplessness of the state institutions is clearly visible.
The government’s announcement to ban PTI is not unprecedented; similar decisions have been made before. While the federal government can impose such a ban under Article 17 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court holds the final authority. The Cipher narrative, which impacted Pakistan’s diplomatic status, was later proved false. May 9, 2023, is a black day when PTI workers and leaders attacked military installations, set fire to Radio Pakistan, desecrated martyrs’ memorials and burned Jinnah House Lahore. What kind of love for the country is this? Targeting state institutions and military assets is an unforgivable crime. May 9 also gave external adversaries a chance to question the security of our nuclear assets, worsening the country’s economic crisis. This was a deliberate attempt to tarnish Pakistan’s image and thwart a new IMF deal, aiming to bankrupt the country. Propaganda against Pakistan’s forces continues, with veterans being disrespected and their memorials desecrated. Unfortunately, decisive action against those responsible has been lacking and instead of holding RAW accountable, Pakistan’s army and intelligence have been blamed, which is extremely unfortunate.
It is said that 70% of India’s judiciary is under the control of RAW. The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha do not have the authority to seek clarification from the RAW in any matter. The RAW is directly accountable to the Prime Minister. In fact, this institution of India is not accountable to anyone and works according to its own rules and procedures without any supervision. India’s army commits terrorism, yet did anyone call the Indian army a terrorist? In the United States, you saw that former President Trump was attacked, did anyone dare to accuse the CIA or question the Pentagon? In the Afghan war, the soldiers of allied countries (NATO), including the United States, were killed. The Pakistan Army is the protector of our geographical borders and nuclear assets. This is the reason why the colonial forces have set the goal of weakening the forces of Pakistan. If they are weak, then the state will be weak. Our army, police and secret agencies are the target of the enemy. Earlier suicide attacks used to target people, now security forces are the target of terrorists. Digital terrorism, mentioned by Army Chief General Asim Munir at the 83rd Formation Commanders Conference, is a new type of terrorism. Earlier, former DG ISPR General Asif Ghafoor had warned of the fifth generation war. The fifth generation war is used against the country’s political parties and leaders to use the people against the state.
It should be noted that those who once denounced American influence have now shifted from “Absolutely Not” to endorsing an anti-Pakistan resolution in the US Congress, which sought to question Pakistan’s election system. On June 26, the US House of Representatives called for a full and independent investigation into Pakistan’s elections, with 368 votes in support and seven opposed. This reflects nothing less than the bullying of a superpower. It is surprising that members of both major US political parties, Republicans and Democrats, backed this resolution. PTI’s lobbying firms were behind it, reportedly hiring several American firms after losing power to secure favourable statements from US Congress members and former officials. The question arises: Why was there no similar American resolution supporting Kashmir, Palestine, or opposing the IMF?
This is the first instance of an American resolution favouring a political party’s interference in another country’s affairs. Reports also indicate that Israeli and Indian lobbying firms played a role in approving this resolution, motivated by fears over Pakistan’s nuclear program. These elements aim to create the impression that Pakistan is unsafe for foreign investment by exacerbating terrorism, extremism and political instability, with clear involvement from India and its allies. After 9/11, operations such as Operation Rah-e-Najat, Operation Rah-e-Haq, Operation Zarb-e-Azb and Operation Radal al-Fasaad were launched to combat terrorism in the country. Now, in response to serious security threats, Operation Azam-i-Istehkam is being initiated against terrorists. Some political parties have expressed reservations about it. The question remains: are these parties prioritizing political interests over national integrity?
—The writer is contributing columnist.
