OUR politics has not always been as shallow and as it is today. Our elders were recognized by an ideal, too — an ideal for Pakistan’s greatness and prosperity and the well-being of the people living here. Then the tides turned and some figures emerged in our political arena from the fringes, which seemed to prefer animals over humans. If a guest arrived from Srinagar, he wouldn’t even hesitate to eat alone in front of him. On one side, this was the peak of decline, but fortunately, during the same period, there emerged people who were endowed not only with modesty, decency and etiquette but also with wisdom and foresight. Among these passionate people is Akbar S. Babar, who helped Imran Khan begin his journey in his green Corolla. Circumstances suggest that these souls were born into two different classes, which is why their paths eventually diverged. Imran Khan’s destination was the corridors of power. He pursued his dreams by holding onto “empire’s” support, while Babar remains steadfast in his ideals, standing firm in the wilderness of trials even today. It is this same Babar who has warned the nation about the plot being hatched against it.
Babar’s warning reveals a looming plot involving conspiracy, terrorism and foreign interference—reminiscent of the factors that led to the fall of East Pakistan in 1971. He stresses that political and nationalist forces are being united under an international agenda to challenge Pakistan’s security and unity. According to Babar: “Under an international agenda, all political and nationalist forces challenging Pakistan’s integrity and security institutions under various pretexts are being united. Powerful Western diplomats are encouraging politicians from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to join these forces. The goal is to form a joint platform with demands akin to Sheikh Mujib’s Six Points, which could weaken Pakistan’s federation. Significant developments are expected in October.”
The depth of this conspiracy remains shrouded in mystery. However, another controversial figure—Altaf Hussain, the exiled founder of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)—has partially lifted the veil through his actions and statements. Altaf Hussain, who had long been a divisive figure in Pakistan’s political landscape, recently resurfaced in a video message wearing a Chitrali cap and speaking in Pashto. This was striking given that Hussain, in the past, was notorious for his opposition to Pashtu speakers. His message was directed at the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Afghanistan, urging them to rise against the establishment. He called for mass participation in a jirga organized by Manzoor Pashteen, leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), in October, to unite and challenge the state.
This appeal, combined with Babar’s warnings, hints at a broader agenda at play. Around the same time, Afghanistan’s diplomat met with Ali Amin Gandapur, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who boldly stated that he would no longer adhere to Pakistan’s foreign policy regarding Afghanistan. Gandapur also announced that he would create his own Afghan policy, taking matters into his own hands. While Altaf Hussain’s message and Gandapur’s statements point to potential political intrigue, a more dangerous situation is unfolding in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Militants in the region have long been engaged in extortion and terrorism, but now even the province’s police force has shown signs of rebellion. They are not only demanding union rights but also refusing to protect brave women administering polio vaccines. This insubordination is a stark warning, reminiscent of the police behaviour in East Pakistan before its secession in 1971.
This rebellion among police forces, coupled with rising tensions in the streets, suggests that the province could be teetering on the edge of a larger crisis. The region’s unrest is part of a broader effort to destabilize the state. The situation in Balochistan is similarly alarming. The province is gripped by violence, particularly against poor labourers, and its politicians are becoming increasingly unresponsive. The more efforts are made to engage with them, the more they seem to withdraw, escalating the political and social crisis in the region. The conspiracy against Pakistan appears to have two dangerous facets. First, there is an insurgency and rejection of foreign policy, fuelled by the provinces. Second, a power struggle is underway to undermine the state’s institutions. This effort involves coercion and manipulation, with certain powerful figures aiming to force the government into submission. These figures are using tactics designed to weaken Pakistan from within, led by a “favorite child” who has openly expressed the desire to divide Pakistan into three parts. This same figure has made it clear that Pakistan’s nuclear program is not a priority and has threatened to turn the country into a failed state like Sri Lanka. As these destructive plans unfold, Pakistan’s defenders cannot afford to sit idly by. Concerns about a constitutional breakdown, raised by politicians like Khawaja Asif, have not subsided; in fact, they have only intensified. If the country does face a breakdown, responsibility will lie with those seeking rebellion and submission through coercion.
—This writer is former advisor to the president of Pakistan, author & mass media theorist.
(farooq.adilbhuta@gmail,com)
