Dangerous cards of Pakistani elite as a political gimmick
UNFORTUNATELY, members of the elite class in Pakistan have often resorted to divisive tactics, such as exploiting religious sentiments, using media and now audio tapes in their quest for power. Since its inception, Pakistan has witnessed a significant intertwining of religion and politics. According to political experts, “Blasphemy has been played with so blatantly in politics”. The politicians and military dictators in Pakistan have been using the religion card for the past seven decades. For instance, the JUI-F leader Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, after being defeated in the 2018 general election protested against PTI-led government to highlight alleged vote tampering. However, later, as he pursued his party’s supporters and adherents of the sect he represents, he made statements on sensitive religious matters like Khatm-i-Nabuwwat. Furthermore, the opposition has openly questioned Prime Minister’s Khan religious beliefs to including an economist from the Ahmadi sect in his financial team, as well as his acquittal and subsequent release of Aasia Bibi. Similarly, Imran Khan uses Riyasat-i-Madina as a political gimmick, because he is well aware that the Pakistani population holds deep religious beliefs and is often mobilized around religious issues.
In addition, the Pakistani media has been observed to play a role in influencing public opinion. The media has always participated in the power struggle because they seek to gain financial benefits and privileges for them. Both the mainstream and digital media feed the masses under the guise of news and analysis to undermine political opponents or opposition parties. Certain channels have been known to align their news coverage with the perspective of the establishment, which can lead to a biased portrayal of other political groups.
Apart from these two, now the audio leaks card has just begun, which brings a shady twist to the country’s power dynamics. The country is going through a crucial phase, yet the authorities are beginning a new game day by day without rescuing the country. The disclosed private telephone conversations are being exploited to damage not just political opponents, but also government entities and public office holders. Even judges and their loved ones are not immune to this heinousness. According to an SRO issued on May 19, 2023, Such audio leaks have damaged public confidence, and the general public has expressed grave worries about the independence, impartiality, and integrity of CJPs and justices of superior courts.
Though, these recordings mostly belong to opposition leaders. As Zahid Hussain a well-known author and journalist claimed that these audio taps are used for political goals by governments and agencies. The government appears to have no issue spying on opposing politicians and officials, including judges. For instance, when PM Shehbaz’s recording was leaked. Rana Sanaullah attempted to downplay the situation in an interview with Geo News, claiming “I don’t think we should take them so seriously since this is so common,”. Similarly, Marriyum Aurangzeb, the Information Minister, said that the audio leaks were “proof that nothing illegal happened”. But when the leak audio tap related to the opposition leaders and Judges, the PDM government filed a reference against them and demanded for strict actions.
However, this whole situation raises questions regarding the function of the intelligence services as well as the authenticity of audio leaks. Since, according to a senior military officer in Inter-Service Public Relations, “The entire Prime Minister Office is looked after by the IB in terms of security,”. Therefore, voices are raised against weaknesses in the cyber security of the nation’s highest offices. As PTI Chairman stated that some of the recent leaked calls were made over what was supposed to be a secure phone line in the Prime Minister’s Office. He further added that this was a serious breach of privacy guaranteed under Article 14 of the Constitution. Thus the increasing number of audio leaks is a sign of a vulnerable state that is unable to uphold citizens’ fundamental human and democratic rights.
The second most noteworthy issue of authenticity, correctness, and truthfulness of these audio leaks. They are hard for people to recognize because they incorporate real authentic-sound and spread swiftly on social media. Additionally, viewers frequently believe that the audio they are listing is authentic. Therefore, a healthy dose of skepticism can be helpful, Giacopuzzi, a cyber attack investigator, claims that after doing his research, he has come to the conclusion that “we need to question everything” in the modern world, especially if it originates from social media. Moreover, a study labels it a “major threat to our society” and a dangerous game that could destroy the entire political system and damage the state institutions.
To put a stop to these numerous audio leaks, the political leadership must agree on a plan of action that end this violation of democratic fundamental human rights, but this plan of action can only be chosen by talking together, which hasn’t happened in a long time. In this circumstance, it remains to be seen for how much longer the game of cards in Pakistan will keep going in this manner, with everyone frantically playing at each other’s turn.
—Both the writers are MPhil scholars at COMSATS University, Islamabad.
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