Sunday 5 June 2022

Options available to Imran Khan

 Pakistan's creation was no less than a miracle and we need more miracles for its survival. Independence struggle was against foreign occupiers of different color (white) and breed (British). Post Independence struggle had none of the above ingredients. Homegrown occupiers may be called usurpers of nearly black color and breed desi angrez, hence, no struggle from the occupied and everyone lived happily ever after. Well, not really.

First thing, let's get on one page on elections which are not taking place anytime soon. This is one prediction where I'd love to be wrong. Facts of the matter include survival of the sovereign. Now I exactly know why they used to say, 'Long Live The King'. By this they didn't mean the King but their own miserable lives which could be cut short if they didn't wish The King a Long Life. And if the king plays strokes all 360 degrees and is master of deception then let's chant in unison, 'Long Live The King'. Other impediment to elections is November, then next November and one more November. Lots of Novembers are needed for longevity of rule, survival and safe exit. But dreamers are passionate creatures, they can't help dreaming. So they go to an extent of expecting early elections.

Really shocked to see SS in Quetta. Message is clear. We are them, they are us until death do us part. Funny enough, this vow is taken before every marriage and seldom survived face off with realities of real life. For couple of days, despite watching pics of Honrable Prime Minister addressing officers of Pakistan Army in Quetta, I made belief it was a meme by some genius. I would love to live with that belief.

Keep aside above rambling satire, IK apparently is trying to avoid the violence and anarchy which is overshadowed by uncompromising position of all powerful all inclusive Imported Government.There may be many unintended consequences as it's easy to start a fight but difficult to end. However, there were questions on his decision making since long particularly Inqalabi Long March on 25 May 22. It was disappointing as people had been asked to come out for Inqalab (revolution) and leader just touched down and practically vanished from sight leaving us with questions like:

1. Why Dharna was called off abruptly? Wisdom?

2. Why IK kept hiding in Peshawar? More Wisdom??

3. Is this result of some deal? If yes then what is the bargain? More & more Wisdom???

To be honest, not only we are a spineless society, we are cowards, servile, spineless, slaves. We are hypocrities. That doesn't absolve your and my political leadership. They can commit mistakes. If we learn to critique political leaders of our choice and they show stomach to take it, only then things could improve in political arena.

IK is left with two options after discarding option of going back to the assemblies: 

1. Do nothing and hope for the system to crush under its own weight. Quite unlikely as mentioned in the start, "Long Live the King". Unfortunately it is such a bad option that we may not have Pakistan as we see it today but the King shall Live. And can't help sharing couple of amazing verses: 

لگا کر آگ شہر کو بادشاہ نے کہا

 اُٹھا ہے دل میں تماشے کا آج شوق بہت 

جھکا کر سر سبھی شاہ پرست بولے

 حضور! شوق سلامت رہے شہر اور بہت

2. Dharna style political struggle. I don't personally trust IK’s call for Dharna unless he comes and digs in. This option has two inherent drawbacks. One: PTI is niether structured well nor do they have replacement leadership in any contingency particularly when IK is taken out of equation (which is highly likely). Two: even if IK comes out on the streets to fight for the rights of Pakistanis, he may not find them in numbers because The King's Men are hell bent on using brutal force and people who came out/ may come out in his support are relatively 'soft' targets. They are niether battle hardened political mercenaries nor experienced in political agitation. However, this might be his only option if he remains outside a prison cell for long. His imprisonment is not my wish rather harsh realities of foreseeable future suggest that he will be taken and God know where will it lead to. However, mounting people pressure is the only thing that may initiate process of early elections. Yet, stakes are very high for the sovereign and why would an 'absolute sovereign' (a fallacy that will cause his doom and in the process may cause irreparable damage to the country) allow an eccentric back in power who refers to centuries old model of Medina, cites Quranic verses, reiterates Kalima each time he addresses his people and the freedom that comes with it. Such an outdated lunatic couldn't be deliberately allowed back in power. At least, impossible as long as jading king remained in his right senses. As if he is he in his right senses now. Even after the king shows his back, his obedient Boys may carry the baton. IK shall be sidelined vigorously in weeks to come. Dejavu of ZAB story of 1977. The only difference is of Marshall Law Type.

It sometimes feels that too much slavery for centuries has made us forget true taste of freedom. We think these days from pay cheque to pay cheque, profit to profit and so on. But I would love to bury this slavish demon in my lifetime if the nation shows some spine and the leader keeps his feet. Hope is the fuel of life. Hope must live. But it is so suffocating right now that it is getting hard to breath and I don't think I can continue to live like this for long. However, Long Live The King. I hope I get less calls on this one after chanting for the long life of the King. But the king's men are very smart, they know I don't mean it.

May Allah give us freedom in our lifetimes. May Allah protect Pakistan. May The Absolute King show mercy on us and make example of tiny Pharaohs with gigantic egoes. May Allah's favoured system prevails in Pakistan. Ameen.

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