Humiliated, Betrayed, Undervalued

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HUMILIATED, BETRAYED, UNDERVALUED.

The following is the most devastating indictment of the ouster of Imran Khan by the Pakistan Army.

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It's been a long time since I've argued with anyone. I used to be opinionated and vocal, but life's push and shove has taught me that neither am I all knowing nor is it worth my time to insert myself into confrontations. I have opinions, but now I keep them to myself - in fact mostly I wonder if I'm even right about anything.

The last week has tested my resolve to avoid confrontation. I'm not stooping to disrespect but I admit I've been uncharacteristically vocal. Exhausted, I am forced to question myself: Why? Why this intense need to express, defend, sometimes attack. Some introspection has brought me to this understanding; I must not stay neutral, I can not afford to exclude myself anymore, and it's really about one tiny thing: how this scenario has made me FEEL.

I was speaking with my dear friend Ruby Saleem today. We are both PAF brats, brought up on "PAF ration" as my dad would proudly say. Ruby's husband, also a PAF brat, used to quip "Hamarey baap ki Air Force hai!", literally. Ruby's father Uncle Siraj and my dad served together for many years. Her mother who died young taught my mom, a new PAF bride, how to stitch and crochet. My father was awarded Sitara e Jurat in 1965 and is celebrated as a PAF hero. All their lives, our parents enjoyed a warm and loving relationship. Ruby's generation and mine nurtures boundless love for the Pakistan Air Force. When we think family, we conjure up the "Blue": PAF is family.

Ruby's husband Saleem Nawaz and my Razi attained shahadat together. She was left with four children as was I. Saleem Bhai and Razi were buried on the same day, next to each other, in Islamabad. Common citizens lined the streets from Chaklala to Islamabad as their janaza passed, many crying openly. There were upwards of 75,000 people at the prayer, someone said; unknown people who had nothing to do with us. Someone said, "We buried our Chief, Mushaf Ali Mir, in Lahore and here we bury two future Chiefs - Saleem Nawaz and Rizwanullah Khan - together. What a loss, what a sad day for PAF".

Thus, Ruby and I have a bond beyond friendship, into shared history and extreme tragedy, and I imagine we will find a way to die together.

Ruby is livid, and I'm pretty sad too. I asked her "Rubaji, I didnt feel this helpless when Razi left me. Did you, when Saleem Bhai went?". "No Seemi" she said confidently. "They were soldiers, shahadat was their desire and destiny. We married them knowing this, didnt we? And we are shaheeds' wives, not widows - wives. Why would we feel helpless? Allah has promised to look after our children, shaheed ke sadqey". And look after them Allah has - all 8 of them happy, strong, good human beings living their lives not seeking pity or favor, holding their heads high because their fathers served with pride and died honorably. "A good death is its own reward" someone said. Ruby and I, and hundreds of others like us, have attained Sabr through this philosophy.

So why this angst, this helplessness, this desperate feeling of being cheated, being defrauded, being utterly and permanently humiliated, now when our qayamat has passed and we have survived? We should be content and relieved now that the azmaish is nearly over, and whatever disgusting, miserable events are coming to pass, what does it matter to us? We are protected, physically and spiritually.

I have tried to deconstruct the emotional upheaval I am experiencing and I've arrived at the great Maya Angelou's wise words.

Losing the most beloved beings in our lives, our children being orphaned, our parents devastated and our lives uprooted had a direct bombing like impact upon us. We were destroyed and reconstruction seemed impossible. The air crash could have been due to any reason - pilot error, machine malfunction, inclement weather, a conspiracy to kill - it didnt matter. We blamed neither God nor the PAF; we were content that theirs was a good death, and that they had tasked us to bring up their children. We were on a mission and focused on our true north - becoming worthy of the sacrifice they were honored with. We were dukhi - permanently, but we felt cheated - NEVER. The FEELING prevailed, circumstances just existed, inconsequential and non threatening. We have lived our lives proudly as shaheeds' families, have not considered our situation a favor to the nation, and we are better human beings for it.

Then this week came to pass.

#PrimeMinisterImranKhan was not a perfect leader and is not a flawless man, even if Ruby and I (and crores of others) believe that he was the best we could be blessed with. Much can be debated about his achievements (or not). Here's the thing; never once did he make us feel that our loss was insignificant or forgotten. What he said didnt matter, what he did didnt matter - how he made us FEEL mattered. We felt we mattered, and that's a powerful feeling for shaheeds' families.

We wouldve accepted his ouster in an election, through any lawful, transparent, non-conspiratorial process. Let us go a step further; we may have even accepted that such unethical, illegal stuff happens; no matter, oust him and call an election and let him contest fair and square. This would be frustrating, not humiliating.

We are now left with murderers, money launderers, liars and thieves, rapists and pretenders, cowards who have no empathy with the nation. Me saying this is one thing, records and evidence tell us this. Criminals are sworn in to the highest offices of Pakistan on the day they were to be indicted. Convicted murders are welcomed back with garlands and facilitated by government officials. The cowardly Nawaz hustles back to Pakistan while he ran scared earlier giving false witness. The honorable courts throw their doors open for criminals in the middle of the night while they never wake up to people's plight. What Armageddon is this?

And the heartbreaking rumors that my beloved institution, the one that has fed me and protected me, that I have held dear all my life, the one that I stoically entrusted Razi to - the military - may have engineered this? I don't believe it, its beyond my wildest expectations, I would rather die than believe this. Is it so? Tell me its not!

Ruby cries profusely, and I admit I've been crying a lot too. We hold unwavering faith and trust in #ImranKhan - he is incorruptible and his heart beats for his people - us. He's a courageous man and doesn't need our concern and protection. Maybe his destiny too is shahadat; we give him in Allah's protection.

But the rest, we can not forgive. We are cheated and humiliated, and more so if our own colluded to bring this upon us. Saleem Bhai and Razi, my hero father and my PoW father in law, Mushaf Ali Mir and Rashid Minhas, Sarfaraz Rafiqui and so many other beautiful souls wasted their lives in service. They should have lived so that we could remain whole, so that my 3 year old son could remember his father and my 17 year old son not be burdened with responsibilities, so that my daughters could rush back to their father every time the world tried to hurt them.

So that Ruby and I would not have spent the best part of lives alone, in love with dead people.

I imagine the same reason has riled up the nation to the unprecedented groundswell that we are experiencing, unexpected and shocking to the evil unholy alliance. It doesn't matter who did what when and with whom; it matters how they have made us FEEL. .

Humiliated, betrayed and unvalued.

Purana Pakistan to Naya Pakistan - Part 1

Another sleepless night on prevalent political turmoil in the country brought me to certain conclusions. Firstly, why am I perturbed? Answer: for the love of lslam, Pakistan and Army. 

Which out of these three is in danger. None, except possibility of people turning against the Army which would be unfair because Army is made up of people and people are Army. Wedge between these two is like running a dagger through the heart of this nation. Anger and frustration of betrayal has to take a break. Emotions have to be controlled. My initial assumption was that Army leadership let it all happen in stoic cruelty. So, as a passionate servant of the country, Army and people, I came up with my solution to single out one person responsible for it instead of letting this filth be hurled on my love i.e. Pak Army. But this strategy was discomforting not due to any fear of arrest or black colored Dala for which I had already made up my mind. Rather, it didn't make complete sense to me. By singling out leadership, we are still falling prey to the same trap. So this is what needs to be done. 

Firstly, sit back and see what has happened and where are we heading from this point on. In a legit political move, using many unfair means all the forces/ stakeholders out-manouvered PTI. Let's be honest, PTI never had clear majority. PTI  was always walking on a thin tight rope. IK's hands were tied and he wasn't able to govern as well as he could or what people expected from him. He was underperforming. His popularity was continuously showing downward trend. His chances of getting next term were slim rather diminishing. He was losing grip on his party. In short, IK & PTI were up against the wall.  Things never looked so bad as they did at the turn of the year 21/22. Why it got so bad for him shall be covered in detail in the next part with vital recommendations for the way forward.

Along came the saga of VONC. VONC puffed life into IK's politics on ventilator. Suddenly, he was back in the game. It won't be an overstatement to say that right now he is the most popular leader in the country and his party, the single largest party. For those in the business of politics, the situation is like a dream come true. Also give him credit for playing his cards well, securing political mileage for his party and regaining his popularity.

Now what next? Keep the momentum going. But there is a catch. In political arena, there is only one strategic chip i.e. the timing of next general elections. IK/ PTI would like elections to take place as soon as possible to cash in on the momentum of popular support. Whereas, his opponents would like to delay the elections as late as possible because they need time not to become popular with the masses but to break the impetus of IK's popularity. They desperately need time to build narrative against him, slander him, his family and all those who matter to him and his politics. 

I know everyone out of you is itching to know that what would be the role of establishment and other state institutions like ECP, Judiciary etc. It will be covered in subsequent parts but for now, just trust me that it is all about IK. He must be able to manage this highly favourable situation. All he has to do is to keep the charged support going without letting their emotions cool down or spiral out of control and follow his itinerary of political muscle showing in Jalsas, maintain positive pressure on ruling cocktail and Institutions and it seems that he is not far from reclaiming his Premiership with greater majority. He has everything to play for. 

People !!! just think politically and your destiny is not very far away.

This Blog of hope shall follow blog of serious introspection. Until then happy Ramadan.

Only Allah knows the whole Truth.

False Flag Plus - IK

On 7th March, a telegram message was received from the Pak Ambassador in US, Mr Asad Majeed. Leaving aside the contents of the message and *assuming worst case* that a threat was communicated by the US authorities provoking a regime change to overthrow IK Govt, the message was totally ignored by the Govt for precisely *23 days*, till the time NSC meeting was held on the subject on 31st March. 

Now, considering that the contents of the message were deadly serious, the question is why IK and his cabinet members kept ignoring the threat for so many days. Moreover, during this period, an OIC Summit was held in Isb wherein the US Under Secy Uzra Zeya met the Foreign Minister Mr SMQ in 23rd March. This meeting was held in a very congenial environment and covered by FO through all media outlets as a positive development of Pak-US relations. 

My dear Pakistanis, have we ever thought that why wasnt this conspiracy concern raised with the US Under Secy on 23rd March. What was the reason for this lapse. Yes a demarche was sent but is that all a Govt can do against such a powerful conspiracy? Shouldn’t the demarche be sent on 8-10 March. Why shouldnt we demand the removal of US Embassy and Consulates from Pak, or may be summon the US Amb for an explanation? Why weren’t these protocols followed? Why did our Govt waste time to tackle the issue? Because Pakistanis, there wasnt anything substantial in that message to which we could make a conspiracy out of it. 

Now coming over the perception built by PM IK. On 31st March, a day prior to the pre-decided VONC (Vote of No Confidence) voting day, the PM addressed a jalsa in Isb Parade Ground. During this speech, he mentioned that the telegram message received on 7th March is a conspiracy and the opposition is being bribed to topple the Govt as if he is the only saviour of the country. My dear Pakistanis, I have no doubt that these opposition politicians are corrupt to the core but does that mean that they are traitors? Who is IK to decide that? Has any commission or JIT been able to qualify that? 

Dear Pakistanis, anti-US slogan is the easiest selling narrative in such a polarised society. This sentiment has caused us a huge damage. Hate amongst the masses, civil military divide and supporting Russia invading a neighbouring smaller country. Implications will be unimaginable, but who cares, PM seat is more important. The public perception built by IK media cell is that COAS and DG ISI were also part of this conspiracy to remove IK and bring in PMLN. Dear Pakistanis, no other military set up has ever assisted the Govt in a manner that this military hierarchy has done for past 3 years. The same military leadership has been in lead to resolve the Rikodiq issue, ensure completion of border fence, open Kartarpur Corridor, manage FATF requirements, and so many other things, just so that this Govt can perform well. The same Gen Bajwa has been responsible for developing and maintaining relations with KSA, Iran, Afg, UAE, UK, US, Turkey and China while the Govt and IK left no stone unturned to spoil these relations. Morever, once Gen Tariq Khan (Retired) has been asked to lead the inquiry commission only indicates that IK somehow wanted to embroil the Army into his dirty politics. 

Pakistanis, the contributions of Gen Bajwa will be recorded in history as one of the best statesman the country has ever seen. Only time will tell. 

Lastly, I would say that IK has hurt our foreign policy by agitating the Anti-US sentiment merely to get support of the masses on his side. What has Russia ever given us since 1947? Nothing ! Anyone can compare which country has helped us more; US or Russia? No doubt that US is not a friend which we can count on, but lets not be on the wrong side of a super power. Russia has invaded Ukraine and PK IK doesnt condemn the act? Do we really want to be recognised as a country which supports invasions by larger countries onto smaller ones? Isnt that against our principle stance on Kashmir and Palestine? 

Dear Pakistanis, foreign policy is not be used for political gains. VONC was a democratic step taken by the opposition in which Army had no role to play. If it was funded, where is the money trail? Any proof? All fake! Is it really possible that complete opposition, supreme court judges and the complete military hierarchy has sold out to US pressure. Pakistanis, please think again, this gentleman (IK) has fooled us all. Wait and watch how much moral and financial corruption he has done in past 3 years. Your so called honest leader is thirsty for power and suffering from a severe Narcissistic personality disorder.

Surah Al Kahf - Ayah No 59

Assalam o Alaikum. Shab-e-Juma Mubarak. Ramadan Karim. Time to talk about Al Kahf, The Cave of Hope and in our case it is Al Quran in general and Al Kahf in particular.

Moving over to today's Ayah No 59 which is the last Ayah of 8th Rukuh which means the current topic ends here. Let's quickly recap the Rukuh. Ayah 54, the Rukuh starts with Allah swt telling us about fiesty nature of humans. Ayah 55, raises a question, what prevents humans from believing after guidance has come to them. Ayah 56, Messengers brought good tidings and warnings for humans and if they still persist on defying the Truth then resorting to falsehood wiukd be their only option. Ayah 57, who could be more unjust than those who turn away from Allah's message. In this case, as punishnent, Allah swt will put a covering on their hearts and deafness on their ears. Ayah 58, since Allah swt is The Most Merciful and Forgiving, He could puniish them right then but he won't because He would give them time till The Hour, giving them space to return. Today's Ayah 59, talks about the punishment which finally befalls a city/ population on its appointed time.

In nutshell, Allah swt has devised a mechanism full of mercy. Being aware of human limitations, He swt made perfect guiding arrangenents by appointing Messengers and conveying clear cut Message. If we ignore the Message then it is a conscious choice, yet the retribution is not immediate to allow us to return to Him. But it has to be before the appointed time.

May Allah swt keep us among the Guided. Ameen

Army of lions being led by a sheep

In July of 2003, as Post Commander (Captain in rank), sitting on 18000 feet high Musa Post in Siachen Glacier, I spotted Indian movement between my post and Jamal Post. I reported back. Company Commander came all the way to the post to see it for himself and asked me to open fire on enemy. Due to extremely cold temperature as low as -40 degrees and not frequent use of big weapons, very first round got stuck in the Mortar. No one would go near it because it could go off any second. I told the Mortar number to flip the barrel and let the round slide down slowly in my palm. It worked. But we were unable to thwart enemy movement in our company gap. Then I requested my Battalion Commander (Lt Col Imtiaz, 58 Baloch)to let me go physically to take them on. Those days, everyone in the chain could listen to the communication (we called it Multi). My neighbour and coursemate at Baqir Post Captain Awais Adil (now Brigadier) started claiming it was his right (him being Balochi officer) to lead this mission. Despite being Ghazi officer from Armoured Corps my claim was that I spotted the enemy, it was next to my post and I must lead this mission. In Siachen next my post means distant gap between two huge snow clad mountains with network of pitless crevasses along the way. One wrong foot could devour entire party of 8 to 10 men tied in rope. Mission was not approved by the senior leadership for unknown reasons. It amuses me to think about those days because of the drive, passion, fearlessness and fight to lead the deadly missions. I can vouch for men in uniform being solid, reliable and resilient leaders in their youth. 

In early days, the only currency is motivation to stand up for oath that these men take in their youth. As we grow in service, motivation shifts from rigors of patriotism to comforts of DHA. And the fearless lions become circus lions. 

Right now, what happened in political arena is orchestrated by neutrality of the Army. 

Right now, it’s the helplessness that hurts. I can’t change anything else than my own decisions. During our TV time discussions in last week, my son seemed drifting from his only passion of joining Pak Army. He told me to let go and with heavy heart I concurred. And why not when 99.99% Army is not neutral on “Army’s Neutrality”rather highly resentful on the role of one bad egg yet didn’t/ couldn’t do anything which is frustrating. Apparently, there seems to be no end in sight to this nonsensical hierarchy of pyramid like structure. 

When MNS, his daughter and Co, abused COAS publicly, we took them on as sentinels of Army on social media front. Ironically, now their revival is happening under his patronage. Where do we stand in this equation? Betrayed and anguished. He was not neutral rather “neutralised” by his ego, vengeance and greed. 

What a pity. Disappointed & dejected to say the least. Because like I mentioned in earlier part of this piece, these men in uniform don’t flinch or budge in the face of odds but they have always been let down by the senior leadership and one can always trace its root cause in politics, whims and hunger for power and money. 

Only Allah knows the whole Truth.

Surah Al Kahf - Ayah No 58

Assalam o Alaikum. Shab-e-Juma Mubarak. Ramadan Karim. Time to celebrate this double header with Al Kahf.

Today we discuss the penultimate Ayah No 58 of 8th Rukuh which means that current address of Allah swt is coming to a close. Previously, in this Rukuh, vulnerabilities cum limitations of human nature have been highlighte. To address those, Allah swt devised a mechanism of communication with us through His appointed Messengers. It was also clarified that guidance will come to those who will seek it. And those who would defy the Truth, will always find ways to avert it through falsehood. For such conscious attempts to replace Haq with Batil, there will be recompense. But if we keep in mind the overwhelming mercy of Allah swt, next message (Ayah) should be of hope. Subhan Allah, as a The Greatest Teacher and Mentor, it was against His Grandeur to leave us with warnings of such horrific consequences. Now read the Ayah below carefully. Having identified two natural weaknesses of the creature in the beginning of the Rukuh, Allah swt reminds us about two of His Supreme traits; Forgiveness and Mercy. Also leaves the choice with us to repent and revert. It is height of His mercy that He assures us that He wouldn't hasten the dispensation of Justice, if He wanted, who could have stopped Him from doing so. But He swt has dedicated a Day of Justice with clear cut warning that there would be no escape on that Day. Meaning thereby, that return to Him before its too late.

May Allah swt help us repent and revert before its too late. Ameen 

تلخ استعارے

اس تحریر کی ضرورت کچھ استعارے ہیں امید ہے اس مد میں کچھ غیبی مدد مل جائے۔ ابتدا ٹھیک ہوئی “غیبی مدد” والا پہلا استعارہ تو ٹھیک بیٹھا۔ 

موجودہ سابق حکمران کچھ لوگوں کی نظر میں کم عقل اور کم ماہر سہی، ملک کا کاروبار تو چل رہا تھا۔ جو اعشاریئے دو ماہ قبل تک مناسب دکھ رہے تھے وہ ایسے نیچے گر رہے ہیں جیسے ان کے کاؤنٹر میں کشش ثقل ہی معطل ہو گئی ہے۔ تھوڑی سہی کم از کم عزت سے روٹی کھانے کاڈھنگ آرہا تھا۔ پھٹے کپڑوں اور کشکول چھپاتے لوگ مغیرے سے آشنا ہوتے جا رہے تھے پر گاؤں کے چوہدری کب یہ برداشت کرتے ہیں اور پھر استعمار نے چالیں چلنی شروع کیں اور ان کو ہمیشہ کی طرح حواری بھی مل گئے لیکن ذرا غلامی کی پرتیں تو چیک کریں وقت لگتا ہےانگریزوں کی غلامی سے نکل کر کالے انگریزوں کی غلامی سے نکلنے میں جو ابھی بھی انگریزوں اور ڈالروں کے غلام ہیں۔ ذاتی طور پر ہمالیہ کے قدموں میں اگنے والی  دیسی گندم کی روٹی اور چنار کے سائے میں بیٹھنے کی سعادت نے ہی تو باندھ رکھا ہے اس دھرتی سے۔ اس سے زیادہ کی تو آرزو بھی نہیں۔ 

اب نظریں ترازو والوں پہ لگی ہیں۔ اس داغدار ترازو سے امید لگانا بھی امیدوں کو داغدار کرنے کے مترادف ہے۔   

یہ جو دائیاں مکروہ  بازو  (JUI(F)& TLP )حرکت میں آرہا ہے، یہ بھی تو سیاست کا غیر سیاسی چہرہ اور کسی کا مہرہ ہے۔ سیاسی جماعتیں (روٹی کپڑے اور ووٹ کو عزت دینے والے) لوگوں کو موبلائز  کیوں نہیں کرتیں؟ اچھا !!! اتنے خائن ہیں کہ لوگ ان کے کہنے پر نکلنے کو تیار نہیں۔ اوکے پھر کوئی قومی حکومت ہی بنا لیں ورنہ غیر قومی حکومت بننے کے لیئے حالات سازگار اور راہ ہموار ہوتی جا رہی ہے۔ پھر نہ کہنا خبر نہ ہوئی۔ 

عجیب حالات ہیں  دشمن کیساتھ شیروں کی طرح لڑنے والے بھی بے بس لگ رہے ہیں۔ کریں بھی کیا جب شیر کی کھال پہن کر بھیڑیے ان پر مامور ہو جائیں۔ 

اے اللہ رب العزت ہم اس قابل نہ تھے جو کرم تو نے ہم پر کیا۔ رمضان میں دیئے اس تحفے کی خود ہی حفاظت فرما۔