Zarb-e-Azb and National Media

 By  Sohail                                                                      

Soon after the 9/11 debacle the things started taking a weird turn. People started smelling a conspiracy against Pakistan but it wasn’t even in the wildest imaginations of the analysts that the ground is being prepared for making Pakistan a scapegoat. Everyone was happy and contended that nothing to worry since Delhi is still far off. Although actual game was to be played in Afghanistan however the cover story was prepared for staging in Iraq. It reminds me of Martin Niemöller’s famous quote, that:

“First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist; Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist; Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist; Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me.”

Exactly the same thing happened with us the Pakistanis. By the time we realised there was no one to stand by our side. We the inopportune were right under the scorching sun. Slowly and gradually things started slipping out of the government’s hands. Pakistan had not only to face the direct fallout of Afghan war but also the budding mushrooms; the product of terrorists’ nurseries, quietly spreading and influencing the innocent minds, throughout Pakistan. Ever since the apocalyptic attacks on the World Trade Centre, so far around 60,000 Pakistanis have lost their precious lives as a result of terrorist attacks, suicide bombing and other attempts while approximately over 16000 soldiers have laid their lives in the line of duty.

These anti-state activities, destruction and havoc caused by the terrorists’ attacks not only ruined the economy but also changed the psyche of the nation as well. The demoralizing factor was prominently dominating the national behavior and that was certainly quite disastrous. People were not feeling safe. Neither personal nor their social lives were secure and safe. Hence the situation was definitely demanding the immediate remedy.

The government decided to give a try to peace negotiations. Despite the fact that the previous attempts to engage the Taliban in dialogue had failed, yet the fresh attempts were made and the first session of the talks, between committees appointed by the government and the Taliban, was held on 26 March 2014 in Islamabad. The talks made no headway although the Taliban were categorically warned that in case of any miscarriage a straight caesarian would be imminent. Unfortunately, these talk too, had good Taliban and bad Taliban ordering as a reigning factor. Most of the groups were willing to give peace a chance, nevertheless, few strongly believed in locking on horns with the government. Sadly, the negotiations collapsed after the execution of 23 Pakistani Frontier Corps soldiers by the Taliban. These soldiers had been held by the insurgents since 2010. Another main factor that impeded the peace talks was a terrorist attack on Karachi Airport for which the Taliban claimed responsibility and which killed 28 people (including security personnel). Soon these parleys met their Waterloo and time came for the only option left available and that was military action.

Operation Zarb-e-Azb was launched to eliminate terrorists destroying their sanctuaries in North Waziristan Agency. The entire nation including media, civil society, political parties, social workers, intellectuals, and general masses appreciated the decision about going after terrorists.

The most heartening thing is that the domestic media is all along playing a constructive role in highlighting the achievements of Armed Forces in wiping out terrorists from North Waziristan Agency. The enduring wish of Pakistani masses to exterminate terrorists from North Waziristan Agency and FATA has been optimistically projected by national media. Almost dominating section of the domestic media showed sense of responsibility, maturity and high esteem for national interests in covering operation Zarb-e-Azb, for which media rightly deserves to be respected. The noteworthy point is that while covering operation Zarb-e-Azb, Pakistani media conducted itself with pride showing greater sense of mellowness and devotion for the Armed Forces.

 The media reports pertaining to military operation in North Waziristan Agency have been utterly impartial and evocative. Media exercised extreme caution and farsightedness while reporting events of Zarb-e-Azb. Irresponsible reporting and signs of sensationalism were kept totally out, thereby, attaining credibility and earning appreciation of the nation. Media also denied slots to militants and their standpoint during operation in North Waziristan Agency. There was no opportunity for terrorists to get glorified through direct or indirect media means as it has been happening in the past. So far, national media vis-à-vis operation Zarb-e-Azb is proudly standing tall as a patriotic with leaning towards national cause and it’s rightly expected that the media will never disappoint the people. It’s an important war where media is expected to act as cavalry.

Media Disinformation about Terrorist Gul Bahadur

Sajjad

When the ongoing military operation Zarb-e-Azb started against the militants in North Waziristan Agency (NWA), Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took the nation into confidence through parliament, emphasizing that Pakistan would not be allowed to become safe havens of terrorists. He further stated that military operation would continue till achievement of ultimate objectives. Earlier, DG, ISPR Directorate, Major-Gen. Asim Saleem Bajwa said, “On the directions of the Government, Armed forces of Pakistan have launched the operation against foreign and local terrorists…who had been waging a war against the state of Pakistan by disrupting our national life in all its dimensions, stunting our economic growth and causing enormous loss of life and property…with the support of the entire nation, these enemies will be denied space across the country.” On June 16, 2014, Chief of Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif also pointed out, “Operation Zarb-e-Azb has been launched with the objectives of rooting out terrorists, eliminate their sanctuaries in NWA and rid the country of terrorism.”

It is quite clear that Zarb-e-Azb has been launched against all terrorists in NWA in order to eliminate and destroy terrorists. So far, the operation is proceeding well to achieve its objectives, as it has been launched after having ascertained national consensus, while all political parties supported it. No doubt, operation Zarb-e-Azb has been launched with full force, politico-military resolve and determination without differentiating between good and bad terrorists.

Unfortunately, foreign media and few domestic reporters and analysts have been spreading disinformation by propagating that operation Zarb-e-Azb has been delayed purposely to allow good militants to leave the area or find new abode/sanctuaries elsewhere. Their acrimonious propaganda contents shamelessly termed operation Zarb-e-Azb as forged action and fake exercise undertaken by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Pak Army which was not taking any action against other terrorists including Gul Bahadar who is the leader of a Pakistani Taliban faction based in North Waziristan.

Since Pakistani Security Forces have been confronting with world’s most dangerous terrorists in NWA, the aim of misleading propaganda against the sincerity and credibility of military operation is to demoralize the troops, engaged in the operation. The noble cause followed by troops enabled them to kill over 800 terrorists, destroying their strongholds/sanctuaries, demolishing tunnels and factories producing IED (Explosives), while drying the sources of their funds and sinking their public support.

In this regard, recent air strikes against terrorists in Khyber and Dutta Khel (NWA) killed 48 suspected militants. A house belonging to Gul Bahadar has been destroyed in the air strike. Reportedly, terrorist Fazlullah and other prominent militant commanders were also present in the targeted house. Unfortunately, Gul Bahadar managed to escape, but others have reportedly been killed. Military has really demonstrated its zeal and firm resolve to eliminate all terrorists from NWA without any discrimination. This shows not only the level of seriousness of military to eliminate terrorists, but also proves that propagandists’ stance was incorrect and malicious that Gul Bahadar was being sponsored by military as a good militant.

Regrettably, foreign media analysts and writers have been propagating against Pakistan through their misleading and evasive designs to project Gul Bahadar as an asset of Pakistan Army and country’s intelligence agency, ISI. Few domestic reporters having been influenced by external propaganda also asserted that Pakistan Army and ISI were soft on terrorists like Gul Bahadar.

In this connection, we must know the real character of Gul Bahadur. The fact of the matter is that Gul Bahadur has sold himself to foreigners, one wonders, as to how many dollars Gul Bahadur would have won, while selling the pride of his tribe.

It is notable that the successive governments of Pakistan had upheld the peace treaty of 2006 with Gul Bahadur, and security forces stood by their promise despite suffering heavy casualties and assaults on their installations. Gul Bahadur was the only one who refused to expel foreign fighters, and stood alone on their side, while the complete tribal Shura stood loyal to the state by opposing his anti-Pakistan activities.

Unlike a genuine leader, Gul Bahadur has opted to endanger men, women and children of North Waziristan Agency for his personal gains. Playing in the hands of external enemies, he allowed terrorist activities including development of IED making factories with large quantity of explosives, anti-tank mines, and suicide training centers in his area from where terrorists were being sent to various places of Pakistan. Undoubtedly, in our country, these insurgents were using various kinds of terror attacks and suicide bombing as their main weapon by targeting innocent civilians, women and children, Armed Forces and government functionaries, markets, schools, parks, mosques, churches, temples, shrines, bus stops, railway stations, passengers’ trains and so on. The surviving families of the victims mourn and raise a question asking for what crime their loved ones were punished.

It is mentionable that Mirza Ali Kharn, known as the Faqir of Ipi was a Pashtun from today’s North-Waziristan. His followers addressed him as ‘Haji Sahib’ (Respected Pilgrim). The village of Ipi is located near Mirali Camp in North Waziristan Agency from where the Faqir of Ipi started his guerrilla warfare against the British Empire throughout the 1930s and 1940s until the British departure in 1947. Faqir of lpi was a symbol of resistance against British rule, and boldly fought against the British imperialism. On the contrary, Gul Bahadur who has announced a war against Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and is getting help from his external masters, is the traitor. As compared to Faqir of Ipi, he has misinterpreted Jihad by justifying terrorism and suicide bombings in the name of Islam. Thus, he is misguiding the people, while these brutal acts are clearly against the teachings of Islam.

In this context, Saudi Arabia’s grand mufti (Mufti-e-Azam),Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah al-Sheikh issued a Fatwa asserting that suicide attacks are illegal and illegitimate (Haram). He explained, “Such acts fall under the category of crime and suicide bombers or attackers are destined to go to Hell…they represent an adversary of Islam and enemy of Muslims and they commit crimes against humanity”, while misguiding other Muslims, especially the innocent youth. Denouncing terrorism as un-Islamic, he elaborated, “Terrorists’ activities are part of a conspiracy to defame Islam and destroy Muslims.”

Nevertheless, Gul Bahadur is also responsible for dislocation and miseries, brought on the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of NWA. His terror-related acts which had taken the peoples of NWA as hostages, compelled the armed forces to launch the ongoing military operation, and thus resulted into the exodus of IDPs into settled areas of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other regions—coupled with multifarious issues like massive departure of families including innocent civilians, women, children and elderly ones along with their personal belongings and animals.

Nonetheless, our media must made it clear that the operation Zarb-e-Azb which has backing of the entire nation started as a result of national consensus, and it is aimed at eliminating all terrorists from NWA, destroying their sanctuaries and demolishing their strongholds.

So, our own political and religious entities including media houses must encounter foreign propaganda by pointing out that operation Zarb-e-Azb does not differentiate between good or bad militants and has not been launched selectively. It is not forged exercise or fake action, as propagated by the anti-Pakistan elements whose assumptions are totally baseless and unfounded.

Quite contrarily to the presumptions, recent air strikes against Gul Bahadar prove that he is treated by Pak Army and ISI as a troubling terrorist and there is no soft corner for him.

While the progress of the operation is very encouraging, especially Pakistan’s media need to show sense of hope and optimism by indicating that the present broad-based military operation will annihilate the terrorists, smashing their hideouts in North Waziristan regions, and peace will return to the area.

Returning to our earlier discussion, disinformation of foreign analysts and some media anchors of Pakistan about the operation Zarb-e-Azb and terrorists like Gul Bahadur must be encountered by our own internal entities.

 

Operation Zarb-e-Azb Treats No One As Blue-Eyed

Aasef

Hafiz Gul Bahadur is one of the most important Pakistani militant leaders in North Waziristan. A cleric and a militant from the Madakhel clan of the Uthmanzai Wazir tribe, which is based in the mountains between Miran Shah and the border with Afghanistan, is believed to be in his late forties. He is a descendant of the Fakir of Ipi, a legendary fighter known for his innovative insurrection against British occupation in the 1930s and 1940s. Bahadur studied at a Deobandi madrassa in Multan. He fought in Afghanistan during the civil war that followed the Soviet withdrawal and upon returning to North Waziristan became a political activist in the Islamist party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazal Ur Rehman), or JUIF. He rose to prominence in 2004 following Pakistani military operations.   

Its Pakistan’s sheer bad luck that despite its best efforts the contribution towards war on terror is never considered enough. Come what may the demand by the western countries and their media would remain, “Do more and just do more”. It appears that as some American think tanks ‘predicted’ a decade back about the dismemberment of Pakistan by 2015, their current maligning and anti-Pakistan propaganda seems to be the part of that nefarious plan. The sponsored Western media immediately toes the line, suggested to it by the influential Western countries. The Western countries and especially the Americans desired to launch operation Zarb-e-Azb according to their wishes and as dictated by them and when the wish was nicely turned down by our military brass as they were in seat, the West realigned the propaganda onslaught. Beside other themes one was that Pakistan is showing discrimination by differentiating between good and bad Taliban. Unfortunately, that’s what the foreign media analysts and writers have been propagating against Pakistan through their misleading and evasive designs to project Gul Bahadur as an asset of Pakistan Army / ISI. The irony is that few domestic reporters have also been influenced by this baseless propaganda and are alleging that Pakistan Army / ISI were soft on terrorists like Gul Bahadur.

If we closely observe and analyse operation Zarb-e-Azb, we will find that it has been launched against all terrorists in North Waziristan Agency (NWA) with a view to eliminate / destroy them without any categorisation. So far the operation is proceeding well to achieve its goal/objectives as it has been launched after having ascertained national consensus and all political parties supported it. Hence, operation Zarb-e-Azb has been launched with full force, politico-military resolve and determination without differentiating between good and bad terrorists. Pak army has a strong and firm believe that a terrorist is a terrorist and not good or bad. The problem is to make, stubborn and ill informed Western friends, understand.

Unfortunately foreign media and few domestic reporters / analysts have been propagating that operation Zarb-e-Azb has been delayed purposely to allow good militants to leave the area or find new abode / sanctuaries elsewhere. Their acrimonious propaganda contents shamelessly termed operation Zarb-e-Azb as forged action and fake exercise undertaken by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Pak Army while it was not taking any action against terrorists like Gul Bahadur and others. 

Its strongly believed that the propaganda against the honesty and sincerity of military operation was launched merely to demoralize the troops engaged in the most furious battle being fought in North Waziristan Agency, who are confronted with world's most dangerous terrorists there. The noble cause followed by troops not only enabled them to kill over 800 terrorists and destroying their strongholds / sanctuaries but also demolishing tunnels and factories producing IEDs.

The sad part is that during recent air strikes against terrorists in Khyber and Dutta Khel (NWA) 48 suspected militants were killed. A house belonging to Gul Bahadur has been destroyed in the air strike. The terrorist Fazalullah and other prominent militant commanders, who were present in the targeted house, were reportedly killed. Unfortunately Gul Bahadur escaped but this big news was purposely not covered by the Western media for the vested interests. Military has really demonstrated its zeal and firm resolve to eliminate all terrorists from NWA without any discrimination. This shows not only the level of seriousness of military to eliminate terrorists and but also proves that propagandists stance was incorrect and malicious that Gul Bahadur was being sponsored by military as a good militant.

For Pakistan army its national interest and the people’s safety is first and foremost, always and everywhere and the recent air strikes against Gul Bahadur prove that he is treated by Pak Army as a troubling terrorist and there is no soft corner for him or his colleagues. How can the forces have a soft corner for a person who has opted to endanger men, women and children of NWA for his personal gains?

The armed forces are doing their duty as best as possible. Many young officers and jawans almost every day lay their lives for the secure future and happy days of their countrymen. They need no citation or award from any country or sponsored media. The sooner its realized the better it would be.

Targeting Pakistan on Human Rights Violations in Sri Lanka

By Sajjad                         

                                                          

The civilized Western World has always shown double standard of human rights in the modern era of open diplomacy, economic development and maintenance of fundamental rights of various peoples. But, it is regrettable that major powers like the US and some European countries have continuously been acting upon duplicity regarding human rights violations. In this regard, their silence over the massacre of the Rohingya Muslim community at the hands of the Rakhine extremist Buddhists in Burma (present Myanmar), perpetual bloodshed of Kashmiris in the Indian occupied Kashmir and unending genocide of several Palestinians in Gaza might be cited as example. In these cases, US-led Western World which was overtly or covertly supporting the state terrorism of Myanmar’s military junta, Indian and Israeli regimes was strongly condemned by the Islamic Word’s intellectuals. In wake of Muslim tragedy, it was also exposed that world’s apex body, the UNO has also been following double standard of human rights, and has become instrument of America and its allies at the cost of the Muslim World.

Especially, the US has been protecting its selfish interests including those of India and Israel by using the UNO against the Islamic countries like Iran, and Pakistan because the latter is also the lonely nuclear country in the Islamic World. Hence, they want to destabilize Pakistan by supporting the militants’ outfits which continues subversive attacks in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Karachi and other parts of the country.

Besides, foreign-backed NGOs and human rights groups leave no stone unturned in distorting the image of Pakistan in relation to human rights violations. In this context, while speaking in the tone of external elements—since the supreme court has been taking notice of various cases, without grasping realities, Pakistan’s internal entities have manipulated every issue and case like the Memogate case, missing persons of Balochistan, law and order situation in Karachi, military operation in North Waziristan, incident of Malala Yousafzai etc., to tarnish country’s image.

Let us take the example of the missing persons. Everyone knows that majority of the disappeared persons have been killed in bomb blasts, target killings, ethnic and sectarian violence in various places of Pakistan, arranged by the foreign-assisted militant outfits, particularly TTP. In case of Balochistan, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and other similar insurgent groups which have been fighting for secession of the province gets logistic support from anti-Pakistan secret agencies. These terrorists abducted and killed many innocent people and the security personnel in the province, while claiming responsibility. And since 2001, a majority of Pakistanis also left for Afghanistan for Jehad purposes, while many people joined the Jahadi groups in Pakistan.

As regards Pakistan’s internal entities, some persons are on the parole of foreign secret agencies, while some have pro-American or western tilt, as they want to get international fame by distorting the image of Pakistan.  In other worlds, they malign their own county by fulfilling the nefarious agenda of anti-Pakistan countries intentionally or unintentionally.

In this connection, in one way or the other, Asma Jahangir, the famous human rights activist has always indicated her old stereotype-prejudices against Pakistan and its security forces by following the blame game of US-led India and some western countries in relation to any major issue or case of human rights abuses. For the purpose, she had also manipulated the cases of missing persons, especially those of Balochistan. In fact, Asma can create some hostile justification for the sake of hostility by maligning Pak Army, superior intelligence agency, ISI because in this way, she can not only get good media coverage in abroad , but can also please her external masters.

Recent nomination of Asma Jahangir as an expert to investigate human rights violations/abuses committed by the government forces in Sri Lanka during the last phase of war against Liberation of Tamil Elam (LTTE) may cause psychological embarrassment and emotional exasperation for Pakistan, as Sri Lanka is a friendly country.  Asma is known for her arrogance, self importance and bluntness as a lawyer, human rights activist and high profile international investigator. She is the former President of Pakistan Bar Council and has especially been selected by UN along with two other eminent international experts. Her nomination is quite controversial in Sri Lanka, as very few Sri Lankan politicians who wanted UN to interfere in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs to topple the sitting government of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA), supported her case. Sri Lankan political leaders believe that this is the only way in toppling the government and a way forward to regime change.

In her recent interview with BBC, published by Sri Lankan print media, while warning the Sri Lankan government of dire consequences, Asma Jahangir arrogantly asserted, if they tried to stop people from contacting the UN investigating team—any attempt to prevent people from testifying would be detrimental for the Sri Lankan Govt.

No doubt, such aggressive statements by a Pakistani national certainly lead to creation of diplomatic irritants between the two governments. Asma’s forewarning was not very well taken by Sri Lankans, as most of them perceive that a Pakistani national in UN investigation team will only come for their rescue.

People of Sri Lanka and the government have made up their mind not to let any such investigation team enter their country at any stage. Sri Lanka, being a friendly state does not—will not expect a Pakistani national to oppose their rulers on an issue which has already been supported by Islamabad during UN Human Rights Commission’s related resolution.  Furthermore, India has recently supported Colombo’s stance and has opposed any international investigation within Sri Lanka.

It is notable that as regards Human Rights Commission of Pakistan led by Asma Jehangir, in 2006, I had myself visited its head office, located in Lahore. I met some writers of a particular newspaper, who had been working there. I came to know that its members were being sent to various villages of Pakistan so as to note various crimes which were also published in magazines and afterwards these were sent to western countries, especially America with the sole aim to show the progress of this Commission which is financially supported by the US. No doubt, we must condemn these crimes in our society, but if we point out these anti-social activities to please our foreign masters, and in order to tarnish the image of our own country including its forces, such a practice itself becomes a greater crime.

I ask the former HRCP’s Chairperson Asma Jehangir as to why multiple crimes, committed inside the United States are not being indicated by this Commission with detail. From time to time, a number of students have been shot in various American universities, but I did not read any statement of Asma Jehangir in that respect. And why there is no detailed statement against American forces, CIA and FBI which have so far tortured and killed a number of innocent Muslims entailing Pakistanis at various detention centers under the pretext of war against terrorism. She never spoke about atrocities, perpetrated by the American troops in Abu Ghraib, other CIA torture-cells, and human rights violations inside the US homeland where since 9/11; thousands of Muslims were targeted, labeling them as suspected persons.

The fact of the matter is that Asma Jehangir is waiting for Nobel Prize which is mostly awarded to the western people and rarely to the Muslims. In this context, Asma is also making strenuous efforts by getting this award by showing to the US-led western countries that she is serving as human rights activists at the cost of Pakistan. One cannot note difference between her hypocrisy and the US-led Hindu-Jewish lobbies which are determined to disintegrate Pakistan. Nonetheless, all this shows the real face of Asma Jehangir.

However, a Pakistani national, being part of the UN investigation team, pitched against a friendly country should be a matter of concern for every patriot Pakistani. Therefore, Pakistani government should either get her name withdrawn from the investigation team or clarify (on an international forum) that anything reported/presented or displayed by Asma Jahangir will be an individual act, and will not reflect the policy of Islamabad. In this regard, media must impress upon the policy makers to address the issue, because it will have serious consequences for Pakistan–Sri Lanka relations at every level. The matter should be addressed as soon as possible since the inquiry is already in process and the investigation team is to present and submit its first report to UN in September 2014.

Particularly, Pakistan’s media must project that Asma Jahangir is blunt, arrogantly confident, self projecting and outspoken individual, having qualification and experience in practicing law. Her rebuking statement against the Sri Lankan government through BBC interview indicates the extent of her being self-centeredness and idiosyncratic character. Islamabad holds Sri Lanka in high esteem as a trust worthy friend under all seasons. 

Government and people of Pakistan get deeply hurt every time, they recall the deplorable episode of terrorist attack against Sri Lankan Cricket Team in Lahore. Such a devilish attack was planned by anti-Pakistan elements to damage cricket in Pakistan and to create conditions to spoil diplomatic relations between Islamabad and Colombo. Fortunately, relations between the two friendly countries are still flourishing, while cricket is also being played between their national teams. Terrorists and master minds of attack against Sri Lankan Cricket Team have surely been frustrated and perturbed. 

Compelling Army for Action

More than ten workers of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and two policemen were killed, several persons were injured including policemen, while many of them were taken hostage, and  police vehicles were burnt, as pitched battles took place between the followers of PAT chief Dr. Tahirul Qadri and police in different cities of Punjab on August 8 and 9, this year when PAT activists clashed with police in Model Town, Lahore after the city and the province of Punjab were virtually sealed off by the authorities through containers and barricades to stop the PAT workers’ participation in their Youm-e-Shuhada (Martyrs Day).

Acting upon similar planning of the civil government, in a crackdown, police has also arrested several workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and detained motorcycles to prevent its supporters from reaching Islamabad in connection with August 14 long March (Azadi March) along with their leader Imran Khan who said that he would sit there as long as his demands are not met by the government.

While criticizing the present government of PML (N) led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and his brother Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister of the Punjab province, PTI chief Imran Khan on August 3 vowed to end what he termed is the ‘Sharif family monarchy’  in the country by his Azadi march. Khan explained that there was no real democracy in Pakistan, and the sit-in at Islamabad will not end until a ‘new Pakistan’ is made.

Meanwhile, in a press conference, on August 11, Imran Khan revealed as to how PML (N), Najam Sethi, an employee for Geo TV was made PCB chairman as a gift of rigging in the polls, while the ex-Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday including other high officials also played his role in this regard.

It is notable that some analysts are indicating differences of opinion between Imran and Qadri, when they talks about revolution in the country. But fact remains that pointing out rigging in the polls and the multiple problems faced by the country as well as the people, in one way or the other, both Imran and Qadri pledged to make a new Pakistan, and they are not against democracy. Their real intent is that the entire electoral exercise is deeply flawed. Hence, they emphasized the introduction of electoral reforms in Pakistan, because the issue is that this corrupt system must go. Now, Tahirul Qadri has also announced that his revolution march will also join Imran’s long march on August 14.

In the recent past, Imran Khan contacted various political and religious parties like PPP, MQM, PML-Q, JI and PAT to increase pressure on the PML-N government for overhauling the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) due to the rigging in the general elections 2013. The PPP leader of the opposition Syed Khurshid Shah had also endorsed Imran Khan’s call for resignation of all members of the ECP. In these developments, some analysts had remarked that a grand alliance of the political parties will be concluded for mid-term elections or a massive movement could be launched against the rulers.

Now, the tension has increased between the ruling party on the one side and PTI, PAT PML-Q on the other in wake of police crackdown and violent clashes. In this respect, some ministers has been saying that Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri want to create civil war in the country like Egypt and Libya, and they will be responsible for martial law in the country. While on August 8, PTI chief Imran Khan said, “If the army steps in, it will be because of you…the high-handed measures (that the government) is taking…we have the right to peaceful protest. If they try to stop it, then there is likely to be violence. He elaborated that when he was demanding justice, no one paid heed.

While condemning the strict measures by the government, and deployment of Army in Islamabad, under the pretext of article 245 of the constitution, various leaders including the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Sirajul Haq and the PPP leader Syed Khurshid Shah who tried to defuse the tense situation through dialogue urged the government not to try to stop the PTI long march on the Independence Day, as peaceful protests are part of democracy. They also hinted that military can take over in the drastic circumstances. Besides, some other political leaders and analysts have also been stating that the ongoing system of democracy can be derailed, and martial law can be imposed in the country.

It is mentionable that in May 11, 2014, country-wide protest rallies led by leaders of PTI and PAT, PML-Q and JI were held against the rigging in the elections, demanding a corruption-free state, instead of a system that brought corrupt politicians in parliament. In this context, Tahirul Qadri and Imran Khan stated in their speeches that there was no parliament, and denied the presence of democracy, constituted of good governance and purity, as the country is being ruled by some particular families, while poor people of the country are deprived from basic necessities.

Undoubtedly, democracy has displayed its success in the west, but, it has proved to be fruitless in Pakistan. Therefore, it is generally said that “any instrument can be misused.” Pakistan’s politicians and media have always claimed that they nourish democratic ideals, but, we could not establish this system on a strong footing due to irresponsible approach of our political entities including responsible media.

Past experience proves that our political parties have worked on undemocratic principles like hostility for the sake of hostility, formation of alliances and counter-alliances to win the elections. Much time is wasted in retaliation against the previous government instead of fulfilling the promises, made with the voters during election campaign. So, they forget the real aim of public mandate by resolving the economic and social problems of the masses. In this context, they also misguide the general masses by forming extreme opinion among them towards their opponents. In fact, concentration of wealth in few hands has created a privileged class of landowners and industrialists who contest elections winning the same against each other again and again.

During the election campaign, they employ all means, fair or foul to defeat their opponents and capture political power. They mislead the general masses through, false propaganda and exaggerated speeches.

Besides, various mal-practices such as horse-trading, nepotism, bribery, illegal obligations and other forms of corruption are very common among our political leaders. Past experience also shows that an alliance of different parties is formed to launch a mass movement to topple the government, which ultimately leads to military rule in the country when there is no third option, because state can not survive in anarchy.

It is noteworthy that in 2011, during the Memogate case, some political entities and media commentators were saying that martial law will be imposed in the country. The then Chief of Army Staff Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani stated, “The Pakistan Army has and will continue to support democratic process in the country.” As Army was acting upon the principle of non-interference in political affairs, therefore, the previous government completed its tenure.

However, in case of Pakistan, it is owing to the lack of pre-conditions for the success of democracy like education, tolerance, responsible media and political consciousness that general masses become an easy prey to the system, conducted by shrewd politicians who deceive the public mandate.

At this critical juncture, Pakistan is facing multi-faceted crises such as soaring prices, energy-shortage, unemployment, crimes, lack of health facilities etc. Besides, the country has perennially been facing subversive activities in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Karachi and other parts of the country where security forces and law-enforcing agencies are coping with the militants. And our Armed Forces are successfully obtaining their objectives in North Waziristan Agency (NWA) through military operation Zarb-e-Azb against the terrorists who had challenged the writ of the state, and had frightened the entire nation by their terror-acts.

Nevertheless, in wake of the present political unrest which is turning to violence, we must know that it has been created by the rival politicians themselves, not by military. If there seems to be no compromise particularly between the PTI-PAT and the ruling party PML (N), Armed Forces which are already coping with external and internal threats as part of their duty are responsible to tackle the unresolved challenge. So, our own politicians can compel Army to take action, as everyone wants that civil war-like situation must be avoided.