Atif Malik
Pakistan has seen everything; from prime ministers being assassinated to dictators abolishing the constitution, from ethnic cleansing of Hazara people to terrorists attacks in Karachi and Baluchistan. The time period after the 9/11 has been very testing for the institutions, and as well as for the civilians of Pakistan. We lost over 80,000 people to the wars we were not even part of in the first place. Over the years, the calamities that have fallen over this beautiful land of ours are immense.Yet the recent political fiasco is something that has never been witnessed before in the history of Pakistan. It is no hidden secret that no elected prime minister has ever completed his full term in the office. But, nevertheless, the recent turn of events are worthy of a Netflix special. The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) was formed in September 2020 by the coalition of more or less 13 parties including, opposition leaders to oust the Ex-Prime Minister, Imran Khan from his office, accusing him of poor governance, inflation, political victimization of opponents through institutions like NAB etc. and mismanaging the economy and foreign policy. The face of this movement was Shehbaz Sharif (the new Prime Minister of Pakistan), accused of multiple cases of corruption against him and currently on bail, Molana Fazal Ul Rehman, who has various inquiries summoned against him in “assets beyond means”: what an irony! The road to throw Imran Khan out of the office was challenging, PTI and some media outlets accuse the PDM top management of bribing the MNA’s and not just to vote against their Prime Minister in the proposed “No Confidence Motion” but also managing to turn Imran Khan’s own ministers against him, and that too publically!! In the midst of everything, Imran Khan talked about a letter that was a proof of foreign intervention in an effort to remove him from the office because he would not bend to their proposed agenda and would demand mutual respect and foreign policy that benefits both parties.Many people believe that Imran Khan’s visit to Moscow was the crux of this turmoil; what initiated everything. The Europe and America wanted public condemnation of Putin’s regime by Imran Khan. Though, Imran Khan continuously insists that his visit to Russia was approved by the institution and establishment but I think it is more than just about the visit. It is about picking sides, and the Russian Ruble scheme was a big factor which made organizations and governments over the globe to react so efficiently in removing regimes which did not suit their agenda. After all, wars have been fought for less. Nevertheless, this sudden change of thrones has given the boost that PTI needed for the general elections. People of Pakistan prefer emotions to logic; and this “Absolutely Not” narrative has lifted their spirits. PTI had always enjoyed support from the youth but tides are turning as middle aged and older people are also joining the ranks of devotees of Imran Khan. The recent demonstration at Peshawar was people’s verdict of what and who they believe in, despite the recent inflation, hikes in fuel prices, the people of Pakistan has opted for struggle, and not slavery.However, whilst the PDM enjoys this new success, it is evident that these power hungry ambitious politicians will soon start grudging over different ministries and this whole wild card might fall apart. If PDM and the new Prime Minister wants to succeed, he needs to be very diplomatic, now more than ever or we are heading towards early elections. It is important to remember that if one bad fish can pollute the whole pond, imagine all 13 in an aquarium. Desperate times demand desperate measures, the people of Pakistan have a choice to make now, and history has yet again brought us to the edge of the cliff. It is time to make the right choice and break the curse, once and for all!!
