Truth is the biggest casualty

With the attack on the person of Imran Khan in Wazirabad, followed by the release of Azam Swati video, the political environment in the country has further been made toxic. Emotive discussions for and against indicates highest level of polarisation and radicalisation.

In this political war ever since the passage of the vote of no-confidence against Imran Khan, all antics of politics are being played to browbeat each other. The worst is that all fair and foul means are being used.

In a high-pitched drama played at the Pakistani political stage, propaganda and wickedery appear to be the priority, but the pity is that certain state institutions also seem to be playing a partial role and are being blamed for sinister campaign. In such a situation, it is difficult to discern the truth. Most often truth is the biggest casualty. This reminds us of Animal Farm of George Orwell where hero becomes a villain and a villain becomes a hero due to the magic of the propaganda.

In all these hate and love relationship not only truth is obscured but also fundamental rights of the citizens and rule of law take a back seat. Freedom of movement is curtailed. Press and electronic media are gagged. Freedom of expression becomes difficult. Opponents are chased, rounded up and maltreated to make them horrible examples for others without any judicial restraint.

Although inviolability of dignity of man, the privacy of home, is inviolable, Azam Swati was found crying over a manipulated video of his and his wife in their matrimonial capacity. This act was clearly outrageous. On matters of principles we have to have same standards for even opponents with whom we disagree. A wrong is a wrong and must be condemned. The act against Swati is most abhorred, unthinkable in a civilised society. President Nixon of the US had to resign for breaching the privacy of opponent’s party. We must not rejoice; if such state of affairs continue, then no one can be safe: dushman mare te khushi na kariye, sajnaa vii mar jaanaa.

Democracy can flourish only in an environment where individual liberty is protected, where one even defends the right of a person with whom there is a difference of opinion. But, the disgusting aspect of the melodrama is that all fundamental rights are at naught. Tolerance, an essence of democracy, is missing in the mist of propaganda.

In this heat of propaganda, attempt to make the attack on Imran Khan controversial is not a sign of political maturity. Pakistan has a history of such attacks on political opponents due to multiple reasons. Attacks on Liaqat Ali Khan, the first Prime Minster of Pakistan, Ayub Khan, Khan Abdul Wali Khan, Bibi Naseem Wali Khan, Abdul Samad Achakzai and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto are a few examples to quote.

Most unfortunately many among us are carried away with propaganda, having no regard to rationality and start taking positions. Rationality is always evidence based. Therefore, all statement should be tested on the rules of evidence.

In the matter of crime committed in Wazirabad, not only was Imran Khan injured but one person, namely Moazzam Gondal, also got killed. The scene had been captured by all cameras, so nothing could be hidden. Therefore twisting facts just for political point scoring is improper.

In this context it is suffice to argue that investigation is all about collection of evidence to connect the offender(s) with the offence. Here, of course, lies the test of the proficiency of investigators i.e. how best they can bring material evidence on record. However, the main task here is to bring the master mind to the fore. But, history tells that involvement of the master mind had always remained a mystery — be that the case of the murder of John F Kennedy or of Liaqat Ali Khan case or Benazir Bhutto.

The prompt outburst against the attack by the leaderless mobs in parts of Pakistan and ensuing discussions on social media reflect the new realties and sense of awareness of the people about their civic and constitutional rights. The powers that be must realise that the youth from middle and lower middle class aspiring for democracy are no longer ready to give away their right of self-rule to others. The uprising is an expression to be ruled according to democratic aspirations.

The rattling sounds of the crisis have shaken the whole political system. If it continues like this, the whole system is likely to crumble. In modern times, the survival of states is embedded in the social contract called the Constitution. Assembly of the people gathered through their chosen representatives draw the parameters; how to be governed. Once those boundaries are drawn, all are required to play within those drawn lines. Any player crossing the boundary has to be whistled for the foul. The core issue today in the country is how to confine the players to play according to rules of the political game. This, of course, requires strong, independent and neutral umpires with ability to whistle, show yellow card and if required the red card to oust the player on a major foul.

In this connection we have to realise that state is composed of the people, territory and sovereignty. The sovereignty belongs to the people, and the institutions of the state are for the good of the public. Therefore, determination of what is good for the state has to be done by the chosen representatives of the people. Deviation from this principle will always erupt in crises.

Having discussed all aspects of the acrimony in the political environment, there is a need for a political dialogue to find mechanism for resolution of the conflict within the domain of the constitution.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2022.

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