Lest there is no one to speak for them

Widespread terrorism by the Taliban and other anti-state elements is threatening to mar the prospects of elections in Pakistan on May 11. Three political parties with liberal and progressive ideologies — the ANP, the MQM and the PPP — are being singled out while others which have kept intentionally oblique or obvious their support to the Taliban have been spared. This is reflected in the lukewarm condemnation of the massacres — that, too, at the prompting of the media — by those who are having a field day in electioneering in the country’s biggest province.

Overseas Pakistanis and the victimised parties are concerned by the increasing plight of those who support democracy and the liberal way of life. They have been protesting and pleading for protection and calling for the establishment of a level playing field.

While strikes and protests are frequently being observed in Quetta, Karachi and Peshawar, a similar rally was held outside the Pakistan High Commission in London on April 29. The British media, too, is not oblivious to the dangerous situation and doubts are being cast about the legitimacy of the elections. Some are even describing it all as deliberate pre-poll rigging to defeat liberal elements and secure victory at gunpoint for the obscurantist forces and their supporters.

The three parties most affected by the violence are seeking a common strategy to secure themselves, in what they describe as premeditated terrorism to keep them out and their voters away from polls, threatening democratic transition in Pakistan. The daily acts of terrorism have made it clear that it is more of an ideological war — a war between progressive forces and those who want to Talibanise Pakistan. More so, it is a battle between liberal forces that want to revert to the Quaid-e-Azam’s egalitarian Pakistan and save it from being captured by the Taliban.

While one can understand the predicament of the liberal forces that are undeterred so far and bravely facing the bloody onslaught, it might soon also be time for others who continue to run with the democratic hare while hunting with the Taliban hounds. These short-sighted elements — blinded by their pursuit of possible immediate electoral gains — do not realise what could ultimately be in store for them in the longer run.

History is a great teacher for those who are willing to learn a lesson from it. To carry the point home, it needs to be realised urgently that today, the liberal elements are targets and those opposing them could win at the polls.

What matters is to understand the endgame of the Taliban. It is not just victory against those who oppose them ideologically. The Taliban want to capture the state of Pakistan, first by defeating their opponents and then by having pliable elements in power who could pave the way for them to attain their ultimate goal of converting Pakistan into a Talibanised island cut off from rest of the world.

Our political leaders and all others who matter must stand up and speak out before the Taliban take over. Their strategy is self-evident. They are trying to prove that the state of Pakistan is toothless and they can bulldoze their ideology and impose it as an alternative to democracy. It is better late than never.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2013.