Bloody elections

First things first, and I have to say that despite the fact that I think Imran Khan will be an unmitigated disaster in a position of authority in the country, it was heart-stopping to see him fall from the forklift. I am gratified that he has not been hurt worse than he has been: may the Almighty look over him and grant him health soon.

Let me here and now say to those who are seeing a conspiracy in this to get him the people’s sympathy that they are talking out of their (because this is a family paper I shall hold myself back) respective hats! Just see how he fell, dammit, head first, and only because the platform of the forklift tilted. Poppycock!

Which brings me immediately to the reasons of Imran’s fall: first off because too many people were standing on the forklift made worse by a fifth person who jumped on at the last moment as the forklift began its ascent, and second because forklifts are designed to lift inert objects: not live, fidgeting human beings who shift weight upon it from one side to another. Might one ask why a simple bamboo ladder could not have been provided instead of this silly forklift?

On another tack, I was taken aback, nay saddened by the headlines in our main English newspapers the day after, for on the day that Imran fell, upwards of 20 people were killed in Fata in the ongoing bloodbath unleashed by the murderous TTP: 12 JUI-F supporters in Hangu; a PPP leader Haji Zahir Shah and four people travelling with him including a policeman in Lower Dir, and elsewhere, three others. The gravely injured are numbered at over 40. Please note immediately that bombing injuries are extremely grave: blown off limbs; blown-out eyes and ears and other body parts.

I was, therefore, sorry to see The News and Dawn carrying banner headlines: “Imran seriously injured ... ” and “Imran injured” respectively, with news of the 20 (and over) murdered and 40 (and over) injured political workers relegated to second place. The only newspaper that got it right was this paper of record: “String of bomb attacks kills 20 in K-P” and, second, “As Imran falls, nation rises in sympathy”. Respect to the editors, not only for the appropriate placing but also the wording of the headlines.

And now, kudos to Nawaz Sharif for speaking so honestly and so courageously about Pakistan’s relations with India and for reiterating his long-held view that the Army is but a department of the government and should always follow the government’s orders. I was specially gratified to note that he particularly said that this country’s soil will not be allowed to be used for any aggression against its neighbours. Well done, I say, for him to have said what he did in this fast lurching-to-the-mad-right country where mindless bigots like the Paknationalists and PakistanKaKhudaHafiz types determine the country’s “nationalistic and patriotic” agenda.

It takes gumption for a political leader to say so close to the elections that a complete inquiry will be held on Kargil and the debacle that unfolded as a result, and which brought the two countries almost to open war. Good on him because the Deep State will always fight back and attempt to keep a lid on the Box!

Incidentally, while one appreciates politicians’ calling off electioneering for one day after Imran Khan’s fall, might one ask why electioneering was not called off (even for a day) for the hundreds of political leaders and workers who have fallen to the Taliban’s bullets and bombs in the other provinces, principally K-P and Sindh since this campaign began? Fallen as in killed, gentlemen. Sad.

Also might one say stand on talking without conditions to the TTP is an unsound idea. You cannot speak to those who flout the authority and the writ of the State so openly and blatantly and murderously. Who cut off your soldiers heads with axes and blunt knives? No sir, no. We must all get behind our armed forces and force those that want to talk to submission to the will of the State. Remember, too, that the TTP is against democracy, period. How does a democrat square with this?

Oh well, all that is left is to exhort voters, specially the newly woken young folk to go out and vote for the candidates of their choice tomorrow for this is going to be a defining election in Pakistan’s history even though three important parties are prevented from open canvassing.

They are going to be important because Imran Khan’s PTI seems to be in a position of playing an important part in forming the next government or sitting as an important member of the opposition: it is important for it is only then that it will become clear to him and his ‘cabinet’ how very difficult it is to run a country like the Citadel of Islam.

Stop Press: Former PM Yousaf Raza Gilani’s younger son, Ali Haider, has been kidnapped at a corner meeting in Multan. Shame on the ECP and the Punjab government for withdrawing the former PM’s guards.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 10^th, 2013.