Here’s why: Chaos is trending in Pakistan. ‘Tis the season to be wild and angry and smash icons. Confrontational mirth has permeated the air. The system as we know it is bracing for uber shocks and mega tumults. Stormtroopers are ready to storm fortified fortresses as party shock-jocks dig in to defend their turf. Marchers are ready for the drumbeat and political trumpeteers fill their lungs for the final call. Anarchy, it seems, is the new infectious disease.
Status quo today — it seems — is for sissies. And ninnies. And girly men.
And this is why one can look at this powder keg of a situation in two ways: Either the fragile democratic project is about to go for a towering six; or, we are going to see a display of political evolution on steroids. Both ways, it makes for a helluva story.
For the House Sharif this is as bad as it could get. Well, that’s not entirely true because it could actually get much worse if the Brothers Sharif successfully cut the branch they are sitting on. And that’s something they specialise in. But the way they have handled this gathering storm is shockingly incompetent. First, they allowed their arrogance to blind them to the gravity of the threat. Second, they lashed out in Maula Jatt style instead being deft and nimble in their approach. Third, they miserably failed to grasp a very hard reality: their brand of Mughal-style governance is fast going out of fashion. Now their minions are running around like plucked chickens trying to salvage an impossible situation.
The wrath of Khan — their nemesis — is now ascending like Jupiter. For good or bad, he is now the man who controls the initiative, and to a great extent, the narrative too. Through sheer perseverance, he has succeeded in mainstreaming his electoral grievances, and dragging his agenda bang into the centre of Pakistani politics. Imran the mercurial and temperamental outsider has transmuted into Imran the nihilistic crusading reformer. He can huff, and he can puff and he can blow the house away. But then what?
And then there’s Qadri, the Demagogue-in-Chief, who doesn’t just want to blow the house away, he wants to grind it, shred it and burn it. In this he has made some impressive progress if the rampage on the streets of Lahore and other cities of Punjab is an indicator. He may be a political lightweight in electoral terms, but he has proved a right royal master of mayhem.
Mayhem is what was promised, and mayhem is what is being delivered. By all and sundry. As reports pour in, Qadri’s flock is clashing with the Punjab police across the province and providing plenty of fodder to TV channels. In a coldly calculated move, Qadri has declared his planned Youme Shuhuda will be held not just in Lahore but across all major cities on Sunday. So if mayhem has to happen, it will have a vast geographical expanse for proper magnification. Religious symbolism is being cleverly mixed with temporal agendas so emotions find a place on the political chessboards next to Knights, Rooks, and yes plenty of Pawns.
What matters of course is the end game. And the larger question is whether there is a streak of nobility hidden within the folds of this brutal game of thrones. If it is indeed a naked power grab, then numerous options present themselves: Some last minute compromise could be struck and House Sharif will survive, though severely chastened and humbled. Or, streets will erupt in massive protest, violence will rain down, lives will be snuffed out, and like the game of Ring a Ring a Roses, we all will fall down. Or, there may be some unspecified non-violent political upheaval which may see some changes on the top that would satisfy key players to claim victory and walk away. Or, the khakis just walk in with a new and improved Staff Solution under their arm.
What then can be considered evolution, and what would constitute regression? The grand arc of history can sometimes fold into a single defining moment. Pakistan still awaits this moment which will signify the death of the Old Order, the ancient regime so to speak, and the dawn of the brave new world. The contours of this New Order are the worst kept secret in the world. In this era, Pakistani society would be led not by men, but by laws. Here meritocracy will be the norm and not the exception; where all citizens will be equal in their rights and privileges; where wrongdoing will have consequences and institutions will trump personal agendas and interests. In this era, politics will not be the monopoly of a few families and the system will not be held hostage to the dictates of kinship and nepotism. Strangely enough, there is actually a name for such an order:
It’s called Democracy.
They say good things come to those who wait. But waiting is clearly nothing without action. Old Orders don’t just die, they are usually dragged to the guillotine — figuratively and often literally. Could this be our moment? Could this be our evolution on steroids? Could this be the storming of the Bastille? Or will it once again turn out to be a clash of power hungry men for the spoils of the State?
Bet if you dare.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 10th, 2014.
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Brilliant! Loved reading this.
Judging by the comments, to all the IK fanboys and sheeples, reading this article seems orgasmic.
You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs ... and then you have to whip them too. Glacial evolution of democracy will not do in Pakistan. A lot of catching up is needed and therefore the evolution better be on steroids - the ones with the most bang for the buck.
@Ranjha: Agree with you Mr. Ranjha without any reservation. One thing more for for NS&Co - Don't loot my country and your accountability time is coming soon. $39.00billion of new loans on my poor people for Metro-Bus and Train and you are looting us also.
Excellent writeup again by Fahd, thanks!
"Pakistan still awaits this moment which will signify the death of the Old Order, the ancient regime so to speak, and the dawn of the brave new world. The contours of this New Order are the worst kept secret in the world. In this era, Pakistani society would be led not by men, but by laws. Here meritocracy will be the norm and not the exception; where all citizens will be equal in their rights and privileges; where wrongdoing will have consequences and institutions will trump personal agendas and interests. In this era, politics will not be the monopoly of a few families and the system will not be held hostage to the dictates of kinship and nepotism. Strangely enough, there is actually a name for such an order: It’s called Democracy."
Good one!
Marvelously written!
Excellent piece,made interesting & informative read at many levels,hope people take heed also that the sophistication and delicacy of your expression remain in all forms of your writing may it be a column or social media
where all citizens will be equal in their rights and privileges;
Pakistan has failed to separate religion from the state in the matters of governance and citizenry, being a part of a sect affects nationhood, this proved beginning of the end,
Imran Khan supporters would naturally like this piece but it is really not a very intelligent one. When did a revolution ever bring democracy? Not the French revolution, nor the Russian, nor the Chinese, nor the English revolution following the civil war of the 1640s. Democracy is an evolutionary process and it starts with education, not with dharnas or long marches. There is simply no short cut.
It only tells you how difficult is it to govern Pakistan. Even a man with two third majority in centre, having all out control over Punjab and with very plaint judiciary is finding impossible to preserve his government. Now you have to acknowledge the political genius of Zardari to complete his five years with juggling with his coalition partners, very hostile judiciary and army and terrorists openly declaring PPP as their targets.
'The Farishtas! ' are at it again, paralysing everyday life from Khunjerab to Khyber to Keti Bunder....they sing the song of defeat but their blame game is turning violent !! I wonder who they really are Masters of Mayhem or Donkeys dressed as Unicorns ?? Now it is only up to us the 'people' to develop a real understanding of ' The Land ' that we live on and simultaneously choose noble men/women from amongst ourselves to lead & govern !!
What a brilliant summation of current events in Pakistan. I fully agree with every single word in this article.
For me this was the keyhole into the future "They say good things come to those who wait. But waiting is clearly nothing without action. Old Orders don’t just die, they are usually dragged to the guillotine — figuratively and often literally"
@Nadir: Agree. What do you do when NS lies and plays game knowing he will be caught. His politics is based on family interest not national.
@Afzal Bajwa: Truer words have never been spoken my friend. Imran Khan is the name of a movement, the movement for Pakistan.
Brilliant piece of writing!
How did Nawaz loose all the doves in his party ? how did all the doves leave him or the ones that are left have no say .... Nawaz needs to bring back the old order Ch Nisars .. the Ranas of Kasur .. since he has already lost the Ch Shujaat and Hashmi
Pleasure to read such a nice piece of writing.
@Nadir: that opulent building provides the solution if the system is mature and transparent and institutions non-compromised. If not, we have a chicken and egg sort of situation. We would wait for that opulent building to make the system mature and that building wont deliver anything without a mature system. Enjoy then!
In all these analysis, do not forget the hardwork of Sharifs in making a hero out of TuQ. Do you recall that all this started to remove barricades from TuQs house when every politician is living in barricaded houses. Ensuing battle resulted in 15 killed brutally of their side. Was anyone in right mind expecting that 'sorry' from Khadim will avenge the killings ? As expected, songs would be written for the bravery of those who died and the living would line up to take revenge. The Sharifs are too naive and intoxicated by the power. They keep forgetting that the previous 3 terms were in laps of the uniform. They have zero experience of ruling on own expertise.
@Nadir: All such buildings that you refer "opulent" are a national disgrace and just DO NOT belong in a country where 65% of the population lives below the poverty line without 2 square meals and 30% just about manage and the rest are living it up on charities & borrowed money. Shame on our stupidity to allow building of such fake sense of opulence to begin with and even worse that people tolerate this symbol pseudo sense of well-being and creating a sense of alienation among those who matter most namely the people, the vast majority, the masses in Pakistan. One hopes that the idiots running the affairs of the State wake up and are able to recognize the writings on the wall before it is too late.
I enjoyed your style of writing. No, I dare not bet because the House of Saud is going to get angry at any moment at Qadri and Imran and this mayhem is going to be a massacre pretty soon, it will be independence day gift to the nation. The Mughal emperor already got blood on his hands of 23 citizens of this unfortunate State, how much more blood has to be spilled to safeguard the House of Sharifs. Let us hope it is non-violent change of thrones.
The bet is on "a clash of power hungry men for the spoils of the State"
Brilliantly analysed current political scene. IK has turned tables through the brilliant move that has driven matters right into the heart of the issue: challenging status quo and asking for the very first and basic right of the people of Pakistan i.e. Free and fair elections. People must have their real say before one can even start hoping for a gradual but steady recovery. Saying that, IK has put himself in a situation where it's do or die matter now for his politics. But then again he has always believed in himself and his fellow men.and he has not failed in anything he has gone for so far.
What's most stunning is.the total lack of understanding of the Shareef's of the oncoming upheaval and their arrogance and inept at handling the situation. The writing is certainly on the wall. It's either he goes or we can say Goog Bye to Democracy for another decade. What a waste....!
End of monarchy is her. Either you are with it or against it. NO MIDDLE GROUND. Finally clarity of an addict. Thank God for that.
Liked the way that read........you have called it like it is or at least like I think it is.
Bet if you dare.
I do, along with millions and millions of other Pakistanis. It is on the greatest thing that has happened to Pakistan since independence: Imran Khan!
A brilliant piece, a refreshing one which provides raw fear but hope as well. Sharifs who came into power with the help of democracy could save their skin now from all the wrong doings even involving khakis with them in displacing a million plus waziris, with the help of democracy and presenting themselves for vote of no cofidence in the respective parliaments and offering new elections for the people.
Rex Minor
There is a rather opulent building in Islamabad of which IK and NS are members of at the taxpayers expense called the National Assembly. They should be thrashing out their differences there or take it to the building next door, the Supreme Court. The inability of either to resolve their differences between these 2 buildings is the problem.