It was a cold month of December, the year 1979 when Soviet boots crossed the Oxus River stepping into the mountains of Afghanistan. Was it an invasion or was it a liberation? The Soviets brought tanks, and artillery, and one of the world’s largest infantry. The communist government of Afghanistan saw this move as liberation from Jihadi elements yet the international community saw it as an invasion. The Soviet Union was demonized by the whole world as an aggressor, an oppressor and a colonial power, abusing her mighty powers to exploit Afghanistan and its people.
Fast forward to 2001, when the US boots were airlifted into Afghanistan. This time even the Afghan government saw them as an invader. Was it considered an invasion by the international community? No. It was coined as “war on terror”. A nation-building effort by America. A liberation war to save the Afghans and provide them freedom. The Americans were the good guys now even if they were precisely following the footsteps of their predecessors.
Read more: Pakistan Politics: Race to the bottom
Has Khan become the next Sharif?
There is no doubt that history repeated itself with extreme precision to the extent that merely the names changed and the whole story stayed the same. Why is it that one of these stories is perceived positively and the other negatively? Does this have to do anything with national interests? or just personal interests? Why is it that people refuse to accept facts and reality?
The disqualification of Nawaz Sharif and the toppling of Imran Khan’s government sets as the best example for it. History repeated itself yet both incidents are perceived differently. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the supreme court of Pakistan, some argue on corruption, and some argue on dishonesty. It doesn’t matter, what matters is that a democratically elected Prime Minister had to step down in accordance with the supreme court’s decision and PTI celebrated it as a great milestone.
A large-scale campaign on social media was set up by N-league against an entity that had nothing to do with the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif – the military establishment. Anti-Army speeches were delivered by the former Prime Minister via video link, accusing COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa of the toppling of his government. Interestingly, PTI members and supporters voluntarily became the “front line soldiers” in defending state institutions and COAS against blatant propaganda.
But today, if we look from an objective scope, is it not true that PTI is following exactly the same track as N- League? Former Prime Minister Imran Khan had to step down because of a vote of no confidence against him by the parliament. It was a political move by political parties which had nothing to do with state institutions yet Imran Khan just like his predecessor blames the establishment.
PTI social media cells have been most active in character assassination and propaganda against the army and COAS General Bajwa. Anti-Bajwa hashtags became top twitter trends for days. It seems political maturity is non-existent in our political parties to the extent that they start to serve the enemy narrative by propagating against their own state institutions.
Read more: Senate Elections – Welcome to Pakistan Politics!
There is no doubt that anti-army slogans and narratives have become quite popular in Pakistan and many political parties and political figures tend to use this card to further boost up their career in the dirty world of politics. These kinds of political stunts also expose the hypocrisy, dual and deceptive nature of these politicians regardless of their political parties and affiliations.
Hypocrisy at its finest
Today, PTI members have suddenly become defenders of journalists. Every member seems to talk in support of Imran Riaz Khan and Sami Ibrahim. To the extent that even President Arif Alvi wrote a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the matter. Yet PTI members were completely silent when Matiullah Jan was arrested in broad daylight and many other journalists became the victim of government exploitation. This sudden change is not due to their awakening to support freedom of the press, rather it merely serves their political interests.
Every journalist in Pakistan has a political affiliation. The concept that journalists are unbiased and neutral is an illusion in Pakistan. Journalists are no less than political activists and politicians themselves. Media houses and TV channels are working as propaganda wings for political parties rather than showing people unbiased and factual news.
As long as Aleem Khan was in the PTI, Samaa TV used to portray the PTI government as the saviors of Pakistan. It used to glorify Imran Khan and his team. ARY from day one has unofficially declared itself as the spokesperson of PTI. Political affiliation has become superior to professionalism. Financial support might be the reason for this problem as government advertisements seem to go to particular media houses of their choosing whenever a new government comes in power.
Read more: How politics has crippled Pakistan’s economy?
Army and politics
The continuity of democratic governments since General Kayani is proof that the army has set its ways far from internal political matters. There is neither direct nor indirect interference of the army in the recent political process. At least two DG ISPRs in recent history have categorically stated that the army wishes to stay out of politics and supports the current democratic system.
Yet some politicians and journalists think and say otherwise. Imran Khan who is on video saying that the army and General Bajwa have done a great job by not interfering when Nawaz Sharif was being disqualified, is now trying to incite the same army into taking some sort of “action” against the current government. This is something that not only goes against the very manifesto PTI stands on but also the constitution and basic tenets of a democratic system.
Read more: Behind the façade in Pakistan’s politics
Why is it that politicians break the rules in order to achieve their political goals? Why is it that politicians refuse to take responsibility for their actions and blame the army for their own incompetence? Is this not hypocrisy? History has repeated itself yet again but this time it has exposed those political figures who pretend to stand on an imaginary moral high ground.
The views expressed in the article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Global Village Space.