Posted by : Ameer Tarin February 25, 2024
On the fateful day of February 24, 2022, the die was cast to stop Imran Khan of Pakistan marching ahead with a galloping speed to assume the leadership of the Muslim world and beyond. Khan, as it seems, became a threat for the existing leadership of the upcoming Muslim bloc and more importantly posed a challenge to the powerful and dominating NATO alliance’s weakening grip on the Muslim democratic dictatorships.
On the day, the official meeting with the President of Russian Republic Vladimir Putin in Moscow followed by immediate Russian military intervention in Ukraine did not augur well for Prime Minister Khan, though later speaking to the media Khan said that Pakistan establishment was on board for the official visit and the meeting held with Russian President in Moscow. In order to come out clean before Uncle Sam, the establishment clearly offered Khan as a scape goat.
President Putin’s exuberant bonhomie with President Xi Jinping of China was seen as a smooth capture of economically rich middle-East, African continent, all small or big nations surrounding India and even spreading the wings of its economic influence in South-America. Isolated, unrecognized Afghanistan initially received a pleasant diplomatic and economic fillip from China and Russia to consolidate its position militarily and on the economic front. To apply breaks on Russia and China; the stratagem required to engage the enemy in an imperative low-intensity prolonged war, wherever.
The hope to put a strain on its resources, Russia dragged into the Ukraine war visualised NATO alliance getting militarily embedded in its immediate neighbourhood and saw it as a serious security threat. The conflict in Ukraine proved a disaster for the NATO as a reasonably affluent country suffered huge casualties and destruction of property and infrastructure. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, in the end, realised that the new front opened in Palestine has put Ukraine on the back burner.
China cleverly maintained a distance to focus on India, as the prompting of QUAD and allied powers for a direct confrontation India went on a spending spree buying weapons of mass destruction from Israel and elsewhere. India on few occasions stated that it can take on China and Pakistan simultaneously. The on going proceedings at International Court of Justice (ICJ) is giving India jitters, cause of anxiety and nervousness. India gleefully thought it had swallowed the State of Kashmir hook, line and sinker now sees its hopes dashed and feels crestfallen.
In desperation, India spends millions bribing western and International media to stay in the news and image building to make sure that State of Kashmir is not treated at par with Palestine. Indian indulgence in terrorism on international level, persecution of Minorites, political intervention in the affairs of its neighbouring countries and the horrendous human rights record has reached dangerous proportions. Kashmir has always been worse off in facing Indian state sponsored terrorism, human rights violations and occupation in its worst form.
So far, Israel felt emboldened by pounding, browbeating and terrorising its rich but militarily weak neighbours and prime minister Netanyahu with no inhibitions displayed a new Israeli map at United Nations with Palestine omitted in its entirety. Hamas, the democratically elected political party to rule Gaza in a retaliatory action started a full fledged war and unexpectedly inflicted injuries on Israel which continue till today. Other Palestinian factions like Hizbullah and others joined in to make situation very difficult for Israel. Palestine had already faced death and destruction and extra ruination in men and material would have very little effect now or in future.
Israel always had major concerns about Pakistan and eager to keep it engaged in tumultuous and turbulent local politics. The trio US, Israel and particularly India joined hands to do the needful. India kept on pumping billions in Pakistan to undermine Imran Khan’s initial political hold. The fear of Pakistan joining Russian club at a time when US wanted to involve Russia in a military conflict pressed the panic button. Imran Khan’s most popular narrative Absolutely Not and Are we some slaves has worked wonders with Pakistan’s electorate.
Jonathan Swan on June 21, 2021 asked for a blanket permission for drone strikes on Afghanistan which Imran Khan refused point blank. It was too much for US to swallow and a hard hitting blow to the only super power of the world. It is important to remember that US had already vacated its base in Pakistan before Imran Khan came to power. This was a renewed effort to seek permission from Khan’s government which does not carry sense.
The Israeli war in Palestine again necessitated the urgent need to keep Pakistan at bay and allow it to join the group to make Israel’s job harder. Israel till then had no idea about the resistance it would face from Hamas and its associated groups. It urged its Lord protector US to intervene and keep Pakistan bogged down with internal serious problems so that it spares no time to meddle in the middle-east. General Bajwa even after retirement managed full command by installing his faithful General Asif Munir an unknown junior general as army chief. Political pundits of Pakistan believe that General Bajwa (r) is still running the affairs in the army and the government in whatever form.
Imran Khan does not belong to the category of politicians people of Pakistan are used to. The overwhelming support and the huge mandate Imran Khan received was for his resilience, honesty, faith in Allah Almighty and principle he believes cannot be compromised with. Under the circumstances, Imran Khan’s compromise on any of the principles would mean committing political suicide. As is believed, the establishment enjoys the full support of US and its allies and possibly some in the Muslim world as well. So the only option Imran Khan has that he must wait with patience and carry on making life difficult for political thieves to save his country from further loot and plunder.
Pakistan, many believe, will come out of the quagmire but the way forward is tedious and difficult. Egypt’s Muhammad Morsi and his political party Muslim Brotherhood swept the polls with absolute majority but that was not of any help as General Sisi got installed with the American help in a coup d’etat and the general is running the affairs of the country since July 03, 2013. The huge protests by Egyptian people leading to Rabaa massacre killing hundreds of civilians goes down in history as an infamy.
The Pakistani nation would fully endorse the opinion given by Dr Shahbaz Gill or Journalist Sabir Shakir that whatever happens in Pakistan, Imran Khan must put all his trust in Allah Almighty and then the people of Pakistan and wait with patience for Divine intervention.
Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone, but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to cemetery …………..
KASHMIR 