Why Pakistanis need to revolt against military establishment, ISI, and political Islamist forces?
By M A Hossain
Since its inception in 1947, Pakistan has struggled to achieve true freedom for its citizens.
The promise of independence and self-determination has remained unfulfilled, largely due to the dominance of a corrupt elite, an overbearing military establishment, and the infiltration of political Islamist forces.
These elements have collectively transformed Pakistan into a state marred by oppression, economic stagnation, and global isolation. After 77 years of independence, Pakistan is branded not as a land of opportunity but as a “terror-patron nation”.
A systemic revolution is essential to free Pakistan from these shackles. The political history of Pakistan is a narrative of betrayal, corruption, and power struggles.
Since partition, the people of Pakistan have been deprived of their rightful share of freedom and resources. The British planned a system that left the common people at the mercy of a power-hungry elite.
These elites, willing to sacrifice national interests for personal gains, established a precedent of suppression and exploitation.
The most glaring example of this betrayal was the treatment of East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.
The military and political establishments in West Pakistan, often in collaboration with Islamist forces, first treated people in erstwhile East Pakistan as their mere slaves and continued numerous patterns of repressive acts thus pushing Bengalis to realize – Pakistan, which was created on the basis of an Islamic nation, was actually a tactic of transferring the slavery under British colonial rulers to brute Pakistani elites and military establishment.
Things went worse when Muhammad Ali Jinnah attempted to deprive Bengalis from their mother tongue and enforce Urdu as the “only language” for all Pakistanis.
This was the time when Bengalis understood, their genuine liberty lies into declaring independence from slavery of Pakistanis. At the stage, when they began getting organized for freeing from the shackle of oppression and suppression, Rawalpindi (then capital of Pakistan) intensified their cruelty on Bengalis. They started suppressing the democratic aspirations of the Bengali people.
The rhetoric of leading the Islamic world served as a facade for their real intentions – to establish control and perpetuate their dominance.
The alignment of Pakistan’s military establishment with international players like the United States exacerbated the situation. Starting with General Zia-ul-Haq and later figures like General Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan’s military became a tool of the American deep state.
Their misguided policies, including the fostering of extremist ideologies, turned Pakistan into a breeding ground for international terrorism. These alliances served only the interests of the elites, leaving the masses in despair.
Today, Pakistan stands on the brink of economic collapse – without any slim prospect of revival. In fact, it is now journeying towards the fate of a failed state.
Decades of corruption, poor governance, and misplaced priorities have pushed the country toward bankruptcy. The military establishment and the ISI, once considered the protectors of national interests, have become liabilities.
These institutions have acted as puppets of foreign powers, especially the United States, further eroding Pakistan’s sovereignty.
The military’s delusional reliance on the idea of being a friend to a “Christian state” for the sake of Islamic solidarity is not only ironic but also self-destructive. The United States, which branded Pakistan a “terror patron nation,” has used and discarded its alliance when convenient.
Alongside Pakistan, another Islamic state, Iran, has suffered a similar fate. This underscores the futility of expecting loyalty or solidarity from global powers when national interests are not safeguarded internally.
The brutal atrocities committed by the Pakistani establishment on Bangladesh during the 1971 Liberation War remain an indelible stain on the nation’s history.
General Yahya Khan and his collaborators, including Jamaat-e-Islami, orchestrated a genocide in East Pakistan that claimed the lives of three million Bangladeshis and left 300-400,000 girls and women raped.
This barbarism, executed in the name of religion, was a crime against humanity that will never be forgiven.
Most importantly, Pakistani ruling elites and its military establishment do not even admit of committing genocide on Bengalis in 1971, as they believe – such cruelty was part of their religious obligation – jihad – as Pakistanis consider Bengalis as “non-Muslims” or even Hindus.
Bangladesh, which emerged from this brutality as an independent nation, continues to hold the Pakistani establishment accountable. The global community, particularly humanitarians, also remembers these crimes.
After 1971, Pakistan itself became a victim of the very forces it nurtured. Leaders like General Musharraf and Nawaz Sharif exploited religion for personal gain, further eroding the moral fabric of the nation.
The collaboration between the United States and Pakistan during Musharraf’s tenure to dismantle Islamic forces in Afghanistan and Pakistan is another example of the establishment’s hypocrisy.
Nawaz Sharif, too, played into the hands of the military establishment and the ISI, compromising national interests in pursuit of power.
The resurgence of Jamaat-e-Islami, both in Pakistan and Bangladesh, poses a serious threat to regional stability. This group, with its history of violent extremism and allegiance to the Pakistani establishment, continues to conspire against democratic progress.
In Bangladesh, where there is currently no elected government, Jamaat has exploited the political vacuum to push its agenda.Jamaat-e-Islami’s attempts to destabilize the region are part of a larger conspiracy.
Reports suggest that the group has re-established connections with its Pakistani counterparts. They are actively working to manipulate the political landscape in Bangladesh, aiming to gain influence over an emergency government.
Given their limited electoral support, Jamaat knows that winning power through democratic means is unlikely. Thus, they resort to subversive tactics to achieve their objectives
Recent revelations further underscore the nefarious activities of the Pakistani establishment.
On December 7, during a debate on Indian TV channel Zee News, Irshad Ahmed Khan, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) publicly admitted that Pakistan has been sending weapons to Bangladesh taking advantage of the current revolutionary Islamist regime led by Muhammad Yunus, with the target of “freeing Bangladesh from Indian aggression”.
This particular statement from a leader of the ruling party in Pakistan coincides with Islamists in Bangladesh regularly holding processions in Dhaka city and other parts of the country waving flags of Al Qaeda and Islamic State (ISIS).
Meanwhile, it has also been reported in the media that there is a plan by Pakistan to smuggle cocaine under the guise of sugar consignment into Bangladesh.
These actions reflect Pakistan’s continued desire and efforts to totally destroy Bangladesh – destabilize the region and undermine democratic processes in neighboring countries.
Such activities not only jeopardize regional stability but also tarnish Pakistan’s image on the global stage. These schemes reveal the extent to which the Pakistani establishment is willing to go to maintain its grip on power and influence.
The people of Pakistan have endured decades of oppression, economic hardship, and international isolation. The current trajectory of the country, dictated by the military, ISI, and political Islamist forces, offers no hope for a better future.
It is time for the people to rise against these oppressive forces and reclaim their nation.A revolution is not only necessary but inevitable. The Pakistani people must demand accountability from their leaders and institutions.
They must reject the corrupt practices of the elite and refuse to be pawns in the games of foreign powers. By uniting against the forces of oppression, Pakistan can pave the way for a brighter, more prosperous future.
Bangladesh’s journey since 1971 offers valuable lessons for Pakistan. Despite the scars of genocide and the challenges of nation-building, Bangladesh has emerged as a beacon of hope in South Asia.
Its resilience and commitment to democratic principles stand in stark contrast to Pakistan’s struggles. Again, if this political Islamist forces put into the driving seat then country will march backward.
The time for change in Pakistan is long overdue. The people must rise against the ISI, military establishment, and political Islamist forces that have held them hostage for decades.
This revolution is not just a political necessity but a moral imperative. Pakistan’s survival as a nation depends on its ability to break free from these oppressive forces and build a future rooted in justice, democracy, and prosperity.
Blitz
