The current chaos unfolding across Pakistan is a reflection of the deep-seated dysfunction within the country’s establishment. For over 24 hours, civilians have endured tear gas, batons, rubber bullets, and live fire, facing brutality in the streets. This unrest is not a product of spontaneous protests or isolated grievances, but the culmination of years of political manipulation, disenfranchisement, and authoritarian tactics by Pakistan’s ruling elite.
At the heart of this crisis lies a systematic attempt by the government to suppress dissent. The establishment’s narrative is that these protests, largely spearheaded by the PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf), are aimed at derailing the economy and disrupting the Prime Minister’s international engagements. This rhetoric, however, is nothing but a smokescreen. The reality is far darker: a government trying to silence voices that dare to challenge the status quo and demand accountability.
Following the ousting of a democratically elected Prime Minister through a no-confidence motion, the ruling powers left no stone unturned to maintain their grip. From manipulating elections to suppressing opposition voices, their actions have been blatant. Legal battles ensued, and the judiciary, led by controversial figures such as Justice Qazi Faez Isa, became an instrument of the establishment, raising questions about the integrity of the entire system.
The government has not shied away from using force to stifle the PTI and its supporters. From Form 45 manipulations during the elections to the use of state machinery to arrest opposition leaders, Pakistan’s political landscape is increasingly resembling a battleground. Yet, despite these efforts, the people have risen. Across the nation, from Lahore to Islamabad, citizens are defying curfews and gathering in droves, answering the call to resist.
This resistance is not solely about Imran Khan or PTI. It’s about a populace that feels betrayed by those in power. For decades, Pakistan’s establishment, especially its military and bureaucracy, has treated certain ethnic groups with disdain, labelling them as outsiders or foreign agents. The racism embedded in this mindset is staggering. Pashtuns, for instance, are often dismissed as Afghan nationals despite their deep-rooted connection to Pakistan. Such ethnic divisions have only deepened the cracks in the nation’s unity, pitting one segment of the population against another.
The establishment’s fear is palpable. Their reliance on the military to suppress civilians underscores the fragility of their power. Yet, can the military afford to arrest and brutalize its own people, many of whom share ideological or familial ties with the PTI? The relationship between Pakistan’s army and its citizens has never been more strained, and any further escalation could prove catastrophic for the country’s stability.
In a desperate attempt to maintain order, the government has called for reinforcements from Punjab and Karachi, deploying fresh police recruits to quell protests. But even among the police force, there are signs of dissent. Officers are reportedly standing by, recording the protests and smiling, as if acknowledging the futility of the government’s actions. Many of these officers, like the soldiers in Pakistan’s army, are citizens first. They are part of the very fabric of the society that they are now being ordered to suppress.
The truth is that Pakistan’s political crisis is not a simple power struggle between PTI and the government. It is a battle for the soul of the nation. The establishment’s failure to understand the aspirations of its people is glaring. For too long, the ruling elite has treated Pakistan’s democracy as a façade, a tool to maintain their own dominance. But the people are waking up. They are no longer willing to accept a system that denies them their basic rights—whether it’s the right to protest, to vote, or to express dissent.
The tragic irony is that the establishment, which claims to protect democracy, has systematically undermined it. The crackdown on the PTI, the arrests of its leaders, and the attempts to declare it an illegal party reveal a government that is terrified of its own people. And for good reason. The protests are growing, and the calls for genuine democracy, free from military and bureaucratic interference, are becoming louder.
Pakistan stands at a crossroads. The current government, with the backing of the establishment, might succeed in temporarily quelling the unrest. But the underlying issues—the ethnic divisions, the economic hardships, and the political disenfranchisement—will not disappear. The people of Pakistan have tasted the possibility of real change, and they will not easily be silenced.
The establishment must realize that brute force is not a sustainable solution. If Pakistan is to avoid descending further into chaos, it must embrace the democratic aspirations of its people. The establishment’s attempts to control the narrative, suppress opposition, and manipulate the political process have only served to alienate the very citizens it claims to represent. The time for reform is now before the chasm between the rulers and the ruled becomes irreparable.
Pakistan’s future hangs in the balance, and the establishment must choose: either continue down the path of authoritarianism, or finally allow the people to decide their own fate. If they choose the former, the consequences for Pakistan’s democracy—and its survival—could be dire.
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