Pakistan

Journey from resistance to reconciliation!

Written

2 years ago

Oct 01, 2021 04:12 AM

Imran Yaqub Khan

The effects of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban's occupation of the entire country are being felt throughout the region.

Imran Yaqub Khan

The Afghan Taliban will conquer Kabul, a prediction made by the US intelligence a year ago, and the chairman of the US military, Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milli, acknowledged it in a US Senate committee. Mark Milli also said he had been adamant for a year that if the United States left Afghanistan unconditionally, no one would be able to stop the Afghan Taliban from occupying the country, with the help of the United States and its allies. The established Afghan army and government will disintegrate.

In view of this change in the region, major capitals have formulated policies and Pakistan is nowhere to be seen in these policies. Whether it is the US trilateral defense alliance-- Oaks --or the four-member informal alliance-- Quad, or the European Union's Indo-Pacific policy, India seems to be important in all pacts.

A few short-sighted people who call themselves intellectuals and analysts are celebrating victory without fully understanding the situation in the region. Terrorism has witnessed an increase in the country since the formation of the Afghan Taliban government, and after the Taliban's victory, there were 35 terrorist attacks in Pakistan in August alone, in which 52 civilians were killed. The figures, published by the American broadcaster Bloomberg with reference to the South Asia Terrorism Portal, are shocking. Economic activity is influenced by Bloomberg reports, and foreign investors and international financial institutions formulate policies based on Bloomberg reports.

It's not difficult to predict what effect the Bloomberg report and the new wave of terrorism will have on the country's already crippled economy, but some unscrupulous friends of the rulers are still chanting "all is well". Same Bloomberg report mentioned that a foreign investor had postponed a deal to buy a Pakistani company, which is just one example.

Ameer Khan Muttaqi, the foreign minister in Kabul's interim government, said in a statement yesterday that US drones were flying over Afghanistan, a clear violation of state sovereignty. He named the United States and called on governments around the world to respect Afghanistan's sovereignty. Where did these drones fly from and through which route did they enter Afghanistan? The interim government of Kabul has not given any indication yet but this issue will also arise tomorrow and Pakistan could be traditionally blamed. Prime Minister Imran Khan had long ago raised the slogan of "Absolutely Not", but perhaps the new administration of Kabul also began to doubt Islamabad and this slogan became a sign of diplomatic failure and our rulers were seen muttering this message.

"Even strangers are angry with me, even strangers are unhappy."

If that were the case, efforts would have been made to improve the situation, but the situation is much worse now. A storm is about to lift. The coming of this storm is signaled by a bill to be introduced in the US Senate. The bill aims to impose sanctions on those who helped the Taliban conquer Kabul. Within 180 days of the bill's passage, the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense and Director of National Intelligence will submit a report to the congressional committee detailing Taliban supporters.

The first report will look at which state and non-state actors, including the government of Pakistan, helped the Taliban between 2001 and 2020. Who provided the Taliban with safe havens, financial support, intelligence, medical care and supplies? Armed them and helped determine their military, administrative or strategic direction? It will also look at how the Pakistani government, including state and non-state actors, helped overthrow the US-led Afghan government in 2021. The report, called for in the proposed US congressional bill, also called for a review of allegations that the Pakistani government, including state and non-state actors, attacked the Taliban in the September 2021 Panjshir Valley and resisted the Taliban. Helped

The powers that be must have sensed the internal situation of the country and the geopolitical situation in the region and the storm raging in the US Congress. Feeling the atmosphere and maybe that is why the ruling party is also going into electoral mode. Recently, a few political birds that have changed allegiances have been brought under the sway of the PTI. These birds have come at a price, not at the behest of traditional power centers, but at the behest of this government. The leaders of the opposition parties will also get hints and they have sensed the situation on the basis of political experience.

The signs that the opposition making preparations have been circulating for days, but former Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif's virtual address on Tuesday is an important development in this regard. Former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif said, "Your and my slogan is, respect the vote, these are our goals, abide by the constitution, do not break the parliament, do not arrest the prime minister, let the country run, and respect the civil government.

If we get all this through reconciliation, then Bismillah (With the name of Allah Almighty), if we get it through resistance, then still Bismillah, we are ready for both." This speech of the former prime minister is a sign of political change in the country, the clear proof of which and the first major change is the willingness of the PML-N leader himself for reconciliation.

All further stages in the journey from resistance to reconciliation are in the hands of PML-N President Mian Shehbaz Sharif. It seems that Shehbaz Sharif has persuaded his elder brother without holding his feet. If this is indeed the case, then understand that now an interesting turning point has come in this political game and this is the decisive turning point.

Up Next

Self deception!

Don't Miss

Historic government; historic period

Imran Yaqub Khan

Imran Yaqub is senior journalist and analyst

Pakistan

Pakistan rejects Indian PM’s belligerent remarks

Pakistan Foreign Office says Indian leaders’ rhetorical statements cannot deflect international attention from India’s heavy-handed approach to suppress the Kashmiri people’s just struggle for realization of their fundamental rights and freedoms

Published

6 hours ago

Jul 26, 2024 10:24 PM

Hussnain Bhutta

Islamabad: Pakistan on Friday rejected Indian Prime Minister’s belligerent remarks made in Drass, Ladakh.

The Foreign Office in a statement said that bravado and jingoism undermine regional peace and are totally counter-productive for resolution of long-standing disputes between Pakistan and India, especially the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir.

It further said the Indian leaders’ rhetorical statements cannot deflect international attention from India’s heavy-handed approach to suppress the Kashmiri people’s just struggle for realization of their fundamental rights and freedoms, particularly their inalienable right to self-determination.

Instead of maligning others for terrorism, India should reflect on its own campaign of orchestrating targeted assassinations, subversion and terrorism in foreign territories.

Pakistan stands resolute in its intent and ability to safeguard its sovereignty against any aggression, as exemplified by its robust response to India’s reckless incursion in February 2019.

The Foreign Office said while Pakistan is ready to counter India’s aggressive actions, it remains committed to promoting peace and stability in the region.

Pakistan

Online bikers suffer due to imposition of Section 144 in Punjab

Citizens ask the government authorities to give special exemption to the bike riders amid ban on the pillion riders

Published

7 hours ago

Jul 26, 2024 09:10 PM

Hussnain Bhutta

Lahore: Online bikers providing ride-hailing services faced significant disruptions due to Section 144 imposed by the Punjab government on Friday, coinciding with protests called by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamat-e-Islami Pakistan (JI) against electricity bills and inflation.

The ban on pillion riding, a consequence of Section 144, rendered bikers unable to work in Lahore and other cities across Punjab. This also affected citizens who rely on these ride-hailing services, leaving many without transportation options.

Naeem Khan from Gulberg Main Market mentioned that his brother couldn't work the entire day due to the restrictions. He urged authorities to consider the livelihood of bike riders when imposing such bans, suggesting they should be exempt from the pillion riding ban. "The authorities must remember that people also work as bike riders and should be exempted from this ban," he said, noting that police constables were actively stopping pillion riders throughout the city.

Bashir Ahmed, a resident of Ishra, shared his frustration, saying, “I tried multiple times to hire a bike ride to Thokhar Niaz Baig but couldn't. The bikers were reluctant to provide services due to fear of police arrest." Another individual in the Anarkali area echoed this sentiment, noting that a bike rider refused to come, citing police actions under Section 144.

Azhar Siddique Advocate criticized the imposition of Section 144, calling it a violation of fundamental rights. "People are just stopped, booked, and harshly treated by the police whenever this section is imposed," he stated. Siddique suggested that if such a ban is necessary, it should be properly regulated to protect fundamental rights. He noted that exemptions are often made for ambulances and women in other instances and that bikers should similarly be exempt to continue supporting their families.

On Thursday, the Punjab Home Department issued a notification imposing a three-day ban on public gatherings, rallies, sit-ins, and protests from July 26 to 28, citing "terrorism threat" concerns. The order stated that the ban aimed to maintain law and order and protect citizens' lives and properties, as public gatherings could be vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

Local authorities were instructed to enforce the order strictly. Earlier in the week, similar restrictions were in place under Section 144 from July 21 to 27 due to security concerns. The Home Department emphasized that public gatherings could be targeted by terrorists and miscreants, posing a serious threat to law and order.

Pakistan

JI shifts strategy, announces sit-in at three locations in Islamabad

Following JI's call for protests against increased power bills, containers were placed to block routes from the Red Zone and Rawalpindi to the capital, and the metro bus service in Rawalpindi was suspended, causing significant inconvenience for passengers

Published

5 hours ago

Jul 26, 2024 11:41 PM

Hussnain Bhutta

Rawalpindi: In response to government road closures and arrests, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) shifted its strategy and announced sit-ins at three locations in the federal capital on Friday.

Key intersections in the Red Zone, such as D Chowk, Nadra Chowk, and Sarina Chowk, have been sealed with containers.

Police have also arrested JI workers from various locations. However, JI has now revised its approach.

JI spokesperson Qaiser Sharif reported that 1,150 party workers were arrested nationwide. He announced sit-ins at Murree Road in Rawalpindi, Zero Point in Islamabad, and Chungi No 26, with Hafiz Naeemur Rehman leading the sit-in at Zero Point in Islamabad.

Section 144 in Punjab, Islamabad

The federal and Punjab governments have imposed Section 144 in Punjab and Islamabad amid PTI and JI plans for nationwide protests. According to the notification, Section 144 will be in effect from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28.

The Home Department stated that there would be a ban on rallies, sit-ins, and protests from July 26 to 28 due to terrorism threats, as public gatherings could be easy targets for militants.

JI Secretary General Ameerul Azeem claimed that police conducted raids on the homes of JI leaders in various cities, targeting them to disrupt the demonstration. He reported numerous incidents of police raids, arrests, and mistreatment of women.

Govt warned

Earlier on Thursday, JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman warned the government that it would be held responsible if the party is prevented from entering Islamabad for their planned protest against electricity price hikes and inflation. He stated that they believe in peaceful political resistance to secure public rights and are not afraid of arrests.

Rehman emphasized that the historic sit-in on Friday, July 26, will represent 250 million Pakistanis and will be held peacefully at D-Chowk. He noted that convoys from across the country were on their way to join the sit-in and urged the administration to provide a venue for the protest. He also welcomed any political party that wishes to participate.

Ahead of the sit-in, police in various areas of Punjab and Rawalpindi raided the homes of JI leaders and officials, arresting several. The police raided the house of JI's central secretary general, Ameerul Azim, but did not find him, instead arresting his driver, Shaukat Mahmood.