Pakistan Unrest: Who is Fascist?

By Sajjad Shaukat

According to Britannica, “Fascism, political ideology and mass movement that dominated many parts of central, southern, and eastern Europe between 1919 and 1945…also had adherents in western Europe, the United States, South Africa, Japan, Latin America, and the Middle East. Europe’s first fascist leader, Benito Mussolini, [Italian]…Although fascist parties and movements differed significantly from one another, they had many characteristics in common, including extreme…militaristic nationalism…contempt for electoral democracy and political… liberalism, a belief in the rule of elites…At the end of World War II, the major European fascist parties were broken up, and in some countries…Italy and West Germany) they were officially banned….Although some European “neofascist” groups attracted large followings, especially in Italy and France, none were as influential as the major fascist parties of the interwar period.”

However, instead of decreasing political unrest in Pakistan is rapidly increasing, taking the country towards lawlessness. In fact, since April 9, 2022 when the former Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was ousted through vote of no-confidence motion, passed in the National Assembly by the then joint opposition-an alliance of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), following the order of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the country has been facing political instability which is rapidly worsening economic crisis.

Regrettably, under the cover of so-called democracy, some irresponsible leaders of the PTI and those of the ruling parties have changed their political differences into political enmity. They have been rapidly registering cases and lodging FIRs against each other by ignoring country’s multiple crises and challenges. In these adverse circumstances, IMF which is under control of the US has imposed very tough conditions on Islamabad which has been forced to impose new taxes.

Now, besides Imran Khan—Defence Minister Khawaja Asif of the PML-N on February 18, this year claimed that the country has been defaulted—standing on one’s own feet was crucial for Pakistan to stabilise itself—the solution to our problems lies within the country. The IMF does not have the solution to Pakistan’s problems.

Although PDM leaders are following contradictory statements, taking U-turns, yet Khan pursues conflicting statements and moves hastily.

In this context, Imran Khan’s public rallies in various cities, “Haqeeqi Azadi March” (Real Freedom March) on May 25, last year, his return from Islamabad without taking the date of elections, threatening the government for another long march, reached Rawalpindi on November 26, 2022—called off his protest march to Islamabad, saying, he feared it would cause havoc in the country—announced that his party would resign from the provincial assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in a new bid to push for early elections. Resignations of the PTI members from National Assembly (NA) and afterwards, tried to rejoin the NA, dissolution of the Punjab and KP assembly, under the directions of the ex-Premier Khan verified that he is confused politician who lacks political farsightedness. Undoubtedly, he calls the meetings of the senior PTI leaders for consultation, but, he makes decisions according to his will which also shows that he is a self-centered person.

Meanwhile, several undemocratic moves both by the PTI such as public protests and brutal crackdown of the present government against the PTI, and latter’s ‘Jail Bharo’ (court arrest) movement badly failed, as its workers and major leaders were released after applying for bails in the related courts.

As regards PTI Chairman Imran Khan, in his various public rallies and statements, he has followed ambivalent approach. Sometimes, he appreciated the Pakistan Army and sometimes, censured it indirectly. Criticising his rival politicians, while targeting the Army and its former army chief, Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, using terms ‘establishment’ or ‘neutrals’, he allegedly stated: “A major international conspiracy was carried out against his regime’s removal and this country” through America’s threatening diplomatic cypher.

Khan also held the neutrals (Gen. Bajwa) responsible for present political instability and severe economic crisis, and accused the ruling coalition of pitting him against Army.

Referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he elaborated: “One Mir Jaffer has been imposed on us via a conspiracy.

The then military spokesperson of ISPR, Maj-Gen. Babar Iftikhar indicated that no ‘conspiracy’ was made and no diplomatic ‘cypher’ was issued by a foreign country.

PDM parties’ leaders who also challenged the authenticity of the ‘threat letter’—repeatedly said that the letter was a ploy of Khan to misguide the people to increase the vote bank. They added that Khan is inciting the people against Army.

It is noteworthy that former PM Imran Khan backed out from his earlier statements, saying that no conspiracy was made by America to topple his government, while Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa was responsible for removal of his regime. In this connection, question arises, if the US did not played role in toppling his government, then as to why PTI leaders, including its workers are still raising slogans—imported government is unacceptable. 

This is notable that residence of Imran Khan-Zaman Park, Lahore turned into battleground on March 14, 2023 as PTI workers and police clashed when the Islamabad police went to arrest former premier after non-bailable warrants were issued in the ongoing Toshakhana (gift depository) case against him. However, PTI workers reportedly started stoning police officials—throwing petrol bombs, injured many policemen and set to blasé their vehicles. PDM-ruling party allegedly stated that all this was done by the militants of the PTI, who were present in Zaman Park. Police used water cannons to hold back PTI workers, with some being taken into custody.

In the recent past, in his various statements and speeches, PTI Chairman Khan has repeatedly mentioned his vision of Riyasat-i-Madina (state of Madina). He explained: “We can rise as a nation by following the guiding principles of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) [who] raised the level of morality in society and created the distinction between good and evil. Muslims of Riyasat-i-Medina had high moral standards and were endowed with values of justice, equity and rule of law.”

Meanwhile, media suggest that the first audio related to PTI was leaked on September 28, 2022 in which Khan allegedly told his then-principal secretary Azam Khan to play politics on the US cypher. On social media the ostensible voice of Khan can be heard as saying to his party’s top leaders that “under no circumstances the country where the conspiracy emerged from must be named.” The second PTI audio leak came to the fore on September 30, this year, which allegedly exposed Khan’s conspiracy narrative, though recently he stated again that the United States did not remove his government.

Nevertheless, Imran Khan’s guiding principles of Riyasat-i-Madina in connection with Pakistan are quite opposite to his contradictory statements and audio leaks which show his double standards.

Although governors of the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) had announced the dates of elections—April 30 in Punjab and May 28 in KP (this year), following the verdict of the Supreme Court, yet the PDM government is using delaying tactics in holding elections. As part of it, the Election Commission of Pakistan on March 22, 2023 postponed the Punjab elections till October 8, 2023, while the governor of KP already reversed his decision to hold the provincial polls. Therefore, the country is facing constitutional crisis. Now, Supreme Court of Pakistan is dealing with the case.

At this critical hour, Pakistan’s armed forces have been coping with internal and external challenges of grave nature in order to maintain the security of the country. While, in one way or the other, Indian fanatic rulers are also escalating tensions with Pakistan. Undoubtedly, these forces have been fighting a different war. In this respect, Gen. Bajwa had repeatedly stated that Pakistan is facing the challenge of hybrid war.

Now, the deposed PM Khan and PTI’s workers have been distorting Army’s image in such a way that general masses should forget the sacrifices and services of the armed forces. 

Recall armed forces’ innumerable services and sacrifices particularly of Army such as the resettlement of the Internally Displaced Persons during the Swat and Malakand military operations, counter-insurgency operations and restoration of law and order on many occasions—during catastrophic periods—floods, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic, locusts’ attacks etc.—also giving matching response to Indian shelling at the Line of Control and to stop infiltration of terrorists inside Pakistan from Afghanistan.

While, Pakistan’s armed forces and primary intelligence agency ISI have successfully broken the backbone of the foreign-backed terrorists. Peace has been restored in the provinces of Balochistan, KP and Karachi, including other vulnerable regions. Pakistan Army has not only been successful in uprooting the separatist elements from Balochistan, but also contributed a lot in socio-economic development of the province.

At this critical juncture, Pakistan is facing multi-faceted crises and challenges like corruption, inflation, soaring prices of commodities, energy-shortage, lack of investment, upsurge of the US dollar, increase in oil prices, load shedding, inability of the importers to open letters of credit (LC) due to lack of dollars etc. and continued dependence upon the US-led developed countries, IMF and World Bank for financial aid—and decline in the foreign exchange reserves of the State Bank of Pakistan.

Instead of cooperating with the government to resolve the above mentioned issues and matters, Imran Khan repeatedly opined that Pakistan will become Sri Lanka which has been facing severe political unrest and multiple economic crises after it was declared default. And senior PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry repeatedly indicated that Pakistan would become another Myanmar (Burma) where Gen. Min Aung Hlaing who seized power on February 1, 2021 after the military toppled the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. Myanmar’s military junta is now facing fierce resistance from various joint ethnic groups, and civil war continues unabated.

It is misfortune of the country that both the leaders of PDM and PTI are calling one another fascists. But, Imran Khan’s is creating chaos which suits his interests and pessimist approach—emphasising Sri Lanka type drastic situation which proves that he is the fascist who wants to convert Pakistan into a fascist state.

Despite all of this, Pakistan is not close to total paralysis which will convert it into a failed state like Somalia.

It has a strong army which has successfully established government’s writ all over the country despite difficulties.

And Pakistan has ideal strategic location with best topography—vast agricultural land which produces crops of various kinds, and precious minerals, particularly in Balochistan. The country has skilled workers and manpower.

After the Russia-Ukraine War, new world order is replacing the old world order led by the US, while China has decided to support Russia. Now, new cold war has started. Meanwhile, new block led by Russia, China, Turkey and Iran is emerging. Islamabad is likely to join this block instead of the American-led block of the western countries.

At this crucial time, the government, the PTI, Army including all other segments of society must show selfless national unity practically, which is very essential to pull the country out of the ongoing serious crises.

Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations

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