t’s been a roll. It really has. There is the whole history of 67 years of Pakistan’s existence on one side and the absolutely novel phenomenon of an ongoing public protest for over three months, and counting, on the other. It has been a fascinating experience to watch this story develop, take root and explode in the face of all disbelievers and doubters, from a ringside seat in Islamabad.
Khan has become the ‘enfant terrible’ of politics in Pakistan and his party, with accumulating popular support, threatens every method that has been practiced thus far in the governing style of this country. Just when the third-time Prime Minister thought he had it all sorted out and was comfortably ensconced as the (week-days only) PM in the palatial PM’s House and beginning to enjoy the joy ride, theKaptaan’sdharna kicked in! The tables turned so quickly on Mian Nawaz Sharif, that one can almost sympathize with him. None of the tried and tested methods have been able to snuff out a protest which, initially, had not seemed like a big deal to the federal government.
These three months have been an exciting and transformative experience for each one of the stake holders in Pakistan. Hitherto fore, there had always been shouts of rigging and foul play in all elections held in the country, barring perhaps the ones in 1970, but no real notice or action has ever been taken to remedy the situation.Or of any other serious allegations either, for that matter. At best when we go blue in the face protesting about any issue which affects us deeply and if we get really lucky, the PM will ‘take notice’ – and ask for a Judicial Commission to be set up which will report back its findings in four weeks or thereabouts. It results in the protestors patting each other on the back and going home happy. The appointed Commission, all very purposeful looking at the photo sessions, goes about its findings in such a way that whatever they do find is quite inconclusive and entails no consequences for anyone. That’s how it has always been.There is a get-away possible from almost every crime, of whatever proportions, if you have the clout, the network and the money.
Azadi Square Islamabad
But then came the dharna! Beginning as a long march from Lahore on Independence Day in August, in the wake of repeated but unheard calls for looking in to election irregularities, it evolved in to a tehreeqwhich connected to the hearts and minds of millions of Pakistanis. The daily address by Imran Khan started to sink in to subliminal consciousness. And because even his worst detractors cannot fault him for corruption or dishonesty, people listened to him. The dharna speeches reminded us of the promise that was Pakistan, of how far away we have travelled from that promise – of how, unless we stand up for our rights, the privileges will forever be only for a select few while the rest be damned. In short, they asked us to wake up and smell the coffee!
The might of the state on one side and the popular opinion on the other side. The whole Parliament on one side and a collection of people from across all divides but comprising particularly of women, youth and the under-privileged, on the other side.
The dharna began to unveil, bit by bit, the realities of our lives. Its true popular impact was first felt in the offloading from Flt 306! The V in VIP is now perceived as ‘Vulture’ and the vultures now think twice before doing anything out of line!
The prices of petrol and electricity have come down. The PM sits in the Parliament when it is in session. His kith and kin, in important positions, are angry and discomforted by the sounds of Go Nawaz Go – wherever they turn.
The true impact is also felt at the unprecedented crowds that come to stand up and be counted for their numbers at all the jalsasin different cities. And they come unafraid, fearless and despite whatever hurdles are placed in their way by the government officialdom. They come with their faces lit up with hope and idealism and belief.
The millions clamouring for a turn around, for good people-friendly governance, for a change in mindset, for new policies, for a right to the dignity which is promised to every citizen under the constitution stand solidly behind Khan and give him the power to speak on their behalf. They cannot be wished away. They have just begun to understand their role and their power.
Junoon
And it is only a matter of time when both the national and the international Establishment will accede and make space for a country that is 67 years old but whose citizens finally feel empowered and are a new nation.
These are beautiful autumn days here in Islamabad with near perfect weather. Idyllic sort of days. When we will look back on them, it will be like a magical time – where we made the impossible possible. Where we spent our Eids and our special days on the streets of Islamabad to the oblivion of all else and for the sake of our future generations. And likeFaiz will say:
inn aankhon aagey kya kya na nazara guzrey tha.
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