Today, it is 26 th November, 2024 and Pakistan is waging war upon itself. Let’s begin with deeply condoling the deaths of the citizens of Pakistan regardless of who they were, whatever they may have been doing or wherever they came from. Loss of life is always a great sacrifice and a cost to pay, irrespective of whether it was while executing one’s duty or searching for a just cause.
Only a callous leadership, totally indifferent to the reality on ground will create a situation, where people can only
execute their duty by confronting people reaching out for justice and both sides lose lives needlessly. But needless loss of life is even more painful – an atrocity that could have been prevented. Nothing, that we as a nation or a government, will do, can ever bring back to life, those that have departed from this world (May Allah bless their soul).
Yet, steps can be taken to avoid further bloodshed, violence and killings. It is here where we must be focused for now.
This government has proved, validated and confirmed, what we have all known for some time. They are criminals. Having lost control of the situation have now resorted to lies, deceit, propaganda, fake news and bogus narratives. The demand that the people are making is neither illegal nor extraordinary, i.e. release of all political prisoners, reversal of the 26th Constitutional Amendment and a fair audit of the results of the February 2024 Elections.
The beneficiaries, in not resolving these matters, is the government alone, but if they do concede to them, it is tantamount to signing their own surrender. It is why, the government will fight on and never agree to the demands of the people. They will fight to the last Pakistani – in the mindless-panic of losing power as well as any retribution to come later. To avoid further bloodshed, it is obvious that these legitimate demands of the people must be conceded to – however, it will not happen easily.
A soft solution for this government is to resign enbloc immediately, but they are too shameless to do such a thing and so matters might get prolonged, but the result in the end, is still inevitable. Resultantly, the protests will keep growing and the government will progressively lose control. The answer that that they will be looking for is Army action – for the Army to confront their own people.
The people, the nemesis of this fraudulent democracy and artificial government, must never be confronted by the Army simply because the Army is of the people, by the people and for the people, far more than this government can ever be or even pretend to be. The Army must distance itself from this government who are now seen as criminals, usurpers and who are in chair by fraudulent means. The widespread belief within the country is that they could not have been where they are without the assistance of the Army and that it is the Army that has been supporting them.
These matters/accusation can and should be investigated later, but for now, any support to this artificial government would make the Army an accomplice to the crime – squarely guilty by association; aiding and abetting a crime, perpetuated against the people of the State. They must stay away from this crisis under all circumstances or then be prepared to do their worst – shoot at unarmed citizens of this State who they had pledged to protect.
They will never be forgiven for taking such a position, if they do this. In my experience, my affiliation and the deep love for this Army, I am committed to the belief with complete faith in the rank and file, that they would never resort to killing their countrymen and women just to support a gang of criminals to remain in power. It’s a belief I have often voiced and I truly hope, I am proven right.
Some die-hard naysayers, obstinate in their cock-eyed support for this artificial government and their fraudulent hold on power will remain loyal and justify their position through frivolous arguments: ‘Do you mean, anyone who can concentrate a few people in the Capital should be allowed to over-run the government?’ Well for them I would say, ‘Go find a few people, and when you do, bring them to the capital just as they are now and you too shall be heard – it’s the principle and beauty of democracy.’
Others will claim that KP has attacked Punjab. To them I would say, ‘do not be ridiculous – there are people from GB, Chitral, Kashmir, Baluchistan, Sindh as well as Punjab and if this is not visible then God alone can help you.’
In the event, the Army does not respond to the call of Article 245, then this government may not last more than another 48 hours or so at the most. On the other hand, if the Army does respond to article 245, then the mandate of the article, states, ‘In aid to civil power to restore order.’ Based on my own experience, my unsolicited advice to those called upon, enter the conflict zone, take over all the law enforcement units in the area, since they now come under you command, and disengage from the people. Order will be restored immediately because the term, ‘order’ must not be misconstrued to be protecting, facilitating and empowering this PDM government – it implies protecting the people of the State. In this case too, a government collapse is certain but may take a day or so longer.
With the government on the run, the demand of the people should be reduced to only two – audit the election results as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days and release all political prisoners forthwith.
After the audit, it should be determined whether the government formed on the basis of the audit should start from the time of the regime change or a complete fresh tenure or remain only for the remaining time till the new elections. Nevertheless, in the meantime some homework needs to be done in the immediate future till this audit issue is not resolved:
a. Setting up an interim government. Some suggestions, though there may be more and even
better recommendation’s, which should be considered as well, whenever proffered:
i. Set up an interim government using some of the remaining, legitimate MNAs (form 45s)
of a rump parliament, till the audit is done. (Recommended)
ii. Install a Caretaker Government, mutually agreed to. A difficult proposition under the
prevailing circumstances but possible with a suitable arbitrator. (Not Likely)
iii. Allow the Chief Justice to take over the Federation till the audit is complete.
iv. All provinces to go under Governor Rule with the Provincial Chief Justices being the
Acting-Governors. The arrangement would be till the audit of the elections is done.
(Alternative to first suggestion)
b. The Supreme Court should immediately be assembled with a full court to determine the
following:
i. The legitimacy of the current government, without the audit and resolution of the
forms 45 and 47 issue. Whether they had any locus-standi to initiate legislation, in the
first place.
ii. Examine the Practice and Procedures Committee, its components and its mandates.
iii. The Constitution and structure of the Supreme Judicial Council.
iv. Suspension of the amendment to Article 63 A, till parliament is reconstituted and re-
examines it.
v. Immediately suspend the 26 th Constitutional Amendment till a legitimate parliament is
installed, convened and legislates on the matter as they find fit. The constitutional Bench would be similarly suspended =till the matter of the 26th Amendment is determined. Seniority of the judges restored according to the convention.
The government after coming to power once the audit is done to immediately set up judicial
commissions to bring closure to the following:
a. The Cypher Case.
b. The 9 th May Case.
c. Restore the Supreme Court to tis original structure and appoint a Chief Justice according to the earlier protocol/convention that was in vogue.
d. NAB laws amendment and implication.
e. To write a white paper determining why this crisis occurred, who was responsible and what
were its effects with procedural-recommendations ensuring prevention of such an anomaly
in the future.
Now, the time has arrived to return to Caesar what was Caesar’s, just as it is time to stop using extraordinary measures to cling on to power; deceit, censorship, propaganda, fraud and force. You, the government are neither wanted, nor needed and the people have spoken – loudly and clearly.. just go!!!
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance.
