Dawn, Pakistan's leading newspaper, features a poignant yet imaginative portrayal of the 2024 election, with Imran Khan dominating the political scene while subtly positioned in the background.
Over time, I've been contemplating whom to vote for in the next general elections. Despite occasional disappointments with the previous government led by Imran Khan, I've been delving into the intricacies of governance and the will to reform. I've weighed the pros and cons of established legacy parties. As time has passed, I've come to realize the immense impact of COVID-19 on the globe, especially in South Asia. Understanding the challenges of a cash-strapped country like ours, I've started to appreciate how well we've coped with such a calamity, showing resilience amid difficulties.
There have been anguishes, but overall, there was a sense of optimism, especially inspired by the leadership at the top, which exuded confidence and a clear sense of direction. Admittedly, Khan's government had been weak and dependent on allies. While in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) the situation hasn't been as dire, Khan must have learned that dealing with blackmailing politicians requires a firm stance rather than appeasement. Reflecting on figures like Pervaiz Khattak, their betrayal might have been deeply hurting.
Then came the no-confidence moment, a notorious event in our history. It seemed like all forces had aligned to remove one man from the scene. Despite valiant resistance, led by the party often dubbed as the "burger party," Khan faced vehement opposition. Constitutional supremacists rose against him, reducing his narrative to conspiracy theories when he claimed the regime change was externally orchestrated by internal players—a claim vindicated over time.
As Khan rallied the masses, becoming a potent threat, the gloves came off gradually. Pressure mounted on him to relent, yet he persisted, fighting within the bounds of the constitution. However, his right to protest was curtailed, and state machinery was mercilessly employed against his supporters. Journalists reporting on regime brutalities faced persecution, with some forced into exile.
Despite facing over 200 bogus cases, Khan remained resolute, demanding fair trials. The turning point came on May 9th, when he was unlawfully dragged from court premises, sparking a chain of events that led to tragic fatalities among peaceful protestors. Blame was shifted onto Khan, providing an easy route for those seeking to counter his mass support with naked force.
Many protestors were coerced into apologies, while others faced relentless persecution. This crackdown, enabled by bought commentators and activists once vocal for the rule of law, became a grotesque spectacle, with words losing their meaning. Even those who despised Khan begrudgingly saved face with token tweets, as press conferences unfolded in dramatic fashion.
The crackdown on dissent became absurd, with erstwhile champions of justice and constitution remaining conspicuously silent, enabling the brutality unfolding in broad daylight.
During these crackdowns, over 10,000 political workers were unjustly jailed without trial for months. They were relentlessly pursued, and their families faced harassment. Many party members endured unimaginable horrors during this time. Women were forcibly removed from their homes, and even children were not spared. Journalists disappeared without a trace. Political leaders began to change their stances intermittently, following the infamous "software updates," a term that has been strangely glamorized despite its sinister implications. It's not a matter to be taken lightly—people vanish, enduring unspeakable torture in harsh cells, only to reappear with altered political loyalties. This should have been vehemently resisted, but those who claim to champion civilian rights remained silent. Human rights organizations joined the fray very late, much like our law enforcement agencies often do after crimes are committed.
Throughout these events, international capitals wielding global power turned a blind eye. Khan was anathema to them due to his pursuit of an independent foreign policy that prioritized Pakistan's interests above all else. Then came a time when media outlets began to silence the name of Imran Khan under the influence of extremely powerful forces. They became monotonous and steadily lost legitimacy, much like the so-called civilian supremacists. It became clear to those who had already transitioned to social media why electronic media was declining.
Meanwhile, the man in the cell, popularly known as Prisoner 804, remained undeterred. He was presented with difficult choices—leave the country or hand over the reins of the party to a more favorable figure—but he refused. He opted to resist and face the sham trials. One by one, convictions were handed down in kangaroo courts. The masks came off the faces of so-called favorite judges, once touted as mavericks. Their televised proceedings only revealed the mockery of justice, as the whole nation witnessed the election symbol being snatched from Khan's PTI, a fundamental right of the people according to Article 17 of the constitution, with widespread consensus.
The Election Commission displayed bias and a stunted approach in dealing with this particular party. Their internal affairs were scrutinized microscopically, revealing a judiciary acting as both judge and executioner, with orders originating from elsewhere. This drama persisted in the trial courts, where a secretive and biased trial aimed at convicting the country's most popular leader unfolded. He was convicted and once again became a prisoner, not of any crime, but of conscience. His character was tarnished through a farcical case, and he was convicted of a crime he never committed. His family, including his wife, was also dragged into this sordid affair. However, the masses never bought into this scheme; his approval ratings only increased as the elections approached. With the highest penetration of cellular phones, Pakistanis were well aware of the events through independent journalism.
Amidst the circus, Election Day has arrived, and here I am. I am voting for the constitutional supremacy of civilians and the rule of law in our country. Defeating Khan would mean betraying the dream envisioned by the founder of our nation. This is a betrayal I am not willing to concede, hence my vote for Khan.
