Allama Iqbal had a dream which was eventually realized in the formation of our beloved homeland. This required struggle to achieve our cherished dream. A large number of Muslims gathered under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam and strived for it. Since this country was created after a democratic struggle and the founders had decided to run it under an Islamic democratic system, it should have so that only democratic forces should be ruling under the system to ensure the objectives under which the country was founded.
But what went wrong was that Allama Iqbal’s vision had a profound effect on our generals. As a result after every decade, a khaki-clad general had a dream of making the country more ‘enlightened’. The general is so keen on making Pakistan a great country that even during democratic rule, he spares no effort to stop from being a great democratic country. They do not intend to harm the nation. They do it just to get the satisfaction of developing the nation themselves.
There are certainly wise, disciplined gentlemen who do not repeat old experiences. They do something new every time, but their plans are always foiled by democratic. Zia did not repeat the experiments that Ayub Khan did. And Musharraf did not repeat Zia’s experiences. Ayub envisioned an industrial nation, Zia dreamed of an Islamic one, and Musharraf wanted an enlightened Pakistan. Ayub threatened imprisonment to punish them, Zia made the threat a reality by filling up death cells, while Musharraf resorted to military operations. His motto was “I’ll hit you when you least expect it” but he didn’t really know where he was going to strike.
Every unconstitutional dream was shattered and not a single one was realized. We must give credit to these dreamers for not giving up. When they came for the fourth time with their experiment, they had a different idea. This time around, the amazing thing was that that they didn’t come forward. That’s why briefings are now given off the record. They are certainly present among us but we cannot see them. This is called the ‘hybrid’ system. The masses don’t complain as they are under the illusion that someone is running the system.
This time around, they did a splendid job showing the dream of ‘Naya Pakistan’ instead of doing something in the old Pakistan. They made their ‘Donkey King’ wear the Jinnah cap but he still make embarrassed his masters. The last prime minister of ‘Purana Pakistan’ was declared incompetent by the same Supreme Court which issued a certificate of ‘Sadiq and Ameen’ and also declared him eligible as the founder of ‘Naya Pakistan’. Three years later, the situation is that the last prime minister of old Pakistan had left the economy at the level it will now takes years to return.
The fourth experiment has also failed miserably. They dreamed of a ten-year plan but eventually gave up and are now in search of a ‘safe exit’.
Remember that Shehbaz Sharif is not going to London, he is being sent. A safe exit requires approval, but the premier is an obstacle. He is bent on spend two more years “serving” the nation. If you look closer, the hybrid veil is shattered. If they don’t want to discreet, why bother with the hybrid system. The only option left is the “democratic process’ and to give an impression that the entire political wrangling is a part of democracy.
Now those who were disqualified are rejoicing the situation on the sidelines. He is certainly in no hurry, confronting the media on a London sidewalk and shaking up the entire national politics. The situation is such the one in power does have yield the same influence as the powerless in London. Even the less politically savvy will agree that the government is no longer in control. It only needs one signal for its departure. And that is Nawaz Sharif’s. He are in no hurry knowing that the creators of the hybrid system have to bear the brunt every passing day. If Shehbaz can’t go to London, it won’t matter to Nawaz Sharif. Someone pointed recently and said, “I know who brought Shehbaz Sharif out.” And those who brought Shahbaz Sharif out are in trouble. Nawaz Sharif’s problems are over. Now someone else is anxious over his upcoming woes.
