Daily Mirror - Print Edition

Military Rule in Pakistan: Stripping People of their Rights

15 Jun 2023 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}      

In order to achieve progress and development in any nation, it is essential to have protocols and discipline among state-run agencies. Upholding the rule of law and exercising powers as defined for each agency is the foundation of every developed country. Unfortunately, Pakistan is different in this regard, as it lacks discipline, decorum, and coordination, and the military has become a burden for the people, depriving them of their rights.

The military might in Pakistan has not only stripped its citizens of their democratic rights but also jeopardized their lives and prosperity. The Pakistani army, instead of combating terrorism worldwide, has transformed Pakistan into a rogue state that poses a threat to global peace. The recent coup was a result of military intervention, leading to the removal of Imran Khan and a disruption of the country's political decorum.

Present human rights violations in Pakistan can be attributed to the interference of the Pakistani army in the democratic setup, according to a report by Amnesty International.

The report highlights that grave human rights violations persist, including enforced disappearances, torture, crackdowns on peaceful protests, attacks against journalists, and violence against religious minorities and marginalized groups. Political upheaval has resulted in major uncertainty, while an ongoing economic crisis has severely hampered people's economic rights.

The present scenario in Pakistan is characterized by insecurity due to instability in the democratic atmosphere. There are concerns that if the situation remains the same, the country's nuclear power could fall into the wrong hands.

Pakistan has been accused of providing a launching pad for terrorism, as evidenced by incidents in India, particularly in Kashmir, and other parts of the world. The terrorists who have been arrested or killed have been found to have received training in Pakistan, with support from certain segments of the population.

The question arises: who is overseeing the country? Pakistan seems to be a headless nation, where terrorism has gained a stronghold. It is crucial for world leaders to reassess the situation in Pakistan. If the country's nuclear power were to be taken over by terrorists, the repercussions would be significantly difficult for the neighbouring countries.

The ousting of Imran Khan as prime minister on April 9, following a controversial vote of no-confidence in parliament and subsequent restrictions imposed on him, can be attributed to several reasons.

Firstly, Imran Khan's opposition to military influence played a significant role. Secondly, he consistently denied supporting terrorism. Thirdly, he actively exposed military rule. Fourthly, his strong belief in the alleged association of the Pakistani army with terrorism.

The question of ousting Imran Khan becomes inevitable, particularly for conscious citizens like myself in India. Witnessing Imran Khan as the Prime Minister of Pakistan brought me happiness because I saw a strong stance against terrorism and its supporters.

His clear attitude was that terrorism cannot resolve any issues, and he took robust measures to eliminate terrorism from Pakistan. He believed that Pakistan's reputation suffered due to the spread of terrorism and its impact on the rest of the world.

However, the fact that Pakistan, as a democratic country, faces opposition for these efforts goes against the wind. Therefore, his removal from the prime ministership aimed to keep him at bay and allow the continuation of terrorism and illicit money flows.

It is evident that Pakistan has experienced a lack of continuity in its democratic governance. Military rule has been witnessed multiple times, accompanied by the exile of leaders. Unfortunately, the historical scene portrayed by India regarding Pakistan and its association with terrorism is now being exposed by Pakistan's own leaders, both in Kashmir and abroad.

This raises the question: In a military-dominated state, what does the future hold for Pakistan? When a country is experiencing economic, political, and diplomatic decline, its future becomes uncertain. As a nuclear-armed nation, it can pose a danger to countries with which it has ongoing issues.

There are side-line arguments among the public that China will engulf Pakistan, and banning of Imran Khan to take part in political process would also add fuel to the fire and will lead finally towards downfall of Pakistan as majority of people in there are die fans of Mr Khan.

Keeping Khan away from political scene means pushing Pakistani people to the wall and if it happens, people of Pakistan will do anything adverse to destabilise the establishment . On the other hand Kashmiris whom Pakistan gave false hopes on the cost of their lives are getting more and more closer to New Delhi while watching the ongoing ugly situation in Pakistan.

(Brighterkashmir)