The Demagogues

"Veni, vidi, vici", are the words used by the Caesar. In Pakistan Mr. Bhutto, in 1969-70, rose as a real contender of this phrase and now Imran Khan is also joining ranks. Famous for hitting stumps and hearts, he is hitting headlines these days. Speculations, analysis, judgments are being passed on the way IK is constructing his political innings. On one hand there is a section comparing him with Che Guevera while on the other hand his critics consider PTI a clean shaved Jamat e Islami. As a student of Politics I consider views of former nothing but a joke while later are also making serious mistake.

Ok then, Imran Khan is? "Imran Khan is for change", can't you hear the middle class youth of Pakistan? Unlike ZAB, IK was not recognized as potential political player at the beginning of his new career, more than decade ago, but ripples he is creating today are making political pundits crazy. All set for his slogan of 'change' but change what? No one really knows but he shouted "Islamic Welfare State" several times, addressing huge crowd in Karachi, reminding "Islamic Socialism" of ZAB of 1970s.

It is better to analyze these slogans instead of reaching any super conclusion regarding success of this new savior of nation. First part of both Inqilabi Naras is same and clearly communicate wishes of both the Mard e Momins – yes, we are ready to work under the ideology set by establishment and ruling elites of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. This part is not for the masses but for the state and state machinery ensuring, though both are for the change, their rhetoric would not change the social system, order or structure.

It is often argued that at least pro left Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) shouldn't have declare Ahmedis infidels but the argument is baseless as PPP have always been center to right. Few months ago I had an interview with Meraj Muhammad Khan and every occasion I touched ZAB I witnessed water in his eyes but even this sincere friendship failed to stop him from speaking the truth. When he was revealing that ZAB supported army during Bangladesh Massacre he told me in low voice, reflecting his emotions, that when he asked "Bhutto Sahib what are you doing? Country would break up!" ZAB got frustrated "Meraj you would never understand politics".

First rule of Parliamentary Politics is to develop good ties with the power circles and ensure state ideology is part of its program. It is the core ruling idea through which society is being controlled. The groups considering IK, Taliban Khan, fails to remember it was in 1973 that first Mujaheddin training Camp was installed on Pakistani soil (Both Hikmatyar and Haqqani took training during ZAB's period). They also forget who played the historic role of developing OIC and those who remember consider it a step forward. This organization provided perfect ideological foundation for the Jihad culture that was detrimental in Afghan war. Though ZAB found himself hanging but simplistic conclusion - he was, in general, against establishment - is quite imprudent.

What about the second part then? When ZAB decided to make a party, socialism was considered voice of the masses all over the world. It was impossible to attract them without this word. Same is the case with IK as on one hand he is making the King makers glad by strengthening state ideology and on the other hand he is using the term of his time. The concept of welfare state was introduced, in 1950s, to save Europe from socialism and now almost all of those are turning back to capitalism. Presenting such a concept at this juncture of time (time of global recession), for a country like Pakistan, only reflects demagogic capabilities of our rulers.

For me, disturbing is not the play being set up by the haves of this country but the deep alienation of have-nots toward politics. Above all it is the corrupt intelligentsia of this region that is frustrating. It is looking very difficult for them to make the masses, esp. youth, realize what is going on right now. Why? Because they do not have the guts to speak complete truth; they have the guts to criticize IK but they refrain from telling the new generation about the demagogy of ZAB. They are not realizing that only those who know about the past can judge today.

Similar was the condition at the times of Bhashani, Wali Khan and Mujeeb when finally Ayub started looking towards Soviet Union, naturally because no other option was left. Departure of Ayub Khan is important because it makes us understand the fashion in which military elite works. Ayub Khan was brought down not by his foes but his political children (ZAB and Yahya Khan). Both of them were closely knit with the Uncle Sam and had deep roots with in Civil Military Bureaucracy. Military was loosing its grip and there was not a single political group with mass support and pro-establishment stance at the same time. The time was up for the Ayub, and Pakistani Establishment was looking desperately for the savior. ZAB emerged as a real candidate to bridge people of Sindh and Punjab with the establishment. He capitalized on the anger against the privileged and ranted the perfect words – Yes, the words of change.

Today, under the similar circumstances, existing political groups are unable to keep the big guns satisfied. IK, for todays Armed Junta, is the ZAB of its time. Question is whether the unarmed Junta would again be deceived by the Ace of spade. Only intellectuals of this country can save this two of clubs (real junta) by letting them know the triumph of truth.