9/11

 

History is a set of lies, agreed upon. Napoleon.

 

 

I interviewed tens of experienced pilots asking if they could hit a building with a flying airplane, all of them said it was impossible just like threading a needle while running.

But I am expected to believe that on 9/11 pilots without any flying experience, managed to hit buildings with airplanes facing certain death.

If I question this absurdity then I am an irrational conspiracy theorist.

Wondering what’s more foolish to believe,

·         By dropping nuclear bombs US saved Japanese lives, or

·         Netanyahu was defending Israel while killing over 70k unarmed Palestinians, or

·         Trainee pilots working miracles on 9/11 with airplanes they had never flown????

How much more of nonsense I am coerced to believe?

 

تاریخ جھوٹ کا مجموعہ ہے جس پر اتفاق ہے۔ نپولین۔

 

 

میں نے دسیوں تجربہ کار پائلٹوں سے انٹرویو کیا کہ کیا وہ اڑتے ہوئے ہوائی جہاز سے کسی عمارت کو نشانہ بنا سکتے ہیں، ان سب کا کہنا تھا کہ یہ ناممکن ہے جیسے دوڑتے ہوئے سوئی کو تھریڈ کرنا۔

لیکن میں یہ ماننے پر مجبور ہوں کہ 9/11 کے پائلٹ بغیر کسی اڑان کے تجربے کے، ہوائی جہازوں کے ساتھ عمارتوں کو نشانہ بنانے میں کامیاب ہو گئے جن کو یقینی موت کا سامنا کرنا پڑا۔

اگر میں اس بیہودگی پر سوال کرتا ہوں تو میں ایک غیر معقول سازشی تھیوریسٹ ہوں۔

مجھے یقین کرنے میں مسئلہ ہے،

• ایٹمی بم گرا کر امریکہ نے جاپانیوں کی جان بچائی، یا

• نیتن یاہو اسرائیل کا دفاع کر رہے تھے جبکہ 70 ہزار سے زیادہ غیر مسلح فلسطینیوں کو قتل کر رہے تھے۔

• ٹرینی پائلٹوں نے 9/11 کو ایسے ہوائی جہازوں کے ساتھ معجزے دکھائے جو انہوں نے کبھی نہیں اڑائے تھے؟؟؟؟

میں اور کتنی بکواس پر یقین کرنے پر مجبور ہوں؟

 

 

Imperial Commissioner Zexu's letter to Queen Victoria

 magnificently our great Emperor soothes and pacifies China and the foreign countries, regarding all with the same kindness. If there is profit, then he shares it with the peoples of the world; if there is harm, then he removes it on behalf of the world. This is because he takes the mind of heaven and earth as his mind.

The kings of your honorable country by a tradition handed down from generation to generation have always been noted for their politeness and submissiveness. We have read your successive tributary memorials saying, "In general our countrymen who go to trade in China have always received His Majesty the Emperor's gracious treatment and equal justice." and so on. Privately we are delighted with the way in which the honorable rulers of your country deeply understand the grand principles and are grateful for the Celestial grace. For this reason the Celestial Court in soothing those from afar has redoubled its polite and kind treatment. The profit from trade has been enjoyed by them continuously for two hundred years. This is the source from which your country has become known for its wealth.

But after a long period of commercial intercourse, there appear among the crowd of barbarians both good persons and bad, unevenly. Consequently there are those who smuggle opium to seduce the Chinese people and so cause the spread of the poison to all provinces. Such persons who only care to profit themselves, and disregard their harm to others, are not tolerated by the laws of heaven and are unanimously hated by human beings. His Majesty the Emperor, upon hearing of this, is in a towering rage. He has especially sent me, his commissioner, to come to Kwangtung [Guangdong], and together with the governor-general and governor jointly to investigate and settle this matter.

All those people in China who sell opium or smoke opium should receive the death penalty. We trace the crime of those barbarians who through the years have been selling opium, then the deep harm they have wrought and the great profit they have usurped should fundamentally justify their execution according to law. We take into to consideration, however, the fact that the various barbarians have still known how to repent their crimes and return to their allegiance to us by taking the 20,183 chests of opium from their storeships and petitioning us, through their consular officer [superintendent of trade], Elliot, to receive it. It has been entirely destroyed and this has been faithfully reported to the Throne in several memorials by this commissioner and his colleagues.

Fortunately we have received a specially extended favor Born His Majesty the Emperor, who considers that for those who voluntarily surrender there are still some circumstances to palliate their crime, and so for the time being he has magnanimously excused them from punishment. But as for those who again violate the opium prohibition, it is difficult for the law to pardon them repeatedly. Having established new regulations, we presume that the ruler of your honorable country, who takes delight in our culture and whose disposition is inclined towards us, must be able to instruct the various barbarians to observe the law with care. It is only necessary to explain to them the advantages and advantages and then they will know that the legal code of the Celestial Court must be absolutely obeyed with awe.

We find your country is sixty or seventy thousand li [three li make one mile, ordinarily] from China Yet there are barbarian ships that strive to come here for trade for the purpose of making a great profit. The wealth of China is used to profit the barbarians. That is to say, the great profit made by barbarians is all taken from the rightful share of China. By what right do they then in return use the poisonous drug to injure the Chinese people? Even though the barbarians may not necessarily intend to do us harm, yet in coveting profit to an extreme, they have no regard for injuring others. Let us ask, where is your conscience? I have heard that the smoking of opium is very strictly forbidden by your country; that is because the harm caused by opium is clearly understood. Since it is not permitted to do harm to your own country, then even less should you let it be passed on to the harm of other countries -- how much less to China! Of all that China exports to foreign countries, there is not a single thing which is not beneficial to people: they are of benefit when eaten, or of benefit when used, or of benefit when resold: all are beneficial. Is there a single article from China which has done any harm to foreign countries? Take tea and rhubarb, for example; the foreign countries cannot get along for a single day without them. If China cuts off these benefits with no sympathy for those who are to suffer, then what can the barbarians rely upon to keep themselves alive? Moreover the woolens, camlets, and longells [i.e., textiles] of foreign countries cannot be woven unless they obtain Chinese silk. If China, again, cuts off this beneficial export, what profit can the barbarians expect to make? As for other foodstuffs, beginning with candy, ginger, cinnamon, and so forth, and articles for use, beginning with silk, satin, chinaware, and so on, all the things that must be had by foreign countries are innumerable. On the other hand, articles coming from the outside to China can only be used as toys. We can take them or get along without them. Since they are not needed by China, what difficulty would there be if we closed our the frontier and stopped the trade? Nevertheless, our Celestial Court lets tea, silk, and other goods be shipped without limit and circulated everywhere without begrudging it in the slightest. This is for no other reason but to share the benefit with the people of the whole world. The goods from China carried away by your country not only supply your own consumption and use, but also can be divided up and sold to other countries, producing a triple profit. Even if you do not sell opium, you still have this threefold profit. How can you bear to go further, selling products injurious to others in order to fulfill your insatiable desire?

Suppose there were people from another country who carried opium for sale to England and seduced your people into buying and smoking it; certainly your honorable ruler would deeply hate it and be bitterly aroused. We have heard heretofore that your honorable ruler is kind and benevolent. Naturally you would not wish to give unto others what you yourself do not want. We have also heard that the ships coming to Canton have all had regulations promulgated and given to them in which it is stated that it is not permitted to carry contraband goods. This indicates that the administrative orders of your honorable rule have been originally strict and clear. Only because the trading ships are numerous, heretofore perhaps they have not been examined with care. Now after this communication has been dispatched and you have clearly understood the strictness of the prohibitory laws of the Celestial Court, certainly you will not let your subjects dare again to violate the law.

We have further learned that in London, the capital of your honorable rule, and in Scotland, Ireland, and other places, originally no opium has been produced. Only in several places of India under your control such as Bengal, Madras, Bombay, Patna, Benares, and Malwa has opium been planted from hill to hill, and ponds have been opened for its manufacture. For months and years work is continued in order to accumulate the poison. The obnoxious odor ascends, irritating heaven and frightening the spirits. Indeed you, O King, can eradicate the opium plant in these places, hoe over the fields entirely, and sow in its stead the five grains [millet, barley, wheat, etc.]. Anyone who dares again attempt to plant and manufacture opium should be severely punished. This will really be a great, benevolent government policy that will increase the common weal and get rid of evil. For this, Heaven must support you and the spirits must bring you good fortune, prolonging your old age and extending your descendants. All will depend on this act.

As for the barbarian merchants who come to China, their food and drink and habitation, all received by the gracious favor of our Celestial Court. Their accumulated wealth is all benefit given with pleasure by our Celestial Court. They spend rather few days in their own country but more time in Canton. To digest clearly the legal penalties as an aid to instruction has been a valid principle in all ages. Suppose a man of another country comes to England to trade, he still has to obey the English laws; how much more should he obey in China the laws of the Celestial Dynasty?

Now we have set up regulations governing the Chinese people. He who sells opium shall receive the death penalty and he who smokes it also the death penalty. Now consider this: if the barbarians do not bring opium, then how can the Chinese people resell it, and how can they smoke it? The fact is that the wicked barbarians beguile the Chinese people into a death trap. How then can we grant life only to these barbarians? He who takes the life of even one person still has to atone for it with his own life; yet is the harm done by opium limited to the taking of one life only? Therefore in the new regulations, in regard to those barbarians who bring opium to China, the penalty is fixed at decapitation or strangulation. This is what is called getting rid a harmful thing on behalf of mankind.

Moreover we have found that in the middle of the second month of this year [April 9] Consul [Superintendent] Elliot of your nation, because the opium prohibition law was very stern and severe, petitioned for an extension of the time limit. He requested an extension of five months for India and its adjacent harbors and related territories, and ten months for England proper, after which they would act in conformity with the new regulations. Now we, the commissioner and others, have memorialized and have received the extraordinary Celestial grace of His Majesty the Emperor, who has redoubled his consideration and compassion. All those who from the period of the coming one year (from England) or six months (from India) bring opium to China by mistake, but who voluntarily confess and completely surrender their opium, shall be exempt from their punishment. After this limit of time, if there are still those who bring opium to China then they will plainly have committed a willful violation and shall at once be executed according to law, with absolutely no clemency or pardon. This may be called the height of kindness and the perfection of justice.

Our Celestial Dynasty rules over and supervises the myriad states, and surely possesses unfathomable spiritual dignity. Yet the Emperor cannot bear to execute people without having first tried to reform them by instruction. Therefore he especially promulgates these fixed regulations. The barbarian merchants of your country, if they wish to do business for a prolonged period, are required to obey our statues respectfully and to cut off permanently the source of opium. They must by no means try to test the effectiveness of the law with their lives. May you, O King, check your wicked and sift your wicked people before they come to China, in order to guarantee the peace of your nation, to show further the sincerity of your politeness and submissiveness, and to let the two countries enjoy together the blessings of peace How fortunate, how fortunate indeed! After receiving this dispatch will you immediately give us a prompt reply regarding the details and circumstances of your cutting off the opium traffic. Be sure not to put this off. The above is what has to be communicated.

Dr. Umar Khan

khanmomar@hotmail.com

Dr. Khan belongs to a Lahore based Think Tank.

27-8-25

 

 

Japan's biggest service to the world

“Japan also makes cameras, radios and cars but obviously it can’t compete with the Europeans like UK, France or Germany”. An American Children’s encyclopedia of 1960.

 

Just 125 years back the world was a very different place. In addition to political geography the mind and thinking was different that might be totally unacceptable today. After the remarkable discovery of evolution by Charles Darwin the lesson that the great powers, led by Britain, learnt was social Darwinism a very inhuman concept. This justified racism and subjugation of backward races on the basis of pseudo-scientific reasoning of better evolved races controlling the world’s resources. One is flabbergasted by seeing that even the most liberal intellectuals of those times like Bertrand Russell also justified racism and its exploits while others sanctioned it and the loot it brought as a sacred duty of white man’s burden.

 

Prevalence of social Darwinism resulted in absolute domination of the Europeans or the White man with subjugation of the rest of the world. India was ruled by Great Britain where racism was institutionalized and the locals routinely humiliated, impoverished and starved. China was repeatedly invaded, robbed and beaten. In addition to these insults the Chinese suffered an even worse fate, probably the worst atrocity the humanity has ever seen, dangerous narcotics were forced down their throats making Chinese notorious as addicts destroying multiple generation. Many prominent noble families made their fortunes forcing opium sales to China. The whole of African continent suffered atrocities and humiliations of all kinds while the evolved white man planted wars and famines wherever it went, whether it was Iran with multiple (rarely reported) famines, the new world, Australia’s or other parts of Asia. No part of the world was spared by the White man superiority complex.

 

These centuries of white man’s domination and non-white’s humiliation caused extreme lack of self-esteem among the non-whites absolutely convinced of their inferiority and inability to compete.

 

The Darwinian hierarchy was now established and the whites were the most evolved of all the races and the British were the most evolved among the white,s justifying their domination of the world. Social Darwinism was well on its way towards eugenics, racism, imperialism and/or fascism.

 

 

In this back drop of history with the 2 greatest historic Asian powers China and India having been disgraced by the UK and a white man, Commodore Perry of US, showed the muscle to the Japanese who were bullied to concede to his demands opening their doors.

 

These shocking times convinced the Japanese to change their ways to be able to counter the new challenge thrown by the West. This resulted in the Meiji restoration spreading education, technology and social reforms. Interestingly during the discussions about the ways to counter this threat, import of white man’s sperms for the Japanese women was also considered to strengthen and improve the Japanese stock.

 

Japan took the challenge and followed the path of Britain taking the course of conquests to acquire foreign lands and dominate the locals. The easiest targets were the Chinese and the Koreans and armed with new technological weapons and techniques they embarked on wars, something considered totally kosher in those days. In Manchuria they faced the Russian white man and being lowly Asians Japanese weren’t expected to prevail over them. But the world saw a miracle and the Japanese beat the mighty Russians in the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-5 forcing a humbling treaty of Portsmouth on them. This was after hundreds of unequal treaties forced upon Indians, Chinese, natives of Americas, Australia, Africa and all other places for centuries. The tables were turned for the first time and the world was shocked. The rabidly racist British intellectuals like Kipling explained this defeat by labeling the Russians as not enough whites.

 

The myth of the white man’s genetic superiority was broken and importance of education, technology and learning proven.

 

Unfortunately along with education the Japanese in following the British also learnt racism and became as brutal and vicious as them causing lots of sufferings for the hapless Chinese and Koreans among others too. Instead of fighting unjust racism by helping the victims they joined the culprits asking for their share in the exploits.

 

After another few decades Japan further strengthened itself and directly confronted the Europeans in Asia during the Second World War. It beat the powerful French in Indochina, Dutch in Indonesia and now confronted the mighty British in their stronghold of Singapore.

 

The British command like the rest of the world held a deeply ingrained, racist view of the Japanese military as inferior, incompetent and technologically inept. They believed the Japanese were poor jungle fighters with no mechanical aptitude, and they dismissed intelligence reports that suggested otherwise. Japanese were among the yellow peril the “civilized” world despised.

 

Then the absolute unexpected happened and with less than half the strength the Japanese Gen Yamashita made the vastly superior British forces led by Gen Percival surrender. Although later the great Yamashita was to pay the price by being hanged for this, he had done a great favor to the countries struggling desperately under the British subjugation at that time.

 

Finally Japan was nuclear bombed and totally beaten in the world war but it didn’t give up. A Japanese proverb had taught them that the bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists; they accepted the challenge the new age had thrown at them and started focusing on developing a competitive industry and a thriving economy. This was a test as inferior nonwhites weren’t supposed to be bright enough to make products that could compete with the west and the Europeans in world markets. As a child I remember people ridiculing the Toyotas and Hondas as some kind of toys that weren’t supposed to last and compete with the great European brands like Morris’s or Triumphs.

 

Despite the odds the Japanese kept on improving their efficiency and quality and within no time those famous European brands had been swept out of market finding their place in the shelves of history. The Japanese brands had totally dominated in autos electronics, ship building and many other segments due to their quality and value that they offered.

 

The Japanese had totally beaten the west in its own game.

 

Japanese had proven that it was not the race but education and hard work the brought success and no race was superior to others.

 

Following the footsteps of Japan the Koreans, Taiwanese and other Asian nations also developed. Then it was time for China to join the band wagon and as Napoleon had predicted centuries earlier, Chinese awakening shook the world and the world we see now doesn’t resemble the psychological make up of my younger days.

It’s a different and a much better world, although having imperfections, without racial stereotyping and exploitation rampant just a century ago.

 

For this positive change of ending racism and stereotyping, the Japanese nation has a major role for which the modern world must show its gratitude although it can’t thank it enough. Without Japanese repeatedly shattering the racial superiority myth most of the non-European world would have been under subjugation of the west and starving.  

 

The latest Asian revival and resurgence owes much to Japanese hard work and breaking of myths.

 

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." — Japanese Proverb

 

 

khanmomar@hotmail.com

 

 

 

Cost of Military Dominance in Pakistan

 

Dr. Umar Khan

khanmomar@hotmail.com

Dr. Khan belongs to a Lahore based Think Tank.

20-7-25

 

 

Cost of Military Dominance in Pakistan

 

 

"Military domination may bring order, but it is the order of the graveyard." — Frantz Fanon

 

Military has always been the most dominant institution and force in Pakistan since its birth and its role is undeniable. This dominance is absolute extending from social to economic to even political scene accepted as reality even by the ruling “politicians” despite clear prohibition in the constitution. It is said that if you want to know who rules over you, just look for who you are not allowed to criticize and in Pakistan even constitutionally we are forbidden to criticize the military.

 

Ironically this is one of the rare provisions of the constitution that is most vehemently enforced.

 

"A society that relies on military force to govern is a society that has given up on justice and the rule of law." — Noam Chomsky

 

This domination didn’t come from nowhere but has solid reasons embedded in creation of Pakistan. The new country was created on the 2 nation theory asserting that Muslims and non-Muslims, although living together for centuries, constitute different nations that won’t be able to live together peacefully anymore so must be divided. This caused carving of India triggering a terrible blood bath resulting in hatred and paranoia that’s still lasting after 78 years. In this episode of extreme violence when unarmed and poor Muslims were coming to Pakistan from Indian villages always in danger of attacks, the few soldiers of British Indian army, now declared Pakistan army, protected them from violent attacks thus creating deep awe and admiration in the hearts of the unfortunate refugees.

 

"A nation that spends more time preparing for war than educating its children is a nation in decline." — Dwight D. Eisenhower

 

 

Nearly all refugees considered the newly born Pakistan army as their saviors deserving of the greatest reward and honor. Convoy of refugees coming from my ancestral village in Jalandhar talked of the three Baloch Regiment’s soldiers accompanying them in highest honor and even remembered their names until that generation slowly died out.   

 

Unfortunately this love and indebtness for the soldiers was taken as a blank check by the controlling generals who went berserk proclaiming martial laws repeatedly. In the process constitution lost its honor, stature and sanctity in Pakistan as one of the army chief’s blatantly declared it a few pages he could tear at will.

 

"When a country is ruled by the military, it is no longer a free country; it is a barracks." — Anonymous

 

 

Due to desecration of the constitution all institutions of the country created by it including, civil service, judiciary, parliament and others that constitute a modern state and considered a measure of a country’s strength, got decimated. This weakened nation was easy target for its enemies who dismembered it and flamed the internal cohesion even further.

 

"Military dominance in politics corrupts absolutely, turning defenders into oppressors." — Adapted from Lord Acton

 

 

Foreign policy went in the hands of the military causing numerous unending wars with violence and perpetual crises at home. In addition to all these losses country’s international image, loss of resources, ignored populace, lack of HRD, economy and even hope in the minds of its young became a casualty. This complete destruction of society is forcing the young to give up on their beloved homeland and leave.

 

 

"Under the boot of military rule, economic progress stagnates, fear replaces innovation, and the people suffer." — Aung San Suu Kyi

 

 

Although all these losses were bad enough, there was an even more harmful result that affected all aspects of the society lasting generations. This dominance imparted a militaristic deviant way of thinking on the nation’s psyche which was unrealistic so doomed to cause failures and sufferings. A mindset where violence becomes acceptable, rather desirable, and resorting to it the choicest way of solving problems.

 

"The military mind is indeed a menace. Old-fashioned futurity—the assumption that the future will resemble the past—is the dominant failing of military thinkers." — Barbara Tuchman

 

 

To understand this mind set we have to see its formation. In military they take healthy young men from the society with highly impressionable minds and brain wash them to prepare them to get into situations where they can be harmed and for their own safety agree to kill other humans they don’t even know.

 

“Soldiers job is to do or die, but never to question why” Lord Tennyson

 

Killing others is no small thing and it’s not easy to convince anyone to do it. To prepare soldiers to fight and kill their old personalities are brutally crushed before a new one is created using lots of jingoism and clichés. Resources are generously spent and social graces inculcated with promise of even more riches and we have soldiers ready to fight for their tormentors in East India Company or doing something disgraceful in the name of duty like pushing drugs in the opium wars. They are taught to think over simplistically and see the world as friend or foe, black or white, unable to see the million shades of grey in between. This makes them unable to comprehend or solve the problems the modern complicated societies presents.

 

“Just as good iron is not transformed into a nail; a good man is not made into a soldier.” Confucius

 

This way of thinking created many problems for Pakistan making it the pariah state becoming a source of only bad news for the world. Naturally the world kind of isolated it from the rest of the world with barriers and strong immigration controls of its borders. This has become so bad that Pakistan’s closest friends like China and UAE have toughest visa policies and severest dealings at the airports for its citizens.   

 

"The military mind is indeed a menace. Old-fashioned futurity—the assumption that the future will resemble the past—is the dominant failing of military thinkers." — Barbara Tuchman

 

 

Modern military, a very powerful and necessary force has to be controlled and harnessed to make it useful. Untamed military force can cause more harm than imaginable. Wild horses might be beautiful but aren’t useful. No wonder the countries that have progressed across the globe have controlled their armed forces effectively and the military mindset was never allowed to dominate in the society.

 

"The problem with military rule is that every general thinks he’s a statesman, and every soldier becomes a pawn." — David Ben-Gurion

 

This military domination in Pakistan is the root cause of most of our unending problems and must be corrected for the sake of our future generations. We in Pakistan have yet to effectively challenge and replace the absolute domination of military’s stranglehold over Pakistan, particularly our minds. Pakistan has to achieve this freedom if it plans to live among the comity of nations as a normal and respectable nation. Won’t come easy, as nothing worthwhile is easy.

 

 

Sun Tzu advises, “The greatest victory is that which requires no battle”. Lets follow this pertinent advice in this battle too.

 

"Where the military governs, human rights are the first casualty." — Amnesty International

 

"A government that relies on its army to stay in power is not secure—it is desperate." — Sun Tzu (interpretation)

 

 

 

khanmomar@hotmail.com

 

 

 

زندگی میں کامیابی کا تعین کس بات سے ہوتا ہے

 زندگی میں کامیابی کا تعین کس بات سے ہوتا ہے؟**  

"کامیابی خوشی کی کنجی نہیں ہے۔ خوشی ہی کامیابی کی کنجی ہے" — البرٹ شوٹزر  

معاشرہ، بشمول والدین، ایک نوزائیدہ بچے کو سب سے پہلا اہم سبق یہی سکھاتا ہے کہ اسے کامیاب ہونا ضروری ہے۔ زندگی مختصر اور مقابلے کی ہے، اور اسے کامیابی کے لیے سخت محنت کرنی ہوگی۔ لیکن افسوس، یہ نہیں سکھایا جاتا کہ کامیابی درحقیقت *کس چیز* پر مشتمل ہے۔ یہ سبق سیکھ کر بہت سے لوگ مقابلہ باز تو بن جاتے ہیں، لیکن ساتھ ہی بے رحم اور بے اصول بھی۔ تقریباً نصف صدی کی محنت کے بعد چند لوگ بظاہر خوش نظر آتے ہیں، جبکہ اکثریت خود کو ناکام، ناشکریا، اور احساسِ جرم میں مبتلا پاتی ہے — کیونکہ وہ "کافی" نہیں کر پائے۔ یہ خوفناک چکر ازل سے جاری ہے اور شدت اختیار کرتا جا رہا ہے۔  

### کامیابی کی معروف علامتیں:  

1. *دولت*: زندگی کو آسان اور آرام دہ بناتی ہے، دوسروں پر اثر انداز ہونے کا ذریعہ بھی۔ دولت کے ذریعے زمینی وسائل پر کنٹرول ہمیشہ سے کامیابی کی سب سے مقبول علامت رہا ہے۔  

2. *شہرت*: جدید ذرائع رابطے کے ساتھ اس کی اہمیت بڑھ گئی ہے۔ شہرت اب مالی اہداف تک پہنچنے میں بھی کلیدی کردار ادا کرتی ہے۔  

3. *طاقت*: تاریخ میں طاقت کے ذریعے دوسروں پر کنٹرول حاصل کرنے کی ہوس ہمیشہ موجود رہی۔ لیکن اس کے حامیوں کو آخر ملتا کیا ہے؟ کوئی بھی صحت مند نفسیات کا حامل فرد دوسروں کو کنٹرول کرنے کی خواہش نہیں رکھتا۔  

4. *پیشہ ورانہ عظمت کی تسلیم*: یہ متوسط طبقے میں سب سے مقبول ہے جو اسے حاصل کرنے کے لیے کسی بھی حد تک جا سکتا ہے۔ یہ عظمت دولت اور شہرت بھی دلاتی ہے۔  

وقت کی قلت کے پیشِ نظر ہم صرف ان چار پر توجہ دیں گے۔  

### کامیابی کی ان علامتوں کی حقیقت:  

بنیادی ضروریات پوری ہونے کے بعد دولت کا استعمال محدود ہو جاتا ہے — بس بینک میں پڑی رہتی ہے۔ شہرت اور طاقت کا دائرہ کار بھی محدود ہے۔ ان علامتوں کو گہرائی میں دیکھیں تو ایک بات واضح ہوتی ہے: *دوسروں کی منظوری اور ان کے تاثر کو حاصل کرنا* ہی اصل ہدف ہے۔ بنیادی طور پر یہ دوسروں، اکثر اجنبیوں، کو متاثر کرنے کی دوڑ ہے — عجیب بات ہے، ہے نا؟  

چاہے آپ کتنی ہی دولت اکٹھی کر لیں، شہرت حاصل کر لیں، یا پیشے میں عروج پا لیں — یہ سب *عارضی* ہے۔ قدرت کا نظام آخرکار سب کو یکساں کر دیتا ہے: امیر و غریب، طاقتور و کمزور، عقلمند و بے وقوف۔ آخرکار، یہ کائنات کا ایک چھوٹا سا ٹکڑا ہے جہاں زندگی کا یہ مختصر سفر نہ تو قابلِ توجہ ہے، نہ ہی کوئی گہرا معنی یا اثر رکھتا ہے۔  

جیسا کہ ایک بزرگ نے کہا تھا: "لوگوں کا مسئلہ یہ ہے کہ وہ زندگی کو بہت سنجیدگی سے لے لیتے ہیں۔"  

اگر یہ مقاصد اتنا ہی عارضی اور بے معنی ہیں، تو پھر ان کے پیچھے بھاگنے اور لڑنے کی کیا وجہ ہے؟  

### دوڑتے گھوڑے کا المیہ:  

کیا آپ نے کبھی سوچا کہ ریس کا گھوڑا اتنی تیزی سے کیوں بھاگتا ہے؟ وہ اپنے مالک کے لیے ٹرافی کے بارے میں نہیں جانتا۔ ماہرین کے مطابق، گھوڑا صرف سوار کے کوڑوں کے درد سے بچنے یا کھانے کی امید میں دوڑتا ہے۔ اسی طرح، دنیاوی کامیابیوں کے پیچھے بھاگنے والے اکثر سوچنے کا وقت ہی نہیں پاتے کہ وہ واقعی *چاہتے* کیا ہیں۔ ہم معاشرے کے بنائے ہوئے اس دوڑ میں شامل ہو جاتے ہیں — بالکل اس کتے کی طرح جو ایک مکینیکل خرگوش کو پکڑنے کی کوشش کرتا ہے۔ جب مقصد تک پہنچتے ہیں تو اس کی بے معنویت کھل جاتی ہے — اور یہی مایوسی اور اداسی کا سبب بنتا ہے۔  

مارک ٹوین نے خوب کہا: *"زندگی میں کامیاب ہونے کے لیے دو چیزیں چاہیے: جہالت اور اعتماد۔"*  

### کامیابی کی نئی تعریف:  

کامیابی دراصل ایک ذاتی تصور ہے۔ اصل سوال یہ ہے کہ آیا کوئی شخص اپنی زندگی کو اپنے اصولوں پر *معنی خیز اور مطمئن* محسوس کرتا ہے۔  

میرا تجربہ:  

میں بھی زندگی کی دوڑ میں شامل رہا، یہاں تک کہ غوروفکر کا موقع ملا۔ میں اس نتیجے پر پہنچا کہ کامیابی کی سب سے قریب تعریف ایک سادہ سوال کا جواب ہے:  

*"کیا آپ کی موجودگی سے دنیا دوسروں کے لیے رہنے کے قابل بہتر جگہ ہے؟"*  

اس معیار کے مطابق، بظاہر عظیم کامیاب لوگ ناکام ثابت ہوتے ہیں، اور عام نظر آنے والے لوگ کامیاب۔ مثلاً:  

- سکندر، چنگیز خان، یا ہیری ٹرومن جیسے قاتل — جنہوں نے لاکھوں کو تکلیف دی — کامیاب کیسے ہو سکتے ہیں؟  

- رہوڈس یا راکفیلر جیسے بے اصول صنعتکار — جو معیاری تعریف پر پورے اترتے ہیں — درحقیقت دنیا کو چھوڑ کر احسان کرتے۔  

- پرنٹنگ پریس جیسے انقلاب لانے والے نامعلوم موجد، ٹیسلا، جوناس سالک، ٹم برنرز لی جیسے بے لوث ذہین — جو غربت میں مرے۔ مدر ٹریسا جیسی ہستیاں — جنہیں معاشرہ "ناکام" کہے، مگر میری تعریف کے مطابق یہ سب سے کامیاب تھیں۔  

### حتمی نتیجہ:  

کامیابی کا فیصلہ آپ خود کرتے ہیں — نہ کہ وہ لوگ جنہیں متاثر کرنے کی آپ نے اتنی محنت کی۔ جب ہم کامیابی کو *انسانیت کی خدمت* سے جوڑتے ہیں، تو ہماری سوچ یکسر بدل جاتی ہے۔  

جیسا کہ ہیومنسٹ مینیفیسٹو میں کہا گیا ہے: *"زندگی کی تکمیل انسانیت پسند اقدار کی خدمت میں حصہ لینے سے آتی ہے۔ معاشرے کے لیے کام کرنا فرد کی خوشی کو زیادہ سے زیادہ کرتا ہے۔"*  

آپ کی کامیابی کا انحصار اس پر ہے کہ آپ کی موجودگی نے دوسروں کے لیے زندگی کو کتنا بہتر بنایا۔ باقی سب کچھ فانی ہے۔

 

Dr. Umar Khan

khanmomar@hotmail.com

Dr. Khan belongs to a Lahore based Think Tank.

18-5-25

 

 

What constitutes Success in life?  

 

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success” Albert Schweitzer

 

The first serious lesson the society, including parents, hammers on a newly arrived baby is that he/she must succeed. Life is short and competitive, and he/she must struggle hard to succeed, unfortunately not much is taught about what constitutes success. This lesson well learnt makes many competitive but also ruthless and unscrupulous. After nearly half a century’s efforts a very few come out apparently happy while the vast majority remains unsatisfied, guilty and remorseful for not performing and achieving enough scared of being labeled a failure. This vicious circle is going on from times immemorial while increasing in intensity.

 

The most common sought after symbols of success are the following.

1. Money. It makes life easy and comfortable while making influencing other’s and their attitudes possible. Control over earth’s resources through money has always been the most popular symbol of success.
2. Fame. Its desirability has increased manifold with the development of modern means of human interaction. Fame now plays a significant role in achieving monetary targets too.
3. Power. Assuming control over others through power has always been sought and fought after throughout history. What the proponents get by this is still unexplained. No person with a healthy psychological makeup is known to have special affinity for controlling others.
4. Achieving acknowledgment of excellence/zenith in their fields. This appears most popular among professional middle classes ready to go to any extent to achieve. This excellence and its acknowledgement also help achieve wealth and fame.

 

For the sake of limited time and space we will focus on these four only.

 

After making a person comfortable by providing the basic necessities there isn’t much money can do apart from resting in the bank. Fame and power have even more limited scope like achieving acknowledgment of professional excellence. Looking a bit deeper in these popular success symbols one point stands out, its approval of others and the validation through their opinion that is being pursued. Basically it boils down to impressing others, mostly unknown strangers, bizarre, isn’t it?

 

No matter how much money you accumulate, fame you get, power that you exercise or professional excellence you achieve everything in this world is temporary. The good lord appears deeply socialist ultimately ensuring equality at the end where everyone experiences the same, wise and unwise, rich and poor, powerful and the weak. Ultimately it’s the small time span in the mid that is the play time for the life on this small piece of a huge universe that is hardly noticeable, significant, meaningful or consequential,

No wonder an old sage commented, “Problem with people is that they take life too seriously.”

 

If these sought after aims are so temporary and meaningless then why these have been sought after and fought for needs exploration.

 

Ever wondered why the derby winning horse runs so fast and exerts so much that many times collapses during the race? One thing is for sure he isn’t aware or concerned with the trophy that his owner covets. According to experts the winning horse runs only to avoid the physical pain his rider might inflict by lashing him while a minor concern might be expectation of food. No wonder most of the hard working worldly achievers never get enough time to think and reflect about what they really want in life. Most of us just start running in the race of life that the society imparts on our innocent minds when we are young, a bit like the race dogs trying to bite a mechanical rabbit. It’s only after successfully chasing and achieving that futility of the objective is exposed resulting in depression and sorrow.

 

Mark Twain explained it beautifully, “To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence."

 

 

Ultimately success is self-defined. What matters most is whether a person feels his life is meaningful and fulfilling on his own terms.

 

I also ran and ran in the race of life until I had some time to think and reflect coming to definite conclusions about what constitutes success in life.

 

My take

Since times immemorial people have been trying to answer this question without any trace of consensus. It appears foolish to even try, hence we proceed.

 

With the help of successive approximations and elimination have come to the conclusion that the closest to the definition of success that we can achieve is the answer to a simple question,

“Is the world a better place to live for others with or without you?”

 

Looking through this lens we see many apparently big achievers turn into failures and vice versa. Unfortunately our history books have glamorized and defined success totally differently.

 

How can we call the murderers like Alexander, Genghis Khan or more recently Harry Truman or Stalin successful achievers when they caused so much pain and sufferings? Neither can we call the unscrupulous business tycoons successful like Rhodes or Rockefeller. Third world is full of crooked extra rich influence peddling politicians that fulfill all the prevalent criteria of success but would be doing a favor to this world by leaving it.

 

We still don’t know who invented the printing press that revolutionized the world. Selfless geniuses like Tesla, Jonas Salk, Tim Berners-Lee and many others refused to patent their achievements dying in utter penury. Mother Theresa and many others like her died penniless after leading a hard life. Many might call them foolish failures but according to my criteria they were the most successful although recognition or ignorance by an ordinary person like me would have hardly mattered to them.

 

Ultimately you are the best judge of your success in this world and not the many you work so hard to impress.

It is interesting to note how using this criterion of success can change our perception of the people we considered successful and heroic.

 

 

Life’s fulfillment emerges from individual participation in the service of humane ideals. Working to benefit society maximizes individual happiness. (The Humanist Manifesto)

 

 

 

khanmomar@hotmail.com

 

 

 

 

Dr. Umar Khan

khanmomar@hotmail.com

Dr. Khan belongs to a Lahore based Think Tank.

15-3-25

 

 

The beneficiaries of wars

“My only worry of the Iran/Iraq war is that one day it will end” Henry Kissinger

 

“Let the flame of Afghan war burn at the right speed.” Gen Zia was reported to have instructed his Generals meaning prolong the conflict. He and his junta weren’t concerned about the outcome of the Afghan war and the only thing important for them was its longevity, it shouldn’t end. And they extended it for a decade.

 

The Afghan war of 1979-1989 brought legitimacy to the illegal military government of Gen Zia making them frontline soldiers of the free world fighting the evil communists. Pakistan was getting financial aid helping the regime keep the population satisfied and serene. In addition to so many benefits this war also brought lots of goodies for his greedy generals making Pakistan one of the poorest countries with richest generals. It was an absolute bonanza.

 

The unbelievable Gazan attack on Israel of October 2023 brought greatest relief to the estranged minority Prime Minister Ben Netanyahu. He smilingly got into his semi military attire visiting soldiers and working up hype for severe revenge. Surprisingly he wasn’t asked about his colossal failure of letting such an immense attack happen while getting away from the corruption charges against him and his family. It was a new political life for him taking him out of the political mess he had gotten himself into. 

 

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 the happiest person was their young president Zalensky with uncertain political standing. He got himself in emergency outfit performing to the international media becoming a freedom fighter and soldier for the free world. He was a star. This war allowed him to become a darling of the west and get away with gagging the media, brutalizing the opposition parties and postponing the elections.

 

Along with strengthening his local political position, Zelensky got $ 350B aid from the US and around 200B from the EU. Out of this $ 550B nearly half or $270B is missing or unaccounted. Wars are messy and money gets embezzled, but still this as a staggering, colossal amount.

 

For the sake of comparison despite corruption and inefficiencies of 75 years Pakistan’s much hyped foreign debt is around $ 70B for a nation of 250 million people. This is nearly one fourth of the missing in the Ukraine war. One can imagine how many must have benefitted from these $ 270B

 

No wonder the Ukraine war has lasted for 3 years with no end in sight and its president resisting all efforts to end it. According to the US President he might be gambling on another world war with unimaginable scary prospects. Zelenskyy appears blinded by the largesse he is reaping due to the Ukraine war finding excuses to prolong it, which are never a problem specially for an ex standup comedian.

 

One thing is for sure that president Zelenskyy and his team are not the only beneficiaries of this war as the list would include many including segments in donor countries, businesses and the military industrial complex President Eisenhower warned against. I am not aware of any business with this kind of enormous returns. The war is an absolute jackpot for many if we ignore the human cost and the sufferings of millions of ordinary people on both sides of the battlefield.

 

Behavioral scientists teach that most of people’s beliefs are based on their conveniences and not convictions, although might claim otherwise. With these kinds of benefits that i just enumerated, it would be very difficult, rather impossible to let them go. No wonder so many unnecessary wars are fought and they are stretched beyond comprehension causing havoc in countries but benefitting some exponentially.

 

The world and human society has advanced a lot since civilization started and has controlled individual violence among people effectively but has failed miserably in controlling organized mass violence, wars. With the advancement of sciences wars have become unaffordable risking the entire world and the human race. The humanity has to effectively control the organized mass violence, wars.

 

To control the spread of wars we must have institutions of high standing that determine clearly the political and economic beneficiaries on both sides and expose their names and profits, to begin with.

 

Imperialism and the modern capitalist world has accepted pursuit of national interests as a legitimate goal without mentioning constraints or scruples. This unchecked and unrestricted hunt for interests has caused enormous sufferings and must be brought in a legal framework establishing what constitutes legitimate interest against plain criminal greed. Scruples must be enumerated and enforced.

 

To achieve all this control on spread of information must never be allowed to get monopolized and free social media ensured. One sided information has to be curtailed and demonizing of people and nations halted. After killing millions of each other Russians and Germans realized they were the same kind of humans with weaknesses and strengths. Its demonizing that allows decent people to become killers.

 

We must stop glamorizing the warmongers in history no matter how revered. Alexander should be labeled psychopath instead of great. In modern history stature of warmongers like Churchill and Netanyahu must be reassessed. The world doesn’t need nor afford wars or warmongers anymore.

 

One of the most remarkable but neglected books by American Col Neblett of Eisenhower’s staff “No peace with regulars” explains some aspects of this well and needs to be propagated. Making portions of the book and other literature exposing the causes of wars and its futility part of school curriculum can work wonders.

 

The great Sahir says,

 

guzashta jang mein ghar hi jale magar is baar
a’jab nahien k y tanhaaiyaan bhi jal jayein
guzashta jang mein paikar jale magar is baar
a’jab nahien k y parchhaaiyaan bhi jal jayein

 

During the last war our homes were burnt but this time
don’t be surprised if our moments of solitude are burnt, too
During the last war forms and figures were burnt but this time
don’t be surprised if our shadows are burnt, too.

 

“All you have to do is tell (the people) they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.”

Hermann Goering.

 

 

 

khanmomar@hotmail.com

 

 

 

 

Dr. Umar Khan

khanmomar@hotmail.com

Dr. Khan belongs to a Lahore based Think Tank.

23-2-25

 

 

Why Pakistan always sells so cheap

 

The cold war that started after the Second World War was an opportunity for many backward and poor countries of Asia who took advantage of it and developed. Japan after the devastation of the war became an economic beneficiary of the Korean War and started developing economically. It was followed by South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and many other Asian countries that were known as tiger cubs and many of them are now included among the fully developed nations. Now a new crop of tiger cub nations has arisen showing a lot of promise and reasons for optimism to the extent that South East Asia as a region has overtaken Europe in economy and development.

 

During this turbulent period the newly created nation of Pakistan also took sides in the cold war and fought many wars, both cold and some not so cold. Pakistan enjoyed economic and other benefits for the services it rendered to the world powers and initially showed some promising signs but failed miserably in developing the nation and improving the lot and outlook of its 250 million people. The benefits were temporary while the negative effects of taking sides appear to be everlasting, until now. What a tragedy?

 

Price in the practical world is determined by demand and supply, the more a thing is sought, the higher the price it fetches. Number of buyers and the intensity of the need against the bargaining power of the seller finally determines the price. In this world you don’t get what you deserve, but what you bargain is what determines the value of goods and services, weather of an individual or a nation.

 

While negotiating or bargaining with world powers playing power games, if a group arises from within the nation trying to undercut the price by bidding lower, the results can be devastating for the poor third world country. With a single buyer the price is different but upon the entrance of the second bidder the price nosedives.

 

This tragedy happened in the poor and hapless Pakistan where a group of military generals started bidding for the services it could offer to the world powers and the price plummeted. Despite fighting numerous wars for others since its creation Pakistan is still a very backward and poor country with severe cracks in the society caused by these unnecessary conflicts it got into.

 

General Ayub Khan was the first one to start clandestinely outbidding the government of Pakistan. His letters offering his services for the Americans at a lower price have been made public according to the right of information. This trend of Pakistani generals resulted in their being in power whenever the Americans needed Pakistani help and they sold Pakistan cheap, very cheap as the biggest price they get out of these dubious deals was legitimacy for their illegal governments at the cost of their nation. Military generals longing and readiness to lower price of Pakistan’s cooperation in other’s wars totally oblivious to the long term harmful effects hurt the interests of country very badly.

 

Ayub got us into active cold war and gave air bases to Americans attracting wrath of the Soviets resulting in dire consequences later. He did get a few goodies and toys for this that didn’t last but the damage to the state and society still lingers.

 

Then Mohammad Shah Rangeela reincarnated Yahya Khan was even more generous with national coffers while he helped the Americans engulf their rivals by befriending Chinese. He didn’t demand any economic help although the Americans were ready to give a substantial package but all Yahya wanted was legitimacy and opportunity to rule over the devastated millions.

 

Same story with Zia who fought and won the cold war for Americans for a pittance. The amount the US spent in Afghan war that Pakistan fought and caused the demise of the USSR was ridiculously low, a small fraction of what was spent on the next Afghan or Ukraine war. The main price was paid by Pakistan resulting in destruction of its economy, stability and society, detrimental effects still lingering. Zia did get his legitimacy though and ruled for eleven long, very long years shredding the basic fabric of the Pakistani society.

 

Then came Musharraf and another Afghan war that brought another small and temporary phase of prosperity for a few. Lots of property was bought with this money abroad by the corrupt and privileged Pakistanis. The plight of ordinary Pakistanis stayed the same.

 

We are again at the same impasse after 78 years, the military generals are vying for US help in their unending quest for political power and they are ready to offer anything for ruling their broke country. This time the gloves are off as are the scruples and the façade of democracy. Political power to the voters has been practically declared unacceptable by the generals and impunity sought.

 

Pakistan was richer and more developed than most of Asia at the time of independence but this brutal competition between the generals and the common man has resulted in absolute catastrophe for the country. It has gotten so bad that the new generation ha lost hope and the only option many of the young have is of migrating out of it. The world has gotten used to only bad news coming out of Pakistan making its passports one of the least desirable. The depression has turned into apathy and the Pakistanis have started questioning even its creation.

 

No matter how bad the situation it can be made worse and that appears to be the fate of Pakistan when we see Pakistan attacking neighborly countries. The only skill the generals claim is fighting and only wars can bring them prominence and importance. Now after controlling the national foreign policy and having bad relations with all neighboring countries starting another war appears to be their only option they seem to be pursuing. If Pakistan is forced into another shattering misadventure of starting a war with Afghanistan, it would have consequences too scary even to think of.

 

This detrimental competition for power between the people and its military generals must end if Pakistan has to survive as a respectable nation. The illegal ambitions of Pakistani generals have had catastrophic effects on the lives of 250 million and must be reined in and checked. It’s important to know what to do in life, but it’s more important to know what not to do in life and the Generals must stop humbling the constitution and their oath of not interfering in politics. They are employed to protect Pakistan and not to conquer their own country or others even if they have nukes. As a poets aptly said,

Kaise bazar ka dastoor tumhe samjhauu  

bik gya jo wo kharidar nhi ho sakta

 

 

 

Some powers might get some short term advantage out of using Pakistan ruthlessly but the long term ruinous effects it might cause by destabilizing the sixth largest nation of 250 million talented Pakistanis would be unaffordable for the rest of the world too. Just like when Bhutto predicted in his book, “If I am assassinated Himalayas would weep on my murder” even he couldn’t see 9/11 coming and the whole world weeping a few years later happening due to the chain of events his murder started.

 

It’s time the whole world realizes the gravity of the situation and restrain the uncontrolled, illegal and dangerous political ambitions of the unscrupulous Pakistani Generals.

 

 

Yeh woh badqismat maa hai jo beton ki sej pe leti hai.

 

khanmomar@hotmail.com

 

 

 

 

Dr. Umar Khan

khanmomar@hotmail.com

Dr. Khan belongs to a Lahore based Think Tank.

21-1-25

 

 

Master stroke gone sour

 

In 1981 when Pakistan was reeling under Gen Zia’s martial law, a youngster from Lahore crept in the government silently and surreptitiously. This young man Nawaz Sharif, despite a few hiccups remained the most relevant in Pakistani politics till the 2020s with 3 stints as the Prime Minister of the country. This kind of longevity and resilience was unheard of among the Pakistani politicians. Interestingly he was able to achieve all this despite his weaknesses in intellect, and public speaking ability. This extraordinary achievement speaks volumes about his exceptional maneuvering and manipulative skills.

 

His intellect might have been limited but he understood the power dynamics in Pakistan well and played political games splendidly. This is an advantage people with limited vision enjoy and little distractions, strengthening the claim that this world belongs to mediocres.

 

He rightly realized that military is the most powerful player in Pakistani politics and cultivated his relations with military high ups carefully using all known and some undeclared tactics including ingenious ways of bribing.

 

Secondly he appreciated the judiciary’s importance in Pakistani politics and used it effectively using the time tested carrot stick formula. He invested in planting and influencing judges and the elected bodies of lawyers judiciously.

 

Then there are other smaller power factors where he cultivated his influence effectively like bureaucracy and business community along with others.

 

In addition to the above, his most important tool was his influence in the media and its manipulation creating friendly narratives, he became the master of political narrative that allowed him to get away with anything.

 

In the eighties the mass media in Pakistan composed of just a few newspapers, with opinion writers numbering in single digits, and a government controlled TV channel. Media workers in those days were highly deprived making influencing and buying them easy for someone in a position to dole out benefits and privileges and he was able to do it effectively. BB was his main adversary then who wasn’t aware of these street smart tricks making her unable to handle the media effectively and he ridiculed, abused and drubbed her viciously.

 

It was Nawaz Sharif’s control of narrative building and agenda setting that brought him this amazing political success. In this tirade his unscrupulousness and ruthlessness were his chief assets. This allowed him to portray himself as a victim of judiciary despite being the biggest beneficiary of its weaknesses over the years, a symbol of civil supremacy despite being the biggest beneficiary of military’s interference in politics, proponent of decent politics despite the opposite and many others. These successes in his hold on narrative building made him confident to get away with anything like he used to.

 

After getting on the wrong side of establishment after his third stint as PM, he again cut a deal with the military and landed in the comfort of his lavish residence in the most expensive part of London riding ostentatious cars. He was at home.

 

Being a master manipulator as he always was, he didn’t waste any time and slowly starting making inroads in the international circles effective in Pakistan and planting his men at the important posts.

 

To begin with he toured US many times and cultivated relations with the lobbyists and influential people.

 

He cut a deal with Bajwa the army chief and got Imran removed as the PM installing his brother Shehbaz in his place. This started an open war between the powerful army generals and PTI that he and his party conveniently inflamed. Along with this, he got his nephew installed as the CM of the largest province, a position later taken by his daughter. Nawaz’s maneuverings were so effective that Maryam Nawaz boasted of his father prevailing in Pakistani politics despite sitting thousands of miles away.

 

After getting his political opponents displaced and brutally thrashed he was not done. With the power of PM his brother had, he interviewed and dealt with aspiring generals while sitting in London for the post of Pakistan’s new army chief. As a hard bargainer, he cut a very favorable deal with one of them promising more of flogging of his opponents and ultimately PTIs dismemberment and complete annihilation. This started immediately after the new army chief took over. Whenever the new army chief slacked in oppressing the PTI, Maryam Nawaz reminded him and nearly reprimanded him ensuring another bout of repression. There are stories without proofs about techniques used to ensure that their appointed army chief sticks to his commitments regarding the tyranny to be unleashed on PTI.

 

This control of the army chief brought influence in the US, media, intelligence agencies and the bureaucracy too, specially the election commission.

 

All these controls weren’t enough for the master manipulator and he didn’t return despite PTI being in tatters. He wanted his complete hold over the judiciary with CJ of his liking who shared love for London properties with him along with his hatred for the PTI. And he got Qazi Faez Issa as the CJ of Pakistan.

 

All the important posts occupied by his supporters and beneficiaries Nawaz finally decided to return in October 2023. The world saw a miracle where a convict returned as a conqueror with his handpicked army chief, CJ, government and everyone in important place. He got a hero’s welcome with judiciary coming to airport to absolve him. The elections had been postponed for him trampling the constitution as he was bigger than everything. His opponents were bullied and effectively ousted from the political scene.

 

The fabulous master plan of a master manipulator was in place and nothing was to stop him from coming to power for the fourth time with huge margins.

 

While planning these maneuverings 2 important points were missed. First his opponent IK was underestimated as a typical weak Pakistani politician who was expected to breakdown and submit, but he stood strong and tough taking all the abuse with dignity and grace. The second point was that with all these advantages Nawaz was unable to create narratives discrediting the opponents and glamourizing himself like he used to do earlier. It didn’t work this time and whatever tricks he played backfired, increasing the popularity and strength of his opponents. It kept on happening until Nawaz, who used to be the most popular political leader, became a near irrelevant political figure.

The February 2024 elections heavily favoring Nawaz and his party brought out a deluge of support for PTI and the N League got decimated. The outright, blatant and disparaging help kept the N League and Nawaz afloat but at a cost; absolute political and moral demise. Unpopular politicians brought to power through unfair means lose importance and have to comply to instructions of their protectors, generals in this case. A pathetic situation for any politician.

 

 

It is interesting but also sobering to realize how at times one’s biggest achievements turn into disasters, how difficult it is to predict what nature has in store for the people, how apparently bad decisions turnout to be beneficial and otherwise.

 

 

N League must keep in mind that no matter how bad the situation it can be made worse. Corrections must be made and an effective political narrative established close to people’s hearts that voters would like to associate with.  The old fashioned negatives have to be abandoned and positives strengthened to bring life back as the N League still has some decent people although many are considering jumping.  

 

Pakistan like any country, can’t afford a larger than life political leader getting the stature Imran has achieved. After all he is also a human so let’s revamp the second largest political party..

 

 

Man proposes, God disposes

 

 

khanmomar@hotmail.com