Things a ‘bat’ would make them do

It is only the symbol of a ‘bat’, but it already has a million stories associated with it. The more the orchestrators try to oust it from people’s imagination, the more it hits back in an effortless repertoire of strokes to all parts of the ground. The entire combined effort of the captive and dysfunctional institutions and their aides and abettors have proved patently insufficient to erase an imprint which is engraved deep in people’s minds.

What has happened so far makes for a horrifying episode reflecting the involvement of all state organs in a malevolent effort to dismantle the largest political party of the country and the only one with federal stature. What has necessitated it makes for an even more sordid display of arrogance of individuals in dealing with a person with a mind dedicated to freeing his country from the tentacles of slavery and putting it on course to ensuring the welfare of its people. He tried doing it by taking fledgling steps to change a course which has plunged us into the laps of masters dedicated solely to advancing their own strategic and allied interests.

His perception was that of a humane Pakistan that would deliver its people from the chains of poverty and deprivations they have suffered through generations. That is why he would always ask about the benefits that every project that his government initiated would accrue to the poor and the suffering multitudes. His handling of the Covid crisis makes for an ideal example whereby he remained firm in not depriving people of their meagre earnings by imposing a lockdown. Despite much criticism from his political opponents, his approach was hailed internationally as a singular success story.

There were scores of schemes ranging from the Health Card facility for free treatment in all hospitals of the country to multiple welfare projects under the Ehsaas umbrella which were solely dedicated to bringing relief to people hard pressed under the increasing burden of life. Shelter homes were built for the homeless where they would have freshly cooked meals and reside for the night instead of sleeping on the footpaths. There were interest-free loans and multiple schemes for provision of commodities of basic use at discounted rates.

The two-pronged approach encompassed welfare of people at home and outreach abroad to expand the compass of Pakistan’s relations with other countries, more specifically those of the region. Khan always contended that Pakistan would be a willing partner for peace, but never in war. Strangely, more than our external friends and partners, this change of approach bothered some internal forces which were used to pursuing a stagnated policy towards our traditional friends and allies, more specifically those in the West, and had even been their partners in conflicts.

Khan’s visit to Russia which coincided with the outbreak of war in the Ukraine, ruffled a few feathers who thought that their stranglehold on Pakistan would weaken with such a change of priorities.

But one never thought that things would go as far as they did. There were those that felt threatened by this realignment of foreign policy which was entirely focussed on advancing Pakistan’s interests and those of its people. But one never thought that the threat factor would make them go as far as they ultimately did – dismantling a constitutional, legal, and democratically elected government. They followed that up by initiating efforts for systematically dismembering Pakistan’s largest and most popular political party, arresting over 10,000 of its workers, denying them legal recourse, and incarcerating its internationally acclaimed leader by registering over 150 fake, frivolous and fraudulent cases against him.

The story of the ‘bat’ does not end there. With Khan’s ratings on an upswing, it was decided that PTI members would not be allowed to take part in the forthcoming elections. The operation encompassed enforced disappearances, change of loyalties, stopping potential PTI candidates from submitting their nomination papers, abducting their proposers and seconders, having their nomination papers rejected by the returning officers, and doing just about everything to keep the PTI out of the election race.

When all this did not appear to be working, the PTI was deprived of its constitutional right to enter the election arena with its traditional symbol. Instead, it has been forced to support independents as its candidates with the party having no control over possible change of political loyalties after the elections, executed through a combination of inducements and use of state brutality.

Imran Khan is also being denied facilities that would be allowed to every prisoner. But he remains steadfast in coping with increasing challenges with renewed determination that, notwithstanding the state fascism, the PTI would take part in elections and put up a candidate for every available constituency at the federal and provincial level. After nomination of its candidates was made public, reports started filtering in that they are being subjected to threats and harassment to disown their party and shift their loyalties to other political concoctions which have been artificially tailored to contain an ever-increasing PTI vote bank.

Not content with pre-election manoeuvring, there is increasing speculation that election-day will be marred by extensive rigging. It is also feared that voters of the PTI will either be forced away from the polling stations, or their attendance will be kept at the barest minimum.

There is also the prospect of stuffing ballot boxes with votes in favour of the parties being promoted by the power wielders.

Barely three weeks away from the election, every trick has been used to deprive the PTI of both its candidates and its support base. It has been like wading through a river of fire, yet the frustration of the orchestrators goes on increasing. This is so because they are confronted with the power of faith and conviction. Propelled by the undying sincerity of their leader, Imran Khan, the will of his charges refuses to die, their passion refuses to subside, and their hope keeps lighting up candles along the arduous way.

In such moments of dangling between extremes of despair and hope, Faiz’s words carry an indescribable power, like the following from his poem ‘Meeting’:

From bows carved of every dark-laden branch,/ Arrows have been cast into my heart./ Plucking them from there,/ Each one I have made into a mattock,/ To chisel new paths.

It is toasting to these paths emblazoned by rays of hope, urging people to move on as the destination cannot be far.

The writer is the information secretary of the PTI and a fellow at King’s College London. He tweets/posts @RaoofHasan