Tipu Sultan reincarnated

With the rise of Imran Khan, is Pakistani Nationalism reborn?

Pakistan was envisaged and then carved out of British India because majority of the Muslim population considered itself a separate entity from Hindus. In short, Muslims and Hindus were two different nations. Iqbal gave the vision and Jinnah laid the foundation of a Muslim state, first of its kind in modern history, which gained its independence simultaneously with Hindu-majority India in August 1947. 

The ideals were clear – formation of an Islamic welfare state wherein Muslims lead their lives according to Islamic principals and minorities enjoy freedom of religion and expression – but with passage of time these principals got clouded with confusion and ignorance. Pakistani Muslims considered themselves descendents of great Muslim dynasties which ruled India for over a century and got inspiration from their heritage. 

Imran Khan at Minar-e-Pakistan on 30 Oct 2011

With the death of Jinnah, Quaid-e-Azam, the goals of the Pakistan Movement were quickly forgotten as fierce struggle for power erupted between politicians and potential despots. Although the 8-point Objectives Resolution was passed as a model by the Constituent assembly in 1949, a thoroughly representative constitution reflective of Pakistani Ideology remained a dream until 1973. It was because democracy was never allowed to stand on its feet.

The result was obvious. As the game of musical chairs within power hungry elite continued, uncertainty and desperation among the people of both East and West Pakistan grew with each passing day. Short-sightedness of the dictatorial regimes, unequal distribution of wealth, political alienation, geographical factors, greed of politicians and ensnaring and monkey business by a neighbour resulted in the break up of Pakistan. The East part became Bangladesh, and although the remaining part stood on its feet again, the uncertainty regarding its ideological roadmap grew stronger. 

The democracy was derailed after a brief period in which several key steps were taken despite economic and political instability. The incumbent dictator, for the sole purposes of longevity of his rule, tried to enforce his agenda by sugar-coating Pakistan Ideology with rhetoric and shallow idealism. As a result moderate Islamic philosophy was replaced by hard-line militant mindset.  

Eventually the baton of power went in politicians’ hands but the other end of the string remained elsewhere. After a tumultuous political tenure spanning almost a decade, another pseudo-intellectual dictator forced himself into power with a renewed pledge to make the nation shake hands with prosperity and salvation.

This time the mode of stealing the people’ right to rule was different. He propagated his secular beliefs by borrowing a term, enlightened moderation. His sole aim too was to extend his regime and he did it for 8 years on the pretext of eradicating extremism which another dictator had promoted for over a decade. The Ideology of Pakistan was almost done and dusted. 

The unholy alliance of Mullah, Military and Judiciary was finally broken when Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary said ‘NO” to dictator Pervez Musharraf after he had asked him to resign in March 2007. After a strong movement led by lawyers’ bodies, he was reinstated, but was disposed off again along with whole judiciary when Musharraf declared emergency and suspended constitution in November 2007. 

The new political government which was carved out of NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance) could not provide the country any stability therefore desperation grew rapidly. Demise of hope and pride was the biggest loss. With the economic and political instability growing, the people of Pakistan saw another alliance emerging between political parties to protect the status quo.  The War on terror had its own implications as it only increased militancy in Pakistan. The corrupt mafia seemed to line up against the voices of change. The Arab Spring too was viewed as an inspiration. A revolution was seen as the only hope by the masses waiting for a messiah. 

Imran Khan, despite spending 15 hard years in political arena, was not viewed by many pundits as a potential answer, although his support among youth had risen considerably over the years. Since the launch of his political party in 1996, one saw many ups and downs in his political career, but two things that stood out were his passion and sincerity. Even his fierce critics admit that he is an honest man who cannot be lured or subjugated. 

Finally in the political landscape, he stands tall. Pundits have taken notice and masses have turned to him. Relying on the vibrant youth, he has a plan to bring real change in Pakistan. He hates hypocrisy hence his views are clear and interpretable. Masses like him because he speaks truth. People trust him because he always fulfilled whatever he promised to them.  Shaukat Khanum Memorial cancer hospital and NUML University are prime examples.

He wants Pakistan to stand on its feet rather than live on foreign aid. His stance on militancy is clear – never use military force and segregate militants from those who are not by negotiating with them. He aims to bring Pakistan’s sovereignty and dignity back. He wants to eradicate injustice from society. As he once said: “At the moment we have a ruling class that has one law and the people the other”. Above all he is fighting the biggest menace according to him, corruption.

He does not put forward his own ideas or those borrowed from the West. Instead he takes inspiration from Jinnah and Iqbal. After reinventing himself through spiritual guidance and adherence to Islamic principals, he has come out with clarity vis-à-vis Pakistan’s philosophy.  He is neither secular, nor a mullah. He is a moderate Muslim as the Quaid and Iqbal were. This was brightly reflected in his breakthrough gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan on 30 October 2011.

The playing of National anthem, saying Maghreb prayers on stage, pausing for Azan and people singing and dancing with joy reflect what Imran Khan is. This is, in fact, what Pakistan is. There is no place for extremism on our soil. There is no way for theocracy to rule us. Imran provides the best alternative; in fact he takes us where Jinnah and Iqbal wanted us to.

The way he roared on stage and people responded to his calls, surely is a cause for concern for the mafia of status quo and corruption. But he is not going to back away and neither we, his followers. There is no stopping him now as he said, “Change is not coming; change has come”.

The massive sit-in by the people proves that he is the true lion of Lahore, in fact Lion of Pakistan. His stance against corruption, indignity and his courage reminds me of another lion in our proud history - Tipu Sultan. As Tipu had said, "One day life of a lion is better than 100 years life of jackal", Imran wants us to live life of dignity rather than beggary.  He shouts loud and clear, ''I want to tell America that we want friendship with you, not slavery".

Whether he wins the coming elections or not, he has given new spirit to millions of Pakistanis who otherwise had lost hope and pride. The onus now is on us whether we want to open a new window and breathe new air or let our lives rust on the mercy of the ruling elite.

I hope Imran succeeds and gives us our Jinnah’s Pakistan back.