The riveting political drama in Pakistan—with Prime Minister Imran Khan as the protagonist, the powerful Pakistani army as the puppeteer, the Speaker as the protagonist’s side-kick and the opposition as the winner in waiting—has again demonstrated the fragility, and also the predictability, of Pakistan’s democracy.
Islamabad politicians have given governance a convenient go-by in the last two to three weeks.
The economy and the currency are in a free fall. Debt is soaring. Fast-friend China is no longer pumping money into the much-vaunted China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects that don’t pay.
The border with Taliban's Afghanistan is on fire. Balochistan—the poor little rich province is fast becoming an unenduring headache with fatal attacks on military personnel.
India Narrative spoke to Baloch leaders to find out their views on the political situation in Islamabad. Their distrust for Pakistani politicians and the country remains high.
Sobdar Baloch, member of the Free Balochistan Movement (FBM) said: "The Baloch are not interested in Pakistan's internal situation because we know this all drama is being staged by the ISI through Rawalpindi-based Punjabi generals".
Hitting out at total control which the "establishment" exercises over the Pakistani way of life, Sobdar says: "There is no democracy at all in the country and judges too are controlled by the ISI. The Election Commission, the media, political and religious groups are also under the army's control".
The distrust among the Baloch people runs deep against Pakistan. Freelance journalist Kiyya Baloch tweeted: "How can one convince these students that the constitution & democracy have been restored in this country and they can return to Balochistan without any fear? They’re well aware Balochistan is an area where the rule of law & the supremacy of constitution are meaningless thoughts".
Now the real tragedy is that #Baloch students who were protesting for the safe release of #hafeezbaloch, their fellow, cannot go back to their homes. They fear they maybe subject to enforced disappearances when they return to #Balochistan. Who can help them fighting this fear? pic.twitter.com/V4u8SG6Qu8
— Kiyya Baloch (@KiyyaBaloch) April 8, 2022
This is a sentiment that Sobdar echoes. He says: "As far as Balochistan is concerned, it is directly being handled by the army. The civilian government is just a showcase".
Making light of the political flux in Pakistan, Sobdar says: "This situation in Islamabad is evident that Pakistan is an artificial State, dictated by foreign powers. The Pakistani Army is a hired army and should be dissolved soon. If the world wants to have a peaceful and extremism-free life, it should declare liberation for Balochistan".
While opportunist politicians are busy pulling down opponents or trying to fix themselves into positions of power, the long-suffering Pakistani people wonder at the sense of deja vu and wring their hands in despair. For the Baloch community, the continuously running Pakistani political drama only cements aspirations for their dream of living in an independent Baloch nation.
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