The despotic regime in the guise of democracy!

By Shehzad Baloch

Upon analyzing the history of political parties in Pakistan, it is evident that they were all created by

dictators.

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was established under the leadership of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto during General Ayub Khan’s regime despite its self-proclaimed democratic championing, and Bhutto was the right-hand of General Ayub.

The Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N) was founded with the help of General Zia-ul-Haque, also a dictator. Initially, it was part of Jamate Islami, but later, it split and was renamed the Pakistan Muslim League with a Punjabi patriotic slogan under the leadership of Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif.

Presently, PML-N is working again with the establishment for their establishment interests and benefits.

The PML-N’s primary responsibility is to collect aid and funds from Arab countries and international organizations, including the IMF, on behalf of the establishment, while at the same time pretending to be the country’s legitimate democratic government. This is done to avoid international hesitation in dealing with a dictatorship.

Pakistan’s 75-year history demonstrates that military generals have been in power and benefited from all respect.  On the other hand, civil department heads and politicians have served as facilitators to the military aiming to extract wealth from citizens and revenue generated from the resources of provinces.

The Pakistan People’s Party has a history of being involved in military operations in Balochistan, KPK, and Karachi, often to sell off the minerals of Balochistan like Reco Dick and other interests. It is believed that the party is very close to establishment and has committed injustices against the people of the oppressed nationalities in the country.

The plutocratic leadership of the Pakistan People’s Party has historically collaborated with the military to coerce people. In 1971, Bengalis won the elections by a landslide victory. However, Mr. Bhutto, of the PPP and establishment refused to transfer power to Sheikh Mujeeb, leader of the Awami league, violating democratic norms and denying the majority their rightful victory after waiting for 25 years.

Mr. Bhutto said, “You are there; we are here.” Later, Bengal seceded, and Bangladesh was formed.

In 1973, following Bangladesh’s secession, a massive military operation was launched in Balochistan. Mr. Bhutto was dastardly leading the army operation. During that operation, thousands of Balochs were butchered, their livestock was looted, females’ honors were disparaged, and Marri Balochs were forced out to the neighboring country Afghanistan, where a generation led a life like pariahs.

At the time of the operation in Balochistan, Mr. Bhutto begged the Shah of Iran, Raza Shah Pahlavi, for Apache and Cobra helicopters and money to genocide the Baloch people. The Iranian sophisticated military aviation equipment was used against Baloch ruthlessly.

In 2010, the Pakistan People’s Party approved the 18th Amendment bill from parliament. The bill enshrines the rights of provinces to their resources. However, the same PPP, under advice from the establishment, revoked the constitutional authority of the 18th Amendment in Balochistan and Sindh provinces. The party did this to transfer mines and minerals to the central government.

As a result, the Baloch treasure trove Reko Diq, was handed over by the central government and then to Barrick Gold, a Canadian multinational company. As part of a PPP initiative Constitution was amended. In Balochistan as usual a rigged Assembly and a puppet Chief Minister, and in Sindh, there was the PPP government, resulting in underselling of Reco Dick with Barrick Gold, and the Thar coal region was sold to China.

On 14 January 2013, upon the imposition of Governor’s Rule in Balochistan, Aslam Raisani was dismissed as Chief Minister by Yousaf Raza Gilani, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, under Article 234 of the Constitution of Pakistan, at the time of handing over the Gwadar Port to China. This was done because Chief Minister of Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raisani of PPP was against this deal, so he was removed. Immediately after, China was granted a lease of the coastal resources belonging to the Baloch people, this was also done by the PPP government.

However, the details of the agreement signed with China for the Gwadar project, and with Barrick Gold of Reco Dick have not yet been made public, and the Senate was also not even informed about it. The federal Defense Department again violated the Constitution by declaring this agreement confidential.

Looking closely, one might wonder: How can the Pakistan People’s Party be considered a democratic party? On the other hand, while the party was in power, it supported military operations in Balochistan, during the PPP government political workers in Balochistan started to go missing thousands, for years without any legal process and leaving their families clueless about their loved ones’ whereabouts.

The elections held on February 28, 2024, were utterly orchestrated. The Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League members were selected with specific agendas by the establishment.

In Balochistan, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) did not have a suitable politician to appoint his Chief Minister, instead the members selected by the establishment were directed to join PPP. Astonishingly, the Party and its supporters submitted to this command without question. The PPP gerontocrats bowed before this order and did not prioritize meritocracy or seniority criteria. This raises concerns about the state of democracy in the country and the actions of those who champion it.

Due to massive mismanagement, irregularities, and the extravagance of the ruling elite and military, Pakistan teeters on the verge of default, with its wealth being transferred abroad.

Furthermore, there is a long-standing insurgency in Balochistan province that has not subsided despite severe human rights abuses and continued military operations. Consequently, the government has suffered significant financial and human losses due to this conflict.

The country’s establishment is planning to extract more money by selling off Balochistan’s resources, like oil gas, and minerals, particularly the Reko Diq and coast without any opposition. To accomplish their goals, they are in dire need of the Pakistan People’s Party’s support, especially in Balochistan. They have formed a designed government in the province and ensured the victory of selective senators unopposed.

A ruthless military operation is expected against Baloch insurgents, which will lead to extreme human rights violations in the region. It is unlikely that any opposing voice will be raised in the assemblies or the Senate against these coercions. The media is already controlled, and there is already complete impunity for state forces for their actions against the Baloch people. Informed sources also predicted a severe and tumultuous operation in Balochistan soon.

Mr. Jamal Khan Raisani, MNA of PPP and very close to the establishment predicted a few days before that either all Baloch youth would accept the prevailing situation, or all would join with insurgents, by such a statement, he may be hinting at a new kind of operation.

Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal, MNA and head of Balochistan National Party, in his interview, has hinted about the imminent of a scorch earth operation in Balochistan. Sources claim that new operations will be tacitly supported by the United States, United Kingdom, and others to ensure that Pakistan comes out of a default situation and can pay foreign debts. To use Balochistan natural resources is the only option left to bail out Pakistan.

The province of Balochistan is currently facing a severe financial crisis and cannot pay salaries and dues to its employees and organizations. The ruling regime in Balochistan seems determined to turn the province into a security zone, where all resources will be directed toward security organizations and war machinery. This move will worsen the poverty-stricken situation of the region, causing its residents to fall deeper into the abyss of starvation.