Category: Politics

Truth lies beneath.

Truth. Lies. Oxymoron.

A billion-dollar industry thrives on both sides, selling the same story to their poor, hungry, illiterate, stunted, malnourished, thirsty, diseased taxpayers.

The story of more weapons, more military, more missiles, more tanks, more fighter jets, more martyrs, more blood… and more budget.

Budget. More.

Behind the smokescreen stand the same ugly profiteers of war. Poor will suffer. Poor will die. Poor will make the news. And the rich war capitalists will grow richer from the starved-nations’ budget – without firing a bullet or standing in the war zone.

This is business. It has always been business.

In history, wars were for the ego of a man, a couple of men, a family, or a dynasty.

Today, wars are fought for those whose names and faces are hidden behind songs and war advertisements. They remain hidden – but they make profit from every single drop of blood, spilled or forgotten.

Before Cholistan Canal Project, there was a book about such business ventures. Things deteriorated though with the nosediving economy and business environment, but one business industry – a diversified conglomerate – has flourished. Military Business i.e., MilBus.

When Ayesha Siddiqa originally published “Military Inc.” in 2007, she was ridiculed not only by the state but by the patriotic people of Pakistan too without even being read. The data, numbers, graphs, and words in her book were extraordinary. An objective book on a subjective topic at least till then.

In 2007, the estimated total value of MilBus in Pakistan was $20 billion. How much would that be today? $50-$60 billion? Perhaps. You can’t audit. You can’t know.

Anyway, let’s come to Cholistan Canals Project. Civilians are leading and civilians are fighting over it, and civilians are debating it, and civilians are funding it; yet it is an uncivil project. The directive to get it done comes from the ‘real’ Islamabad. And it’s an order.

There are six canals in total. Two are the real canals. Four are to confuse you with their ill intentions. “No, no, see, it is for Balochistan and Sindh too…”. Umm, no.

The Sutlej and Ravi rivers are almost dead. The Ravi has been tapped off officially. The Sutlej received huge water flows two years back only because there were severe floods in India. Otherwise, it’s also a dead river. The Sutlej could have been a source for this project had it been alive, as it passes through Bahawalnagar, Vehari, and Bahawalpur before merging with the Chenab near Uch Sharif.​

In the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab), the inflow of water is gradually depleting. Glaciers in the northern mountains are melting faster – which increase the inflow of water in the rivers temporarily. Then we have rain / flood water too but that is only in a particular season and cannot be considered a reliable source for the entire year. Or corporate farming.

Here are some lies and myths of this project.

Sindh alone will not suffer. Both Punjab and Sindh will suffer. The landless farmers, the poor, middle, and lower-middle-class individuals, and those without influence in Islamabad and Rawalpindi will also suffer. Lands will be grabbed. Remember the Okara farmers? That land grabbing is going to expand massively. Also, when water is diverted from central Punjab to the southeastern side, a giant cultivated region will be deprived.

Then there is another lie of surplus water. There is no additional water. The current reservoirs are already shrinking. Punjab’s aquifer is on a substantial risk already with unaccounted pumping all across the province. Homes, car-wash centers, construction sites, factories, and mills, etc. are all sucking water out of the land and there is no bureaucracy to halt this as it halts files, development, and social services.

The feasibility study of this project is compromised. Perhaps done by some incompetents hired and managed by the bureaucracy to give it a legitimate light.

Environmental impact considerations are bogus. That has not even been considered – not a concern for them, honestly. Just like the cement factories in the Chakwal region, which had a severe negative impact on the environment. Underground water reservoirs were used so mercilessly that the whole region’s water levels fell immensely.

And there is no additional water. There is no water surplus. It’s a business for the sake of business. Not for the country or its civil residents.

Sindh will suffer. So will Punjab. It’s a dictatorial venture.

PPP was going to nod and sign on it had it been conceived well. Things went out of their hands, so Bilawal had to make some ‘democratic noise’.

PMLN has this mandate because of the ones who are entering corporate farming. Else, they didn’t even get enough mandate to had a healthy opposition. So, they will do whatever they can for their masters.

With Shehbaz Sharif as the PM, Ahsan Iqbal as the Federal Minister for Planning & Development, and an entire bureaucracy of following the orders as received; this project will see the light of the day. Maybe with a little amendment, but this will happen.

Not long ago, similar businessmen identified a big chunk of land right at the center of Lahore. The land that initially received migrants and their mutilated dead bodies from across the border after Partition of 1947. The land that has thousands of graves underneath, but time bulldozed them.

Government and Punjab Cabinet were taken on board. Even with petitions by citizens against the venture, the plan was made, and it has been executed against the environment and wellbeing of the city.

The land was then marked and cleaned. Sold for pennies to different investors. Pretty much the same businessmen that have their eyes on Cholistan.

That land is Walton. It even made headlines as ‘Waltongate Scandal’. Dawn reported on it consistently.

Walton Airport – the oldest airport of Pakistan was removed and relocated. The idea of Babe-e-Pakistan Bagh was shrunk to minimum size.

Central Business Development (CBD) was established. Infrastructure of roads has been laid. Walton Road has been made in the light of business ventures. Tall buildings are being constructed in CBD. The new road ‘Route 47’ will be inaugurated in 2 days.

From migrants of 47 to Route 47.

It could and should have been the Central Park of Lahore on New York’s design. It could and should have been the breathing gardens of Lahore.

But no. This entire country is a business.

Balochistan is not livable. Not tolerable. Not good enough for tourism too. But yes, it’s a perfect land for minerals, mining, trade, smuggling, CEPC, and wealth.

Cholistan is a desert. Only the stupidest of the stupid country would try to transform a desert into a farm with the present water risks and scarcity.

But when you have already taken big chunks of lands in cities and villages, only deserts are left now. Then it’s time for Desert Rose and you shall get your due and undue share of thorns and thirst.

With that, Jumma Mubarik.

Burkina Faso tops the Global Terrorism Index, with Pakistan following closely in second place. Congratulations . A difference of just 0.207 between the two countries. A little more consistency, and we could claim the top spot.

Who will you blame? Sorry. Wrong words. Let me rephrase. Who deserves the credit? The Prime Minister? The Chief Ministers? The Chief Justices? No.

You know who’s the unsung hero in all this. From martial law to another. From one bomb blast to another. The country is in blood not for nothing. There’s a complete business plan under execution.

This patriotism and nationalism is a business of the elite. It is embedded in you with curriculum, songs, movies, and slogans. So that you can die, and your family be proud of it. Let me elaborate with an already shared post:

Rashid Minhas took the plane down and crashed it because an agent was trying to take it to other side of the border. Minhas embraced martyrdom and was awarded Nishan-e-Haider.

Who was the agent? What is the other side of the story?

Matiur Rehman was the “agent” who was trying to take the plane out of Pakistan. He was fighting for his nation i.e. freedom fight of Bengalis. From Bangladeshi point of view, he was their hero.

Matiur Rehman was awarded Bir Sreshtho (equivalent to Nishan-e-Haider) and is known as their national hero. Just like Minhas.

Two sides of the same coin. Same story. Same incident. Same plane. Same martyrdom. Same medal of honor. And same religion.

Both were sons. Both had families. Both had dreams. Both had a life.

But who won? Business. Business of war, weapons, arsenals, jets, tanks…

And who suffered? Those who were sick, hungry, illiterate, malnourished, and striving for basics. Public. Awaam. Janta. They are still striving. Pakistan, India and Bangladesh have the highest pool of people below poverty line.

Take it this way. There are five members of Security Council. This council of security is supposed to make this world more secure. And these five countries are the top five countries of exporting weapons. Business. Nothing else. We either end up as consumers or collateral damage. Wrapped in a flag. 21 shots. That’s it.

As Arundhati Roy said;

“Flags are bits of colored cloth that governments use first to shrink-wrap people’s minds & then as ceremonial shrouds to bury the dead.”

You played with the religion. In the end, religion outplayed you. That’s how people are done and dusted in a theological state.

Iddat has punished an ex PM to prison. While qisas and diyat helped murderers get away with crime and punishment.

Like once, the whole state was playing with Jihad and Mujahideen. Until both turned back and took the state violently with over 80,000 dead bodies.

I know. You have your arguments. But I have counterarguments. I’m not against the religion. I’m against the use of it by the state and people.

In the end, religion will wipe away basic rights if the state will own it to set its own narrative. For common people, it’s a lose-lose. Always.

Don’t fall into a trap. Differentiate between personal and public choices. And if you cannot respect someone’s privacy, then be ready to be violated of your own personal space some day.

It’s a lose-lose. Remember that.

———-

Let me. Let me think this through by imagining myself as a Judge. I am a Judge. Yes, I am.

So, how did I do it? How did I analyze iddat? If I can analyze iddat period, can I analyze period too? Can I? If I think I can, I can. Steno! Note that one. It’s a quotable quote and I am the Judge.

Ok. Let me extend my intellect. What if I order that all the parents must submit DNA tests of their children to the court? Or Nadra. Else, Nadra may be ordered to cancel B-Forms of their children. How strict is that order? I have bounded the entire generation to my order. 250 million.

But I am not done yet. I am the Judge.

I will clean the marriages. I will differentiate between your harami and halali lineage. Ooooh! I’m so excited. This will lead to divorces, but I don’t care. A marriage should be on halal terms. Or there should be no marriage at all. We will go back. To the times of matrilineal societies. No marriages. No divorces. I will be remembered as the judge who ended divorces.

This is getting on my nerves. This is getting on my nerves. I need my pill. Order, order. The court is adjourned.

If the word ‘idiot’ had a face, it would have been… wait!

It’s caretaker setup in Punjab but it’s a caretaking setup for PMLN.

The top bureaucracy of the province is PMLN affiliated as evident from the last night’s shuffle. That’s a shame. Not that but ‘affiliated bureaucracy’ is a shame. The primary characteristic of bureaucracy was supposed to be impartial. But that’s a characteristic.

A word based on character. Can’t be affiliated to our bureaucracy. Because affiliation is a must for rent seeking and profits.

Anyway. Punjab is under PMLN. Bureaucratically and administratively. Comprehensively.

If there was one lesson from Jinnah, it was parliamentary politics. Politics of pen and paper. Not agitation and quitting and non-cooperation.

Even when AIML had a decisive defeat in General Elections of India in 1937, Jinnah didn’t quit. He didn’t opt for street politics and useless agitation against Congress. When Congress resigned in 1939 – a blunder – there was nothing left but a fall for the quitters. AIML and Jinnah emerged as victorious in General Elections of India in 1945.

Even before that when Gandhi and Congress decided to support Muslims during Khilafat Movement (1919-24), Jinnah objected to ‘Non-Cooperation’. He wanted electoral and parliamentary politics instead of street agitation. The abrupt ending of that movement proved Jinnah was right.

Quoting Jinnah is easy. Having his badge on the collar is easier. But to learn something from his life practically is somehow a no for all the loudmouths.

So, here we are. Among a huge herd of idiots and duffers.

Quitting National Assembly was a dumb move. Quitting Punjab was a dumber move. Quitting KP was dumbest. All from the one idiot who has a pretty huge dumb following. With no strings of rationality attached.

If the word ‘idiot’ had a face, it would have been Imran Khan.

P.S. It is naïve of you if you are seeing a political cartel – like this current PDM – for the first time.

A few years back, PTI made a similar cartel / alliance to rule. It had PMLQ, MQM, BAP, AML, GDA, and various independents to form a government. They had Judiciary, Intelligence, and Military Establishment on their side as well.

You used to have goosebumps when a notorious businessman used to fly his plane to buy independents for Khan. Now you are in shock. Conveniently.

Today is a repetition of the past. Just because you don’t like the clown in charge now doesn’t mean that it’s the first ever circus in town.

All the moves IK had back then – when he used to win – were because of the military establishment on his side. Remember the Senate Elections? How the majority lost?

He wasn’t smart. He isn’t smart now. He was always an idiot. Back then his ‘nappies’ were changed. Now, he’s being ignored for another kid with nappies. Don’t pretend to be in shock. This is a repetition of a repetition.

Over and out.

On a serious note, why can’t we have an official Porn Ministry? Formally? Why to hide this competency behind leaks?

We can make. We can export. Content. And we can have Foreign Direct Investments too. Can attract big companies like… you know… hubs and tubes. This can work. We can be out of the debt trap which is becoming a dead trap.

Negotiating debt payments can be easier. Won’t have to beg. Wink. Bingo.

Adopt your weakness. Adapt. Nurture. And make it your strength.

Open your legs. And the world can be yours.

Suri: Khan sb! Give some Islamic touch. Give example of Prophet Muhammad PBUH.

The music continued in the background. The DJ couldn’t evesdrop what the mic recorded conveniently. Even the equipment was conspiring against the Great Khan.

He listened. How could he miss that touch? He knew the importance. He knew religion is the key to success. Not action, but words can ignite the whole electorate. Even the whole country can be set ablazed with mere use of words.

IK: I… I… I am a follower of the Prophet PBUH.

The crowd – as expected – cheered. Suri was right. The moment was right. The words were right. Only the equipment wasn’t right. Or maybe too right to capture whispers.

They sell. They sell whatever they can. Some sell patriotism. Some sell philosphies of great history. Some sell blood. And some sell religion.

When politicians have no manifesto, no successfuly history, no political ideology, no long-term political insight; they offer other things. Be great again. Religion. Nationalism. Patriotism. Civilization. Whatever!

So, here we are. In a mess. Of idiots. And the only debate we have is who is the lesser evil. Choose! Red pill or blue pill. Where’s that pill? ECP?

Just like your marriages and past relationships are personal matters and shouldn’t be discussed – rightly – then religion holds the same place. It’s a personal matter.

The beliefs of your dentist doesn’t matter to you. The marriage of your contractor doesn’t matter to you. The philosophy of your driver doesn’t matter to you. What matter are their work and work ethics. But, sigh!

We have learned nothing from past. We don’t even learn from the religious hate being spread in India. We just love to play with fire. The fire which has burnt us so many times. In Sialkot. In Kot Radha Kishan. In Karachi. In Lahore. In Islamabad. In Quetta. In Peshawar. Everywhere!

I don’t care who you follow. Not my concern. My concern is your policies, your rule, your decisions, your options, your choices, your impact, and – above all – your words. Because you are representing a whole lot for a whole country.

So, listen carefully. Listen again. That touch, that evesdrop, is a clear message on what they sell, and how they sell. Beware!

Bewared.