The clamor for Imran Khan's release, echoing across social media, highlights a fundamental question: Does it truly serve the people?
Across platforms like Twitter, a fervent demand is rising from Pakistanis, both at home and abroad. They're calling for a return to democracy, free and fair elections (with the February 2024 polls widely considered rigged), and the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, imprisoned since August 2023 under reportedly harsh conditions. But does this demand truly address the core issues?
Let's consider this: the ultimate measure of any political action should be its impact on the lives of ordinary citizens. Does it improve their standard of living? Does it make their lives better? From this perspective, does it truly matter whether the 2024 elections were rigged or if Imran Khan is in jail or free?
Even if the elections had been fair, and the PTI had secured a majority, with Imran Khan back in power, would the lives of the common Pakistani have changed? The harsh realities of poverty, unemployment, malnutrition, and the lack of quality healthcare and education would likely have persisted. In fact, the Pakistani economy worsened during Imran Khan's term, with prices of essential goods soaring. He was forced to seek massive loans from the IMF, a move he had previously vowed to avoid. Instead of focusing on these critical issues, his administration often spoke of ideological rhetoric, while simultaneously imprisoning political opponents.
His political campaign was built on the promise of integrity in public life. But in the 2018 elections, he gave PTI tickets to numerous 'electables' – individuals with questionable reputations – who were subsequently elected. He took no action against them, knowing that their support for his government would vanish. But here's where it gets controversial: Could this be interpreted as a pragmatic move, or a betrayal of his stated principles?
The average Pakistani is consumed by the daily struggle to survive. So, does it truly matter to them whether Pakistan is under military or civilian rule, or whether Imran Khan is free? When the PMLN, PPP, or PTI were in power, did they eliminate or even significantly reduce poverty, unemployment, or the skyrocketing prices of essential goods? The answer is no. And is the situation any different under the current de facto military rule? Again, the answer is no.
This isn't a blind endorsement of freedom and democracy as ends in themselves. They are merely tools, not the ultimate goal. The true objective must be to raise the standard of living and improve the lives of the people. If freedom and democracy help achieve this, they are valuable. If not, their value diminishes.
Consider Mustafa Kemal in Turkey. In the 1920s, he overthrew a corrupt regime and swiftly modernized the country, abolishing outdated laws, suppressing religious figures, and mandating education for girls. He achieved this through decisive action, as an army general, recognizing that democratic methods would have failed due to the conservative mindset of the population at the time. Could a similar approach be justified in Pakistan if it led to genuine modernization and poverty reduction?
Unfortunately, the reality is that the Pakistani military leadership seems more interested in personal comfort and wealth accumulation, akin to vampires draining the lifeblood of the people. Civilian leaders, such as Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto, have been accused of similar actions, with allegations of corruption and self-enrichment. The Panama Papers revealed that Nawaz Sharif and his family owned numerous luxurious properties abroad. And as for Imran Khan, he appears to lack a clear plan to address Pakistan's economic woes.
From the perspective of the common Pakistani, the difference between civilian and military rule is often negligible. Therefore, the current clamor for democracy and Imran Khan's release echoes Shakespeare's words: "It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." Do you agree with this assessment, or do you believe there's more at stake?
Markandey Katju is an Indian jurist and former judge of the Supreme Court of India.
