How best to destroy a country

The Candid Corner

There is a growing and nauseating feeling that things are moving in reverse gear in Pakistan. Many fronts can be seen where, instead of making progress, vile and degenerative trends are becoming increasingly visible. Decimation of democratic culture, revival of terrorism, demise of the judicial system, and state protection of crime and corruption are some features that readily come to mind. On top of it all is an unmistakable propensity to espouse deceit and deception as levers of success. These are potent indicators of a society in rapid decline, but there is no one who is bothered about its deadly consequences.

After the reported presence of terrorist forces in the area, virtually the entire population of Swat stepped out in protest vowing that they will not allow germination of the scourge in their midst again. But why, in the first place, has this happened? One understood that the valley had been cleared of all terrorists after prolonged sufferance and sacrifice of countless lives. Over the last few days, footage has been posted on social media showing vehicles bearing Taliban flags being eased across the border into Pakistani territory. Which are the forces that are making this possible and what is the motive of jeopardising the peace of the area whose germs can quickly spread to the rest of the country? As always, shadows keep lurking in the dark which would not be recognised.

Negotiating with the Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) was a monstrous and self-inflicting decision which, by all indications, was not deliberated exhaustively as to its pros and cons. In the process, one did not fully understand either the mindset or the dynamics that propel terrorists to do what they end up doing. Much trust was also reposed in the mediatory role of the Taliban who had actually encouraged this initiative. One should have realised that both their potential and desire for an agreement would not be sufficient to extricate favours out of minds which remain toxic and inflexible. In all probability, that is how it started. Apparently, some concessions were granted to the TTP including their conditional influx into some border areas. Once they were there, it was a difficult task to contain their activities as they do not conform to any stated discipline. They act by their distorted faith and their maniacal whims. The wise ones should have visualised the end before they had initiated the dangerous venture.

It is still not clear whether the TTP activists are temporarily lying low, or they have actually been sent back across the border. I would be surprised if they would retreat that easily. I think they may have gone underground only to wait for more propitious times to re-emerge and start their deadly activities. Their presence on Pakistani soil would be perpetual reminder of the looming danger that can be unleashed without any notice served or warning given. I fail to understand any logic behind this dangerous and destructive move. But, like all such things, the rationale, if any at all, would remain a mystery.

Crime, corruption and terrorism flourish in an environment that is compromised and denuded of justice, Pakistan being a classic example in this regard. It is not only that justice is not being provided to those who deserve it as a matter of routine. In reality, it is now only available as a commodity to be sold to those who have the goodies to buy it. Mostly, they hail from the criminal bands which have put a stranglehold on the country and its institutions. It is, therefore, little wonder that all the proven crooks, convicts, criminals and absconders are being washed clean of their grievous crimes, mostly of stripping the state of its assets and laundering their illicit billions abroad to invest in lavish properties and businesses.

Despite undeniable evidence of their criminal deeds, when power and pelf came into play, the wickedest of criminals were cleansed of their crimes as if these had never been committed. The tyranny did not end there. Even the laws under which they were tried were abolished, or changed. So, not only the criminals have not been punished for their horrendous indulgences this time around, there would be no law to punish them in the future also. Crime and corruption are now legalised commodities in the country which can be traded as means to advance individual interests and stakes. In simple words it means that a culture of crime and corruption would be systematically and remorselessly promoted giving only the rich and the powerful the right to live and prosper. The rest must either perish, or they would agree to live as enslaved species to be whipped in one direction or the other.

A healthy, vibrant and sustainable democratic culture is born of a just society which is guided by a clear distinction between right and wrong, fair and unfair, doable and undoable. When the line separating these features has been completely erased, nothing remains to make out fair from unfair. In such circumstances, it is always crime that would quickly gain currency because, in a lawless and unjust society, it is the easier of indulgences to pursue to make profit and gain power. If one traces the history of the country, one would find that most of the people who ascended the throne never deserved to be there because they did not measure up to even the basic essentials of being a credible leader. But they got there simply by exploiting the caveats which exist in a depraved and degenerate system, as ours has actually been reduced to through a dastardly, deliberate and sinister effort which is only gaining relevance with the passage of time.

What we have actually collected in the bargain is the ideal recipe of how best to destroy a country. Succeeding leaderships have been feeding the contents of this recipe to the state and its people. So there is an upsurge of crime, an enslaved populace and complete absence of equity, equality and justice.

What you need to do is to step out there, join one of the criminal clans from amongst the Sharif, Bhutto/Zardari, Fazal and the sundry and you shall go galloping to your most cherished destinations. You need not fear anything. The state and its laws shall crumble before you.

The writer is a political and security strategist and the founder of the Regional Peace Institute