Pakistan: A nuclear state or a banana republic?

After the removal of the religious and political party Tehreek-e-Labeek Pakistan from the list of banned organizations by the government of Pakistan, the organization has announced to end its ongoing sit-in in Wazirabad and return to Lahore. With the approval of the Federal Cabinet of Pakistan, the Interior Ministry issued a notification to remove the name of Tehreek-e-Labek Pakistan from the record of banned outfits.

Regarding the removal of Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan from the list of banned organizations, the government claims that the move will help to bring the party into the national mainstream, while the party says that the government’s move to eliminate Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan from the list of banned organizations is good initiative, but their concerns will not go away unless the names of the party workers are removed from the Fourth Schedule and their bank accounts to be restored.

TLP was declared null and void on April 15 this year on the recommendation of the Punjab government, against which the organization had approached the Interior Ministry on April 29, but the review committee set up by the ministry and then the federal cabinet said this decision was justified.

However, after countrywide violent protests a summary was sent to the federal cabinet to revoke the first verdict and lift ban on TLP to avoid such kind of aggressive protests; it is also believed that this judgment is also in the wider national interest to include TLP in the mainstream politics.

The notification issued by the government to remove Tehreek-e-Labek Pakistan from the list of banned parties emphasizes that the party must abide by the country’s constitution and law, as well as will not hold similar protests in the future.

Details of the agreement reached between the banned religious party TLP and the government of Pakistan have not been revealed yet, but the release of hundreds of the organization’s workers has apparently begun to implement its terms.

Two weeks back the agreement was signed between the government and TLP movement marching towards Islamabad demanding the expulsion of the French ambassador and the release of their leader and party chief Saad Rizvi, the return of cases against the workers and the removal of the party from the list of banned organizations.

Leadership of the major opposition party, PML-N heavily criticized the government on its accord with TLP.

Former PM and top leader of Pakistan Muslim League – N Shahid Khakan Abbasi while speaking to Eat News said, “nation is not aware about the government and TLP dialogs, it is not good for country that people are not informed about a treaty which is directly linked with them. Even PM Imran Khan is not speaking about the issue. I am asking the current government why they are not taking the nation into confidence. Such kind dubious pacts could have adverse effects on the democratic system in Pakistan.” “I am afraid it will create chaos and uncertainty in the country, it is the responsibility of the PM to take people into the confidence otherwise people will stop believing in the writ of state”, Mr. Abbasi added.

During a telephonic interview with Eat News Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar demanded that the government should bring the TLP agreement in limelight immediately; inform parliament and the nation about an agreement which was signed in dark hours of night.  He said, “People of Pakistan have the right to know who is involved in sabotaging the law and order situation in the country, what were the terms and condition of a pact which was signed with a banned organization”.  He demanded the government to bring the culprits of the killing of security personnel to the court of justice.

While referring to Hazara Community protest – at least 11 coalminers of Shia Muslim ethnic community were slaughtered in Baluchistan by international terrorist group ISIS in January 2021, a sit-in was staged by Hazara community –, Senator Mustafa Nawaz said, “When Hazara community observed a peaceful protest along with the dead bodies of their loved ones, rather lending his hand to victim community PM Imran Khan said ‘No one can blackmail PM’ and this time when opponent was not peaceful and mob was forceful and destructive government was on back foot. How will they run a nuclear state, this is how they will deal with an aggressive and bullying crowd?” “Government has set an example that any militant group by using the street power can take the control of only atomic nation of the Muslim world” Mr. Khokhar condemning the sitting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.

Federal Information Minister Fawad Ch during a media briefing said, “The truth is, so far neither the government nor the state is fully prepared to fight extremism as it should have been. In the case of TLP (Tehreek-e-Labeek Pakistan) we saw how the state had to retreat and it points out to the bomb that is ticking. A state that cannot enforce the law, its presence and sovereignty is questioned in the world; this can provoke civil war in the country”, he was criticizing his own government’s decision to release TLP leader Saad Rizvi.

Pakistan is the 7^th global and first Islamic nuke state with 6^th largest army (in terms of numbers) on planet earth. Article 256 of constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan does not permit any militant group as “private armies forbidden”.  Different segments of the society believe the government has been weakened by the agreement with the banned organization and by making this accord the PTI government has also recognized the street power of this organization. Members of civil society say, where governance is weak, pressure groups could be formed which would blackmail the government and state for their demands.

Defense analysts say not only the current government but also the state institutions would have to find a permanent solution to this problem through dialogue; Pakistan is not a banana republic if some solid steps would not have been taken, then in future any forbidden and prohibited party could take to the streets to enforce their demands.