“Not too late… Please note this.”
The Roman Empire was the world’s first major empire, and there was a time in history when it extended its influence from north to south and from east to west, encompassing the entire world. The rise of Rome was not just about power, armies, and wealth; rather, the Romans were ahead of the rest of the world in fields such as knowledge, art, culture, science, spirituality, architecture, and politics. In 103 BC, the population of the city of Rome was one million, making it the world’s first city with a population exceeding one million. Pompeii was a famous city of the Roman Empire, built during the time of King David. In 87 BC, it was buried under volcanic ash and became the world’s first city of debauchery. In this city, even before the time of Christ, there were wine houses, restaurants, bakeries, and public parks, and men and women were allowed to marry freely. The concept of zebra crossings and cream cakes was introduced in this city. In pre-Christian Rome, there were 800 baths, and each bath could accommodate 1,600 people at a time. In the pre-Christian era, the Roman government supplied the entire city with hot water, and in 250 BC, the Romans built a 765-mile-long paved road from Rome to Naples along the southern coast. This was the world’s first long and paved road. In 72 AD, the Romans built the magnificent Colosseum in Rome. It was called the Colosseum, and it could accommodate 80,000 spectators for gladiator contests.
The grandeur of the Roman Empire was in its emperors who were called “Caesars,” and they had extraordinary traditions. For instance, when an heir to the Roman throne was born, they would carefully choose an extremely knowledgeable, intelligent, and prudent person from their empire to educate the heir. These tutors would teach the heir worldly, spiritual, and military sciences. When the heir ascended to the throne, these tutors would always stand behind him. Whenever the emperor issued a wrong order in arrogance, these tutors would place their hand on the emperor’s shoulder and, bending over to his ear, say, “Caesar, after all, you are also a human being.” This would make the emperor realize his mistake, and he would rectify his order.
Historians concur on a significant decision: As long as such tutors continued to advise the Roman emperors, the Roman Empire thrived. However, when figures like Bajwa (former army chief), Faiz Hamid (former ISI chief), and Ishaq Dar (former finance minister) took the place of tutors, the Roman Empire crumbled from within. Today, when the citizens of Rome demolish their old buildings, they find, without exception, the bones, medals, and robes of some indispensable person’s remains. Thus, all these artifacts are placed in Rome’s wonders museum.
I believe that if today’s leaders give themselves a moment of introspection, they will quickly realize that the true power does not lie in the corridors of power, uniforms, medals, or the military leaders’ shoulders. The real power of leaders is their character.Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had no uniform or an army at his disposal, but he had character. With this character, he transformed Pakistan into the largest Islamic state in the world.If today’s leaders take a moment to reflect, they will realize that the greatest power of leaders is the love and support of the people. When the people love a leader, their voices become the leader’s voice. Unfortunately, it seems that the current leaders do not see the constitution, nor do they see the role of law in this country.
If today, the assembly of power were to give themselves a moment of introspection, they would quickly realize that time is calling out loudly, “Caesar, after all, you are also a human being.” And the entire world is witnessing that there is no human being who is indispensable. It might also surprise all these politicians that suddenly they are suffering from the fever of early elections. Perhaps the reason for this is the anxieties that have plagued their days and nights.
It is being made quite clear to them that the true power is not in the parliament or the role of law, but it lies in the hands of the people. The people have realized that their true power is their vote, and when the people love a leader, their voices become the leader’s voice.
It is my belief that if today’s powerful figures give themselves a moment to think, they will realize that the essence of leadership lies in the love and trust of the people. As long as such tutors continue to advise the Roman emperors, the Roman Empire thrived. However, when figures like Bajwa (former army chief), Faiz Hamid (former ISI chief), and Ishaq Dar (former finance minister) took the place of tutors, the Roman Empire crumbled from within. Today, when the citizens of Rome demolish their old buildings, they find, without exception, the bones, medals, and robes of some indispensable person’s remains. Thus, all these artifacts are placed in Rome’s wonders museum.
If you remember the day when you held the constitutional and legal authority to take control of the challenging situation as a Army Chief, I advised you sincerely in my program on a foreign TV EAwaz channel. I humbley suggested that Imran Khan, Faiz hamid andBajwa’s doctrine had caused harm to the institution, and it was essential to conduct an inquiry at the highest level so that the misconceptions between the public and the military, which were on the rise, could be addressed. Because this is our country, and we are all part of it.
When the news of differences between General Bajwa and Imran Khan came to light during General Faiz Hamid’s appointment, it was revealed that Imran Khan had undermined the entire institution. Later, before his retirement, Bajwa made revelations about General Faiz Hamid, saying, “If General Faiz has broken military discipline and issued orders to the army chief, then a thorough investigation should be conducted. Otherwise, just as Bajwa defended his actions, if you also defend Bajwa and Faiz, the nation will be disappointed. It would be an extremely dangerous act of destruction because any country’s military cannot function without the cooperation and approval of its people.”
Now is the time for justice and accountability to prevail, as an official investigation should be conducted to determine why all of Imran Khan’s unlawful actions were overlooked, and why General Faiz Hameed and General Bajwa continued to support him. Today, these individuals are acknowledging all their wrongdoings. How can we forgive them after admitting their crimes?
You are right that being a seeker of justice and accountability is crucial, and we should allow for any form of illegal or unethical conduct to be thoroughly investigated. The process of conducting investigations should be legal and fair so that facts can be presented clearly and matters can be resolved systematically.
If there is an official decision to investigate Imran Khan or any other individuals, it should be based on principles of truth and justice. When such investigations are carried out, the aim should be to uphold the rule of law, protect the rights of all parties involved, and ensure a transparent and fair process.
If you and all your colleagues have decided to undertake strict accountability, it will not be accepted and trusted by the public until everyone is subjected to ruthless accountability without exceptions. In the current political landscape, it has become imperative to dismantle the corrupt system that has tarnished the reputation of our predecessors.
It is necessary for the public to know why Imran Khan always defend Faiz hamid, General Faiz always defended General Bajwa, considering all past political events, and if a decision has been made to move forward with the accountability, it will require careful consideration. There is no doubt that our economic situation is deeply intertwined with the country’s present circumstances. We must not forget that even our neighboring superpower, the former Soviet Union, suffered economic collapse due to its involvement in the Afghan war, which ultimately led to its demise.
Now it’s up to you, Chief, whether you want to defend the past crimes committed for the personal gain of a few generals or take legal action against these black sheep to restore the honor of the uniform and the credibility of the Pakistani army. Chief, today you have the power, you are the master, and you can make the decision you wish.
Choose the path of justice within the constitution and the law. Bring criminals to justice, put an end to the excesses and atrocities committed under the guise of wearing uniforms. The nation will remember you in good words, and nature will reward you further. However, if you follow the path of those who came before you, then you are already familiar with the famous verses of Faiz Ahmad Faiz:
“We shall see, we shall see
It is necessary that we shall see
The day that has been promised
The day written in the eternal tablet
When the mountains of tyranny
and oppression Shall fly like cotton
We shall see, we shall see.”
Yes, actions speak louder than words. You can make a hundred claims, but if you don’t back them up with actions, they’ll disintegrate like a heap of straw, just in a matter of moments. Actions prove one’s sincerity, while claims are meaningless if contradicted by actions. It’s not philosophy; it’s a simple truth.
Terms like democracy, justice, tolerance, enlightenment, progressiveness, and all such words are just claims. If your actions go against them, what would you call it? Lies, selfishness, and hypocrisy are the only names for it. We have the right to know for what specific reasons and personal interests General Faiz defended the organization relentlessly. Remember, the past events stay in mind. Now, if you’ve decided to move forward after thorough scrutiny, think and ponder each step carefully.
In your custody lies the self-interest of a self-absorbed individual within the confines of his fort. Such a narcissist and self-absorbed person has a well-organized group behind him. The claim to establish a state of Madinah, to cleanse Pakistan from wrongdoers, to uphold free justice, free media, women’s representation, protection of human rights, merit, and to fight for the rights of Kashmiris – all these were just claims, and what happened in practice?
Let’s not forget the era of Musharraf. What did he do? He made a deal with the wrongdoers under the banner of “Pakistan First.” He imposed martial law, sent the judiciary on forced leave, and later claimed that he was locked in this house under a conspiracy, alluding to his very close associate, who, by the way, was holding the power stick, while he himself was wielding a baton on his own body, and free media was silenced.
I won’t mention my own and my comrades’ ordeal under Musharraf, but he utilized all the state’s powers to suppress our voice. I’m here not to mention my and my fellow companions’ names but to state that Musharraf utilized all the state machinery to muzzle our voice. Indeed, they are part of history, and thanks to God, they have shown that we all stood firm on truth and right in accordance with the testimony of history!
Democracy does not come from democracy itself. Calling someone a visionary doesn’t make them one! The significant episodes in the history of this nation, in which Pakistan went through prominent phases, who will investigate them? Who is responsible for the era in which Pakistan is bleeding, fragmented, torn apart, restless, and where human life seems insignificant? Only a few individuals are consumed by their lust for power, and they continue to rule without considering the dire state of affairs.
They are intoxicated with power, and they are the ones responsible for the false pretense of democracy while imposing martial law. Who will ensure the necessary accountability?
Everywhere we look, coercion prevails; voices are silenced, pens are halted, and jails are overflowing. No one can protest effectively, and mere slogan-chanting doesn’t bring about change. It’s all in vain.
A real revolution necessitates bloodshed, and we shy away from such a revolution. We consider taking a breath as living, and that’s all we do.
I heard something similarfrom my father. Indeed, He often used stories to help us understand. Those stories were a part of our upbringing. I remember one day He said, ‘The era in which humans must struggle for their rights is called the era of coercion. If rights are obtained through prayers and no action is taken, it’s referred to as the era of oppression. And the era in which some are deprived of their rights while others gain more than their due is called the era of injustice. It’s a time when every voice and every crime is openly sold, and it’s known as the era of darkness.’
Yes, actions speak louder than words. We can make countless claims, but if our actions don’t support them, they crumble like a house of cards. Its about inner honesty being reflected in actions. It’s not philosophy; it’s a simple truth.
A significant political crackdown has begun in Karachi, Sindh, which includes the names of many bureaucrats alongside politicians. Similarly, Punjab, Balochistan, and KPK are witnessing extensive political races, and substantial lists have been finalized. Punjab, Balochistan, and KPK are experiencing intense political activity, with comprehensive lists ready.
In this scenario, covert conspiracies have also started, with an attempt to utilize religion to incite unrest. Lawyers are trying to organize marches on the streets once again for their demands. The sugar cartel has revealed the faces behind the sugar bags. Just remember that once again, the enemy may try to infiltrate the ranks of the sheep and wear the shepherd’s garb of democracy.”
