The attacks on Rangers in Sindh and Karachi along with the failed hostage attempt on Karachi Stock Exchange has shown that this is only the start. The BLA is being allied by RAW with MQM militants and Jeeay Sindh activists to gain traction on the ground. MQM is openly a terrorist entity, with Anwar the money handler in UK confirming on prime time TV the funds from RAW he handed over to Altaf Hussain over the years. The British Govt will certainly look the other way because of their commercial interests in India. Remember the MQM terrorists being garlanded coming out of police stations despite openly boasting about their “exploits”? To keep the peace in Karachi and their govt in power in Islamabad the PPP (and the PML (N)) became de facto, complicit to their atrocities). To confront the possible meltdown of law and order force-multiplied by terrorism, we can only confront them by imposing emergency NOW,” unquote. Let us start by banning the name “MQM”. One feels sorry for its many sincere and patriotic party workers, unfortunately the name is synonymous with terrorism. Ask Mustafa Kamal who actually represents the majority of the people of Karachi!
Emergency is actually in force in many countries of the world without actually declaring it as such. Our “democrats” are taking full advantage of the present morass to escape accountability. Hafeez Shaikh and company’s bold projections for the Budget remains a calculated risk. Can we depend upon the promises of the Advisor Finance and his team? Hopefully these are not meant just to gain time, which one has personal experience of.
To quote from my article, “Declare national emergency now!” of March 20, 2020″, “A Proclamation of emergency on account of war, internal disturbance, etc can be issued under Article 232 of the Constitution of Pakistan if the President is satisfied that a grave emergency exists in which the security of Pakistan, or any part thereof, is threatened by war or external aggression, or by internal disturbance beyond the power of a Provincial Government to control provided that for imposition of emergency due to internal disturbances. Article 233 of the Constitution of Pakistan reads (1) Power to suspend Fundamental Rights, etc., during emergency period. Nothing contained in Articles 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 24 shall, while a proclamation of Emergency is in force, restrict the power of the State as defined in Article 7 to make any law or take any executive action which it would, but for the provisions in the said Articles, be competent to make or to take (2) While a Proclamation of Emergency is in force, the President may, by Order, declare that the right to move any Court for the enforcement of such of the Fundamental Rights conferred by Chapter I of Part II as may be specified in the Order, and any proceeding in any Court which is for the enforcement, or involves the determination of any question as to the infringement, of any of the Rights so specified, shall remain suspended for the period during which the Proclamation is in force, and any such Order may be made in respect of the whole or any part of Pakistan”, unquote.
India is conducting hybrid warfare of both kinetic and non-kinetic nature, mixing adverse propaganda with their covert warfare. Haven’t we learnt any lessons from 1971? Moreover, compliance with FATF demands and effect financial reforms require extended powers for the executive. In parliament the opposition is more interested in keeping their corrupt leaders from jail than in solving problems. To quote my article “An emergency is on us”, of March 19, 2020, “one can almost guarantee that the Pakistan Army will face such a crisis of “clear and present danger” in the near future. Madame de Stael said of Napoleon’s coup de etat: “As soon as the moral power of the national representation was destroyed, a legislative body, whatever it might be, meant no more to the military than a crowd of five hundred men, less vigorous and disciplined than a battalion of the same number.”, unquote.
With adequate provisions under the Constitution and with the circumstances demanding it, the elected and representative govt must declare emergency immediately. The passing of the Federal Budget gives the govt legality for spending during financial year 2020-2021. Either act constitutionally now or else when anarchy sets in, we will again stumble down the route of “the doctrine of dire necessity”!
The writer is a defence and security analyst
Concluded
