Sharif, Sharif and us!

[Norwegian]

On Wednesday the 17th of December, the leadership mantle of this country quietly slipped into the hands of the Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif.

No one made an announcement. No one even whispered it or dared a suggestion. But everyone felt — yes acutely felt — the informal and perhaps, unwilling transfer of real power from Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif to General Raheel Sharif.

It happened because just when this nation needed true leadership, the mandated leader fell short. He just was unable to grasp the moment. Yes, it happened as the prime minister sat in the Governor’s House in Peshawar surrounded by a galaxy of politicians, and began to unveil his reaction to the worst-ever act of terror in our nation’s history. His answer to the terrorists:

A committee.

A wounded nation on the edge of rage heard with sheer horror and disbelief as the mandated leader encapsulated the collective wisdom of the political parties in a committee that would take a week to decide what the plan of action should be. And then to ensure that no wound was deprived of any salt, Mr Sharif talked politics and joked with Imran Khan sitting next to him.

At that moment, it was all over. The shocked nation snatched perceived power from the mandated Sharif and gifted it to the commanding Sharif. The contrast could not have been more glaring: while Mr Sharif was cracking jokes in Peshawar, General Sharif was sitting in Kabul to plan for the annihilation of TTP bases in Afghanistan.

Something was painfully wrong. They came and butchered our children, and we did… what? This? A Juma bazar of assorted politicos boasting more about setting their differences aside instead of giving a clarion call to crush terrorists once and for all. This wasn’t misjudgement, or expediency, or even bad symbolism.

It was betrayal.

These politicians could not have chosen a worst time for their betrayal. Have you ever seen this nation so wounded? So traumatised? So emotionally cut up? And so furious?

This anger and rage is directed at the savages who inflicted this inhuman savagery of our children. But this anger is also shooting up like dragon fire against the hypocrisy of State and all governments. This loathing is pouring like acid rain on all those men (and women) who have nourished these monsters, and legitimised their murderous acts through sickening justifications. We Pakistanis have lived through decades of State villainy and outright criminality disguised as policy. We have watched this country brutally ravaged by small men for personal agendas, misplaced priorities and unrealistic designs. The State, and every government infested with every political party has done this because they have always considered we — the Pakistanis — as nothing more than fluffy, bleating sheep.

Well, no more. This sickness cannot endure. This shameful hypocrisy cannot last — must not last. This unaccountable mode of governance and unquestioned exercise of power cannot and must not sustain. For God’s sake, they slaughtered our children. Is that still not enough reason to stop this rot and cleanse this system of filth and cowardice?

Now is the time for action. Sharif the civilian is supposed to lead through decisiveness and boldness. He is not. Sharif the fauji is. And he’s connecting with the people. Yes, the people who have cried tears of blood. They have been pushed too far. Something has cracked. A line has been crossed. Now the people will digest lies and cowardice no more. Unimaginable grief can produce unbridled fury and unmatched courage. The brave citizens of this land have marched on to the Lal Masjid to take on the vile person who spews poison while growing fat on taxpayers’ salary. They are doing what no government dare do.

The Moment makes a Man, and Sharif the civilian had his moment. Instead of sitting in that colonial mansion surrounded by faces that exude failure and despondency, he could have addressed the nation from the gate of the Army Public School, and said:

“My dear Pakistanis: I stand before you the leader of a nation that today will display a resolve never seen before. Here behind me, in this school, we lost more than our beautiful children — we also lost our doubts, our ambiguity, and our wrong priorities. Yesterday these most vile terrorists inflicted on us a pain that will never go away. Now, here I promise to you that we will inflict on them a pain they will never ever forget. Today we are one nation, grieving together for an unimaginable loss. But together we shall rise from this grief with a determination never seen before. We will do whatever it takes, and however long it takes, to crush terrorism forever from this beautiful land of ours. We will not falter; we will not waver; and we will not fail. This is my promise to you, and this is my promise to those who did this to us. We shall never forget; and we shall never forgive.”

Instead, Sharif the civilian made a committee.

Which is why a devastated and furious populace is looking towards the man who can channelise its feelings into action. General Raheel has moved with lightning speed. We don’t know what he told the Afghans and Americans in Kabul, but we can conjecture: hand us over Fazlullah and his band of murderous thugs, or we will do the job ourselves.

Back at home he is said to have been instrumental in “convincing” the government to end the moratorium on capital punishment. Lo and behold, within a few days two terrorists have dangled from a short rope, and the others shall soon follow them. There is also talk of swift legislation to amend laws to fight terror. This sudden urgency, it is said, is a product of some more “convincing”.

All eyes — and perhaps hopes too — are pinned on Sharif the fauji. This is not how it should have been, but it is. While Sharif the civilian and his politicians smile for the cameras and play the committee game, Sharif the fauji is driving the national agenda by leading the war against the barbarians.

The outcome of this war will define the future of our land for generations to come. But this moment; this decisive turn; and this betrayal by the custodians of democracy will echo loudly as a reminder to all that when a nation roars, leaders better listen.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21st, 2014.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/809904/sharif-sharif-and-us/

@A.Rafay @Ahmad1996 @airmarshal @Akheilos @Armstrong @arushbhai @AstanoshKhan @AZADPAKISTAN2009 @balixd @batmannow @Bilal. @chauvunist @Crypto @Dr. Stranglove @Evil Flare @EyanKhan @Fahad Khan 2 @GIANTsasquatch @graphican @Green Arrow @Guleen Ahmed @HRK @Jazzbot @Junaid B @Jzaib @Khalidr @khawaja07 @Leader @Luftwaffe @Marshmallow @mr42O @Muhammad Omar @nomi007 @Pak123 @Pakistani shaheens @Pakistanisage @Peaceful Civilian @pkuser2k12 @Pukhtoon @PWFI @raazh @Rafael @Rashid Mahmood @RescueRanger @Saifkhan12 @Sedqal @SHAMK9 @Spy Master @Stealth @Strike X @SUPARCO @sur @syedali73 @Tameem @Tayyab1796 @Zarvan @waleed3601 @AdeelFaheem @Rajput_Pakistani @Men in Green @orakzai4u @IceCold @LoveIcon @razahassan1997 @Cheetah786 @Dil Pakistan @asq @junaid hamza @Pukhtoon @jamahir @Strigon @Rafi @Ulla @HughSlaman @420canada @sathya @slapshot @raza_888 @hacsan
@SBD-3 @cb4 @AsianUnion @Aether @Proudpakistaniguy @WishLivePak @Waffen SS @FaujHistorian @Fracker @Ranches @ghoul @Jf Thunder @GreenFalcon @genmirajborgza786 @orangzaib @Pakistani Exile @KURUMAYA @Irfan Baloch @ali_raza @Syed.Ali.Haider @dexter @Patriots @muslim_pakistani @W.11 @Meengla @zaid butt @ajpirzada @Shoaib Rathore @OrionHunter @CHARGER @Major Sam @yesboss @TheNoob @Bratva @ghazaliy2k @Viny @StormShadow @suresh1773 @SOHEIL @venu309 @danish_vij @Force-India @faisal6309 @SpArK @S.U.R.B. @vsdave2302 @jarves @WAJsal @pursuit of happiness @Winchester @janon @pak-marine @AgNoStiC MuSliM @Donatello @TankMan

 

[Saifkhan12]

Lets just say the civilian Sharif has always been a follower rather than a leader.

"On Wednesday the 17th of December, the leadership mantle of this country quietly slipped into the hands of the Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif."

 

[TankMan]

Raheel Sharif is an extremely intelligent man - he's too smart to officially take control through a marshal law. He learned from his predecessors' mistakes. He's been driving the national agenda for a long time now, while Nawaz Sharif was lying (pun intended) in parliament, Raheel Sharif was making deals with Russia, politically handling the Americans, NATO, EU Afghanis and Chinese ; all while killing terrorists in Waziristan.

I'm afraid though, that even a man like him could make mistakes under the extreme burden that has been placed on his shoulders. That's why most countries got rid of the one-man show system decades ago, because one General or Leader alone can not perform if he doesn't have the backing of politicians and the population.

Raheel Sharif has an advantage though, the advantage of popular support. He's been playing his cards very carefully and well till now but eventually he's going to have to make some hard decisions and ultimately lose the support of some people. The ultra/pseudo Liberals already hate him for the death penalty and if he'll do anything to Lal Masjid, for example, the mullahs will follow.

God help Pakistan.

 

[Sedqal]

Emotional drivel.

 

[Viper0011.]

On Wednesday the 17th of December, the leadership mantle of this country quietly slipped into the hands of the Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif.

Now is the time for action. Sharif the civilian is supposed to lead through decisiveness and boldness. He is not. Sharif the fauji is. And he’s connecting with the people. Yes, the people who have cried tears of blood.
@A.Rafay @Ahmad1996 @airmarshal @Akheilos @Armstrong @arushbhai @AstanoshKhan @AZADPAKISTAN2009 @balixd @batmannow @Bilal. @chauvunist @Crypto @Dr. Stranglove @Evil Flare @EyanKhan @Fahad Khan 2 @GIANTsasquatch @graphican @Green Arrow @Guleen Ahmed @HRK @Jazzbot @Junaid B @Jzaib @Khalidr @khawaja07 @Leader @Luftwaffe @Marshmallow @mr42O @Muhammad Omar @nomi007 @Pak123 @Pakistani shaheens @Pakistanisage @Peaceful Civilian @pkuser2k12 @Pukhtoon @PWFI @raazh @Rafael @Rashid Mahmood @RescueRanger @Saifkhan12 @Sedqal @SHAMK9 @Spy Master @Stealth @Strike X @SUPARCO @sur @syedali73 @Tameem @Tayyab1796 @Zarvan @waleed3601 @AdeelFaheem @Rajput_Pakistani @Men in Green @orakzai4u @IceCold @LoveIcon @razahassan1997 @Cheetah786 @Dil Pakistan @asq @junaid hamza @Pukhtoon @jamahir @Strigon @Rafi @Ulla @HughSlaman @420canada @sathya @slapshot @raza_888 @hacsan
@SBD-3 @cb4 @AsianUnion @Aether @Proudpakistaniguy @WishLivePak @Waffen SS @FaujHistorian @Fracker @Ranches @ghoul @Jf Thunder @GreenFalcon @genmirajborgza786 @orangzaib @Pakistani Exile @KURUMAYA @Irfan Baloch @ali_raza @Syed.Ali.Haider @dexter @Patriots @muslim_pakistani @W.11 @Meengla @zaid butt @ajpirzada @Shoaib Rathore @OrionHunter @CHARGER @Major Sam @yesboss @TheNoob @Bratva @ghazaliy2k @Viny @StormShadow @suresh1773 @SOHEIL @venu309 @danish_vij @Force-India @faisal6309 @SpArK @S.U.R.B. @vsdave2302 @jarves @WAJsal @pursuit of happiness @Winchester @janon @pak-marine @AgNoStiC MuSliM @Donatello @TankMan

You guys go through such a tragic event and STILL don't get it? And some of your media is STILL playing this "I hate this guy" and playing personalities?

Shame on this writer. In SUCH a tragic time, when the entire world is sad to hear that over 120 kids were brutally killed without mercy, someone STILL don't want to play ONE nation. This article is nothing but a show of personal hatred. It is not objective nor does it help the nation. It puts a crack in the unity. Another example of paid journalism which at this time, really serves in an anti-Pakistan's purpose.

Now for those of you, who don't know about this situation from "the inside", there is actually a decent level of synergy between the Pak Army and the Civilian Government. When 9/11 happened, President Busch gave the "GO" orders to the United States Military. The military told the president how, when and where it'd go,attack and destroy the enemies. It is not the President's job to run the military. Nor he needs to be involved in anything outside of making decisions and providing political support to his military as he is the Commander In Chief. In Pakistan, the PM is not the Commander In Chief, but the military is one of the Arms of the civilian government.

Similarly, at this time, the command for this situation is entirely up to the Army. The political party in power will provide the political shelter and ownership of many operations that have started or are about to start.

The goal of the Civilian government is unchanged. Their highest priority has, was and will be to take the country to the next level economically. That will happen and unless more terrorism takes place, I don't think anyone can stop the growth.

This article also failed to mention the silly sit ins and associated problems that had majority of the intelligence system working round the lock to protect the people in these protests. Had there been no protests, there would have been a LOT more resources available for the intelligence to gather reports and the attack on kids may not have happened, or could have been prevented.

Nevertheless, this isn't a time for this "I hate him" drama. There are some very intense and serious challenges ahead of Pakistan. The military can in NO shape of form deal with the entire situation from A to Z by itself (threats, operations, internal stability, peace, economy, job creation, growth and foreign investment, etc).
Similarly, the Civilian Government can NOT do it without the military. This is the time when the country gets together as ONE SYSTEM and everyone plays its part. In three years, Pakistan will have changed to a much better and modern place on this planet.

 

[Edevelop]

BS article. Raheel Sharif didn't fall from sky. Nawaz Sharif chose him from 3rd line of seniority. If he wanted to he could have placed a bonga Army Chief like Ashfaq Kayani or listened to his bonga preferences.

The very reason Pakistan is united right now is again because of Nawaz Sharif. If he didn't call the APC in Peshawar, people like Imran Khan would be staging dharnas and fighting for the Prime Minister seat. If he didn't approve hangings of terrorists then perhaps our morale would have been down.

Raheel Sharif is a brilliant, professional soldier and thats it. Thats what we want. Those spreading conspiracy theories should keep it to themselves. Times have changed now. Even the new ISI chief had written in his thesis that he would like to see Army out of civilian affairs.

Today both civilian and military are united and doing their jobs respectively. Its a shame to see an attempt to create fights over whose d***k is bigger

 

[Gunsnroses]

Same old mudslinging to drive the nation back to zero degree angle. What that impotent Nawaz Sh. and Co are capable of? Inviting each other on a tea party or statements like we have lost billions in this terrorist attack!!!

 

[VCheng]

Emotional drivel.

Perfect comment.

 

[TankMan]

You guys go through such a tragic event and STILL don't get it? And some of your media is STILL playing this "I hate this guy" and playing personalities?

Shame on this writer. In SUCH a tragic time, when the entire world is sad to hear that over 120 kids were brutally killed without mercy, someone STILL don't want to play ONE nation. This article is nothing but a show of personal hatred. It is not objective nor does it help the nation. It puts a crack in the unity. Another example of paid journalism which at this time, really serves in an anti-Pakistan's purpose.

Now for those of you, who don't know about this situation from "the inside", there is actually a decent level of synergy between the Pak Army and the Civilian Government. When 9/11 happened, President Busch gave the "GO" orders to the United States Military. The military told the president how, when and where it'd go,attack and destroy the enemies. It is not the President's job to run the military. Nor he needs to be involved in anything outside of making decisions and providing political support to his military as he is the Commander In Chief. In Pakistan, the PM is not the Commander In Chief, but the military is one of the Arms of the civilian government.

Similarly, at this time, the command for this situation is entirely up to the Army. The political party in power will provide the political shelter and ownership of many operations that have started or are about to start.

The goal of the Civilian government is unchanged. Their highest priority has, was and will be to take the country to the next level economically. That will happen and unless more terrorism takes place, I don't think anyone can stop the growth.

This article also failed to mention the silly sit ins and associated problems that had majority of the intelligence system working round the lock to protect the people in these protests. Had there been no protests, there would have been a LOT more resources available for the intelligence to gather reports and the attack on kids may not have happened, or could have been prevented.

Nevertheless, this isn't a time for this "I hate him" drama. There are some very intense and serious challenges ahead of Pakistan. The military can in NO shape of form deal with the entire situation from A to Z by itself (threats, operations, internal stability, peace, economy, job creation, growth and foreign investment, etc).
Similarly, the Civilian Government can NOT do it without the military. This is the time when the country gets together as ONE SYSTEM and everyone plays its part. In three years, Pakistan will have changed to a much better and modern place on this planet.

This is the first time I've read a sane post from you. Well written.

Nawaz Sharif never was a competent leader. But for now, yes, we need political stability to combat terrorism. Raheel Sharif clearly is in command here though, so forget all that about how Bush used to control the US military etc, that is irrelevant in Pakistan's current situation. There is enough synergy, but Nawaz is not in charge.

And anyways, he has promised to handle the issues with the electoral system after the terror situation is controlled - I doubt he'll stick with his promise, he never was a man of his word, but it keeps people happy, adding to the political stability so that's good.

BUT - there is no way you can blame the sit-ins for the attack. NO WAY. There were no sit-ins in the US when 9/11 happened. There were no sit-ins in Russia when the Beslan school siege happened. You accused the writer of politicizing this tragedy and then you proceeded to do the same yourself. Do not do it.

 

[ghoul]

He's 100% right. At this moment, we need an iron man without fear. When we needed a Winston Churchill, we got a khusra instead. What an insult to lions is this PML-N. Except for Khwaja Asif, the party is comprised of bunch of shemales.

 

[Viper0011.]

This is the first time I've read a sane post from you. Well written.

Nawaz Sharif never was a competent leader. But for now, yes, we need political stability to combat terrorism. Raheel Sharif clearly is in command here though, so forget all that about how Bush used to control the US military etc, that is irrelevant in Pakistan's current situation.

BUT - there is no way you can blame the sit-ins for the attack. NO WAY. There were no sit-ins in the US when 9/11 happened. .

You will NEVER change, will you? My post is sane to you because it didn't have IK getting direct blame for the Peshawar attacks. I can tell you many in the GHQ think so. I didn't want to bring it up as it would start another discussion which wouldn't be right at this time due to the loss of so many innocent lives and the serious steps Pakistan has to take, to combat terrorism and get rid of the cancer called Talibastards.

You, in your post, still blamed NS, called him impotent and then commanded Raheel Shariff and then called out how sit-ins and associated violence had nothing to do with anything. SO, you essentially agreed with the article but rather tactfully thinking myself and everyone reading is an idiot!!!

Allow me to shed light on here.
1) Gen. Raheel Shariff is actually working with the other Shariff, very well. They've divided tasks and strategy. The military takes care of he operation against the Terrorism and the NS's team will deal with the economy and will grow it by 30% before they leave. That will set the stage for Pakistan's future.

2) If you read my posts, I've told everyone that IK was wrapping up this week. Sadly, that terrorist incident happened but in disguise, he got a good excuse and it gave him some character. Otherwise, he was already going to be closing the shop anyways. The military had way too much anxiety hearing about potential terrorists mingling with the protestors and the Pashtunistan drama. The military is stretched too thin and they didn't want to create another situation which would cause issues towards the integrity of Pakistan.

3) The US 9/11 or anything about sit-ins has no relevance. People like IK doing these violent sit-ins belong to GITMO here in the US and the same in the UK. These wrong, negative, violent tactics and paper tigers are only good for the Pakstani system. Even there it is ABOUT to change. IK or anyone, about a year from now, won't be able to repeat this again. Watch how seriously and severely the anti-terrorism laws are about to change.

Next, anywhere, where there are many thousands of people involved with protests or sit-ins, you'll have extra police, intelligence and focus, that takes resources off of other places. Please be rational in your posts. Thousands of extra policemen and different agencies had been deployed to keep IK's protests terrorist-free. There were reports published by your military from day 1 of IK's protests that people coming from KPK did include people with criminal and extremism related backgrounds and cause serious harm to human lives.

Like i said, this isn't the time to do silly, stupid and sad politics. Let's just support the system. People will get to chose who they want to rule over them. Who's incompetent and who's impotent and who actually took the Pakistani economy on a vertical climb before leaving. Right now, the system needs to be supported. Period.

 

[Edevelop]

Raheel Sharif is an extremely intelligent man - he's too smart to officially take control through a marshal law. He learned from his predecessors' mistakes. He's been driving the national agenda for a long time now, while Nawaz Sharif was lying (pun intended) in parliament, Raheel Sharif was making deals with Russia, politically handling the Americans, NATO, EU Afghanis and Chinese ; all while killing terrorists in Waziristan.

I'm afraid though, that even a man like him could make mistakes under the extreme burden that has been placed on his shoulders. That's why most countries got rid of the one-man show system decades ago, because one General or Leader alone can not perform if he doesn't have the backing of politicians and the population.

Raheel Sharif has an advantage though, the advantage of popular support. He's been playing his cards very carefully and well till now but eventually he's going to have to make some hard decisions and ultimately lose the support of some people. The ultra/pseudo Liberals already hate him for the death penalty and if he'll do anything to Lal Masjid, for example, the mullahs will follow.

God help Pakistan.

Bhutto was a civillian dictator with secular views. With the support of his majority of his politicians in assembly he started nationalization of vital economic driven assets, and jailed and killed some 50,000 people

Zia was the other extreme, a military dictator with religous views, With the backing of sunni, wahabbi religious parties and countries he created jihadists.

Now come a dictator in our recent memory. Musharraf was from the military, who set up a fake democratic system by placing his Lotas like PML-Q, JUI-F, and MQM as majority in his assembly. He was hated by the population for bringing this war in the first place, increasing violence in Balochistan, making deals with the Americans with of course strings attached, and interfering in Supreme Court's affairs.

If Raheel Sharif is popular its because he is no dictator. He knows the country has been pushed back too far and that whatever he intents to do needs help and confidence of the civilian government, which has been elected by the people democratically. A few months ago he was giving a speech and make no mistake he said, " democracy is the only way forward to join developed nations in the world "

If Raheel Shrif visited China, Russia, U.S, Saudi Arabia, its because he is doing his job. He is getting aid, weapons, and cooperation from other militaries.Similarly if Nawaz Sharif is going to these countries, its cuz he is holding the foreign ministry and making economic deals. Three massive and important deals in his leaf which we should not forget here is the Pak-China economic corridor, GSP plus, and SCO Membership. This is the system which we want and should hope to continue.

 

[American Pakistani]

Raheel Sharif is an extremely intelligent man - he's too smart to officially take control through a marshal law. He learned from his predecessors' mistakes. He's been driving the national agenda for a long time now, while Nawaz Sharif was lying (pun intended) in parliament, Raheel Sharif was making deals with Russia, politically handling the Americans, NATO, EU Afghanis and Chinese ; all while killing terrorists in Waziristan.

I'm afraid though, that even a man like him could make mistakes under the extreme burden that has been placed on his shoulders. That's why most countries got rid of the one-man show system decades ago, because one General or Leader alone can not perform if he doesn't have the backing of politicians and the population.

Raheel Sharif has an advantage though, the advantage of popular support. He's been playing his cards very carefully and well till now but eventually he's going to have to make some hard decisions and ultimately lose the support of some people. The ultra/pseudo Liberals already hate him for the death penalty and if he'll do anything to Lal Masjid, for example, the mullahs will follow.

God help Pakistan.

Agreed but in order to gain more support he need to take tough actions himself. Taking care of that aziz mofo should be the first step. Next comes the intel gathering on that faz loo la and striking him from air or ground.

 

[Zarvan]

On Wednesday the 17th of December, the leadership mantle of this country quietly slipped into the hands of the Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif.

No one made an announcement. No one even whispered it or dared a suggestion. But everyone felt — yes acutely felt — the informal and perhaps, unwilling transfer of real power from Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif to General Raheel Sharif.

It happened because just when this nation needed true leadership, the mandated leader fell short. He just was unable to grasp the moment. Yes, it happened as the prime minister sat in the Governor’s House in Peshawar surrounded by a galaxy of politicians, and began to unveil his reaction to the worst-ever act of terror in our nation’s history. His answer to the terrorists:

A committee.

A wounded nation on the edge of rage heard with sheer horror and disbelief as the mandated leader encapsulated the collective wisdom of the political parties in a committee that would take a week to decide what the plan of action should be. And then to ensure that no wound was deprived of any salt, Mr Sharif talked politics and joked with Imran Khan sitting next to him.

At that moment, it was all over. The shocked nation snatched perceived power from the mandated Sharif and gifted it to the commanding Sharif. The contrast could not have been more glaring: while Mr Sharif was cracking jokes in Peshawar, General Sharif was sitting in Kabul to plan for the annihilation of TTP bases in Afghanistan.

Something was painfully wrong. They came and butchered our children, and we did… what? This? A Juma bazar of assorted politicos boasting more about setting their differences aside instead of giving a clarion call to crush terrorists once and for all. This wasn’t misjudgement, or expediency, or even bad symbolism.

It was betrayal.

These politicians could not have chosen a worst time for their betrayal. Have you ever seen this nation so wounded? So traumatised? So emotionally cut up? And so furious?

This anger and rage is directed at the savages who inflicted this inhuman savagery of our children. But this anger is also shooting up like dragon fire against the hypocrisy of State and all governments. This loathing is pouring like acid rain on all those men (and women) who have nourished these monsters, and legitimised their murderous acts through sickening justifications. We Pakistanis have lived through decades of State villainy and outright criminality disguised as policy. We have watched this country brutally ravaged by small men for personal agendas, misplaced priorities and unrealistic designs. The State, and every government infested with every political party has done this because they have always considered we — the Pakistanis — as nothing more than fluffy, bleating sheep.

Well, no more. This sickness cannot endure. This shameful hypocrisy cannot last — must not last. This unaccountable mode of governance and unquestioned exercise of power cannot and must not sustain. For God’s sake, they slaughtered our children. Is that still not enough reason to stop this rot and cleanse this system of filth and cowardice?

Now is the time for action. Sharif the civilian is supposed to lead through decisiveness and boldness. He is not. Sharif the fauji is. And he’s connecting with the people. Yes, the people who have cried tears of blood. They have been pushed too far. Something has cracked. A line has been crossed. Now the people will digest lies and cowardice no more. Unimaginable grief can produce unbridled fury and unmatched courage. The brave citizens of this land have marched on to the Lal Masjid to take on the vile person who spews poison while growing fat on taxpayers’ salary. They are doing what no government dare do.

The Moment makes a Man, and Sharif the civilian had his moment. Instead of sitting in that colonial mansion surrounded by faces that exude failure and despondency, he could have addressed the nation from the gate of the Army Public School, and said:

“My dear Pakistanis: I stand before you the leader of a nation that today will display a resolve never seen before. Here behind me, in this school, we lost more than our beautiful children — we also lost our doubts, our ambiguity, and our wrong priorities. Yesterday these most vile terrorists inflicted on us a pain that will never go away. Now, here I promise to you that we will inflict on them a pain they will never ever forget. Today we are one nation, grieving together for an unimaginable loss. But together we shall rise from this grief with a determination never seen before. We will do whatever it takes, and however long it takes, to crush terrorism forever from this beautiful land of ours. We will not falter; we will not waver; and we will not fail. This is my promise to you, and this is my promise to those who did this to us. We shall never forget; and we shall never forgive.”

Instead, Sharif the civilian made a committee.

Which is why a devastated and furious populace is looking towards the man who can channelise its feelings into action. General Raheel has moved with lightning speed. We don’t know what he told the Afghans and Americans in Kabul, but we can conjecture: hand us over Fazlullah and his band of murderous thugs, or we will do the job ourselves.

Back at home he is said to have been instrumental in “convincing” the government to end the moratorium on capital punishment. Lo and behold, within a few days two terrorists have dangled from a short rope, and the others shall soon follow them. There is also talk of swift legislation to amend laws to fight terror. This sudden urgency, it is said, is a product of some more “convincing”.

All eyes — and perhaps hopes too — are pinned on Sharif the fauji. This is not how it should have been, but it is. While Sharif the civilian and his politicians smile for the cameras and play the committee game, Sharif the fauji is driving the national agenda by leading the war against the barbarians.

The outcome of this war will define the future of our land for generations to come. But this moment; this decisive turn; and this betrayal by the custodians of democracy will echo loudly as a reminder to all that when a nation roars, leaders better listen.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21st, 2014.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/809904/sharif-sharif-and-us/

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Pakistan is right now under pretty much Military Rule because pretty much Army is the one deciding everything

 

[Zarvan]

You will NEVER change, will you? My post is sane to you because it didn't have IK getting direct blame for the Peshawar attacks. I can tell you many in the GHQ think so. I didn't want to bring it up as it would start another discussion which wouldn't be right at this time due to the loss of so many innocent lives and the serious steps Pakistan has to take, to combat terrorism and get rid of the cancer called Talibastards.

You, in your post, still blamed NS, called him impotent and then commanded Raheel Shariff and then called out how sit-ins and associated violence had nothing to do with anything. SO, you essentially agreed with the article but rather tactfully thinking myself and everyone reading is an idiot!!!

Allow me to shed light on here.
1) Gen. Raheel Shariff is actually working with the other Shariff, very well. They've divided tasks and strategy. The military takes care of he operation against the Terrorism and the NS's team will deal with the economy and will grow it by 30% before they leave. That will set the stage for Pakistan's future.

2) If you read my posts, I've told everyone that IK was wrapping up this week. Sadly, that terrorist incident happened but in disguise, he got a good excuse and it gave him some character. Otherwise, he was already going to be closing the shop anyways. The military had way too much anxiety hearing about potential terrorists mingling with the protestors and the Pashtunistan drama. The military is stretched too thin and they didn't want to create another situation which would cause issues towards the integrity of Pakistan.

3) The US 9/11 or anything about sit-ins has no relevance. People like IK doing these violent sit-ins belong to GITMO here in the US and the same in the UK. These wrong, negative, violent tactics and paper tigers are only good for the Pakstani system. Even there it is ABOUT to change. IK or anyone, about a year from now, won't be able to repeat this again. Watch how seriously and severely the anti-terrorism laws are about to change.

Next, anywhere, where there are many thousands of people involved with protests or sit-ins, you'll have extra police, intelligence and focus, that takes resources off of other places. Please be rational in your posts. Thousands of extra policemen and different agencies had been deployed to keep IK's protests terrorist-free. There were reports published by your military from day 1 of IK's protests that people coming from KPK did include people with criminal and extremism related backgrounds and cause serious harm to human lives.

Like i said, this isn't the time to do silly, stupid and sad politics. Let's just support the system. People will get to chose who they want to rule over them. Who's incompetent and who's impotent and who actually took the Pakistani economy on a vertical climb before leaving. Right now, the system needs to be supported. Period.

Most in GHQ don't think so and by the way school was in area called cantt