Unleashing His Fury: Lord of the Rings Influence on Pakistan’s Elections
First, let’s address the crucial factors in determining the political direction of Pakistan. The appointments and extensions of the army chief hold equal, if not greater, importance than the election cycle. Pakistan’s political history is marked by a constant power struggle between civilian politicians and the military establishment. Their relationship can swing from cooperation to confrontation, with power often centered around a single individual. This dynamic shares similarities with Tolkien’s Middle-earth, where there is only one Lord of the Rings who jealously guards his power. Despite periods of diminished influence, the true lord always returns, unleashing his fury.
At present, the military establishment is displaying its vengeance by employing various tactics to dismantle the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the former governing party. The PTI, led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has faced vehement attacks. Khan himself has been swiftly convicted and sentenced to jail, with many legal experts criticizing the proceedings for lacking due process. These harsh sentences, some believe, may be overturned during the appeal process, allowing Khan to return to politics in a redeemed and acceptable form. This pattern of villains turning into heroes is not uncommon in Pakistani politics.
Numerous PTI leaders and party workers have also been imprisoned, particularly after military installations were attacked during protests against the army. While the PTI claims the attack was a false flag event, the military and its allies argue that it aimed to incite a mutiny. Amidst a web of legal cases, PTI leaders find themselves trapped in a revolving door of justice, hindering their ability to campaign and mobilize voters. Those who comply with the establishment are often forgiven after staged confessions and subsequently integrated into other parties or retire from politics altogether.
The PTI’s ability to organize large-scale rallies and corner meetings has been severely restricted. Moreover, their flags, posters, and banners are conspicuously absent from Pakistan’s streets. Credible reports suggest that printers have been instructed to refrain from catering to PTI orders. Imran Khan’s signature daily speeches have been silenced, and his image is banned from television. However, the party has
