Deciphering "Gates"

Nilofer’s Corner

Deciphering ‘Gates’

Since the revelations (peace upon who did) of Malik Riaz’s generosity (s) towards our power elites have surfaced, the theories of Why dominates most reasonable analysts mind space? Who is behind this ‘conspiracy’ or attempt to bring some ‘institution(s) into disrepute’?

Most of what occurs in Pakistan seems complicated but is not necessarily. We are a Security State in which one institution has dominated and owned the nation’s discourse, narrative and future.  That is clear.

The media although rowdy, obsessive and unprofessional in many instances, is but a reflection of Pakistan’s social, ethical and educational state of affairs. Rational, responsible, mature behavior is absent amongst our elected folks too, certainly amongst our security establishment, always reminding us, who is against us, how many enemies we actually have; hence those whose job it is to ‘report’ ‘investigate’ and ‘inform’ the public are naturally pulled into this psychological pathological ‘gandh’ as well.

The people, most of the 180 million souls either gape in continued disgust at those who rule over them; or have very little interest in what is happening at the centers of power while struggling with basic needs of their families. This of course I am also assuming! Because their is no mechanism to gauge the general public’s sentiments. Neither are their voices represented on television, print or in Parliament, thus I am assuming those most disenfranchised would care very little of revelations of moral and financial corruption in a state which they’ve seen only to be just that.

How do we begin to decipher what is happening in an environment where everyone seems to be on speed, acid or perhaps just bi-polar? To begin with any ‘evaluation’ of behaviour  necessitates a berometer of normal. Since we have little reference to ‘right ‘ or wrong’ or what  constitutes ‘crossing any redlines’, it becomes next to impossible to ‘judge’; what could possibly be a reason for an ‘action or a behaviour’ cannot be truly understood because baseline behavioural patterns are unclear?  

Ok so my two cents on the various ‘gates’ we are obsessing over these days; my premise has always been the number one puppet master in our country has been the security establishment. All things odious lead back to them.

 So why would they ‘allow’ Malik Riaz to go nuts with accusations, proofs and bring many institutions they use manage and need into disrepute? The natural answer is that a message is being sent to the Courts that stop your interference in x y z since we  have proof that you /your family are no better than we are.  Hence shattering the image  of the Courts in the eyes of the public has become necessary. Ending the Public’s romance with an active ‘saviour’ judiciary is critical in insuring that no ‘regime fundamentals’ change occurs. 

Pakistan’s obsession or cultural need to have a leader in shining armour continues, and hence shattering the credibility of the seemingly ‘clean dude in town’ (well at least post 2007/Long March avatar) the Chief Justice, leading his band of go get all who are corrupt in Pakistan, has now become necessary?

BUT it still doesn’t make rational sense! Why you ask? Well I assume you do ask?

Malik Riaz is a creation of all things ‘Behria’. Got that. He has proof of EVERYONE’s greasy fingers. Ok got that too. But once the floodgates of who has benefited from MR actually opens, it will ALSO include our number one Holy CoWs not so hidden secrets to emerge in the public. Thus in the 60 odd years where we have never been ‘allowed’ to discuss, inquire, let alone prosecute the security establishment’s involvement in financial corruption such as land grabbing, institutionalised corruption with perks, privillages, domination in public enterprises and the insidious control over those who ‘legally manage’ the state of Pakistan why would a process leading to them be ‘allowed ‘?

How will these free for all revelations be ‘managed’ and not lead to the puppet master number 1?  One possible theory on how  ‘controlling’ the consequences of these leaks is possible; this is only a staged partial ‘cleanup’ of uncomfortable actors, along with a  very clear message of flexing muscles, reminding those who need to be reminded who is Boss in Pakistan!

Thus this is no free fall, no green light for those who came into the profession of journos to actually go do your work -in peace! Na baba na; it is perhaps a very public show of power, to perhaps Dunya television for example,  and to some anchors in particular, certainly the Courts and some judges in particular.

The silence by the owners of the media outlets both in print and on air is also telling. Sitting in the corner and listening to signals is probably the best option for there collective interests?

There is absolutely no proof or evidence that these series of ‘gates’ has initiated a process of self reflection or correction inside of or amongst the Judiciary or the corporate Media. Hence the ‘message’ we can read by these ‘inactions’ as a reaction to these ‘gates’ are what?

First, there is a puppet master operating and in control of what was going to be released to the public. Second, the public is embroiled in revelations which they knew existed but have irrefutable proof of  now. Third, this kind of chaos and undermining of all public office holders feeds into the very dangerous support to undemocratic forces in Pakistan. Fourth, the security establishment is flexing its muscles. Fifth, unless some amongst the franchised elite ‘react’ to the puppet master’s game plans nothing will change in terms of Pakistan’s trajectory towards no where. Finally, message has been received and acknowledged.