In my assessment the Arm High Command (AHC) is following a script from an intellectually debated idea. In my previous article here, I wrote, “The regime change is an outcome from an intellectually debated thought to sabotage the innate Pakistani cause to fight for the rights of the people of the occupied Kashmir and the colonized Palestine.” The plan to arrest Imran Khan has spelled the end game.
Allah Knows Best. Has Asim Munir Met his Fate?
The aforesaid assessment takes credence from Pakistan adopting a 180-degrees stance and environment from what Pakistan was before. This drastic change of course is from an intrigue foreign in nature. Alternatively, treachery is a nice summation.
The Pakistan AHC staying the course has resemblance with the course of action we saw in the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan to address terrorism. For the neo-cons when to fold cards was a difficult decision because there was always yet another last but one strategy in support of their ideology. It was a fully resourced COIN Operation that was eventually struct down.
The arrest of Khan has resemblance to attempting a fully resourced operation. Since there is no enemy shooting back at the AHC, their focus is now mob containment. Strategies include De-escalation tactics to reduce tension and to create space for dialogue. Other civil tactics are off the table because Pakistan has become a lawless country.
I have no means to precisely predict how Punjab will react to Khan’s arrest. (Punjab is the focus here because in politics other provinces do not matter—one of Pakistan’s fault-lines. In a movement all provinces have a play.)
The elements of mob mentality fuels the mob mentality or herd mentality. In Punjab, the salient herd mentality or mob mentality manifestation element is collectivism to conform to opinion. In contrast, in the Western world, individualism and personal autonomy stops them from participating in mob manifestation.
Mobs can succeed with its size and strength to make them emboldened; a big one to mob’s success is its emotional intensity to show anger and fear; social pressure on the group; mob’s creativity for symbolic gestures in the day and age of social media. Example, placards with pictures naming AHC as infidels, and to involve international human rights groups.
Last, but certainly not the least is Pakistan’s biggest symbolic power and strength, which comes from the struggle in Jihad. Khan has planted the concept of Jihad against the oppressors. From Jihad, mob transforms into a divine phenomenon. From Jihad the AHC transforms into infidels.
The Army high command (AHC), now effectively are the infidels because of the struggle of Jihad cannot be against a Muslim. The AHC is involved in oppressing a Muslim community has no means to effectively counter Jihad (al-Qital) – A Jihad’s goal consistent with Islamic values of compassion and justice.
With twist and turns, religion can be at stake in Pakistan. Managing Pakistan has lost her rudder (Imran Khan.) Conflict and violence is the outcome.
When philosophic wisdom is not heeded to; the principles of Jihad will not be followed and the mob will demonstrate its strength. Asim Munir has met his fate.
Bio: Mian Hameed is the author of his latest book: MANIPULATION OF THE MIND: Our Children and Our Policy at Peril. One of the aspects discussed in the book is to raise the K-12 scholastic level to impact policy. He blogs at mianhameed.com on policy concerns in the South Asia and the United States.