THE CONTROVERSY: THE MORAL QUANDRY

Who is this man?

In November 2023, news media reported that Sher Afzal Khan Marwat, who was a member of Imran Khan’s legal team, was appointed as the Senior Vice President of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party (PTI). The controversy revolves around suspicions that Mr. Marwat may be a mole and is deemed untrustworthy.

Thus far, Marwat remains physically unharmed despite his outspoken stance against the fascist regime and Marwat’s free access to demonstrations raises a red flag for the proponents. Supporters of Marwat contend that the regime’s demolition of his home, the numerous politically motivated First Information Reports (FIR) filed against him and his prominence as a lawyer collectively suggest the regime tolerates him, serve as evidence in his favor.

Those that do not desire to engage further in a discussion by giving specific information or reasoning, even though it was them that requested to scrutinize Marwat’s predicament, end with a cliché, “Time will tell.” It suggests they are evasive or noncommittal and may be perceived as a way to avoid addressing the immediate concerns or questions raised in the argument.

The Guidance

In matters of importance, as in hiring an employee or trusting a person with national secrets or information; in the case of companies, they commit prospective employees to a background check. For cleared jobs, our U.S. government requires a person to go before a clearance process. Whereby, the candidate files form SF-86.

The clearance process after filing SF-86, ascertains if, (usually a U.S. citizen) has no substantial ties to a foreign country, a foreign government, ideally has no financial interests in another country and evaluates a person’s integrity. If there is a slight concern, the matter is sent to adjudication before a judge. No institution will leave matters to the tested cliché, “Time will tell.”

Knowing Imran Khan (IK) has consistently demonstrated a lamentable lack of discernment in evaluating people’s character, often making regrettable judgments. Therefore, Marwat should not be offended against the people’s scrutiny for their cause—Fight for Freedom. Ensuring the fight for freedom that Imran Khan has started is not hijacked by infiltrators.

In Quran Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12), teaches us to avoid negative assumptions against a person. In Quran, Surah Bakara 2-283, the Surah guides us who to hand your money as a trust. Allah says, “If you are on a journey and a scribe cannot be found, then a security can be taken. If you trust one another, then ˹there is no need for a security…]”

Trust is paramount. Those that trust Marwat, they need not take “security” precautions. Others may require a scribe (a writer), as the surah suggests, so the debtor is held accountable to pay his debt. The surah further says, “And do not conceal the testimony, for whoever conceals it, their hearts are indeed sinful.” It is this guidance that I submit my logic against, which I do understand is not a testimony.

Logic benefiting from wisdom is marvelous when time proves you right.

November 29, 2022, is the date of the COAS change in command, and I on day-one, November 29^th from pure analytics suggested in my article, “Pakistan: The COAS Change of Command” that Asim Munir is a second episode of Bajwa in the sequel of betraying the country. Only a few analytic markers were needed to make such a prediction.

• ‘Powerful globalization tendencies with focus on the steady weakening of traditional national boundaries.’
• Bajwa and the judiciary dismantled the Constitution of Pakistan, extinguishing any hope for expecting goodness in Munir.
• Munir “is the choice of criminals with foreign stakes in his appointment.” –Id.

The Assessment

In the case of Marwat, if we apply the established guidance of the Surahs and SF-86 manmade framework of trustworthiness. Marwat’s trustworthiness must be judged.  

Those that do not trust Marwat, should they place “security” precautions, it is not a guarantee for them getting justice (or the debtor paying his debt) in Pakistan where the Constitution is done away with. Getting justice is a very difficult thing. Knowing, the poor cannot secure justice for them against the rich in a first rated country like the United States. This is a fact of life.

Marwat has the burden of proof before the adjudication judge to explain why he has escaped the wrath of the fascist regime? I suspect, even Marwat cannot explain with convincing candor this phenomenon. Many of us knowing, should Murad Saeed comes out of his hiding, he will be made an example of like Imran Riaz Khan, Swati and Gill.

Marwat is involved in uprising the people of KP. Either the fascist regime is letting Marwat agitate people as part of their plan or it is their gravest mistake.

Marwat appeared for an interview with Sami Ibrahim. Marwat immaculately opined his message to the apparent eye. The man showed charisma and talent. Past his narcist self-portrayal in the footsteps of IK, I found defects in Marwat’s message. He told Ibrahim that it was an honor to have appeared on his show, he was his favorite journalist and that Ibrahim was “such a respected journalist.” Really?

On August 05, 2023, when IK was incarcerated, Sami Ibrahim, said that politicians do go to prison.  Ibrahim, in fact has endorsed Khan’s prison sentence that more than ninety-percent people resent the kangaroo court’s ruling and has attempted to minimize the episode for people not to rise, convincingly tell us of his interest and ideology. Ibrahim has slipped immorality into his profession, is means to remain in existence and to curry favors from the current regime.

Marwat informed Ibrahim that IK was no longer considering giving party tickets to the former PTI candidates that are in hiding from the fear of getting tortured by the fascist regime. Marwat’s tone portrayed Khan’s disappointment in his former party members, needs scrutiny. IK had previously advised the people to ensure their safety first. IK cannot be demeaning to those in hiding. Marwat spoke out of character. Analytics would suggest, IK cannot say such.

Relying on guidance from Surah Bakara and the guidance used as a basis of investigation, with my aforementioned concerns, there exists an unmitigated risk. Certainly, a person with no baggage is a better reliable person for your “security.”  

Surah Al-Hujurat, requires us to avoid negative assumptions. If the true blue and time tested candidates are in hiding and Marwat has surfaced as a potential option, wisdom may require Pakistan to use Marwat no more than as an agitation surrogate.

The Conclusion

Sher Afzal Khan Marwat is a subject of evaluation and reevaluation, examination and reexamination, in the ongoing struggle of “security,” freedom and democracy.  

Bio: Mian Hameed is the author of MANIPULATION OF THE MIND: Our Children and Our Policy at Peril. He is a student of the U.S. and South Asia foreign policy. My articles do not present the conventional thoughts of the mainstream media. To read my work, click the Home link below.