Ominous Events in Pakistan Today: Lessons for All Asians & The World

Fair Dinkum

Watch “Pakistan’s Western-backed coup regime hits PM Imran Khan with ‘terrorism’ charges to silence dissent” … …………………….. https://youtu.be/g9IzwCAYbZY

This ITEM is a worthwhile discussion and analysis of the situation in Pakistan featuring a young Pakistani scholar, interviewed by Ben Norton.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s supporters gather in Rawalpindi on Sunday to protest Imran Khan’s removal from government [Sohail Shahzad/EPA-EFE]

The interview focuses on areas such as,

– the absurdity of the allegation that Imran Khan has committed terrorist crimes against Pakistan.

– contends that the removal of Khan as Prime Minister was a US led coup, the reasons for it, and that earlier scepticism about US involvement in the coup has been replaced by greater certainty the US were involved.

– Some of the reasons why Khan was removed from power include his refusal to impose sanctions on Russia; his close ties to China and Russia; his support for Iran; his refusal to seek an IMF loan; his refusal to allow US military bases on Pakistani soil; all lines pf were policy used by Khan to improve the lives and economic wellbeing of the people of Pakistan.

– the illegitimacy of the current government in power.

– the charges that the government is delaying elections, has banned Khan’s speeches from being televised, and is trying to imprison him on trumped up charges of committing terrorism. The new language being used today is “Information Terrorism” – which is about redefining terrorism to enable governments to imprison anyone who expresses a view critical of a government.

– the role of the IMF and the lack of transparency over the conditionalities of their bailout.

It seems to me that the issues raised here provide an important South Asian contextual analysis that Sri Lankans should be aware of given they live in the same region. Khan is doing an extensive interview on RT later today to address the current situation in Pakistan because no other TV channel would dare interview him now that he has been accused of committing terrorism.

Finally, let me stress that Professor Ahmad makes a very good point at the end when he notes that many leftists in Pakistan who are pro-American are “incredibly racist” when they talk about “Chinese neocolonialism”. The same is true of Sri Lankans who accuse China of neocolonialism: many of these commentators not only don’t understand the term “neocolonialism”, but have never raised concerns about the Western neocolonialism that has been going on since WW2.

Preview YouTube video Pakistan’s Western-backed coup regime hits PM Imran Khan with ‘terrorism’ charges to silence dissent

Pakistan’s Western-backed coup regime hits PM Imran Khan with ‘terrorism’ charges to silence dissent

***************