The Day Islamabad Trembled: Moid Pirzada on November 26th
For those interested in watching the complete video (in Urdu), here is the link: https://youtu.be/Pl8RwNjrKuw
A Confession and an Uncomfortable Truth
I need to make a confession: if I hadn’t been so deeply connected to Pakistan, I might have believed the official narrative. If I hadn’t lived and worked in Islamabad for years, if I hadn’t roamed its streets and known its people, I might have doubted the events as well.
But the truth is, I have lived in this city, each curve of Blue Area, each stretch of Jinnah Avenue. I spent years observing its ebb and flow, its protests, and its celebrations. When they claimed no bullets were fired, when they said there were no casualties—just a scared crowd that caused a stampede—I knew there was more to it. I spoke to people who saw the bodies. I heard firsthand accounts of families searching in hospitals and police stations for their loved ones. The claims of “no lives lost” were shattered by the tears of those who knew otherwise.
Stranded in a Snowstorm: A Moment of Reflection
Just days before, I found myself stranded in a snowstorm near the U.S.-Canada border. It was bitterly cold; the snow piled high, and the winds howled without mercy. In that small village where I took refuge, I had time to reflect. My thoughts wandered to the rise and fall of the Ottoman Empire, an empire that had stood so proud yet crumbled due to the arrogance of its own leaders. I realized how similar this was to what I am witnessing in Pakistan—leaders trapped in the illusion of power, unwilling to see the cracks forming underneath.
The snowstorm was humbling. It reminded me of how quickly even the most powerful forces can be paralyzed. And it struck me that Pakistan's institutions are not so different—clinging to power while refusing to face the realities of an evolving world.
The Real Tragedy Unfolds in Islamabad
Returning to Islamabad, the tragedy is not merely a political failure; it is a profound moral collapse. A nation’s heart was struck, and people ran in the streets in fear. The government and military, in their desperate attempt to maintain control, resorted to brutal measures. Innocent people became casualties—not because they were armed threats, but because they dared to raise their voices.
Soon, hospitals were filled with grieving families looking for answers that were never given. The authorities remained steadfast in their denial, but people knew better—they had seen the pain.
The media, too, became part of the problem. Most outlets remained silent, complicit in covering up the reality, simply too scared to speak up. But social media painted a different picture. People took to their phones, capturing the truth and defying the suppression.
A Path Forward – Will We Learn?
Now, as I sit and reflect, I can’t help but draw parallels to history. The Ottomans ignored the signs until it was too late. Will Pakistan make the same mistake? Will our leaders and military recognize the power of the people they serve (or rule, as they are supposedly doing currently)? Or will they continue to respond to dissent with bullets and denial?
For Pakistan to rise from this moment, justice is non-negotiable. Those responsible for the massacre—whether generals, politicians, or their enablers—must be held accountable. Without this, the nation faces a grave and profound risk of being trapped in a cycle of doom and despair.
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