Awoken Nation

The Competing Narratives in Pakistan As I sit back, pondering the current state of affairs in Pakistan, it feels like we are riding an emotional roller coaster. Right now, there are at least three major narratives competing for control in the country, and each one affects us differently. One is the narrative coming from the government, another is from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and somewhere in between is the army, trying to figure out its own position amidst this chaos. The Boycott of Military Products One key thing stands out: the growing frustration over the boycott of military products. It all started when shots were fired at D-Chowk, a protest site in Islamabad, and Imran Khan questioned, "Why was the bullet fired?" This incident spurred public resentment towards the military, triggering a movement to boycott army-affiliated businesses. People see it as a form of protest, a statement that they're tired of being manipulated by various powerful forces. While the g...

As I reflect on the unfolding drama in Pakistan, I cannot help but draw comparisons with the strength of other nations' institutions, like the U.S. Supreme Court, which draws its authority from the collective faith of its society and politics. It serves as the ultimate arbiter of disputes, applying logic and historical principles to guide its nation. Sadly, Pakistan's judiciary no longer holds such a place. The dismantling of its credibility began with the infamous Tamizuddin case of 1955 and reached its peak with the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendment on October 20, 2024, which left the Supreme Court powerless. Today, no institution can play the role of an impartial referee for our fractured nation. This crisis is not the burden of one political party or leader; it is a collective failure—ours to own and resolve. Yet, as we falter, Imran Khan, Pakistan's former prime minister and now an emblematic figure, stands as a "prisoner of conscience." The term re...