May Allah forgive me, I miss Maulana Shah Ahmed Noorani a lot today. When I heard the news of the civil war in the Syrian capital, Maulana Noorani’s words started echoing in my mind that “A country in which there is a clash between the army and the people does not survive.” Maulana Noorani remained a staunch opponent of the army’s interference in politics throughout his life. The powerful broke up his party, all the leading leaders left the party. Maulana Noorani never joined any unelected government, nor did he ever take any government position. He stood firm against General Zia-ul-Haq’s so-called American jihad, fought against the fascism of the MQM even in the most difficult times, never took money from agencies and never sold his life. He played the politics of principles and left this world with honor without any accusation of corruption. He was buried in the neighborhood of Abdullah Shah Ghazi and is still resting there today.

Maulana Noorani used to say that there was a civil war in Libya, Iraq and Syria, if the people and the army came face to face, nothing would be left, we are seeing this happening with our own eyes. All these Islamic countries had dictatorships and the government was being run with the help of the army. After the events in Lebanon, Gaza and now Syria, it is inevitable that there will be concerns about the security of the dear homeland. If Libya, Iraq and Syria are to blame for being Islamic countries, then it is Pakistan, if they are to blame for being anti-American and anti-Israel, then it is us, if their fault is their tendency to be extremist against the Western world, then it is us too, if Libya was accused of destroying a passenger plane, then we also have doubts about 9/11, if Syria and Saddam’s Iraq are accused of helping the Palestinians, Hezbollah and Hamas, we also have full sympathy for them. Moreover, Pakistan has the strongest army in the Muslim world and above all, Pakistan also has an atomic bomb. In such a situation, if we keep in mind Maulana Noorani’s fears, then Pakistan is sitting on a pile of fire and the path to its instability can only be made possible by the army and the people coming face to face.

The commonalities of the declining target countries in the Muslim world with Pakistan have been mentioned, now let’s also mention what we have in our favor. Pakistan’s army is not disorganized like Libya, Syria or Iraq, but disciplined. Nuclear weapons are the most terrifying asset, but international organizations are satisfied that Pakistan’s nuclear assets are in the safest hands and the standard of their security and caution is of international level. Although many military and autocratic dictators have come to power in Pakistan, both the civilian and military governments have never violated the UN Charter or its resolutions. True or false, we have put the protective cover of a parliament and an elected government over our state. The day a naked military or civilian dictatorship comes, Pakistan’s nuclear program will immediately become a target.

The nations that learn lessons from the events taking place in the world are the ones that succeed. If the people, rulers and armies of Libya, Iraq and Syria had been united, perhaps they would not have met this fate today. Pakistan also needs to fix its fault lines. Khan Sahib may not be so aware of global problems, he should be told about the delicate situation of the Muslim world and convinced to refrain from civil disobedience or such extremist measures. On the other hand, the authorities and the government should not only take the initiative in negotiations but also start providing relief to the leaders in jails as a confidence-building measure. Khan Sahib, understanding the crisis in Pakistan, should give up the desire for absolute power for the time being and the authorities should also stop trying to walk alone in the streets like Mirza Jatt. The most difficult problems of the world have been solved through reconciliation, understanding, flexibility, recognizing and respecting each other. Here, there is a small problem of power and strength which can be solved immediately by showing flexibility.

The events in Gaza, Lebanon, Iraq and Syria are a warning to Pakistan. The defeat and destruction of the Syrian government by disorganized rebels, despite the power of Russia and the support of Iran, is proof that there is still only one superpower today. After the arrival of the second President Trump, perhaps a deal has been reached that the US will stop supporting Ukraine and leave it at the mercy of Russia, and in return, Russia will give the US an opportunity to play freely in the Middle East.

While Pakistan should negotiate with mainstream political parties for its own protection and salvation, in view of the increasing losses on the Balochistan issue and the daily martyrdom of soldiers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a solution should be reached through political, military and public consultations on these most important issues. Since too much has happened, the time is critical, the matter is serious and dangerous, emergency measures should be taken.

Finally, it is submitted that the army should not be involved in politics nor should it interfere in politics under the constitution, but as Maulana Noorani had warned against making the people stand before the army, it is necessary to act on it even today. The army has been corrupting democracy, but democracy cannot exist without the army. When there is no state without the army, how can there be democracy? If there is no peace and order, democracy cannot exist at all. Anarchy is the enemy of democracy. The army is necessary to end anarchy and restore peace and order, but within the constitutional limits…!