Massive PDM rally in Lahore last evening was a success despite Corona and cold weather, the nervous noises of denial by puppet ministers notwithstanding. Nawaz Sharif’s stance on naming and shaming the coup makers, and his commitment for bringing the the putschist culture 1/7

to an end reaffirmed his principled stand. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s brief but substantial speech reflected opposition’s resolve to march on Islamabad in early spring to bring the illegitimate dispensation down. Akhtar Mengal’s criticism against the continued brutal military 2/7

repression in Balochistan was a reminder to Punjabi audience that they will have to take notice of the atrocities against the Baloch people if they want to keep the federation united ( Mohsin Dawar could have added a similar note from Pashtun periphery had he been there). 3/7

PDM has a strong case against hybrid martial law and its campaign for exposing and isolating the failed puppet regime has been successful. But there are three important points for the next stage. One, nothing short of a strong and sustained people’s struggle can push 4/7

back the de facto rulers given their vast and entrenched vested interest. Only logic and reasoning can’t “ convince “ them. Two, PDM must have a plan for transition from hybrid martial law to a functioning democracy, based on our experience of MRD in 1980s and COD in 5/7

2000s ( we can also learn from the experiences of Turkey, Indonesia and Korea). Initially forming a grand coalition for consolidating democracy can be considered. Three, establishing proper constitutional order and democratic control should come before the country is made 6/7

a “front-line-state” once again in the new Cold War like what Zia did it in 1980s and Musharraf did in 2000s. Extreme militarisation of Pak state and society has been the product of the country’s foolish involvement in the cold wars. It’s high time to turn to geo economic. 7/7