Written By Hamdah Tahir The key decision for those in power is whether to adapt their actions to align with current realities or continue to...
Written By Hamdah Tahir
The key decision for those in power is whether to adapt their actions to align with current realities or continue to ignore the Baloch march, the Bannu protests, the rising dissent among Pashtoon youth, the JI protests against IPPs, and online dissent
Last month, 300 students were killed during protests over government job quotas in Bangladesh. Frustrated by the lack of fair access to jobs, students rallied against a quota system that reserved over half of government jobs, including a 30% allocation for descendants of Bangladesh’s independence fighters. This quota was abolished in 2018 but reinstated by the High Court in 2024 after Sheikh Haseena's controversial fourth election victory. As students protested for merit-based job access, violence erupted at Dhaka University, with government and ruling party-affiliated groups attacking demonstrators. Reports suggest Haseena encouraged these violent actions. But the sight to behold was how Haseena was compelled to flee after 15 years of an autocratic regime. There are surely lessons to be learnt for all the regimes across the world.
However, the recent abduction of MNAs from the premises of Parliament, the alleged disappearance of Chief Minister of the 3rd largest province for hours and the recent audio leak of an alleged conversation between an overseas Pakistani and an intelligence officer threatening him with his brother’s abduction and screams for help to take down a tweet and stay low for a month illustrates how even after the Bangladesh's student revolt, Pakistan has not learnt any lesson when it is only wise for the ruling regime to take heed and learn from the mistakes of not only history but neighbouring regimes. How the intelligence officer tried to convince the person using the notion of “stability”, while actively destabilising whatever the framework of fundamental rights is left, further illustrates the disconnect and the delusions of the ruling elite, especially the institution whose only course for dissent seems to be strong arming. Here are a few lessons to be learnt before it's too late.
1. The Idea Of Stability:
No stability comes from abducting family members to threaten and suppress dissent. No stability comes from strong-arming your own people. True stability is achieved when the rule of law prevails, with a stable government and consistent economic policies. It is realised when the constitution is genuinely honoured. Between the masses and the government, the constitution serves as a social contract where the masses relinquish certain rights with the expectation that the government will uphold its end of the agreement, including the protection of fundamental rights such as life, liberty, free speech, and movement.
Haseena’s government engaged in extrajudicial killings, abductions, and strong-arming the judiciary. Even her status as the "daughter of Mujib ur Rehman" could not shield her from the public’s anger. The rule of law is a two-way street—a social contract. If one party breaches it, who can compel the other to uphold their obligations? Economic experts have extensively discussed Haseena’s role in Bangladesh’s economic growth, yet people prioritised civil liberties and the protection of fundamental rights over living under a prosperous but autocratic regime. It is a grave mistake to believe that any economic growth in Pakistan, which seems unlikely given the current economic conditions, will be enough to wither away dissent.
Ultimately, true stability and lasting progress can only be achieved when a government respects its social contract with the people, ensuring both economic development and the protection of fundamental freedoms, definitely not from taking a tweet down.
2. Gen Z, A Demographic Reality:
Analysts have commented that the Bangladesh student revolution was basically a Gen Z revolution. Pakistan is also on the brink of a new era, a generational change, a time where the youth hold the reins of power. We, the Gen Zs, are not just bystanders, we're the game-changers. Our voices matter, our choices count because we make up a whopping 44% of the voting population. That's not just a statistic, it's a testament to our influence, our potential to shape the future. But here's the thing: ignore us, and you're ignoring the heartbeat of this nation. Our disenfranchisement means disenfranchisement of the players of the power game. For better or worse, we're here to stay. Every election in the upcoming decades is going to be decided by the youth under 30.
So, when policy makers dismiss the dissent as mere "keyboard warriors" or "bots," they're missing the point entirely. A significant divide exists between those in power and the youth, who hold the key to their future. And until they bridge that divide, they'll continue to miss out on the pulse of this nation. This is the mistake Haseena committed, not acknowledging the reality of demographic shift.
Before February 8th, the establishment seemed to have everything under control: PTI faced intense pressure, with its leaders coerced into resigning and Imran Khan entangled in legal troubles, including accusations of moral and financial misconduct. Nawaz Sharif's return was portrayed as a saviour's comeback, and the PTI's election symbol was controversially revoked, causing confusion among its voters. Thousands of PTI supporters were imprisoned, political rallies were banned, and many PTI candidates faced obstacles or rejections. The establishment appeared to be setting the stage for PDM’s victory through pre- and post-poll rigging.
However, on February 8th, Gen Z defied these expectations. Despite severe crackdowns, they turned out in large numbers to vote, demonstrating their influence beyond social media. They bridged the gap between online activism and real-world impact, proving their power to challenge the establishment's control. It is when the analysts termed it as “electoral upset”.
Despite this, the establishment has remained detached from the reality of this generational shift. It continues to suppress dissent through arrests, social media bans, and electoral manipulation. Gen Z, however, has made it clear they will not be silenced or ignored. Their votes will shape future elections, and the establishment must acknowledge this shift or face further upsets. Gen Z demands representation and respect for their mandate, signalling a profound generational change that the establishment can no longer overlook.
The votes of new voters will hold significant sway in all forthcoming elections. It is
time the establishment asks itself what it has to offer to the new generation? Laptops? Twitter ban? Firewall? Increased surveillance? The establishment must recognize it as a phenomenon of generational change. Gen Z has become the first generation to push back establishment, the first generation to bury the politics of electables and more is yet to come. If peaceful voters are denied democratic avenues to express their constitutional aspirations, what alternatives will this generation be compelled to explore? Gen Z warrants representation and their mandate to be honoured, if not, the boomers must brace for even more upsets because Gen Z is the demographic reality that cannot be ignored or suppressed.
3. Lessons For The Pawn And The Pawner:
In Bangladesh, the army served as a tool for the Haseena regime. In contrast, in Pakistan, the PDM regime has become a tool for the army. The Bangladesh army recognized that it could no longer act as an instrument for a government that has lost its credibility and legitimacy. The situation in Pakistan is quite different: the army is a primary stakeholder in the political landscape. The PDM must understand that it should not function as a mere extension of an institution that has eroded public trust. Likewise, the army needs to acknowledge that parties lacking a genuine popular mandate cannot be entrusted with representing the people's will in a constitutionally democratic state. Both sides must adapt to these realities to restore faith in the political system and ensure effective governance.
Imagine if the Bangladeshi army had failed to grasp the gravity of the situation and chose to protect the Haseena regime, or if Haseena had decided to cling to power rather than flee, such scenarios would have led to huge catastrophe. Pakistan is currently experiencing a similar crisis. To avoid escalating the situation further, both the pawn and the pawner must step back and reassess their positions before the crisis deepens even further.
4. Engaging The Dissent:
It is unfortunate that the establishment's only approach to dissent is to "tackle it" or suppress it. This is increasingly evident in the labelling of online dissent as "digital terrorism" and describing protesters in Balochistan as "offshoots of terrorist organisations." This mirrors Haseena’s approach, where dissent was met with suppression rather than engagement.
In Pakistan, the issue lies with the mindset of the institution calling the shots. To them, any form of dissent is perceived as a threat, and any protest is deemed "rebellion." The core problem is not how the institution operates but rather that it has taken on roles for which it is neither equipped nor constitutionally authorised. The responsibility of addressing dissent should rest with elected democratic representatives. It is crucial to listen to dissent and engage with protesters, as the essence of democracy is rooted in dialogue and debate. Although democracy seems to be in decline, the presence of debate and disagreement is a hallmark of a healthy democratic society. Not every dissent should be suppressed, nor should every disagreement be met with force.
5. Need For Student Unions:
The student movement in Bangladesh succeeded in toppling a government due to the country’s rich history of student politics and activism. This success highlights why those in power fear student unions and have sought to ban them. In Pakistan, the prohibition of student unions has prevented the emergence of student leaders and curtailed activism. Consequently, there is little opportunity for young leaders to rise and represent the youth in parliament. Politics remains dominated by a few dynasties and established figures. Establishing student unions is crucial for fostering organised and unified movements, not necessarily to overthrow governments, but to ensure that the demands of the youth are effectively represented to the authorities. The selection of the interim head in Bangladesh underscores the significant role and intellectual contribution of student unions and their leaders.
6. Way Forward:
With no free speech, no fundamental rights, no independent media, violence against protesters, enforced disappearances even of the democratically elected MNAs, rigged elections, and a deteriorating economy, what makes the Pakistani elite think that the youth will not be driven to the same radical actions? It is naive to believe that the end of PTI or Imran Khan or strong arming the protestors will eliminate the deep-seated dissent among the masses. Gen Z, that has witnessed and experienced these issues, is here to stay, and their frustration will not simply vanish. This generation will inevitably resist, and those in power should be concerned.
As Jennifer Chaudhary remarked about the student revolution in Bangladesh:
“It seemed the students toppled Prime Minister Sheikh Haseena’s government in five short weeks, but this revolution was 15 years in the making.”
What makes the Pakistani ruling elite think that a similar revolution is not already in making in Pakistan? While it may seem exaggerated to suggest that Pakistan could see such a revolution in just five weeks, the reality is that the seeds of change have already been sown. Any efforts to suppress free speech and dissent will only fuel this growing movement. February 8th was one such moment of significance. Whether one likes the outcome or the political parties that benefit from it, change is inevitable. The key decision for those in power is whether to adapt their actions to align with current realities or continue to ignore the Baloch march, the Bannu protests, the rising dissent among Pashtoon youth, the JI protests against IPPs, and online dissent.
The only way forward is to respect fundamental rights, honour the constitution, and engage with dissent constructively. Let Pakistan heal, let democracy take its course, let the rule of law prevail.
