Information warfare: the ongoing political turmoil puts the institutions on fire
Zeeshan Javaid
It has been like a movie, full of mysteries, intrigues, and conspiracies in an entire political hassle and quagmire which end shocked everyone and left speechless.
After the recent unexpected move played by Prime Minister Imran Khan on April 3rd supposed to obtain a safe exit from the vote-of-no-confidence motion, once again the series of audio and video leaks on social media has sparked controversy with shocking revelations against both former ruling party Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and a cartel of major opposition political forces in the country.
The National Intelligence Council (NIC) of the United States, a consortium of US secret services including the most prominent Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security, and others recently announced the global trends of politics, economy, technology, health, information warfare and international conflicts by 2040.
The NIC compiled publication ‘Global Trends 2040’ revealed that despite the conventional warfare, misinformation and disinformation will overtake to destabilize the rival countries.
US secret services council strongly believed as read in the report that both internal and external actors will increasingly manipulate digital information and spread disinformation to shape public views and achieve political objectives.
The ongoing political disorder in the country and moves played by both ruling PTI and joint opposition political forces if seem in the light of Global Trends 2040 report, there is nothing out of context as planned by international establishment indeed could create chaos to a maximum part of forecast content.
Disclosure reveals PM becomes the scapegoat between the US, Russia
The shadow of this shocking forecast made by US intelligence schools could be even observed in the recent surprise move of premier Khan in the form of the letter gate scandal, the nation is almost divided into two parts, one expressing the annoyance over the US for allegedly involving in a conspiracy of toppling Khan’s government.
While the other part of a nation under the umbrella of joint opposition strongly believed that spreading the disinformation by furnishing the dubious letter gate scandal was only a move to shape the views of the public with the help of state institutions to achieve political objectives.
Undoubtedly, the PTI had laid the foundation stone of disinformation while establishing the social media cells directly dealing with digital information to influence its narrative accordingly in public.
Later on Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and other political forces even the madrassa regimes also stick themselves with android gadgets on social media to influence their narratives and counter the storyline against each other.
The one of disgruntled former legislatures from PTI in the Punjab Assembly also was supposed to run day to day business affairs of premier khan.
Yes! Aleem Khan shockingly revealed in his recent leaked audio floating on social media that premier Imran Khan was in conflict with former director general Inter-Services Intelligence Lt. General Syed Asim Munir.
Indeed, the former DG ISI Lt. General Syed Asim Munir was a thorough professional and an in-principle officer; however, the conspiracy setting him aside from the office has to be concealed with different storylines.
The trending and viral audio leak of former PTI leader Aleem Khan just came into the limelight on social media, a day after his smoldering press conference against former ruling elite and PTI chairman Imran Khan.
Aleem Khan audio Leak
In this audio leak, Aleem Khan not only alleged that Imran Khan was in conflict with the former ISI chief but also the allegations of jewelry sets received by Khan’s spouse from real estate tycoon Malik Riaz in bribe and other related to corruption means leveled on Khan’s former regime including CM Punjab Usman Buzdar loud and clear.
Indeed, Aleem Khan and Jahangir Tareen were utmost close to and trustworthy companions of premier Khan, and undoubtedly Aleem and Tareen were financially most sound and strong personalities in PTI, who spent and invest hundreds of millions of rupees for organizing public gatherings and Pakistan history’s longest-term sit-in protest at constitutional avenue Islamabad, outside the parliament house, countrywide protests and other political activities under the umbrella of one-man-show Mr. Khan.
Aleem Khan claimed that Imran Khan had been indulged in corrupt practices for a long. He added that he had proof against Imran Khan and his family too. Amid all the verbal attacks, Imran Khan is preparing for elections as well.
But Election Commission (EC) has dashed his hopes to the ground as EC said that it would need 6 months to prepare for the whole process.
The ongoing political and constitutional crisis has deepened as the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly rejected the opposition parties’ no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan on the basis that it was foreign-funded and unconstitutional.
Shortly after the deputy speaker turned down the resolution, Khan moved to dissolve the assembly, calling for fresh elections.
The opposition announced to fight a legal battle in the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court’s top judge, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, took Suo Moto’s notice of the development.
He said that all directions issued by Khan and President Arif Alvi would be subject to the court’s orders.
Khan’s move was unexpected and the premier claimed his actions were constitutional.
However, the opposition said Khan’s action was illegal as the speaker could not reject a no-confidence motion at the time of voting.
As per the Constitution of Pakistan, the opposition claimed parliament is bound to conduct voting on the motion.
As long as the process has not been completed, the prime minister cannot dissolve assemblies. All eyes are now set on the Apex Court.
The writer is a senior journalist and can be reached at [email protected]
