Introduction
I’m currently reading Rule by Fear by Ammar Ali Jan, and I’m excited to share a chapter by chapter summary with you.
The books comprises of eight essays on different themes that will help the reader to understand the politics in Pakistan. The common factor among all the eight essay is the rise of authoritarianism in the country. Each essays concludes with a thesis which summarize the main arguments. The book aimed at shedding light on the repression and fear experience by the people of Pakistan. The book offers great insights onto the country’s political crisis and instability.
About the Author
Ammar Ali Jan is an activist, historian, youth leader and academic hailing from Lahore, Pakistan. He is the Founder and President of Haqooq-e- Khalq Party, an anti Capitalist Organization and also a member of Progressive international. Ammar Ali Jan has been implicated in a number of cases for his activism.
Chapter 1: Permanent State of Emergency
In the first essay, the author discusses how Pakistan is still governed through colonial legacy of a state of emergency. This strategy used by Colonizers aimed to establish a state of constant emergency. In simple terms, it means instilling fear in the people to prevent them from rebelling against the government. To achieve this, some harsh laws and unpredictable punishments were enforced on locals who dared to challenge the ruling authority. As the Author writes “The aim of such extraordinary punishments was to create a generalized fear that would remind the colonized subjects of their proper place — perpetual subordination to foreign rule and the repression to state apparatus.”
Since the creation of Pakistan in August 1947, it has endured 32 years under military dictatorships. Whenever any movement or political party sought challenged the status quo of militarization, those movements were crashed down. For instance, the Communist Party of Pakistan was banned in 1954. In such times, Pakistan was swiftly declared to be in a state of emergency, using phrases like “Mulk nazuk surat hal se Guzar raha hai” (the country is going through a delicate situation).
The 1973 Constitution (Current one) of Pakistan represent that Sovereignty belong only to Allah Almighty but this fact is not capable to stop the military generals to suspend it.
Since the beginning, “the military leadership has the ability and power to suspend constitution, overthrow governments, nominate patriots and enemies among the populace, launch military operations against enemies and negotiate rents with the imperial powers.”
Thesis of the First Essay
The thesis of the first essay holds that Pakistan is controlled by an ongoing state of emergency as it is the inheritor of the colonial past. In this case, interests of the governing classes take precedence above loyalty to the law. The ruling elites’ counter-revolutionary stance results in preemptive violence against opposition to preserve the status quo. Stable political and legal frameworks are threatened by our ongoing participation in imperialist conflicts. lslam and patriotism in Pakistan therefore hide a profound emptiness, as there is a lack of a cohesive political theology. This system of violence and arbitrariness is overseen by the powerful and loyal guardian of the status quo: the military leadership.
I recommend reading “Rule by Fear” by Ammar Ali Jan if you’re interested in gaining a comprehensive understanding of Pakistan’s political landscape and the dynamics of authoritarianism, fear, and repression. This book offers valuable insights into historical contexts, the colonial legacy’s impact, and the persistent challenges faced by the country. By delving into the essays that dissect various themes, you’ll be equipped with a deeper awareness of how power, military influence, and counter-revolutionary strategies have shaped Pakistan’s trajectory.
