“Thãn” and “Thikana” are both Punjabi words. In Heer Ranjha, “Thãn” is a fundamental term, which means original residence, real meaning, and real purpose; whereas Thikana means temporary residence. In the light of these terms, to understand the reality of any event, it is necessary to reach its soul – that is, the Thãn. From the Thikana, the real situation cannot be known. In English terms, it is the matter of position and posture. Position is the real stance and actual opinion, while posture is the outward appearance.
The hide-and-seek currently going on between PTI and the establishment needs to be passed through a critical and logical circle according to the narrative given above, so that the difference between impression and reality can be understood. Some people think it is a “deal”, some think it is “relief/leniency”, but according to logic I find neither of these opinions correct. It seems to me that it is only a strategy of governance and release. The rulers want to keep matters cool so that they can prolong rule, and Tehreek-e-Insaf is making a strategy for relief and improvement from delicate conditions of illness.
On both sides there is maneuvering; neither side seems convinced of real reconciliation nor moving toward it immediately. Both are standing at their own Thãn. Their statements are Thikana, which can change anytime and return to the Thãn.
Accidents and miracles occur only rarely in history, and predicting them is impossible; however, like Waris Shah, the determination of Thãn and Thikana can certainly be done logically. Imran Khan’s eye illness in jail has created a wave of sympathy in politics. Seeing outward events, it seems the government does not have the strength to face this wave of sympathy; therefore it is adopting a soft attitude, the inevitable result of which will come in the form of a deal or leniency.
But the internal matter is that Tehreek-e-Insaf and within it Imran will have the government’s Thãn limited by a deal or leniency; it would want its Thãn to expand, not shrink. Therefore it has adopted the political behavior of turning the Thãn into a Thikana. Circles of insiders firmly believe that the establishment and the coalition government are standing on their previous Thãn or position; this is the reality. However, impression or Thikana is showing that they have softened, something is going on inside, or because of pressure the government is changing. This is the difference between position and posture.
Tehreek-e-Insaf is also standing at the same Thãn; there has been no change in its stance; the political position is the same old one, but it too is signaling policy relaxation. Included in it is Achakzai’s advice not to make speeches against the army. PTI’s posture or impression, like the government’s, is a sham whose purpose in the crisis is to put more pressure on the government so that it becomes ready for maximum leniency. Remember, the real parties fully know the difference between position and posture, Thãn and Thikana, and reality and impression; but for commoners like me – to console the heart, this thought is pleasant.
A charter, agreement, or consensus is successful only when both warring sides benefit. After losing a war, the defeated can make peace only on the victor’s terms; the success of the defeated can only be that it takes some concession for the future. If the victor spreads the cloak of concession and facility in present times, there is fear that his own bedding might be rolled up.
Those who expect surrender from this side and surrender from that side are seekers of miracles and accidents. Realism demands that Gandhi and Jinnah had to negotiate with the enemy and usurping British. Popular leader Benazir Bhutto had to go to the round-table conference of the nominated prime minister of a non-party assembly, Muhammad Khan Junejo. To come to power, Benazir Bhutto had to accept the conditions of General Aslam Beg and had to give finance, defense, and foreign affairs in her cabinet to the nominees of the establishment. Nawaz Sharif, to become prime minister the first time, had to include five persons liked by President Ishaq Khan and the establishment in the cabinet.
Democratic leader Benazir Bhutto got the path of return to the homeland only by doing NRO with ruler General Musharraf. And even Nawaz Sharif of “Vote ko izzat do” received the fortune of coming back to his country after extending General Bajwa’s tenure and then reconciling with the establishment. History has been that Nelson Mandela could get power only after making an agreement with his white rulers.
In today’s era the international atmosphere is not democratic but authoritarian; intoxication of power is speaking loudly; the Thãn of human freedoms is shrinking. In such a situation, there seems no possibility of the establishment and the coalition government making a big sacrifice or taking political risk. Whatever is happening, consider it merely an evil-eye charm.
Earlier too, illnesses have been used in political history to hide reality and highlight impression; Thãn became Thikana and Thikana became Thãn. When Benazir Bhutto suffered from tooth pain during Zia’s martial law, she had to be sent abroad under international pressure. When Nawaz Sharif’s platelets decreased – or were made to decrease – General Bajwa and General Faiz created such an atmosphere that if he did not go abroad, death might occur. Atmosphere had to bow before fate. The prime minister who wished the fans be turned off inside Nawaz Sharif’s jail also heard no other voice in such an atmosphere and, along with his cabinet, stamped approval on the decision.
Many friends, by comparing the present illness with previous ones through the political eye, are trying to draw the same result that used to emerge in the past. But in the opinion of this humble one, that redness has not yet appeared on the horizon which brings daylight. For two and a half years this humble person has been knocking on closed doors, calling for negotiations and reconciliation, but who listens to a parrot in a drum house.
The path is certainly the same, but the war has not yet ended; that one party accepts defeat or both become equal and tired – nothing like this is visible. Even now one side waits for an accident, miracle, or some unseen revolution, and on the other side the powerful have not the slightest trust in the opponent. They are sure that every concession and facility given to prisoner number 804 will become hardship and difficulty for the hunter himself.
If you descend into optimism, make whatever scenario you like; but any building constructed without facts proves to be a wall of sand. The desire, however, is that every party, for the sake of Pakistan, for the people, and for the future of coming generations, be ready for reconciliation. Remember, reconciliation never succeeds without sacrifice. Let all parties give a little sacrifice, remove the shells of ego, and think as mortals.
This country has to continue; the world too has to remain; but today’s politicians, rulers, and journalists will not remain forever. Let us, instead of leaving behind fight, war, and despair in history, leave peace, safety, and hope. For the country and the next generations, this will be the greatest gift and legacy.