Farida Haque
2 min readMay 22, 2023

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Let me add Pakistan to the list.

I’m appalled at the current state of affairs, having returned after two years.

Unashamed fascism. For decades the military held sway in Pakistan, giving a nod to a semblance of democracy. That facade it’s dropped with a crash.
Journalists are targeted, assassinated, families abused physically. Lately there have been huge demonstrations against current govt and army in which thousands from all walks of life participated. Women were subjected to in your face brutality - dragged away by the hair, thrashed by not only police but covert agencies. Many have disappeared. They have been raped and told to spread the message- stay silent, stay home. Utube has horrifying footage of children women and men thrown around, clothes ripped and carted off to unknown locations.
All boundaries have been crossed. Elite have always felt buffered by money and connections, but this time ministers and their sons and daughters have been taken.
It’s terrifying. I’ve given up fbook and other social media- they can break down doors at will.
Between blasphemy laws and open fascism, no one is safe. People are starving, and soon unprecedented temperatures will kill off many poor people.
With a burgeoning population, no education, health, justice and brutality at will towards citizens, can easily lead to one choice — suicide bombers. What have they got to lose? It won’t be religious fanaticism. Despair will do it. In rural areas starving families sell their children.

I don’t think the west is aware of how dire the situation is. BBC hardly touched on it. CNN is now a rag.
Fear drives us all.

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Farida Haque
Farida Haque

Written by Farida Haque

Multimedia artist, writer, poet. “I could not have painted myself happy without painting myself sad first…” faridahaque@gmail.com

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