There are no “good” Pakistanis left: The geopolitics of obedience

For most of Pakistan’s history, the security state has divided the country into two convenient species: the obedient and the dangerous. The terminology changes with geography, ethnicity and political need. “Good” Taliban and “bad” Taliban. “Good” Baloch and “bad” Baloch. Patriotic Pashtuns and foreign-sponsored Pashtuns. Heroic Kashmiris and suspicious Kashmiris. More recently, acceptable supporters of Imran Khan and unacceptable ones — the former frightened into apology, the latter insufficiently broken to surrender. “Good” has never meant peaceful, democratic or law-abiding. It means useful. A good Pakistani mistakes submission for patriotism and silence for unity. A bad Pakistani asks the questions the state cannot survive: Who rules? By what right? For whose benefit? The present military order now faces a grave […]