‘Pakistan Still Stands Where It Did 50 Years Ago,’ Says Hamid Mir, Warning Against Political Vendettas
ISLAMABAD: Senior journalist and television anchor Hamid Mir has said that Pakistan continues to grapple with many of the same political and constitutional challenges it faced decades ago, warning that the continued misuse of state power and political victimization could provoke a major movement led by the country’s younger generation.
In his latest political analysis, Mir argued that many of Pakistan’s present-day political, constitutional, and security challenges could have been avoided had the country not repeatedly experienced military rule and constitutional suspensions. He maintained that the current situations in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are rooted in policies that weakened democratic institutions and enabled state institutions to intervene in political affairs.
Hamid Mir said that the 11-year rule of General Zia-ul-Haq contributed to the proliferation of the “Kalashnikov culture,” which not only encouraged violence in society but also saw the adoption of policies that undermined democratic governance. He alleged that intelligence agencies became increasingly involved in political matters during that period, while political parties and leaders were used against one another, institutionalizing undemocratic practices whose effects remain visible today.
According to Mir, the history of political victimization in Pakistan spans several decades. He stated that political retaliation has affected numerous individuals and political leaders over the years, including Pakistan Peoples Party President Asif Ali Zardari, who faced political cases in the past, and Pakistan Muslim League-N leaders Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who have also encountered legal and political challenges during different periods.
He further observed that despite Asif Ali Zardari serving as President and Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister today, political actions against opponents have not ceased. Mir pointed out that former Prime Minister Imran Khan remains in prison, while several opposition leaders continue to face arrests and legal proceedings, reinforcing the perception that Pakistan has yet to break free from the cycle of political vendettas.
پاکستان آج بھی وہیں کھڑا ہے جہاں 50 سال پہلے کھڑا تھا ریاستی طاقت کے غلط استعمال اور سیاسی انتقام کا سلسلہ ختم ہونے کا نام نہیں لے رہا حکمران اشرافیہ نے ماضی کی غلطیوں سے سبق نہ سیکھا تو نوجوان نسل انکے خلاف ایک بڑی تحریک شروع کر سکتی ہے مزید تفصیل 👇https://t.co/siq3cgbt55 pic.twitter.com/pkquug1XUG
— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) July 28, 2026
“Pakistan today stands almost where it did half a century ago,” Mir said, alleging that the misuse of state power against political opponents remains a persistent feature of the country’s political landscape. He claimed that political rivals continue to face imprisonment and what he described as fabricated cases, while the lessons of the past remain unlearned.
The senior journalist stressed that the time has come for state institutions, the ruling elite, and political leadership to undertake a serious reassessment of past policies and mistakes. He warned that if political dissent continues to be suppressed and democratic tolerance is not strengthened, frustration among the younger generation could intensify and eventually give rise to a major public movement similar to those witnessed in some neighboring countries.
