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Rule by Fear: Eight Theses on Authoritarianism in Pakistan
Why have democratic institutions and norms not taken root in Pakistan? In these polemical essays, Ammar Jan presents eight theses to explain the political, economic and social roots of authoritarianism in the country. Rather than fixating on particular individuals or governments, this work focuses on the structural features propelling the rising militarisation of society. Jan locates the deep fear of the masses held by ruling classes and state officials as a critical point of departure to grasp the pervasive disregard for popular sovereignty. This paranoia has created a permanent state of emergency in Pakistan that is used to deploy excessive violence against popular challenges to the status quo. To fight back against this failing order, the book calls for the construction of alternative ideas that can unite disparate movements struggling for justice and dignity.
“Rule by Fear is a much-needed primer for progressive politics in Pakistan. Ammar Jan brings together his scholarly insights and experience as an activist in this clearly written and accessible text. It reminds us of Pakistan’s checkered past, yet provides a way forward toward a more egalitarian and socially just future. A must read for those interested in the linkages of the Pakistani state with the colonial era and how this history continues to inform the contemporary period.”
Kamran Asdar Ali, Surkh Communist Politics and Class Activism in Pakistan 1947-1972
“Ammar Ali Jan's Rule by Fear is an intellectual tour de force that provides nuanced theoretical insights into the historical processes of Pakistan's political formations, social complexities and economic upheavals over the last seven decades. Through his rigorous critical analysis, Jan helps set up a plan for revolutionary praxis as young Pakistani students, feminists, farmers, workers, ethno-nationalists and human rights activists seek to transform the country's outlook for a better future, an egalitarian society and a radical democracy.”
Ali Usman Qasmi, Muslims against the Muslim Critiques of the Idea of Pakistan
“Rule by Fear is a compendium of all the hidden, progressive stories of Pakistan that fundamentally reads as a love story for the people of Pakistan, particularly students and workers who have been systematically denied any right to call themselves Pakistani because of politicians and military leaders who pose as if they are the only groups who can protect Pakistan against the many threats to its security. Jan traces this constant state of fear of attack back to the colonial period. He argues that the military and certain politicians are only able to portray this threat as new, and themselves as the true protectors of Pakistan’s integrity, and win “… the battle of ideas” because they rob “the public of its own past”. Jan’s book illustrates precisely that past. A fantastic feat by an activist-academic who has worked tirelessly to stand by the ideals he believes in. Ammar Jan has written a book that will be, for years to come, a sourcebook for social historians who are searching for the hidden histories of progressive Pakistan.”
Anushay Malik, Narrowing The Labour Movement in Lahore, 1947-1974
ISBN: 978-969-7834-35-8
Edition: 1st
Publisher: Folio Books
Publishing November 26, 2021
World
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 172
“Rule by Fear is a much-needed primer for progressive politics in Pakistan. Ammar Jan brings together his scholarly insights and experience as an activist in this clearly written and accessible text. It reminds us of Pakistan’s checkered past, yet provides a way forward toward a more egalitarian and socially just future. A must read for those interested in the linkages of the Pakistani state with the colonial era and how this history continues to inform the contemporary period.”
Kamran Asdar Ali, Surkh Communist Politics and Class Activism in Pakistan 1947-1972
“Ammar Ali Jan's Rule by Fear is an intellectual tour de force that provides nuanced theoretical insights into the historical processes of Pakistan's political formations, social complexities and economic upheavals over the last seven decades. Through his rigorous critical analysis, Jan helps set up a plan for revolutionary praxis as young Pakistani students, feminists, farmers, workers, ethno-nationalists and human rights activists seek to transform the country's outlook for a better future, an egalitarian society and a radical democracy.”
Ali Usman Qasmi, Muslims against the Muslim Critiques of the Idea of Pakistan
“Rule by Fear is a compendium of all the hidden, progressive stories of Pakistan that fundamentally reads as a love story for the people of Pakistan, particularly students and workers who have been systematically denied any right to call themselves Pakistani because of politicians and military leaders who pose as if they are the only groups who can protect Pakistan against the many threats to its security. Jan traces this constant state of fear of attack back to the colonial period. He argues that the military and certain politicians are only able to portray this threat as new, and themselves as the true protectors of Pakistan’s integrity, and win “… the battle of ideas” because they rob “the public of its own past”. Jan’s book illustrates precisely that past. A fantastic feat by an activist-academic who has worked tirelessly to stand by the ideals he believes in. Ammar Jan has written a book that will be, for years to come, a sourcebook for social historians who are searching for the hidden histories of progressive Pakistan.”
Anushay Malik, Narrowing The Labour Movement in Lahore, 1947-1974
ISBN: 978-969-7834-35-8
Edition: 1st
Publisher: Folio Books
Publishing November 26, 2021
World
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 172
164 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 29, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 5, 2021
Ammar Ali Jan’s Rule by Fear chronicles Pakistan’s myriad fault lines. This slim book is important because it articulates with courageous clarity all that ails Pakistan & conveys an urgency for overhaul by establishing a new dialectic between reform & revolution & by subsuming the many movements at the margins under a politically creative organization. By telling us the stories of Mudasir Naru, Arman Loni, Alamgir Wazir, Junaid Hafeez, Rashid Rahman, Seengar Noonari and countless other unsung heroes, Ammar Ali Jan not only unmasks the brutality of authoritarian state but he also puts it in a context. Each chapter proposes a thesis which could be a separate book but the slimness of the book also serves the purpose: It comprehensively encapsulates all the myriad problems challenging the very existence of our country at one place. This book should be read and distributed like a pamphlet as it provides us with a much-needed vocabulary to ask the right questions.
January 7, 2022
Dr. Ammar manages to identify the myriad problems - structural, institutional, historical, ideological, socio-economical - infesting our country into eight short essays. Beginning the first essay with our colonial history, the author recognizes the ominous resemblance between the Colonizer and the independent State of Pakistan in a display of authoritarianism. The state’s inherent insecurity lies in treating the masses as subjects rather than human beings with constitutional rights. This was in part due to
“The manner in which power was transferred to entrenched elites rather than to social groups exploited and marginalized under the colonial rule”
In other words “Independence from the British did not uproot the social hierarchies that shaped colonial India”
Of course, this flawed power transfer to the entrenched native elite was evident as the country was deprived of any stable government for the next decade and got a constitution 9 years later, only to be suspended two years later under martial law.
In the second essay, the author focuses on the fact that our entire state is captured by the elite which formulates policies beneficial to that minority elite thriving in the country. One example of that is how the
“ 1 percent of feudal families own more than 22 percent of farmland today in Pakistan, with the richest 0.2 percent holding over 400 acres each.”
These feudal and land-owning elite mainly control political parties in the country’s political setup, they’re over-represented in Parliament and give themselves massive tax breaks on income and land revenue as well as other massive subsidies. The pandemic laid bare whatever semblance of worker rights there were as billionaires textile owners did massive lay-offs of labor, made cuts in salaries while taking massive bailout packages from the government. Bringing about structural reforms becomes a pipe dream as the power doesn’t trickle down to the majority of people.
The third essay deals with the nation’s ideological contradictions and how our native diversity and plurality were destroyed by the imposition of a single language on a multi-lingual and diverse region. The fourth essay argues how the modern state of Pakistan continues to suppress dissenting voices using colonial laws such as sedition (also used by India against voices critical to the government). Dr. Ammar himself is the victim of such tactics by the state. The fifth and sixth essays contend that morality has been used by the state and religious elite to uphold their power in society and how democracy has been derailed multiple times by the institution supported by the elites in all segments. How populism mixed with short and quirky promises (such as ending corruption in 90 days) has been used to quell true organic movements in Pakistan.
Even if one does not agree with the leftist leanings of the author, one simply cannot deny the structural problems facing Pakistan that have been written down in this book. Highly recommended.
“The manner in which power was transferred to entrenched elites rather than to social groups exploited and marginalized under the colonial rule”
In other words “Independence from the British did not uproot the social hierarchies that shaped colonial India”
Of course, this flawed power transfer to the entrenched native elite was evident as the country was deprived of any stable government for the next decade and got a constitution 9 years later, only to be suspended two years later under martial law.
In the second essay, the author focuses on the fact that our entire state is captured by the elite which formulates policies beneficial to that minority elite thriving in the country. One example of that is how the
“ 1 percent of feudal families own more than 22 percent of farmland today in Pakistan, with the richest 0.2 percent holding over 400 acres each.”
These feudal and land-owning elite mainly control political parties in the country’s political setup, they’re over-represented in Parliament and give themselves massive tax breaks on income and land revenue as well as other massive subsidies. The pandemic laid bare whatever semblance of worker rights there were as billionaires textile owners did massive lay-offs of labor, made cuts in salaries while taking massive bailout packages from the government. Bringing about structural reforms becomes a pipe dream as the power doesn’t trickle down to the majority of people.
The third essay deals with the nation’s ideological contradictions and how our native diversity and plurality were destroyed by the imposition of a single language on a multi-lingual and diverse region. The fourth essay argues how the modern state of Pakistan continues to suppress dissenting voices using colonial laws such as sedition (also used by India against voices critical to the government). Dr. Ammar himself is the victim of such tactics by the state. The fifth and sixth essays contend that morality has been used by the state and religious elite to uphold their power in society and how democracy has been derailed multiple times by the institution supported by the elites in all segments. How populism mixed with short and quirky promises (such as ending corruption in 90 days) has been used to quell true organic movements in Pakistan.
Even if one does not agree with the leftist leanings of the author, one simply cannot deny the structural problems facing Pakistan that have been written down in this book. Highly recommended.
May 5, 2022
This book is written as a polemic due to which it sacrifices comprehensiveness, depth, and nuance for the sake of accessibility, brevity, and forcefulness of ideas. It combines both an historic look at Pakistan's past as well as recent events (last 3-4 years) that have transpired in the country, and also combines the author's own experiences and events that have involved him. As the title indicates, this book offers a cursory overview of authoritarianism in Pakistan from the much-belabored civil-military nexus of governance, to the rise of polarization and (further increase of) religious fanaticism. Jan offers a historical materialist and left-wing perspective on these much talked about issues and also sheds light on other left-wing staple issues such as elite capture, cronyism, land grabbing and forceful displacement of rural populations under the guise of real estate development, and the issue of repression of civil liberties and dissent in the country.
It is a timely treatise and one of the key things that Jan seeks to dispel is the misconstrued notion of corruption, that is in fact designed to be weaponized by the ruling military-civil establishment as a disciplinary measure against civilian leaders of the country whenever they are seen to have crossed the establishment's red lines, since most of them are recipients of partisanship from the establishment in the first place. Which is obviously not to say that there is no corruption or even that the corruption is mostly benign. Just that corruption is an easy charge to use to oust these leaders whenever the winds of change blow.
Another interesting insight was the examination of patriarchal honor attached to the family and women which has been made increasingly salient amongst the more religiously fundamental segments of society who double down against reform by viewing these domains as threatened by the enemies of the country and its people and Muslims. This is closely tied with the notion of the country being in a constant State of Emergency which is the dominant state of the country as its citizens are constantly being told that Pakistan is under threat both real and perceived. Historically, this has been used to deny and/or defer civil liberties and it is still being used currently.
Overall, it is a short book and much is packed in it, but it sometimes reads as an outline for a bigger book as it only touches upon a myriad of topics which deserve more in-depth examination.
One extra star because books like this need to be published. Five stars if they can manage to get it published in Urdu.
It is a timely treatise and one of the key things that Jan seeks to dispel is the misconstrued notion of corruption, that is in fact designed to be weaponized by the ruling military-civil establishment as a disciplinary measure against civilian leaders of the country whenever they are seen to have crossed the establishment's red lines, since most of them are recipients of partisanship from the establishment in the first place. Which is obviously not to say that there is no corruption or even that the corruption is mostly benign. Just that corruption is an easy charge to use to oust these leaders whenever the winds of change blow.
Another interesting insight was the examination of patriarchal honor attached to the family and women which has been made increasingly salient amongst the more religiously fundamental segments of society who double down against reform by viewing these domains as threatened by the enemies of the country and its people and Muslims. This is closely tied with the notion of the country being in a constant State of Emergency which is the dominant state of the country as its citizens are constantly being told that Pakistan is under threat both real and perceived. Historically, this has been used to deny and/or defer civil liberties and it is still being used currently.
Overall, it is a short book and much is packed in it, but it sometimes reads as an outline for a bigger book as it only touches upon a myriad of topics which deserve more in-depth examination.
One extra star because books like this need to be published. Five stars if they can manage to get it published in Urdu.
June 26, 2022
This book is a must read for everyone who is interested in political system of Pakistan. The writer has provided eight thesis on Authoritarianism in Pakistan and its role in governing the masses, and how it is responsible for exploiting them.
Many major topics were discussed in the book including the “controlled” democracy in Pakistan. The book also reveals how our "separatist elites" run the country's economy at the expense of the common man.
A typical behaviour of Pakistani politicians was also mentioned, namely their contradictions and dishonesty with the Pakistani people. When those parties are in opposition, they support democracy and detest any involvement of other institutions in politics; nevertheless, as soon as they gain power, they begin to support all forms of authoritarianism.
Ammar Ali Jan also highlighted some major incidents occurred against the poor people, one of them was the protest of people of Sindh against Bahria Town in June 2021 to end colonisation of Sindh and exploitation of indigenous people, but shockingly those poor protestors were labelled as terrorists and all State institutions became the security guards of Malik Riaz.
One of the most interesting books I’ve read, and I recommend it to everyone for reading it. We need more consciousness to defeat the system that protects the elites and exploits the poor.
Many major topics were discussed in the book including the “controlled” democracy in Pakistan. The book also reveals how our "separatist elites" run the country's economy at the expense of the common man.
A typical behaviour of Pakistani politicians was also mentioned, namely their contradictions and dishonesty with the Pakistani people. When those parties are in opposition, they support democracy and detest any involvement of other institutions in politics; nevertheless, as soon as they gain power, they begin to support all forms of authoritarianism.
Ammar Ali Jan also highlighted some major incidents occurred against the poor people, one of them was the protest of people of Sindh against Bahria Town in June 2021 to end colonisation of Sindh and exploitation of indigenous people, but shockingly those poor protestors were labelled as terrorists and all State institutions became the security guards of Malik Riaz.
One of the most interesting books I’ve read, and I recommend it to everyone for reading it. We need more consciousness to defeat the system that protects the elites and exploits the poor.
December 27, 2021
salute the iron man Ammar Ali Jan for writing this courageous book
December 25, 2021
Barring the marxist undertone and socialism as a proposed solution to all the problems Pakistan and the world at large faces, this in an excellent book that explains how Pakistan is governed. How the 'deep state' or the military establishment builds narratives, quashes dissent and keeps the masses in check. Highly recommended to every young Pakistani and those who are interesting in learning the mode of governance in Pakistan.
August 2, 2022
The long awaited theoretical work that can help understand Pakistan. The way writer links every ailment of Pakistan with colonial era is astonishing and mind-blowing.
July 31, 2024
I love when academics write in accessible language and this book was exactly that! It was very digestible. I have thoughts about the conclusion & why a political party (alliance, only that, etc) is the way forward - is there any other alternative? The book does a great job of bringing the readers to that conclusion though: what other option is there when everything is controlled by the military? But also there were so many examples of the failures of politicians who dared speak up. TLDR is that I now want to read others who are talking about the way forward with Pakistan, from multiple perspectives.
Back to the book, it was optimistic despite the failures of the past. One of my most favorite chapters and things in general about the book was an emphasis on the continuation of history. The past is ever moving, teaching us how to live in our present and prepare for the future. Also, just how important knowing the correct history is (that’s a thing I’ve been thinking about a lot lately outside of the context of this book too).
I got this book at an event Ammar was doing and hearing him speak about his vision and his fight aligns so well with the optimism of the book (and also the call for all of us to join in). I appreciated that the conclusion of the book is the exact work that Ammar does in his life. We love people who are also practitioners!
It’s a great beginner book to get a grasp of all the entanglements existing in Pakistan at this moment.
Back to the book, it was optimistic despite the failures of the past. One of my most favorite chapters and things in general about the book was an emphasis on the continuation of history. The past is ever moving, teaching us how to live in our present and prepare for the future. Also, just how important knowing the correct history is (that’s a thing I’ve been thinking about a lot lately outside of the context of this book too).
I got this book at an event Ammar was doing and hearing him speak about his vision and his fight aligns so well with the optimism of the book (and also the call for all of us to join in). I appreciated that the conclusion of the book is the exact work that Ammar does in his life. We love people who are also practitioners!
It’s a great beginner book to get a grasp of all the entanglements existing in Pakistan at this moment.
January 13, 2024
"Apocalypse is no longer an event in future. It is an ongoing process, one which we are living through"
Ammar ali jan presented a somewhat known mechanisms of suppressing the general will in Pakistan and had highlighted how elite capture is manifested in the socio-political domain in the country. Throughout a leftist approach could be seen in the book disregarding some of the actual external challenges faced by the country. An idealist perspective is given in the end as a solution which, in theory, seems perfect but lacks the practicality. Nevertheless, the book proves engaging, offering an accessible and comprehensible narrative that effectively summarizes the political history of the country and proves that politics/democracy in Pakistan has failed to get rid of the ghosts of the colonial era and has become a tool of elite to manipulate and control the masses.
Ammar ali jan presented a somewhat known mechanisms of suppressing the general will in Pakistan and had highlighted how elite capture is manifested in the socio-political domain in the country. Throughout a leftist approach could be seen in the book disregarding some of the actual external challenges faced by the country. An idealist perspective is given in the end as a solution which, in theory, seems perfect but lacks the practicality. Nevertheless, the book proves engaging, offering an accessible and comprehensible narrative that effectively summarizes the political history of the country and proves that politics/democracy in Pakistan has failed to get rid of the ghosts of the colonial era and has become a tool of elite to manipulate and control the masses.
June 26, 2022
As a social sciences’ student, I was already well versed and had imagined the ideas Mr Jan proposed in his book. However, it’s a privilege to have received an education that has familiarized me with such progressive ideals. This is a must read for every Pakistani who is frustrated by the perpetual chaos surrounding Pakistani politics. It has answers to many questions but most importantly, this book is a call to action.
August 8, 2022
"Rule by Fear" is a book based on eight theses that find out the very infrastructure designed by the imperialists before 1947 and how even after the independence of Pakistan its elites are carrying the legacy of imperialism to perpetuate their rule on the country.
October 27, 2022
A lot of the same old, but told with exciting anger.
January 12, 2022
While reading this book, I was feeling like Ammar Ali jan has given words to my internal voice which I may never express unfortunately perhaps because of the fear of the state or because of the lack of courage to think so. State is censoring all those materials which could give us a point opposite to that of the state narrative. State has created an illusiory picture before us which we are going to follow on.
I think this is the voice of every common man which is being crushed in the brutal policies of authoritarian state, to which Ammar Ali Jan given wordial expression.
Basically jan has presented briefly his eight thesis on authoritarianism in Pakistan that how the state is supervising his status quo and crushing all those counter narratives which are becoming challenge for this persistent status quo's of the state. This violent and arbitrary system is overseen and managed by the military leadership, the status quo's most powerful and loyal guardian. There's an unwritten consensus among all political actors on facilitating the oligarchy.
Ammar concludes by suggesting that there are resistance movements despite this violent surveillance from these status quo's defender but the need of hour is to create a political platform that can bring together disparate forces of resistance into a radical and coherent political alternative. 220 million people can't always be forced to live in humiliation, indignity and fear. The only realist choice today is to fight back against the chaotic status quo with a grand vision for the future.
One may disagree with the leftist leanings of the author, but can't disagree with the structural problems Pakistan encountered with, discussed in the book.
Must read book to have deep understanding the actual functioning of the Pakistani state system. This will give you a perspective to think and put right questions before state.
I think this is the voice of every common man which is being crushed in the brutal policies of authoritarian state, to which Ammar Ali Jan given wordial expression.
Basically jan has presented briefly his eight thesis on authoritarianism in Pakistan that how the state is supervising his status quo and crushing all those counter narratives which are becoming challenge for this persistent status quo's of the state. This violent and arbitrary system is overseen and managed by the military leadership, the status quo's most powerful and loyal guardian. There's an unwritten consensus among all political actors on facilitating the oligarchy.
Ammar concludes by suggesting that there are resistance movements despite this violent surveillance from these status quo's defender but the need of hour is to create a political platform that can bring together disparate forces of resistance into a radical and coherent political alternative. 220 million people can't always be forced to live in humiliation, indignity and fear. The only realist choice today is to fight back against the chaotic status quo with a grand vision for the future.
One may disagree with the leftist leanings of the author, but can't disagree with the structural problems Pakistan encountered with, discussed in the book.
Must read book to have deep understanding the actual functioning of the Pakistani state system. This will give you a perspective to think and put right questions before state.
September 3, 2024
Comprehensive and to the point essays.
November 30, 2022
Reading this book on the verge of "real" power shifting in Pakistan to the new COAS proved fruitful and redefined my views on this process. It also provided food for thought to see power structure with the new lens of reality & clarity. We usually know the real players of the governance, seldom know their tools & tactics but hardly have the insight to articulate their underlying ruling principles. So this book wonderfully unveil these area of . It's a book where the author blatantly yet concisely dissects the series of concerns through eight theses. The book throws facts & matters in the light of rational argumentation, explains the issues & intricacies with utmost appropriateness and concludes with unpalatable truths.
The book paints the sordid picture of Pakistan laced with rule by fear, controlled democracy, moral panic, & manufactured identities. According to this, the prevailing laxity of the country's laws regarding the ruling class, the entrenched oligopoly figures in power, the unchallenged constitutionally sanctioned authoritarianism, the unending politics of suspecion, the ultimate combination of fear & fatalism in overall values, the ascent of invented leaders and political quarantine of seasoned political figures, the continuous clampdown on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly & political dissent, and the frequent invocation of external threats to justify suspension of human rights are pushing the country into the vortex of collapse.
Written by a leftist, this book could be a good start to uncover the veil of unenlightenment in the optics of the left about Pakistan.
Here are some snippets taken from the book:
"As an inheritor of the colonial legacy, Pakistan is governed through a permanent state of emergency, a polity characterized by constitutionally sanctioned authoritarianism, where the whims of the ruling classes supersede adherence to the law. The constitutional framework provides a facade for the permanent emergency, generating a dialectic between the visible and invisible, the appearance and the essence, the benign and the cruel. The system keeps rotating actors without ever challenging the fundamental architecture of underlying power."
"The author writes, a political system proposes a popular & durable order to justify its existence. In the case of Pakistan, the makers bring together the modern and theological dimension of political legitimacy; The Islamic Republic in which Sovereignty belongs to Allah Almighty, but this sovereignty needs to be translated through a popular will. Even though the constitution seeks to represent the sovereignty of Allah, it has never stopped military generals and autocratic Democrats from suspending this supposedly divine form of sovereign power. Such brazen defiance by constitutional makers and its safeguards not only shows the emptiness of constitutional proclamation but also demonstrates the impotence of religious symbolism in the corridors of power. Suspending God's constitution in the name of "exceptional circumstances" shows Pakistan is haunted by the lack of a coherent political theology denoting a situation where nothing is sacred other than raw power. In other words, Pakistan is a profane state, where the rule "might is right" prevails for gangster regimes that are cruel and inherently opportunist".
The book paints the sordid picture of Pakistan laced with rule by fear, controlled democracy, moral panic, & manufactured identities. According to this, the prevailing laxity of the country's laws regarding the ruling class, the entrenched oligopoly figures in power, the unchallenged constitutionally sanctioned authoritarianism, the unending politics of suspecion, the ultimate combination of fear & fatalism in overall values, the ascent of invented leaders and political quarantine of seasoned political figures, the continuous clampdown on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly & political dissent, and the frequent invocation of external threats to justify suspension of human rights are pushing the country into the vortex of collapse.
Written by a leftist, this book could be a good start to uncover the veil of unenlightenment in the optics of the left about Pakistan.
Here are some snippets taken from the book:
"As an inheritor of the colonial legacy, Pakistan is governed through a permanent state of emergency, a polity characterized by constitutionally sanctioned authoritarianism, where the whims of the ruling classes supersede adherence to the law. The constitutional framework provides a facade for the permanent emergency, generating a dialectic between the visible and invisible, the appearance and the essence, the benign and the cruel. The system keeps rotating actors without ever challenging the fundamental architecture of underlying power."
"The author writes, a political system proposes a popular & durable order to justify its existence. In the case of Pakistan, the makers bring together the modern and theological dimension of political legitimacy; The Islamic Republic in which Sovereignty belongs to Allah Almighty, but this sovereignty needs to be translated through a popular will. Even though the constitution seeks to represent the sovereignty of Allah, it has never stopped military generals and autocratic Democrats from suspending this supposedly divine form of sovereign power. Such brazen defiance by constitutional makers and its safeguards not only shows the emptiness of constitutional proclamation but also demonstrates the impotence of religious symbolism in the corridors of power. Suspending God's constitution in the name of "exceptional circumstances" shows Pakistan is haunted by the lack of a coherent political theology denoting a situation where nothing is sacred other than raw power. In other words, Pakistan is a profane state, where the rule "might is right" prevails for gangster regimes that are cruel and inherently opportunist".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2022
🅱︎🅾︎🅾︎🅺︎ 🆁︎🅴︎🆅︎🅸︎🅴︎🆆︎ :
𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝘆 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿: 𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘮 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯.
It is obvious from the title that this book is a criticism of Pakistan’s political system but believe me it's a lot more than that. It covers all political, institutional, structural, historical, ideological as well as socio-economic issues of Pakistan. One of the most fascinating things about it is that the writer Ammar Ali Jan correlated all the contemporary issues of Pakistan with history (especially colonialism) in a very prudent manner. He manages to give a complete overview of our history and argued how it affects us in present. But the most powerful message of this book is, it provides a deep ideological antagonism to our current socio-political structure, which is normally missing in our literature. The way he criticised the system is very heartwarming cuz u can feel simply by reading how much he loves Pakistan and humanity. And the fact that he was often called GHADDAR and imprisoned by the establishment is a real-life illustration of authoritarianism in Pakistan. Last but not the least, the writing style is just pure art, the way every word looks so simple and relatable but leaves the readers with a deep understanding of all contemporary issues of Pakistan is astonishing. It's like The Animal Farm by George Orwell, simple and short but deep and impactful.
I strongly recommend this book to all the readers out there, but from the writing style, it is evident that this book's target audience is not just the limited reading circles of our society but its target is all the youth and oppressed people of Pakistan. It is a very short book, consisting of almost 141 pages. So it's short, it's interesting, it's enlightening and cover is also good😜. IDK what else do you want to see in a book?
اور ہاں، میرے خیال میں اس کتاب کی اردو ترجمہ بھی آگئی ہے بازار میں تو جن لوگوں کو انگریزی پڑنے میں کوئی مسئلہ ہے تو وہ اردو میں بھی پڑھ سکتے ہیں۔
𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀:
1. An entrenched oligarchy rules Pakistan regardless of the faces at the top or the form through which the government is instituted. The differences between liberal and extremist, establishment and aniti-establishment, democracy and dictatorship all melt away at the gates of Bahria Town.
2.There can be no revolution without a reformist agenda, and no reformist agenda without a revolutionary perspective.
3. If we are in the midst of war of ideas, our rulers have successfully managed to disarm the people by policing their thoughts through fear and manipulation.
𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝘆 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿: 𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘮 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯.
It is obvious from the title that this book is a criticism of Pakistan’s political system but believe me it's a lot more than that. It covers all political, institutional, structural, historical, ideological as well as socio-economic issues of Pakistan. One of the most fascinating things about it is that the writer Ammar Ali Jan correlated all the contemporary issues of Pakistan with history (especially colonialism) in a very prudent manner. He manages to give a complete overview of our history and argued how it affects us in present. But the most powerful message of this book is, it provides a deep ideological antagonism to our current socio-political structure, which is normally missing in our literature. The way he criticised the system is very heartwarming cuz u can feel simply by reading how much he loves Pakistan and humanity. And the fact that he was often called GHADDAR and imprisoned by the establishment is a real-life illustration of authoritarianism in Pakistan. Last but not the least, the writing style is just pure art, the way every word looks so simple and relatable but leaves the readers with a deep understanding of all contemporary issues of Pakistan is astonishing. It's like The Animal Farm by George Orwell, simple and short but deep and impactful.
I strongly recommend this book to all the readers out there, but from the writing style, it is evident that this book's target audience is not just the limited reading circles of our society but its target is all the youth and oppressed people of Pakistan. It is a very short book, consisting of almost 141 pages. So it's short, it's interesting, it's enlightening and cover is also good😜. IDK what else do you want to see in a book?
اور ہاں، میرے خیال میں اس کتاب کی اردو ترجمہ بھی آگئی ہے بازار میں تو جن لوگوں کو انگریزی پڑنے میں کوئی مسئلہ ہے تو وہ اردو میں بھی پڑھ سکتے ہیں۔
𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀:
1. An entrenched oligarchy rules Pakistan regardless of the faces at the top or the form through which the government is instituted. The differences between liberal and extremist, establishment and aniti-establishment, democracy and dictatorship all melt away at the gates of Bahria Town.
2.There can be no revolution without a reformist agenda, and no reformist agenda without a revolutionary perspective.
3. If we are in the midst of war of ideas, our rulers have successfully managed to disarm the people by policing their thoughts through fear and manipulation.
November 12, 2022
Finished this a while ago but forgot to review it on GR.
Posted this review on my bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/solitary_so...
In the course of its 75-year history, Pakistan has had 29 prime ministers (can you name all of them?) but not one has completed a full five-year tenure. In his book, "Rule by Fear", historian, activist and youth leader, Ammar Ali Jan presents 8 theses to explain why democratic institutions and norms have not taken root in Pakistan. The author examines a myriad of structural and systemic issues from a post-colonial lens.
I am not one for rousing displays of patriotism - dissent is my love language. In this country, however, there are very grim consequences for those who dare to challenge the status quo. In his essay, "We the Seditious People!", Ammar Ali Jan traces this back to the colonial era. The sedition law that was used by the British to target anti-colonial activists, is now being weaponized by the ruling elites to silence the country's dissidents that include journalists, human rights activists, political workers, farmers, students and women's organizations. "The charges of sedition levelled against citizens are outrageous because the independent nation was supposed to be a site of popular sovereignty where people themselves were the ruling subjects. If the people are the source of sovereign legitimacy, then who are they being seditious against? Surely, they can't rebel against themselves."
In his essay, "Class War" - an absolute must read - Ammar Ali Jan is scathingly brilliant in his criticism of the ‘separatist’ elite that lives in gated housing schemes and has separate health and educational facilities that the masses can't access. Democracy cannot thrive in a country where the gulf between the elite and the masses is so grotesquely huge.
It is a dire, dire state of affairs, but the author believes that there is hope because of forces of resistance that present the possibility of a political alternative. And the author dedicates the book to them in this lovely note:
"For the young political workers who continue to dream and fight for an egalitarian and just Pakistan".
Read. This. Book.
Posted this review on my bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/solitary_so...
In the course of its 75-year history, Pakistan has had 29 prime ministers (can you name all of them?) but not one has completed a full five-year tenure. In his book, "Rule by Fear", historian, activist and youth leader, Ammar Ali Jan presents 8 theses to explain why democratic institutions and norms have not taken root in Pakistan. The author examines a myriad of structural and systemic issues from a post-colonial lens.
I am not one for rousing displays of patriotism - dissent is my love language. In this country, however, there are very grim consequences for those who dare to challenge the status quo. In his essay, "We the Seditious People!", Ammar Ali Jan traces this back to the colonial era. The sedition law that was used by the British to target anti-colonial activists, is now being weaponized by the ruling elites to silence the country's dissidents that include journalists, human rights activists, political workers, farmers, students and women's organizations. "The charges of sedition levelled against citizens are outrageous because the independent nation was supposed to be a site of popular sovereignty where people themselves were the ruling subjects. If the people are the source of sovereign legitimacy, then who are they being seditious against? Surely, they can't rebel against themselves."
In his essay, "Class War" - an absolute must read - Ammar Ali Jan is scathingly brilliant in his criticism of the ‘separatist’ elite that lives in gated housing schemes and has separate health and educational facilities that the masses can't access. Democracy cannot thrive in a country where the gulf between the elite and the masses is so grotesquely huge.
It is a dire, dire state of affairs, but the author believes that there is hope because of forces of resistance that present the possibility of a political alternative. And the author dedicates the book to them in this lovely note:
"For the young political workers who continue to dream and fight for an egalitarian and just Pakistan".
Read. This. Book.
April 6, 2023
Ammar gives a brief yet insightful overview of all that is wrong with Pakistan. Nevertheless, it is confining and lacking in certain aspects.
He presents 8 aspects to the perpetuity of crisis, including classism, identity crisis, moral confusion and colonial laws of repression.
Although he argues well on how the state counter-revolts any agitation for change, he misses how local cultures and otherwise benign communities themselves resist and isolate any progressive ideologies.
The Marxist and colonial lens are effective but to a limited extent, and the analysis through them becomes confining when viewing complex societies that have large sectors of varying problems and varying origins in cultures. For instance, the growing services sector cannot be addressed by Marxist lens unless the theory is stretched to the extents where it loses "Marx." Likewise, peasantry and rural populace and their problems are not the same all around Pakistan, hence cannot be viewed through a "universal theory."
The remedy provided in the last chapters of the book seems impractical at best. He suggests that all groups (progressive groups) beside the mainstream pol. parties be united under a single head despite their differences. This view lacks examination of the differences and does not tell which commonalities could hold them together.
Marxism is as alien to a country as capitalism is, and both should not be held as in binaries as well. There exists no absolute Marxism or capitalism, everywhere both are contaminated. Ammar does take this into account by substituting proletariat by peasantry, but its practical definition is as generalized as of the former.
The best model should result from taking what is better and relevant in any society from whichever theory, experimenting and tinkering the theory with the relevant challenges and taking no concept as "sacred."
Nonetheless, Ammar's book is wonderful for anyone who is curious about Pakistan's political crises.
He presents 8 aspects to the perpetuity of crisis, including classism, identity crisis, moral confusion and colonial laws of repression.
Although he argues well on how the state counter-revolts any agitation for change, he misses how local cultures and otherwise benign communities themselves resist and isolate any progressive ideologies.
The Marxist and colonial lens are effective but to a limited extent, and the analysis through them becomes confining when viewing complex societies that have large sectors of varying problems and varying origins in cultures. For instance, the growing services sector cannot be addressed by Marxist lens unless the theory is stretched to the extents where it loses "Marx." Likewise, peasantry and rural populace and their problems are not the same all around Pakistan, hence cannot be viewed through a "universal theory."
The remedy provided in the last chapters of the book seems impractical at best. He suggests that all groups (progressive groups) beside the mainstream pol. parties be united under a single head despite their differences. This view lacks examination of the differences and does not tell which commonalities could hold them together.
Marxism is as alien to a country as capitalism is, and both should not be held as in binaries as well. There exists no absolute Marxism or capitalism, everywhere both are contaminated. Ammar does take this into account by substituting proletariat by peasantry, but its practical definition is as generalized as of the former.
The best model should result from taking what is better and relevant in any society from whichever theory, experimenting and tinkering the theory with the relevant challenges and taking no concept as "sacred."
Nonetheless, Ammar's book is wonderful for anyone who is curious about Pakistan's political crises.
August 2, 2022
Only three stars. The book starts by explaining the author's worlds view, leftist one.
Furthermore, he ,ammar Ali, presents various theses about the problem that are scuttling the progress of Pakistan.
Some of the questions that ammar Ali Jan tries to answer are
1- why there is no progressive thought present in Pakistan?
2- why post colonial Pakistan is still entrenched in the colonial practices ?
3- why the country has failed to produce the genuine leadership?
4- what is the problem with nationalism?
5- why our state fears separate identities ?
6- why Pakistan is always on the NAZUK SORATEHALL?
7- why state always acts barbarously when it confronts protests and demands ?
8- why women and other unprivileged classes are a target in Pakistan?
9-why elite always fear mass movements?
10- what are the causes of flawed democracy where puppets thrive?
11- the role of military junta in Pakistan.
In the last chapter he give solutions to the various about mentioned questions .
The book presents nothing new ; it just reiterated the already known facts.
Somewhat idealistic then a realistic one.
Furthermore, he ,ammar Ali, presents various theses about the problem that are scuttling the progress of Pakistan.
Some of the questions that ammar Ali Jan tries to answer are
1- why there is no progressive thought present in Pakistan?
2- why post colonial Pakistan is still entrenched in the colonial practices ?
3- why the country has failed to produce the genuine leadership?
4- what is the problem with nationalism?
5- why our state fears separate identities ?
6- why Pakistan is always on the NAZUK SORATEHALL?
7- why state always acts barbarously when it confronts protests and demands ?
8- why women and other unprivileged classes are a target in Pakistan?
9-why elite always fear mass movements?
10- what are the causes of flawed democracy where puppets thrive?
11- the role of military junta in Pakistan.
In the last chapter he give solutions to the various about mentioned questions .
The book presents nothing new ; it just reiterated the already known facts.
Somewhat idealistic then a realistic one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2023
A controversial and vicious yet forceful book on authoritarianism.
* What is it about . Will help us understand myriad - structural, historical, institutional, ideological and socio-economic fault lines of Pakistan.
* Offers new look on terms" Hybrid Regime, permanent state of emergency, Sedition & their use by few to further their motives.
* Summary. Linkages of institutional culture with british colonial structure & emergence of entrenched native elites. Book starts with missries in the shape extremism,intellectual apathy and religious violence brought by authoritarian regimes. Subsequently discusses colonial background of permanent state of emergency, controlled democracy, social classes, seditions, moral panic.
*Somehow provides blanket cover to leftist.
* Why to read. Offers another perspective for progressive Pakistan.
* What is it about . Will help us understand myriad - structural, historical, institutional, ideological and socio-economic fault lines of Pakistan.
* Offers new look on terms" Hybrid Regime, permanent state of emergency, Sedition & their use by few to further their motives.
* Summary. Linkages of institutional culture with british colonial structure & emergence of entrenched native elites. Book starts with missries in the shape extremism,intellectual apathy and religious violence brought by authoritarian regimes. Subsequently discusses colonial background of permanent state of emergency, controlled democracy, social classes, seditions, moral panic.
*Somehow provides blanket cover to leftist.
* Why to read. Offers another perspective for progressive Pakistan.
June 14, 2024
Really good primer on Authoritarianism in Pakistan, written by someone who has faced it himself. My personal favorite of the 8 essays was the final one, (un)coincidentally the one in which the author really shows his political nous, the one in which we move beyond overarching themes (which he covers in a very accessible manner in previous chapters) and focus on specifics of leftist mobilization. The way he is able to relate theory to the status quo is impressive, and presents a framework that is true to the context of Pakistan's political climate.
I think Ammar Ali Jan's insistence on courage is commendable and inspiring, especially because it follows what is perhaps the most overarching view of Pakistan's authoritarian status quo that I have read.
I think Ammar Ali Jan's insistence on courage is commendable and inspiring, especially because it follows what is perhaps the most overarching view of Pakistan's authoritarian status quo that I have read.
April 25, 2022
Ammar Ali Jan's book "Rule by Fear" provides a comprehensive and insightful perspective that could not be more relevant, especially with the increasing turbulence in Pakistans political climate and the global shift towards polarisation and populism amidst 21st century hyper capitalism and rising inequalities and disparity.
The book unravels eerily like a prophecy of Pakistans political present and future and despite the bleak scenario that is presented to us, it ends on a cautiously optimistic and encouraging note on empowering society to enact change through intersectional, cohesive resistance, mobilisation and courage.
The book unravels eerily like a prophecy of Pakistans political present and future and despite the bleak scenario that is presented to us, it ends on a cautiously optimistic and encouraging note on empowering society to enact change through intersectional, cohesive resistance, mobilisation and courage.
August 19, 2023
Concise, to the point, and very easily understood.
This definitely isn't my genre of choice, and I started off thinking it would be like the Pakistani history books I've read before, in the sense that it would be completely biased, trying to erase (recent) history and attempting to do some sort of retrospective damage control, yet it did none of that, and kept me interested all the way through, without the usual censorship or sugarcoating.
I learnt a lot from this book and I appreciate that there was no false or empty optimism. I find myself recommending it to people surprisingly often.
Give it a read if you want to know more about your country
This definitely isn't my genre of choice, and I started off thinking it would be like the Pakistani history books I've read before, in the sense that it would be completely biased, trying to erase (recent) history and attempting to do some sort of retrospective damage control, yet it did none of that, and kept me interested all the way through, without the usual censorship or sugarcoating.
I learnt a lot from this book and I appreciate that there was no false or empty optimism. I find myself recommending it to people surprisingly often.
Give it a read if you want to know more about your country
February 25, 2022
A very straightforward, succulent, engaging yet concise read. It aptly covers some of the ideas that reader may have come across over different discussions around Pakistan. Most important aspect for me was that it put forward clearly the transition of power in post colonial subcontinent and how, today's ruling class is not much different from colonial masters and a continuation of the same rule through fear of populace.
A must read for anyone interested in Pakistan's political situation since inception and what makes the rulers behave the way they have been behaving from 1947 till date.
A must read for anyone interested in Pakistan's political situation since inception and what makes the rulers behave the way they have been behaving from 1947 till date.
April 24, 2022
In Ammar Ali Jan's book, full control democracy is highlighted. Unfortunately, Pakistan's right wing politicians have joined the armed forces in the political wing to consolidate their power and their roots have become so strong that Political parties have relied on such an institution, keeping their manifesto at bay, mainly because of the incompetence of politicians who can neither conduct foreign policy nor control the internal situation.
April 18, 2025
This book contains eight essays. Every essay deals with different theme however if we see in broader terms all the essays are about reasons behind injustice, inequality, elite culture, religious extremism and misuse of religion for political, economical and inculcation of violence in society. Though author is lean towards communist ideology yet all the essays are still relevant to our society as no minor change occurred in the society, essays are ground based, and factual.
November 14, 2024
Hybrid regime ruling pakistan, tracing back to the roots of zia ul haq mulla dictator, civil military instuitions and Asim bajwa running us a company, extremism, Gangsterism, Extremism, rhetoric, toothless political leader, Authoritian thought, social hierarchy, permanent state of collective fear, 1956, constitutions, state of emergency, ruling elitism, and more
February 16, 2024
Incredibly readable and concise, even for those of us not super familiar with Pakistan. Also sheds an important light on how the U.S./U.K. continues their legacies of spreading death, terror, and destruction all over the world, including Pakistan.
Read
January 11, 2022I want to review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2023
Listened about it a lot, now going to read it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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