The predictably dumb response to PTM
The difference between a security state and a non-security state has been made evident in Pakistan's response to PTM. The PTM is not a separatist group, like the BLA. It is not a revolutionary organization, like the Taliban. It is not a mafioso party, like the MQM. There is literally no reason to even contemplate violence and thuggishness against it because it is a peaceful movement demanding normal things. Yet the Pakistani state is incapable of conceiving of a challenge to the security establishment in anything but ham-handed ways because the security establishment is in charge of figuring out challenges to itself. In a non-security state, a widespread movement for rights and due process would be dealt with some combination of parliamentary committees, political outreach, judicial reform, photo ops, and yes, some role for law enforcement or security agencies (not to the exclusion to everyone else but as one contributing voice). In a security state, not least one prone to centr