● “If war is inevitable, then let it be war”, Murad Saeed, urges supporters to prepare for a bold, revolutionary resistance against fascist regime.
● The resistance will be a high-stakes gamble—potentially toppling fascism or suffering deeply from it.
On April 6, 2025, Murad Saeed, Imran Khan’s right hand man, a promising leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and a polarizing figure in the country’s political landscape, delivered a speech that could potentially mark a turning point in Pakistan’s already volatile political crisis. Saeed’s address at the Janisaran-i-Imran Khan Convention in Peshawar’s Nishtar Hall was a fiery call to action, with a strong declaration: “If war is inevitable, then so be it — let it be war.” Saeed’s words have struck a chord with PTI’s supporters, reflecting a deep yearning for change, and they set the stage for a potentially transformative wave of resistance against a regime accused of stifling democracy.
The Context – Pakistan at a Breaking Point
Pakistan’s political climate has been a powder keg since the US backed ouster of the now incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan in April 2022. Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023, remains a symbol of defiance for millions, with his detention—now spanning 610 days as of April 2025—deemed “arbitrary” by the United Nations and Amnesty International. The PTI has faced relentless pressure, with reports of over 10,000 workers jailed, families/women harassed, and candidates disqualified, as Saeed himself noted in his speech. The November 2024 protests, dubbed Khan’s “final call,” saw violent clashes in Islamabad, leaving at least six dead and prompting internet blackouts and mass detentions. Against this backdrop, Saeed’s speech emerges as a potential turning point, one that could galvanize a movement seeking to reclaim Pakistan’s democratic ideals. But this time, the brutality of the state might be even more intense, one that could push Pakistan closer to the brink.
Decoding Saeed’s Speech: A Strategic Escalation?
Murad Saeed’s address looks like a carefully crafted blend of grievance, inspiration, and strategy. He began by highlighting the sacrifices of PTI’s youth, who have braved tear gas, police crackdowns, and court appearances turned into “war zones” to support Khan. This isn’t mere rhetoric—reports from the November 2024 protests confirm the youth’s role in clearing roads and shielding convoys, often at great personal risk. Saeed’s emphasis on their bravery sets the stage for his call to action: mobilizing 5,000 youth from each area for a convoy to Islamabad that he predicts will be “larger than ever, with millions coming together.”
The language of confrontation, after over two years of enduring what Saeed describes as state fascism, is particularly striking. His repeated refrain—“If war is inevitable, then let it be war”—reflects a readiness to push beyond mere protests, a shift that could resonate deeply with a populace frustrated by the regime’s actions. Saeed references past atrocities, such as the alleged use of snipers against unarmed protesters, a claim supported by Amnesty International’s demands for investigations into the November 2024 crackdowns. He also outlines a multi-pronged approach, leveraging social media activism and boycotts, pointing to a recent campaign sparked by a single tweet as proof of PTI’s ability to build national momentum. “We will take every possible option, and you will feel the difference and the heat,” he stated, suggesting a comprehensive strategy to challenge the status quo.
Speculation on what Could This Mean for Pakistan?
Saeed’s speech opens the door to several speculative scenarios about Pakistan’s immediate future. The call for a massive convoy to Islamabad, potentially involving millions, could mark a historic moment of unity for those demanding justice and the release of Imran Khan. This movement might not only highlight the depth of public discontent but also force the regime to confront the legitimacy of its actions, especially given international criticism of its handling of dissent. The government’s past responses—deploying tear gas, rubber bullets, and allegedly live ammunition during protests—indicate it may attempt to suppress this wave of resistance, as it did in November 2024. The National Counter Terrorism Authority’s warning of potential terror attacks by groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during protests could also be leveraged by the regime as a pretext to justify a heavy-handed approach, though such tactics might only deepen public resolve.
The regime’s response will be pivotal. Saeed’s speech, with its call for “war,” may prompt the government to intensify its crackdown, potentially leading to more political arrests, internet blackouts, and restrictions on movement, as seen in November 2024 when major motorways were closed and train services suspended. The government might also attempt to discredit Saeed by exploiting his fugitive status—he has been on the run since May 2023—framing his leadership as destabilizing rather than a legitimate call for justice. A December 2024 report from the Ministry of Interior accused Saeed of orchestrating protests to provoke a crackdown, a narrative that could resurface to justify further repression. However, such actions might backfire, further galvanizing PTI supporters and drawing greater scrutiny to the regime’s tactics.
The Broader Implications: A Fragile Democracy at Risk
Saeed’s speech also raises broader questions about the state of democracy in Pakistan. His emphasis on constitutional restoration—committing to attend a united position meeting on the issue—taps into a deep-seated frustration with what many see as a “hijacked” Parliament and judiciary. The “bloody amendment” he references, likely the Twenty-sixth Amendment criticized by PTI as an attack on judicial independence, has further eroded public trust in democratic institutions.
His call for unity and peace, despite oppression, suggests a long-term vision, but if the state resorts to violence against the protests again, this will lead to pushing Pakistan toward a cycle of violence that benefits neither side.
Economically, the timing is challenging. Pakistan is grappling with record inflation and a delayed IMF bailout, as noted in a 2023 Reuters report on the political crisis’s economic toll. A new wave of protests, especially one as large as Saeed envisions, could strain an already fragile economy, potentially deterring investment and exacerbating public hardship. Yet, this economic pressure might also amplify the movement’s momentum, as citizens increasingly link their struggles to the regime’s governance failures, further fueling the demand for change.
The International Dimension: Will the World Take Notice?
Saeed’s speech also has implications for Pakistan’s international standing. The November 2024 protests drew condemnation from figures like U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, who decried the “brutal repression” of demonstrators, and Australian Senator Fatima Payman, who called for sanctions on General Asim Munir. If Saeed’s planned convoy to Islamabad leads to more violence, it could amplify international pressure on the Pakistani government, potentially forcing a reevaluation of its approach. However, as a 2025 Al Jazeera report notes, the government’s tendency to scapegoat neighbors like Afghanistan for domestic issues—such as the recent deportation of Afghans—suggests it may deflect criticism rather than address it. Still, increased international attention could bolster the movement’s legitimacy, offering a platform for PTI’s demands to be heard globally.
A High-Stakes Gamble
Murad Saeed’s April 6 speech represents a defining moment in Pakistan’s fight for justice and democracy. His call for a new phase of resistance, backed by youth mobilization and a readiness for “war,” reflects the deep-seated frustrations of a nation yearning for change. As the April 10 PTI protest approaches, Saeed’s ability to translate this vision into action could inspire a movement that challenges the regime’s grip on power, potentially paving the way for a more democratic future.
The coming days will tell whether this is a moment of reckoning or a prelude to greater turmoil, either the state will give up on the unhinged fascism, or it will potentially carry out what many speculate as one of the worst brutal crackdown in history of Pakistan.
