The Pact of Wolves: Pakistani and Global Politics, the Game of Power, and the Law of the Jungle!
By: Raja Zahid Akhtar Khanzada
It is said that during Iran’s harsh winters, when snow blankets everything and life seems to come to a standstill, wolves succumb to the desperation of hunger. Prey becomes scarce, and their survival instinct forces them to adopt a brutal rule. They sit in a circle, staring at each other, waiting. The moment a weaker wolf collapses from hunger, the rest pounce on it, tearing it apart. A former companion becomes the next victim, and the primal desire to survive shreds every notion of camaraderie and unity. The Persians call this “Gurg-e-Ashti”—the “Pact of Wolves”—a truce that only ensures the survival of the strongest by devouring the weak.
This phenomenon compels us to reflect on the world we live in. Is it not a vast jungle where the weak are always at the mercy of the powerful? The principle of Gurg-e-Ashti is not confined to the animal kingdom; it deeply resonates in human societies, global politics, and particularly in the history of Pakistan. The powerful always suppress the weak, whether it is a nation’s ruler, a global superpower, or an ordinary individual seeking dominance over those around them.
This is not just a tale of wolves; it is the grim reality of humankind. We pride ourselves on being the supreme creation, yet we have turned the world into a jungle where strength is the only law, and the weak are merely fodder. Every individual, in some way or another, is part of Gurg-e-Ashti—whether seated in the halls of power, trading in markets, or signing papers in an office.
The Wolves of Pakistani Politics
Pakistan’s political history is littered with examples where the powerful have ruthlessly eliminated the weak. Take Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, a leader elected by the people, yet devoured by a pack of wolves through judicial murder. Bhutto was the architect of Pakistan’s constitution, the pioneer of its nuclear program, and the leader who tried to mend a broken nation. But his opponents, drunk on power, only cared for their own rule. Through a rigged judicial decision, Bhutto was hanged, leaving a stain on the face of justice that remains to this day. The forces behind his execution were the same wolves that always lurk, ready to pounce on the weak.
Then came Benazir Bhutto, who challenged the deeply entrenched authoritarian politics. She, too, was assassinated in broad daylight, gunned down in cold blood. Who killed her? Why? No answers, only silence. She was a leader who fought for democracy, who stood against dictatorship, yet she met the same fate dictated by the wolves of power. Before her, Pakistan’s first Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan, was also assassinated in Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh. No culprits were ever found, no justice was served, and all evidence was erased—because in Pakistan, power dictates the law, not justice.
The same happened with Nawaz Sharif, forcefully removed from power, imprisoned, exiled, and later allowed back under conditions. It was all part of the wolves’ game. After a truce between the two major parties, the wolves created a third force—Imran Khan. They granted him power, only to later turn on him, just as they had done before. The hunters once again brought Zardari and Nawaz Sharif into their fold, and this time, Imran Khan became the prey. This is the rule of the jungle: the weak will always be hunted. No one can stand against the powerful. In this land, those who speak the truth are turned into cautionary tales. Here, politicians do not make decisions; the wolves of power decide who will govern, who will be imprisoned, and who will be eliminated.
Today, Imran Khan finds himself surrounded by these very wolves. Democracy claims that power lies with the people, but the people do not hold guns. They may be powerful in number, but they are rendered weak in reality. Whether in Pakistani politics, the streets of Kashmir, the alleys of Palestine, or any other oppressed region in the world, the same rule applies: the powerful decide who will live and who will be sacrificed.
The Global Pact of Wolves
For decades, Israel has been crushing the Palestinians under its might, while India wields its iron fist over Kashmir. In politics, weaker parties are swallowed whole; in economics, the poor are trampled upon; in wars, the innocent bleed; and in international relations, only those with wealth and military strength survive. The fate of nations is decided by those who possess weapons, money, and resources—everyone else is at their mercy.
We have seen what happened to Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi. In Pakistan, the powerful elite continue to exploit and oppress the underprivileged in every possible way. The wolves are always watching, waiting for the weak to stumble, ready to devour them.
Is This Really a Human Society? Or Just a Pack of Wolves?
Pakistan is a country where wolves write the laws and then break them at will. A glance at its history shows that the powerful have always hunted down the weak. But when we look at our neighboring India, a question arises: why does their system not collapse in the same way? Is India free from the influence of the powerful? Has their political landscape not seen bloodshed? Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. Indira Gandhi was gunned down by her own Sikh guards. Rajiv Gandhi was killed in a suicide bombing. And yet, their democracy never crumbled. Why?
Because in India, the system was made powerful. Their democracy was built on institutions, not on individuals. They first eradicated feudalism and ensured that the military remained within its constitutional bounds. In contrast, Pakistan empowered feudal lords to dominate politics and allowed the military to overshadow all institutions. The country was divided not just geographically but ideologically—sectarianism and bigotry were deliberately fueled to keep people at odds with each other.
When power is at risk, rulers use religion as a tool. Under General Zia-ul-Haq, politics was merged with religion, jihad was used to prolong his rule, and a radical narrative was crafted that still poisons our society today. Meanwhile, India integrated its Hindutva ideology within its democratic framework. Hatred exists there too, but their institutions remain intact. Indian politicians have tried to outmaneuver each other politically, but they have not conspired to obliterate each other entirely—unlike what happens in Pakistan.
The World Is a Jungle of Wolves
The world operates on the same brutal principle—where the powerful always prey on the weak. The Persian rule of Gurg-e-Ashti is not just a tale; it is the foundation of global politics. When Donald Trump rose to power, he championed white supremacy and made an unexpected yet predictable move: the United States withdrew from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
This is the same America that calls itself the “champion of human rights,” yet when the UN pointed fingers at Israel’s atrocities in Gaza or questioned US policies, instead of answering, the US walked away. This decision once again proved that in global politics, human rights, justice, and morality are mere slogans—power and self-interest reign supreme. The United Nations, once envisioned as a guardian of justice, has become a stage for political theater. The world’s major powers break its rules whenever they please, attack any country they wish, and abandon treaties whenever it suits them. The US withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement, walked away from the Iran Nuclear Deal, and repeatedly disregards international law.
The True Test: Are We Willing to Stand for Justice?
This world has always been a ruthless jungle. Here, the fate of the weak has been sealed—to be crushed under the weight of power—while the destiny of the strong has always been to rule. Here, it is not principles that govern, but brute force. It is not justice that prevails, but the lust for dominance. The cries of the oppressed fade into the void, and the path to justice is forever stained with blood.
People wear smiles on their faces, yet in their hearts lingers the same savagery that existed in the age of stones. The only difference is that back then, they held spears in their hands, while today, they wield laws, treaties, politics, and economies as their weapons. The difference is not in the brutality itself, but in its refinement—once, they were wild beasts; today, they are civilized predators.
The wolves may have changed throughout history, but the prey has always remained the same—the weak. Sometimes in the name of slavery, sometimes under the guise of democracy. Sometimes in the shadow of religion, sometimes in the illusion of freedom. Even today, the children of Palestine, the martyrs of Kashmir, the refugees of Rohingya, the starving souls of Africa, and countless other helpless beings are being sacrificed to the law of these wolves.
But have we ever wondered where these wolves come from? Are they only found in the ranks of rulers, generals, and capitalists? No—the truth is far more bitter. These wolves live within us, in our consciences, in our choices. Every person who robs the weak of their rights, who deceives when given the chance, who builds his success upon the wounds of others—he too is a wolf.
How many times in our lives have we witnessed injustice? How many times have we seen the rights of the helpless snatched away, yet remained silent? Perhaps because we did not wish to become wolves—but neither did we wish to become prey. Instead of standing against oppression, we chose to be spectators. But remember—silence in the face of oppression is nothing but an alliance with the oppressor.
This world will continue to run as it does—until someone stands up, until someone dares to say, “Enough!”
Until someone chooses to reject the law of the jungle, to become a refuge for the weak, to refuse to become a wolf even in the face of power.
But the question is—do we truly have the courage? Do we possess the strength to kill the wolf within us? Can we take that first step that turns this jungle of tyranny into a sanctuary of justice?
Perhaps this is the very test we have been given. Perhaps true success does not belong to those who crush everything in pursuit of power, but to those who, despite having power, refuse to become wolves. To those who do not devour others but give them the right to live.
In this jungle, you are either the hunter or the hunted. But somewhere, somehow, someone must put an end to this madness.
Are you that person?
