
Faiz's nazm of dissent and resistance
Faiz Ahmad Faiz
in 1979, just two years after the country came under martial law under Gen Zia-ul-Haq, '
Hum Dekhenge
(We shall see)' is often used in
anti-establishment protests
both in India and Pakistan. The
nazm of dissent and resistance
gained larger recognition after singer
Iqbal Bano
defied the law and delivered a public rendition in Lahore in 1986. In India, 'Hum Dekhenge' has been especially popular with cultural activists and Left groups. At one point, the poem goes, "Sab taaj uchhaley jayenge/ Sab takht giraye jayenge (Every crown will be flung/ Each throne brought down)." During the anti-CAA protests in 2019, some professors in IIT Kanpur claimed that the song had anti-Hindu references. The probe was later closed.
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Ironically, while Gilgit-Baltistan is considered to be geographically very significant for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Islamabad's treatment of local traders sends a clear message that it is least bothered about the interests of the local population and is only interested in exploiting the strategic position and resources of the region. All routes connecting Pakistan to China, including the critical Karakoram Highway, pass through GB, which should ideally have brought more economic opportunities for the local population. However, in contrast, it has resulted in increased Chinese military presence. This reinforces the fact that Pakistan follows the template of exploiting the region while keeping the people underdeveloped. If the locals dare to express their aspirations, they are handled brutally by the Pakistani military and its death squads. Therefore, the traders' blockade in GB represents more than an economic conflict—it is the roar of a voice silenced for decades from a region long suffering under the thumb of Islamabad's colonial and oppressive policies. The writer is an author and columnist. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. tags : China Kashmir pakistan view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 16, 2025, 22:02 IST News opinion Global Watch | Gilgit-Baltistan: A New Uprising In Pakistan's 'Last Colony' Against Oppressive Rule Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. 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