The poor and deprived people of this country want freedom from fear and freedom from want. People fear poverty, hunger, disease, discrimination, illiteracy, violence and other economic and social insecurities.
They want personal, community and political security. The state has given them little that they deserve. Military dictators who had no roots in the people together with inept civilian leadership only focused on ways and means to extend their rule rather than focusing and addressing the problems and concerns of the people.
Today the leadership that represents this country seems little concerned to initiate actions/reforms that would make us a nation state. They only see a nation state that only exists for them to rule it. Even when they misrule they cannot be shown the door because they threaten to take out from the deck of cards that constitutes Pakistan their ethnic cards and threaten the very existence of the federation.
The people of Pakistan have tasted both the military and the civilian rule. Unfortunately, both have been equally disappointing. There is though one ray of hope. It is democracy and its continuity in whatever form. For people’s security will only be ensured through a continuous democratic process. Because it is the only process that ensures that leadership that does not deliver will be eliminated from the political scene.
Time for politics of emotions is over. It is hoped that the people across the country will be mindful when stamping the ballots in next elections because with it they will stamp their future and how it will shape.
LT COL (Retd) MUHAMMAD ALI EHSAN
Karachi