Time to atone for past mistakes
All political theories are unanimous on the point that the people of a country are ultimately the masters of their own destiny, more so in a political dispensation. Majority of the countries of the world presently are democracies, of course with different features, where the people through their collective wisdom choreograph the path to their cherished destinies through the power of their vote. Abraham Lincoln defines democracy as, “Government of the people, by the people, for the people” Making right choices and participating in the electoral process are the mechanisms through which the will of the people is exercised and expressed.
There are no two opinions about the fact that Pakistan is faced with probably the most formidable challenges in its history and the coming elections therefore are of vital importance with regard to ascertaining whether the nation was determined and willing to confront those challenges and rediscover the contours of the real Pakistan as envisioned by the founding father or allow the forces inimical to democracy, peace and progress to have their way, unchallenged. I have no doubt that the entire nation wants the continuation of the democratic process, a change in the political system of the country and an end to the hydra-headed menace of terrorism. But only wishing something away does not automatically resolve the issue. The divine help in staving off calamities and crisis is also contingent upon the people themselves taking the initiative to change their milieu.
So if we are looking to the new horizons and a break from our past follies, we will have to make the right choices and then seek Allah’s blessings for securing our country from the evil eyes.
Viewed in the backdrop of the foregoing, the appeal made by the caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso to the people to fully participate in the elections without any fear is of great significance. He assured of taking all possible measures to improve the law and order situation and strengthen the security environment for the people to freely exercise their right of vote. Another point that he unequivocally made was that under no circumstances an extension in the tenure of the caretaker setup will be accepted, which is indeed very reassuring and indicates the dedication and sincerity of the caretaker setup to accomplish their task strictly according to the constitution and their mandate.
The ECP and other agencies including the Army have also exhibited unfaltering resolve to ensure the holding of free, fair and transparent elections in the country. More than 75,000 army personnel are being mobilized to provide security during the elections and deployment in the most sensitive province, Balochistan, have already commenced.
The Army chief has personally thrown his unqualified support to the continuation of the democratic process. All these developments are very encouraging portents. The people must exercise their right of franchise without any fear and by their enhanced and unprecedented turn out, must not only strengthen their credentials as a democracy loving nation but also send a strong signal to the anti-state and anti-democracy elements that they would resist their nefarious designs at any cost. The enemies of the country are already doing what they can and will not hesitate to unfurl more terrorist acts to sabotage the elections by scaring away the people at the polling stations. It is indeed a worrying situation but there is no other way to get out of it except by standing up to the machinations of these elements.
Pakistan itself was achieved through unparalleled sacrifices. But as they say getting independence is not as difficult as consolidating the gains of independence is. We have had our independence but unfortunately we have failed to tread the path that the founder of Pakistan had envisioned for us and we have paid a very heavy price for our follies. Both the politicians and military dictators are responsible for pushing the country towards the edge of a precipice. The people have also contributed to the slide by remaining complacent and indifferent while the dictators and politicians took turns to take the country and the people for a ride.
It was time to atone for the past mistakes and rediscover Pakistan. The good thing is that there has been a discernible change in the mindset of the military and the politicians are also conscious of the fact that they will lose their relevance if they failed to deliver and change the system that has encouraged the politics of graft and entitlement and replace with an arrangement that not only is capable of reviving the sagging economy and rectify the maladies afflicting the political landscape of the country but also act as a catalyst to sustained progress in all the fields of national life, for the posterity to reap the rewards of the good work
The writer is an academic.
