The capital of the country – Islamabad was abuzz with slogans chanted on the top of their voices by the followers of PTI and its Chairman Imran Khan on the eve of May 11, 2014. Oratory of PTI demagogue Imran Khan undoubtedly was at its best, as always. He, undoubtedly, succeeded in touching the hearts and igniting the minds of the exuberant and emotionally charged mass of people present at the venue of the demonstration, the “D-Chawk”, in Islamabad, in thousands.
Was the show of strength that was demonstrated by the tehreek-e-insaf chief on the occasion something unusual? No, it wasn’t. Demonstrations and long marches, all and sundry would agree, have become a common feature in this country. True, that they take place everywhere in the world. But the difference is that in our part of the world demonstrations and marches have started occurring a little too frequently and that too for no solid rhyme or reason.
In the protest rally of Sunday, May 11, in the capital, the PTI leader demanded dissolution of the existing Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and asked the incumbent government to immediately bring about electoral reforms in the country. This assertion, write or wrong, was made by him because he strongly felt that the people of Pakistan have lost their faith in it. The concerns raised by Chairman PTI vis-a-vis polls rigging may carry some weight but the way the issue has been blown out of proportion compels one to think that the blatant aspersions cast by the PTI Chief on the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is not without pre-meditated intent.
Leaving things at that let us not forget that the Election Commission and its Chairman Justice (R) Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim when re-constituted/appointed was profoundly appreciated by the Chairman PTI, Mr. Imran Khan and almost every political party of the country. In fact, the sparkling stature and integrity of the then Chairman of the Commission, Justice (R) Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim was particularly eulogized by all and sundry, and very rightly so. Now, by casting undue aspersions on the integrity of ECP, those responsible are forgetful of the fact that they are blotting the image of not only the Commission but also its highly respected former Chairman, Justice (R) Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim.
While saying so, it must not be misunderstood that the issue of polls rigging, if it has taken place and wherever it has taken place, should be considered as a trivial matter and therefore condoned. The issue is serious and must receive due importance and consideration of the authorities concerned, and resolved in the larger interest of this nation and democracy. Let this also be clearly understood that demos and long marches are no solution to the massive predicaments that Pakistan is confronted with today. Let’s not play with the emotions of this nation, for personal gains, any more. Let’s rise above personal prejudices and rancour. Pakistan cannot afford futile and meaningless activities such as demos and long marches. Time has come for the political parties of this country to quickly realize this and work in unison to steer Pakistan out of the quagmire that it is currently trapped in.
M FAZAL ELAHI
Islamabad