This is in reference to media reports about political insanity and seditious calls for extrajudicial intervention by certain irresponsible elements within opposition and equally irresponsible role of the party in power. People elect a government to deliver to them equal rights, equal opportunities and basic needs such as health, education, clean drinking water and right of security of life, property and employment opportunities.
There is no rocket science involved in delivering good governance; all that is needed is to restore rule of laws, not of men. Public interest is served only when there is law and order, justice is provided and basic human rights and needs are met. Other than in Singapore, where an elected civilian dictator with impeccable record of integrity succeeded in developing his country, no nation in the world has prospered under military dictatorship. Lee Kuan ensured strong powerful institutions with regulatory controls to build a financially powerful and self reliant city state. Revolutions do not occur through dharnas or cult like leaders who exploit religion, nor by men who live in air-conditioned villas and address their followers sitting in bomb proof vehicles. Tahrir Square like dharnas don’t bring change, but only a more repressive regime. The only solution for a defective democracy is more democracy with strong civilian institutions, an independent judiciary and a focus on development of human resources.
It is not the job of army nor are they trained to govern. Their role is to defend country against external aggression and come to aid the elected civil government when called upon to do so. Our unfortunate experience of over 35 years of extra-constitutional intervention is a proof, if any is needed, that they cannot deliver to people basic necessities of life. Instead every intervention has been followed by increase in terrorism, widening gap between rich and power and an adverse effect on their basic professional role.
Pakistan was not created to replace over 200 years of colonial rule with the help of collaborators, but to have self rule through elected public representatives answerable only to people, who alone have the right to change government through ballot. It is unfortunate that since early 1960s, Pakistan’s financial policies, monetary agencies and planning commission have been dominated by men who held foreign nationalities and had sworn to protect constitutions and laws of other sovereign nations.
ALI MALIK TARIQ
Lahore
