Who loses eventually?
In my op-ed of June 16, 2014 I wrote, “Any democratic government coming to power through the will of the people just needs to do one thing; focus on delivering. Insecurity seeps in only when this basic objective is lost. The promotion of division lines by certain elements must be strongly ignored. The threat then to democracy comes; from democracy itself.”
If one zeroes in to the psyche of PML-N there one finds a cancer. The cancer is of fear, its stench unbearable. The cancer feeds on the fear of any diverse opinion, any criticism leveled against PML-N, its members and its policies. The only way PML-N knows of handling dissenting opinion is through heavy-handed tactics.
PML-N has ignored the needs of the common man, it has ignored even making a mediocre effort to improve their lot. Inflation has spiraled, electricity is unavailable, CNG shortages have hit the already down trodden man … PML-N in the meanwhile is busy playing with Metro bus scheme. Reminds me of the phase misattributed to Marie Antoinette, ‘Let them eat cake,’ uttered when told that the citizens of France were hungry with no bread to ward off their hunger.
PML-N ignored the PTI demand for recount of votes in four constituencies. After delaying to do anything, the prime minister casually offered to form a judicial commission to look into rigging allegations of elections 2013. It was in passing at the end of his speech of August 12, to make it seem like an after-thought. Well; almost.
The sad incident taking place in Model Town June 17 causing the death of many PAT workers and injuring nearly a hundred led to the removal of Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Lahore Ch Shafiq Gujjar, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) operations Rana Abdul Jabbar was also removed and made OSD as was SP Model Town division Tariq Aziz. (Local Newspaper Report June 17 2014) The question of who ordered the action remains unanswered.
PML-N ignored the PTI demand for recount of votes in four constituencies. After delaying to do anything, the prime minister casually offered to form a judicial commission to look into rigging allegations of elections 2013.
Tahir ul Qadri the Canadian home returning (Queen) Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s (PAT) chief announced a ‘Revolution March’ onto Islamabad coinciding with PTI’s August 14 March. PML-N has the honour of achieving what no one else could achieve ; bringing Imran Khan and Tahir-ul-Qadri a team both having their own axes to grind on a common platform.
PTI, unfortunately, does not have much to show for its period of governance in ‘Naya KPK’. Delawar Jan a journalist based in Peshawar in his tweet of August 14 says, ‘Those who are participating in ‘Naya Pakistan’ march today must keep in mind that we are not happy in ‘Naya Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.’
PML-N has a short fuse when it comes to listening to any criticism no matter how well meaning. They create situations where a more diplomatic handling of the issue can easily help it diffuse. Whoever has advised the prime minister needs to be fired.
The same thread of heavy handedness continues as the government moves into August 14. ‘Containercracy” a new strategy used to block Islamabad and Rawalpindi; stopping the oncoming protestors to Islamabad.
The question that needs to be addressed is the fear in-built in the psyche of PML-N towards any dissenting voice. This approach is certainly undemocratic in character. One recalls not so long ago another march onto Islamabad with the PPP government in power, that was handled calmly and maturely, defusing a potentially inflammable situation.
Having said so, one will be unfair if one ignores what drives the opposing ‘marchers’. Is it in line with democratic norms to try unsettling a democratic government by repeated instances of confrontational politics especially where it leads to disruption in law and order situation? Interestingly one of the four point agenda agreed between PTI and PAT states, ‘The struggle by PTI and PAT would be constitutional.’ No says Article 19 Constitution of Pakistan 1973. Disturbing public peace and order in exercise of right to freedom of expression and speech is not allowed under the said Article. Incidentally disturbing the public peace is punishable under Section 153-A Pakistan Penal Code. In order to grasp what we are dealing with here, I quote from Chapter III of my book, ‘A Comparative Analysis of Media and Media Laws in Pakistan,” it says, ‘The term public order has reference to the maintenance of conditions where under the orderly functioning of the government can be carried on. It is the duty of the government to ensure that the lives, properties, and liberties of the citizens are not endangered. The term public order is wider than the term public safety and implies absence of internal order, rebellion, interference to the supply and distribution of essential commodities or services.’ (Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan published by PLD Publishers, 1996, by Justice Muhammad Munir, Formerly Chief Justice of Pakistan, Page 360)
Residents of the twin cities are suffering owing to disruption of facilities including being cut off from hospitals and necessary medical facilities in many a case.
PML-N has a short fuse when it comes to listening to any criticism no matter how well meaning. They create situations where a more diplomatic handling of the issue can easily help it diffuse.
The book goes on to say, ‘Public order seeks to minimise crimes like arson, murders, rape, targeted violence, striking fear in the hearts of people in their free movement. Lack of public order can be strikingly destabilising for economies creating fear, hatred between coexistence of ethnic groups and sub-groups and destroy the base of a peaceful society. Activities that are either politically motivated or criminally motivated, create a cascading effect of negativity, like kidnappings, misuse of power, illegal detentions, so on and so forth. In situations of breakdown of public order, people may be caught up in a rush, be trampled underfoot and in cases of shoot outs innocent bystanders may lose their lives.’
Enough said?
What is this if not a game of thrones?
To encourage division rather than unity across board among Pakistanis on August 14 is a cruel joke the political parties have played on the people flouting the words of our dear Quaid; ‘Unity, Faith and Discipline.’ Unity did he say? Touting self-serving words, our politicians sure did forget what the father of the nation told us! A tweet to me on August 14 says, ‘Divided Pak nation had only 14 Aug for solidarity from Karachi to Khyber but PTI/PAT snatched this event and handed party flags to nation! I cannot disagree with Syed Qasim Jafri here.
In my considered opinion, each player involved is responsible for creating a situation where Pakistan has become a joke on the international platform. Instead of pointing fingers, each one of them and their supporters must rise above party affiliations and understand a wrong as a wrong.
Irrespective of the outcome of the sit-in each player must share the blame of the present crisis created in the name of democracy. The big question is: do the protesting players have a strategy in place beyond protesting as an end line? With the army engaged against the Taliban on home ground, such adventurism is ill timed indeed. Leaders who leave their supporters to spend the night on roads as they sleep off their exhaustion in their comfortable abodes do not herald revolutions.
At the end of the day…the loser is Pakistan and her 180 million people.
Our leaders do not attune their ears to the ground. That includes IK. The public group discussions are now condemning him equally. Both parties are equally stupid. As you said, a loss for the nation.
Well done Princess, very well written.
The common people of Pakistan are quite used to being on the losing end. Perhaps the ongoing political game will throw the dice in their favour. The people have little to lose. Those who have much to lose are the status quo people whose political double-speak is again being heard for the propagation of their own rule and survival mechanisms. The lines are drawn on the battle-field. May those who sincerely advocate the cause of the downtrodden people win this time. If they lose, the people will lose again, and nothing will change. Life will go on as it always has – good for some, hell for the majority.
This "battle of nerves" between PAT + PTI marchers and the PML(N) is in reality between "straight talk" and "crooked talk". The outcome of this should once and for all put an end to this "anti-people system" whether you call it "democracy" or anything else. And, whatever system comes in its place, by whatever method, it is going to put Pakistan on its path to progress this time around.
When time for "change" is ripe, there appears on the scene some dare devils who are quite prepared to risk their lives for a cause. You require a certain amount of stubornness which is required for that change to come. The two – IK and TQ – seem to have that "stubborness" and are quite trapped in their commitments. As for the "old guard" their time is up.
MAV
AoA,
A crisp and candid piece; thanks for sharing. No matter who gets de-crowned or crowned eventually, the oppressed people are invariably the losers in such brazen throne hunts. In our sham democratic culture characterized by 'noora kushti', the fear of people, thence of God, is totally amiss. Knowing they'd always go scot free, the tyrants have no fear at all. This time around the military wouldn't intervene either, thanks to Musharraf's misrule and vested NRO; call that a blessing, whether or not in disguise. It's not the fear of any opposition but the very 'neeat' (intention) of our rulers that's a cancer which keeps growing. Ironically, during the on going episode of throne hunt, Imran Khan has shown those very signs of malignancy that have no treatment even in his nobly established Shaukat Khanam. God bless this land of pure.
Maj Gen (Retd) Parvez Akmal
When has any action by any politician ever been for benefit of Pakistan and not for own gain. Politicians are scroungersworld over but nowhere are there the lowliest of low specimen such as in Pakistan.
Very well analysed Yasmeen. And instead of igniting the issue further, I think there is a dire need for the USA and their partners to stop sermonizing on this very sad killings of innocent men, women and children on both sides and make a genuine effort to give the people of Palestine a much need land of their own in Gaza as their legitimate right. And at the same time Israel too must recognize this fact and both must live peacefully as good neighbours. And those Muslim countries in the neighbourhood who have been only paying lip service to the Palestinian cause must now stop using them as their political and Jihadi pawns.
With warm regards
Samir
Great article and very well written. The leaders should focus more to fight poverty in pakistan and improve security in the country.
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