The topi drama of NS, AAZ and IK has started to fool voters once more
In the last few weeks it seems that election campaigns have been started by Nawaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari, and Imran Khan to once again start selling dreams that they don’t have the capability or the desire to deliver.
Nawaz Sharif is spending the future earnings of the nation on extravagant projects at extravagant costs. He is burdening the future generations with one of the largest debts to pursue his ideas of grandiose.
Asif Ali Zardari sees a heaven in Sind standing at his balcony in Larkana, Anything not done is the fault of the federal government and lack of funds rather than his own government’s fault. Almost 10 years of his party rule is not enough for it. He needs one more term. His government in Sindh can threaten to shut off the gas when his own interests are at stake but his hands are tied when it comes to interests of people of Sindh.
Imran Khan keeps telling people that the police force is now independent and free to act. But the police was standing idly by watching the brutal killing of an innocent student in Mardan. Imran Khan has also funded a madrassah with a long history of extremist views and changed the curriculum to accommodate his extreme right allies to remain in government. Not only that, he has allied himself with the same status quo politicians rather than offer new leadership to the nation.
The politics of cults: All for one – and one for himself
Here, I am not blaming the parties – just these individuals. The parties are practically non-existent because the capable members refuse to stand up and prefer to remain loyal to these individuals rather than the ideals or principles of the party as a whole.
Raza Rabbani made a public statement stating that he will not preside over sanctioning of military courts as Chairman of Senate. But he then did precisely that – although he openly cried when he did it the first time. He had to succumb to the wishes of the party chief rather than the pursuit his ideals. His loyalty seems to be with the party head rather than of the party or the nation.
Aitzaz Ahsan kept narrating revolutionary verses but kept quite when he could have pursued corruption of the politicians in the Panama case because his party bosses told him to stay out of it. A similar situation prevails in the family enterprise of PML-N and the cultish culture of PTI.
This is an unsustainable situation and cannot go on for long if we want to save our country from disintegration. Provinces are not cards that can be exploited for political benefits. Rather, they have real people with have real needs. Capable people in political parties have to rise up and stand for their principles and ideals.
When you talk the talk …
As a member of PTI, I have always tried to stand up for principles even if I had to oppose my own party Chief. So I am not merely making suggestions to activists of other parties. I have walked the walk throughout my association with the party at the cost of being denied party tickets and positions. I have no regret about that and will continue doing it.
PTI can’t win next elections unless it offers a new vision, develops policies that reflect that vision and show the capability to execute it as well when in power. I advise Chairman Imran Khan to create a manifesto committee and I would like to be part of it. It is my responsibility to offer my services and it is the right of Chairman Imran Khan to accept or reject them. But whatever committee is formed should be based on party constitution. I, for one, would not accept any role in an unconstitutional committee.
