There’s much to be said about our role in today’s state of affairs
“Since the beginning of time every department and institution in Pakistan has consisted of rotten eggs. Disguised within the system these individuals have contributed conspicuously to the bumpy ride. Till the time we are not ready to cleanse, the purpose will not be met.”
In almost 70 years since its inception, our beloved nation has progressed through various winds of change. Temporary stints of democracy were often injected with initially sweet but eventually bitter doses of khaki rule. The system as a whole went through a roller coaster ride with occasional though significant bumps.
With the absence of an honest and sincere leadership, we created a vacuum which had to be fulfilled and undoubtedly the powerful ones succeeded in filling it. These periods of instability which had its lasting effects came at the cost of halting democracy.
The prolonged breaks in the continuance of the still developing system have been disastrous and our nation has endured more than its capacity to bear. The establishment however is not burdened with the onus of intervening in affairs outside of their domain. As I reiterated in a previous article, the quandary was never the interventions, it was and still is the persistent mind-set. Our shredded ideologies at the time permitted us to welcome decisions in cases such as the State v Dosso and even celebrate these punctures to democracy. Rallies in favour of autocratic rule plagued our hearts and gripped our minds. The likes of General Zia were contemplated by many as the saviours.
The political system was so decayed to the core that these incidents were justified under the doctrine of necessity. An impotent leadership forced the public to look elsewhere, hence: the army. Interestingly, the decision of a select few in the top brass always reflected on the entire institution thus creating a sentiment against the establishment. This point of view which is even harboured today creates an aura of instability. Therefore for progression, all the stakeholders need to be and must be on the same page rather than be part of a blame game.
Any person whosoever when associated with an institution always portrays itself to be the white knight and all the other departments as the evil entities.
The political pundits will always swing the ball towards the establishment and vice versa. Even the judiciary or the bureaucracy never lags behind. All state functionaries have always shifted the blame on the other. However, majority of us fail to understand the premise behind the actual dilemma. Shifting the blame on others will never conceal our own wrongdoings. Since the beginning of time every department and institution in Pakistan has consisted of rotten eggs. Disguised within the system these individuals have contributed conspicuously to the bumpy ride. Till the time we are not ready to cleanse, the purpose will not be met.
In spite of the above discussion, every new-born child learns to walk gradually and not instantly. Stumbling and staggering, Pakistan has also learnt to walk on its own. The emergence of the democratic process in the last 9 years has achieved some sort of stability. It is this empowerment of the system which has ensured the appearance of the prime minister for accountability. Despite being in power the rulers of today are facing across the board accountability.
A lot many people contend that even if the apex court indicts the PM and his family there still won’t be any significant change in the system as the vices are deep rooted. However let us appreciate that it was a judge of the sub-ordinate judiciary who refused to grant bail to the criminally charged the SECP chairman and not the Supreme Court. Even the ones not so subservient towards the judicial system have been made to adhere to the judge’s edict. Simultaneously, the freedom of the media is also another feather in democracy’s hat. Not very long ago we witnessed their fate at the hands of the commando.
Collectively, these aspects have contributed in strengthening the democratic system and that too in a comparatively short stint. Give it a few more consistent terms and God willing even those will have to answer who as of now consider themselves to be above all. It isn’t about the panama papers or the Sharif family, the fact that BS-20 grade officers gallantly and with the utmost professionalism fulfilled their duties, is the beauty of democracy.
On the contrary, every citizen of the nation is duty bound to play their part. With the continuance of the democratic system it is also our prerogative to challenge the status quo and try and ward of the evil within. This is our motherland and we should take care of it as we would of an ailing mother. From the outset, one expects the system to heal itself but we aren’t ready to contribute to the healing process. Let us not forget the sacrifices of our ancestors who carved out this beautiful country in their blood. It would be a shame if we remain indifferent and refuse to step in the right direction.
It is high time for us to stand with ‘Haq’ and oppress ‘baatil’. What was wrong and is wrong must be declared so. Accordingly, what is right should be unconditionally acknowledged. Yes! We have taken the first step which is by far the most consequential stride in the history of Pakistan. Nevertheless, a lot needs to be done and must be done. We must achieve the long lost stability we have been deprived of, not as a consequence of the actions of a particular institution but rather as the outcome of a failed political setup.
Spreading positive notions can help create an atmosphere where the children of tomorrow will not bow down to oppression. They will resultantly fight not only for themselves but for the entire mankind. Along with the appraisal of the judicial system we should also assess our own choices in life, so that the next time we stand up for something it should ultimately be in the best interests of the nation and the generations to come rather than the temporary privileges we seek for ourselves. There is immense need to emancipate from paradoxical ideologies and philosophies enshrined in the society.
Let us all create a modus operandi, where the boots remain vigilantly on the borders, the cloaks remain donned within the courtrooms and only the waistcoats decorate the halls of the Parliament.
Above all, let us preserve the essence of humanity.