It is unfortunate that the civil military imbalance is very exaggerated in our hapless republic. Had the government worked to strengthen democratic institutions, the situation would have been much better. It’s very unfortunate that after 63 years of independence, we are still struggling for survival. The blame can equally be put on civilian and military rulers.
The economies of other countries in the region are thriving well due to the focused policies of their governments but we continue to ditch each other. China, India and even Bangladesh are progressing fast but we are hell bent on ruining our institutions and organisations.
Democracy is the best form of government but people now ask what the democratic forces have given to them. The consensus politics for corruption, collaboration for killings, ministries for loot and democracy for protecting the plunderers has become a norm. Terrorism has engulfed the entire country, devastated the economy and killed thousands of civil-military personnel – including women and children – but we are still not clear whose war is it.
The way forward is to strengthen our institutions and make parliament supreme practically rather than paying lip service to the cause. There should be accountability across the board for everybody, may they be civil functionaries or men in uniform.
Let’s kill the politics of confrontation between institutions. If institutions are strengthened, policies are clearly laid out, no hidden agendas are pursued and people are appointed on merit then there is no reason that we can’t progress.
BILAL SHAHID
Rawalpindi
