Daily Times

Let the government work, but objective criticism should not stop and PTI must never refrain from listening to such criticism. In fact, a think tank or a council could be formed, which can identify suggestions derived from constructive criticism, as a part of Government policy making. It can also help the PTI government to realise its own weaknesses, and find solutions to overcome them.

At present, PTI’s key weakness is obvious. This is their first time majority in the national government, and they cannot count on their previous experience in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to help them in the centre. While it is a daunting task for a government in such infancy to satisfy its critics or deliver on its promises, it is doable, provided there is intelligentsia within the party to address these issues.

So far, social media, journalists and TV channels have picked up every action, decision or even conciliation of the government, and made it an issue. These include the transfer of an officer in the DPO scandal, the undue interference complaints made by DCO Rajanpur and Chakwal, the undiplomatic move to keep French President Macron on hold to continue an informal meeting with journalists, and the famous helicopter incident.

All this is not only becoming just ‘news’, but a matter of national debate throwing the government in a quagmire of issues, which are irrelevant to the real economic dilemma, lack of resources and terrorism crises looming large on the horizon.

While it is a daunting task for a government in such infancy to satisfy its critics or deliver on its promises, it is doable, provided there is intelligentsia within the party to address these issues. So far, social media, journalists and TV channels have picked up every action, decision or even conciliation of the government, and made it an issue

The elections are over, a government is in place, with PTI’s own Prime Minister and President, and the party is practically governing three provinces in the country and is on good terms with the Army as well; what more could PTI want? So this business of staying ‘in the news’ also needs to end. It is time to work, perform on the promises made to people, get out of the election mind-set and appeasement mode.

PTI needs to have a strong media cell, comprising of people with perception, vision and ability, who can identify worthy news, take note of objective suggestions even if by critics or opposition, ignore unnecessary news items for sake of “news”, and concentrate on issues with a solution based approach. There is need to learn the art of ignoring criticism for the sake of criticism, and be attentive to a sound objective approach. The rest of the government need to put their head down, and move on to making decisions, implementing policies and work, work and work some more.

Many of us want to criticize the incoming government who will certainly make mistakes. While those mistakes need to be highlighted and corrected, the government does need a few months, at least, to settle down. However, there are some gross anomalies already committed by the government, which can be addressed in order to bring their objectives in line with their manifesto.

There is need to learn the art of ignoring criticism for the sake of criticism, and be attentive to a sound objective approach. The rest of the government need to put their head down, and move on to making decisions, implementing policies and work, work and work some more

Some of their actions could have been handled more wisely, like their choice for the Chief Minister of Punjab that has proven to be highly controversial with many saying the selection was not based on merit, the diplomatic faux pas regarding the recent conversation between the US Secretary of State and Prime Minister Imran Khan, or the Punjab Information Minister‘s deplorable comments against media persons.

A famous and wise Spanish poet, Solomon Ibn Gabirol, once said “Kings may be judges of the earth, but wise men are the judges of Kings”. Undoubtedly PTI has won, but winners need wise people to guide them. The only task is to choose the right people as counsel, and develop an ability to listen to right advice in order make progress in the future as well.

The writer is a lawyer. She writes on social, governance and policy issues, and tweets @humzee1

Published in Daily Times, September 9^th 2018.