Daily Times

The parliament in the recent days has become a fish market as the parliamentarians can be seen indulging in the slanging matches and using unbecoming language. The parliamentary sessions have culminated in the heated atmosphere and raised the political temperature largely because of the words that do not intend to preach but pollute the minds.

The use of the crude, uncouth and presumptuous language in our political circles undisputedly embodies the moral crisis and degeneration that the political system of our country is going through. The debasement, mortification and degradation that project from the institution, the one that should be an emblem of a civilized and articulate spectrum is highly disconcerting. It is sadly denuded of the requisite dignity, sophistication and integrity.

The behavior and words of the elected representatives from Fawad Chaudhry, Fayaz-ul-Hassan Chohan and Faisal Vavda to Khahqan Abbasi and Mushahid-ullah were upsetting. The ones who are representatives of their people, epitomes of nation’s cultured class and the ones who are considered role models by the people, have been abusing the ethical and moral standards and have been blatantly displaying their improper use of foul language.

The parliament that is there to address the serious issues facing the country and devise the concrete strategies, sound policy, reforms and legislation is embroiled in mere blame-game and un-parliamentary conduct. Where the country is already facing the numerous challenges, the parliamentarians are busy serving their personal agendas and ignoring and in fact trivializing the needs of a common man.

It is true that we as a society are loud. We are easily gripped by the loud tones of the people and it can clearly be seen in our political spectrum too where such people are not only appreciated but encouraged and motivated for such display of overt expression by the political leadership and the supporters alike. The ones who speak highly of their leader by flattery and groveling and talk lowly of their opponent by abusing and ridiculing are welcomed by the political parties and respected and esteemed for that.

Nonetheless, the conduct from both the opposition and the treasury benches has been deplorable. But it is largely the responsibility of the government to avoid such situations. The opposition tends to be in an aggressive mode always but the government should project maturity and even tolerance to a certain extent in order to promote the productive and positive discussion. Ironically, the government is still in the dharna and container mode and is acting more like an opposition in the National Assembly and the Senate.

The self-righteousness and aggression of the government representatives is such that they do not wish to be answerable to the Parliament. It’s mostly the bitter stir caused by the government that results then in the same sort of reactions from the opposition side as well. As a result, the house loses its order.

It seems the government representatives like Fawad Chaudhry seem to be diverting people’s attention away from their stumbling governance and clueless approach on the matters of foreign policy and economic policy by conveniently creating havoc in the house by their words. The 100-days are approaching but no one can see any considerable difference as the lives of the common people have only been pushed into more haplessness at the hands of skyrocketing inflations.

In this environment of verbal duels inside and outside the Parliament, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his party are showing the incredible sense of maturity and sophistication. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has not only refrained from using such language but disparaged it as well. The political analysts and critics in general are acknowledging him for his graceful approach, his issue-based politics and the overall poised and dignified demeanor of the PPP.

Even earlier the parliament used to become the victim of the war of words but the way the sanctity of the Parliament is being undermined in the present scenario is appalling and will only have serious political implications in the future if not stopped.

Previously during the election campaign season there were outright disappointing and unbearable moments by many politicians as well that put the supporters in the utter disbelief. The election campaign this time in particular reached the lowest lows. The essential ethos was unapologetically violated and exploited for personal gratification and motives. Rather than addressing the pertinent issues, presenting their manifesto and telling about their deliverance in the last five years, they used this ugliness in their campaign.

The PTI chairman Imran Khan called the PML-N supporters donkeys.  The PML-N’s Ayaz Sadiq said only “dishonorable” people would vote for PTI.  It was PTI leader Pervez Khattak’s contentious claim that caused quite a hue and cry on the electronic and social media alike. His shameful remarks were not only disgusting and sickening but hard to digest for the sensible and rational minds. The media did not even show his video clip owing to the controversial content.

The abusive grammar of the political discourse from hurling unethical abuses and accusations, using language of scorn and derision, ridiculing, mocking and passing personal remarks, making provocative, hate-driven speeches, offending women through disdainful and discriminatory words to encouraging and motivating the culture of slapping and hitting and then being proud of it and applauding it reflect the intolerant values, deepened parochialism and radical mindset of our certain politicians.

This behavior of our politicians is not an act of audacity or bravery. People think it would bring passion in supporters but unfortunately it only brings extremism. It affects the people and particularly the youth in the negative way. It is more repulsive when there is no sense of remorse by these so-called leaders. It is sad to see how they take pride in their words and feel as if they deserve medals or crests. But it shows their worth. It raises doubts regarding their own upbringing and families. No words are enough to condemn these despicable mannerisms and attitudes.

The politics of Pakistan deserves maturity, grace and sophistication. People who are responsible for this preposterous and outrageous culture of coarseness in politics should mend their ways. They must make immediate efforts to bring back decency and decorum in the tarnished political ring of Pakistan.