Daily Times

Irony merely does not lie in the mistakes being made. We are human beings, and a human being, as we know, is a puppet of mistakes. Contrary to this fact, human superiority, and greatness lies in not only acknowledging, but learning from, and correcting the mistakes made. An unintentional failure to realize mistakes, or our intentional reluctance to acknowledge them will keep us at a good hand’s distance from acquiring the in-built greatness we are capable of, and destined to acquire.

The wise words make more sense than ever, particularly in wake of the inappropriate conduct of the democratic forces in Pakistan. Political developments over the last few weeks certainly stand out. Apparently democracy is under grave threat neither because of corruption, nor the politically targeted accountability drive, but because of the overall inappropriate conduct by our democracy champions.

From uncivilized behaviour in the parliamentary sessions, both in National Assembly and Senate, to bad mouthing, and media bashing one another; from living in the past to defining cum defending the concept of U-turns (an irony to the core indeed); all contribute towards one thing alone i.e. an absolute diversion from the real issues, and horrendous challenges this country, and the people, who voted these political figures in to the power corridors, are faced off with. Only that matters, and nothing else!

The ambassadors of democracy are, perhaps, of a view otherwise. For them, what matters is to be on top of their political game. In the process, they yet again fail to realize that the only road that leads to the political top is serving the country, and the people by addressing, and taking on the real challenges, rather than engaging in activities that we all are witness to today.

While the opposition in any democracy is generally limited to criticizing the government, sometimes for no reason at all, it is the government(s), effective ones this is, that do not. If democracy is a family, then the government is the head of this family, while the opposition is merely a dependent. How efficiently would a family function if the behaviour, maturity, and conduct across the board i.e. of the head, and the dependents, is uniform? This answer does not require to be mentioned even, as it is written all over the wall.

The real worrying part for our democracy is the uniformity in government, and the opposition’s conduct. And perhaps, this is one of a kind experience. In previous tenures of democracy, this malpractice was not rampant at all. We all remember the tens of dharnas by the then opposition (presently forming the government), but despite the pressure being built, the then government(s) resorted to restraint, to some extent, if not entirely. At least there was a sense of realization that they are heading the democratic family, and perhaps, they need to act more maturely than remaining dependents.

The only justified, and required U-turn that the government needs to take is from the lost path it has taken, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Failing to take this one, the government will have to take many more in future as well which, rest assured, will keep Naya Pakistan far from PTI, and the public’s reach

The present government, ironically, is still in the dependent mode, and has not switched to the head of democracy’s role; not yet. As of now, this is the only policy the government has not taken a U-turn on. Although one here would be a pleasant change!

In the middle of this entire “not-so-liked by the public” episode, the government seems to be losing the track it had vowed to take. The track towards resolution of key issues. The parliament today only echoes of corruption, thieves, economic terrorists, etc. with the public, and its issues nowhere either inside the NA, or the senate. All the government spokesperson(s) during media briefings, and press talks have to offer is the self-proclaimed progress, apparently a never ending one, on accountability seemingly going, and taking the country nowhere. The visits to Saudi Arabia, China, and now the UAE whereas have been termed as successful endeavours of the government, the nation still looks forward to some concrete progress with respect to the receiving of much needed, and as per the government, the agreed upon economic bailout packages; in the hopes that the hikes in petroleum, electricity, and gas prices will go down eventually. All in words, and hopes till date, however. What is very much on the page, nonetheless, is a further increase in the public’s burden in the form of increased taxes, and further price hikes amid the expected IMF package round the corner.

These are only some of the very key issues of the common man who unfortunately does not bother to go in to the details of political, and economic complications, rather only associates him/herself with relief, and facilitated provision of the basic necessities of everyday life.

With this common man along with his/her issues nowhere in the country’s fate decider, what we call parliament, the vehicle of good governance is, for now, off the track for sure. It is critical for the government to reset its priorities right, come forth with a more mature posture, and focus on actions, and achievable goals rather than resorting to larger than life words, and claims bound to be followed by U-turns seeking out of this World justification.

Of course, this is not to say that the government has not done any good things as of now. The anti-encroachment drives, first in Punjab, now followed in Karachi, the launch of citizen’s portal for lodging of public complaints directly to the PM secretariat, launch of apps on NHA, and overseas Pakistanis, the austerity measures, the activism of Ministers on Foreign Affairs, water resources, communications, etc. are the obvious goods that deserve acknowledgement, and due applause.

Coming along with these goods are the apparently more dominant aforementioned bads that seemingly are doing more harm to not only the cause of the government, and democracy but the public, and the country at large. In wake of these political mistakes, despite the gradual goods, the government is losing its way.

The only justified, and required U-turn that the government needs to take is from the lost path it has taken, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Failing to take this one, the government will have to take many more in future as well which, rest assured, will keep Naya Pakistan far from PTI, and the public’s reach.

The writer is an Islamabad based freelance opinion writer and columnist

Published in Daily Times, November 21^st 2018.