Being a part of the European Union Election Observation Mission for Pakistan in general elections, for the second time, helped me earn some basic understanding of the politics. To remain dominant, political leaders make and break alliances to impact and impose their vested interests, which have nothing to do with the interests of nationals. In the case of their opponent’s victory, they start the never-ending blame game and in the way, dirty politics keep flourishing.
For the very demanding need of the hour, the army provided support for the betterment of the nation and as expected, the outcomes of general elections were bitterly, or in more appropriate words, half-heartedly, accepted. This made a new beginning in a kind of slow pace if to be said in local opinion.
In a recent discussion, I heard people criticising the Prime Minister of Pakistan in failing to fiercely reply to Indian PM Modi’s Kashmir manipulation. They said that his speech was way too disappointing for them. As per them, there wasn’t much impact of the laughable speech of PM and songs sung by singers. What kind of message was meant to be thrown across the board whereas PM Modi had not moved an inch from nearly 55 days of curfew in Kashmir?
In reality, his words had broadcasted an affirmative stance of a wise leader who had shown the world that what it took to be responsible. The national anthem and motivating songs, raising the morale of the besieged, are an unexplainable contributing factor.
Holding my horses and letting the critics conclude, I heard a few more interestingly shocking perspectives. Known to bits and pieces of information, they had developed a harsh stance. Credit, however, has to be mutually shared with the current affairs talk shows, which have tuned the population with a bulk of information that suits their respective agendas.
In reality, as far as the Karachi situation is concerned, “kachra politics” appears a clear blame-game of political parties.
The PPP blames the PTI with a lack of funds and no specific leadership for the purpose. In a wide contrast to the claims of political parties of the province, interior Sindh is suffering from a lack of basic needs, which, again, ends at the blame-game between the provincial and federal governing political parties.
The great leader Bhutto has been utilised as a brand name by leftover family members. The situation in Punjab has remained in the spotlight since the very beginning, due to the choice of officials, especially the Chief Minister. In a recent blow, two important officials being thrown out of Punjab has kept the Pandora’s box open. People arguing that both officials have been kicked out to secure CM Usman Buzdar, basically due to the PM’s arrogant decision to keep up his choice, has exposed insecurity and mistrust upon his decision-making.
Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa situation had both positives and negatives, which shaped the future of the governing political party. Still, the metro bus project, being seriously taken by the PTI in its last provincial government tenure, seems to not be completed even next year due to increased costs.
Moreover, the internal politics of the ruling political party remain indecisive and incompetent as per the critics. Unfortunately, from small to big, all issues require tolerance instead of increasing fuel in the blame game.
In reality, PM Khan’s words had broadcasted an affirmative stance of a wise leader, who had shown the world that what it took to be responsible
The main political parties of the country will take years to accept their defeat in the elections. Instead of confronting with the ruling party on corruption and accountability, the need of the hour is to sit together to develop a consensus plan of action upon Kashmir issue towards the next-door enemy.
With the current siege of Kashmir, “no solid action has been taken instead of threatening speeches,” which has created a wide fissure, morally as well as emotionally. Appreciating the foreign policy moves adopted is way too far to be seen with a mentality towards a few encouragingly smiling but firm sentences of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Without realising the basic reason of increased inflation, the ruling party and honest leader have been under severe criticism. As far as the economy is concerned, the inflation rate increased by every passing day, which has got nothing to do with the current government. Rather, it has borne the burden of several past governments. National citizens earning 30k a month are incapable of running his basic living expenses due to the inevitable conditions of IMF. With a great increase in bills, prices and living costs, the ordinary citizen is burdened heavily to meet his ends for survival.
Arguing the revenue and the survival equation on the national news networks are quite easy a job in comparison to accepting the badly taken decisions.
In comparison to the statements of the political leadership of all political parties, the ISPR has given a quite sensible stance. Being always present from national crises to international issues, the army is badly disgruntled with dirty politics. No official from the army has neither threatened nor provoked Indian Prime Minister Modi for him to create any such situation.
The prodigious disappointment of the moment has left minimal hope in the so-called great democratic political parties and noisy fake drums.
The writer is a freelance columnist