Daily Times

Elected governments have legitimacy and time on their side. They have the right to change constitutions and laws as and when required. It is important to ensure that rule of law prevails and that it is understood as something different from the law of the ruler. However laws and rules must be implemented and without contradictions. ‘’The strict law sometimes become the severest injustice’’, Benjamin Franklin is on record having emphasised this point. There must be an inbuilt mechanism within institutions to provide for such a situation. Rights of people must be protected. The due process of law assumes that a person is innocent until proven guilty.

Writers, editors and analysts are expected to be objective in their views and opinions. Joe Biden has been finally elected as the 46^th president of the United States of America. Seemingly, America is divided because of the recent elections. The president elect is the leader of all Americans, irrespective of their political affiliation and the style of thinking and views on national issues and international problems that need to be set and solved. People should not have any psychological fixation about Donal Trump and Joe Biden. Change is essential weather it is in the United States of America or anywhere else in the world. Perceptions are not always near to reality. Views of writers and known journalists should be expressed and understood objectively and without bias. Readers should focus on what is written for them as beautiful profound ideas. Off-course the reader has this space to interpret what the writer has written but it is not fair to overstep this space. All Americans have to work together for a way forward. This principle applies to all countries which are often labelled as ‘’divided nations’’.

Declan Walsh a talented British journalist who lived in Pakistan for about a decade, has recently published a book under the title ‘’the nine lives of Pakistan’’. According to William Dalrymple, Walsh’s book is wonderful that sets a new benchmark for fiction about the complex palace of mirrors that is Pakistan. Walsh has a rapier wit, a talent for skilfully sketched pen portraits and a sharp eye for tragedy, paradox and absurdity. He describes with intellectual power and cool elegance, a much-misunderstood country. All those interested in south Asia and its complex politics and culture should read this book. Books with broad perspective and storytelling style are likely to attract readership.

Victory of the democrats is expected to promote democratic values, and a narrative that brings harmony and peace and welfare for the people. It is a key to bridge the gap between nations and societies

Pakistan hopes the Afghan issue will be resolved during Biden’s presidency. Regional and world peace is essential for a dynamic balance and welfare of the people and end of poverty, illiteracy, and disease.

Prime Minister Imran Kahn congratulated Joe Biden, and said that he looked forward to working with him to end illegal tax havens, and stealing of national wealth by corrupt leaders.

It is expected from the US president elect Joe Biden to play a vital role to reduce tensions between Pakistan and India. Peace is essential for the region. Earlier, president Trump was committed to undertake such a venture. Tensions between Pakistan and India are pointless. The two countries need to work together for peace and justice and prosperity of their poor people. They have a common history of living in peace for over one thousand years. Peace in South Asia is essential for world peace and sovereignty of the two countries. Political leaders have to talk in this perspective to seek solutions to all issues and problems.

Feelings and words walk together, hand in hand,

Leaving behind, narrative of endless pain, no comfort no gain.

When will the narrative change, bringing new hope, taking away misery and shame.

War and peace are instruments of development and change, the change we fear, the change we need.

That is dilemma indeed!

Victory of the democrats is expected to promote democratic values, and a narrative that brings harmony and peace and welfare for the people. It is a key to bridge the gap between nations and societies. In Pakistan, we are against fascism and against economic violence meted out against the developing world.

The writer is a former director, National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) Government of Pakistan, a political analyst, a public policy expert and a published author. His book “Post 9/11 Pakistan” was published in the United States. His recent book “Existential Question for Pakistan”, a must read,  discusses a large range of important issues related to governance and policy, having importance and implications for a variety of professionals, policymakers, academics, politicians and administrators.