We start with a simple question. Cyanide is known to be one of the deadliest poisons, where a small amount is enough to change a living organism into a dead body. We assume that someone deliberately puts a label on the cyanide’s bottle, which reads as honey. The first question is that if we call cyanide honey, so does this name change affect the chemical composition and its lethal effects?
The answer to this question will be unanimous and undisputed. Even Imran Khan and Asif Zardari would agree that whether we call it honey or sugar, cyanide will continue to be cyanide and will kill anyone who dares to consume it. Unlike our democratic leaders and political zombies, it offers the same treatment to the rich and poor, industrialists and workers. Just like calling Nawaz Sharif Asif Zardari will neither change him as a person nor will it affect his hard learnt lessons in the sacred environment of Saudi Arabia, calling the poison a sweet name does not change its chemical composition and effects. It will play exactly the same role nature has assigned to it.
Now we come to the deliberate act of labelling the cyanide bottle as honey; either the doer of this act is psychologically sick, and in this case psychologists may add up a long list of technical terms. Or, in the other case, if he was well aware of the lethal properties of the compound, the doer must have some wicked designs, behind such a brutal act, which may vary from a poor housewife to our richest leaders, who represent the masses of poor and hungry.
Labelling the bottle, in simplest terms, is an act of communication, imparting of information. With the divine duty of guardianship, our democratic leaders communicate non-stop. What do we call them if they claim the existence of A, while actually it does not exist? What if they tell us that the substance in the bottle is honey, while actually it is cyanide?
Our respected and learned senators recently expressed their concerns about the democratic system and announced that conspiracies are being hatched against democracy. To understand the exact nature of democracy’s vulnerability, first of all, one needs to know the exact coordinates and physical features of our beloved democracy. Putting aside the state of democracy, I will appreciate if someone can confirm its existence in the land of the pure.
Long ago, as a student in junior grades, it was quite easy to learn its world famous definition: government of the people, by the people and for the people. This may be the case in other democracies but not in Pakistan. As an adult and having observed the state of affairs, the Pakistani version of democracy seems to be the government of the family, by the family and for the family. Before the government was the Zardari family and now it is the Sharifs’ turn.
Analyse the affairs of the state; Pakistan today will look like the ‘Islami Jamhuria Sharifia’. Nawaz Sharif serves his premiership for the third time, though he still needs to believe that he runs the show. Pray for his long life and he will never find anyone else to whom he may entrust the future of the nation. We still do not have a proper foreign minister because there is no family member available to fill the post. The people of Punjab have the honour to see Shahbaz Sharif as a chief minister, for a third time as well, and listen to his decade-old rhetoric day and night. Even if health does not allow, he is determined to continue issuing random and on the spot orders only to forget the previous ones. For the rest of Pakistan, since the supply of family members is limited, it could be left on its own. It is such a democracy for which the dictionary is of no help to understand the meanings of autocracy.
Four mainstream political parties run around one personality or family. The ruling party, the PML-N prides itself as the housemaid of Raiwind palace. The PPP, Bhuttos’ legacy, now resides in Zardari’s harem. The PTI is nothing but the shadow of cricket legend Imran Khan. And the Pakistani passport of Altaf Hussain is the top priority of the MQM. With such firm belief in the one man show, one wonders why we do not move towards the presidential system of government.
The journey of a democratic government starts from fair and free elections. The Pakistan Election Commission, in its nature and composition, can do anything except that. The funny thing about the general elections 2013 is that every political party complains of rigging. On May 11, Imran Khan lashed out at the government for its alleged role in rigging the 2013 parliamentary elections. He demanded the formation of a new and fully independent election Commission and vote verification in four constituencies. As believed by some, even if democracy is the name of impartial elections, what if the votes of citizens are hijacked? After all, no one can deny that political parties have developed hijacking people's opinion into a black art.
However, a democratic form of government is far more than this. Democracies prosper on some well understood and practiced values, attitudes, practices and principles. Adult citizens of a democratic government exercise power and civic responsibility directly or indirectly. Citizens are encouraged to shape their own future by the local government system. However, what an irony that the last time the elections for local government were held under the auspices of a military dictator. Consecutive democratic governments only found excuses to postpone having iron control on the usage of development funds. Thus, it does not matter if the citizens of Rawalpindi hate the so-called ‘jangla bus’; they have to suffer it as the Punjab CM needs a political show to prove him as a good administrator. It is nice to talk about the benefits of democracy on television shows and in the drawing rooms of Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. Democracy is the government of a majority but in our country it has become the constant and putrid tyranny of minority.
We may call cyanide honey but we cannot ignore the pungent fact that the government and state have become a courtesan to one family. We all know the political credentials and statesmanship of our respected incumbent president. All key ministries are filled not by the virtue of merit, rather on personal relation and loyalty basis. The democratic system of government is best as it allows the collective wisdom of society to come into action for the common good. But, what we see is that family decisions trickle down to the masses. Lack of vision and randomness is the law of the day. In a democracy, one is free to call a terrorist a martyr and civil dictatorship democracy. But, we must not forget that by changing labels, cyanide does not become honey.
Published at Daily Times on May 24, 2014
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Stop Cursing the Darkness and Light a Candle !
An impetuous and hasty nation are we, but over a time span of 63 years we have not yet determined the ingredients of our wish list. Since our independence in 1947 we are still to define our ultimate destination, not to mention mark the way to reaching that goal. We are like the voyager who knows not where he goes, yet travels hurriedly. We do not try to give meaning to our present; planning the future is always at the bottom of our agendas. Precious moments of our lives are passing, without us realizing the challenges of present and approaching times. If myopia dictates our policy makers and political brass, then the same malady is surely suffered by most change-seeking Pakistanis.
With the likely collision of two state institutions, judiciary and the government, lurking on the horizon, rumours of an eventual change are again in the air, which has left both opposition parties and people alike happy. Politicians awaiting their turn to plunder national resources, as a part of current opposition, are feeling more optimistic about having a share in the future government. The change, or demise of the ongoing government - which pushed corruption, inflation and nepotism to new heights - is a silver lining for ordinary people who find it hard to make ends meet.
It is true that the majority of people wish to see the back of an incumbent government, but it is also true that members of any successive democratic government will come from the same pool of leadership which seized and has held parliament since 2008. In simple words, any in-house change, or even fresh election, will return almost all the same faces to parliament. If current by-elections are any guide, then the next parliament is also expected to be a hung parliament. In any case, one thing is for sure, the current change means only a change of faces. The question therefore arises whether or not it is the change of persons in top jobs which we actually need. Will the departure of Zardari-led thugs solve our problems? Is there any guarantee that our future rulers will be any different from our current loathsome, corrupt, hoggishly self-centered, purblind, myopic leaders?
It is a palpable fact, and we must consciously realize it, that we have become hostage to a group of politicians, feudals, industrialists, bureaucrats and military generals. Individuals from this elite group show up in parliament to decide the fate of the nation. Thus, the change in this perspective will only mean that the names of the next pharaohs residing in the Presidential and Prime Ministerial houses will not be Asif Ali Zardari and Yousuf Raza Geelani. If we look at the political arena then it becomes very clear that if the next government is not more corrupt and dishonest, then at least it will equal the present government in looting the national wealth. Is it our fate that we will continue to allow exploitation of our national resources in the name of democracy? Are mothers in Pakistan giving birth to the slaves who will continue to be directed by a few families and their children? How long will we continue to be fooled by the delusion of change?
If the truth is unmasked then its face is extremely poignant and acrid. After six decades of repression we have become masochistic, and we enjoy being taken advantage of. On the eve of elections, we know very well that the politician in front of us is fraudulent and mendacious. His history reminds us that everything he is saying is anything but the truth. Going against our gut feelings, we not only believe him, but honour his mendacity with our valuable votes. When he starts grabbing the loaf of bread from our mouths, roof from our heads, and clothes from our bodies we start crying and accusing him of corruption and plunder. Honestly speaking, our parliamentarians and public representatives are innocent, since they do very honestly what they are made for.
Whether one agrees or not, our current government and members of parliament are the true and real representatives of our nation. Who do you consider a public representative? Someone who is authorised to represent his constituents. When people elect a representative, they actually define their own type of personality and character. For example, we can safely say about a parliamentarian who is elected on the ticket of a religious party, that the majority of his constituents are religious. To complain about our corrupt politicians is our favourite pastime and we never bother to look at our own image in the mirror. Let us ask a few questions about ourselves too. Is it not a fact that most of us prefer individual interests over national interests? And, is the one who puts the national interest first not considered to be an idiot by his fellow compatriots? Most of the people mix water in the milk, sometimes even that of dirty ponds, to increase their earnings. Are they not our Muslim brothers? Are those guys American citizens who deliberately sell expensive, counterfeit, life-saving drugs in our medical stores? Are the clerks, with their open palms, agents of Israel? Are the police, which also work as a personal force for MNAs and MPAs, a branch of villainous Blackwater? Were those mullahs, who provoke sectarian sentiments, trained and educated by Britain?
Literally, Pakistan means "a land of pure," but the decisive majority of its citizens is anything but. We have imprisoned ourselves in individual and personal cells. Our objectives and thoughts get strangled within the boundaries of limited personal space. Consciously or unconsciously, we are not only pulling each other's legs, but also cutting each other's throats. Our politicians and leaders are doing the same. They are just exposing our national character, which we have nurtured over the past six decades. In the presence of such pungent and acrid fact, our current politicians and leaders are the best we can ever have!
In its unit, the biggest ocean is nothing but a drop of salty water. As oceans are formed with the assemblage of lots of tiny drops, so are nations made by the amalgamation of individuals. The character of the majority of people reflects the national character. Simply speaking, change and refinement of a nation starts from our own personality, at a very micro level. If we really wish to change the outlook of Pakistan, we have to change ourselves first. Saying "no" to imposed rules, we have to empower sincere, skilled, and honest people from amongst ourselves, in our towns and cities, and entrust them with the responsibility of solving our social and political problems. The real change will come when the real representatives of the nation will be behind the wheel, steering the country.
It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness. Once one candle is lit the journey of illumination will follow. The everlasting change will only germinate from our streets, towns and cities, materialising the dreams of a prosperous and flourishing Pakistan. Otherwise, be perfectly clear, any change in the current government will only bring in new masters, with their empty coffers!
( This article is also published at The Statesman http://www.statesman.com.pk/ on October 7, 2010 )
With the likely collision of two state institutions, judiciary and the government, lurking on the horizon, rumours of an eventual change are again in the air, which has left both opposition parties and people alike happy. Politicians awaiting their turn to plunder national resources, as a part of current opposition, are feeling more optimistic about having a share in the future government. The change, or demise of the ongoing government - which pushed corruption, inflation and nepotism to new heights - is a silver lining for ordinary people who find it hard to make ends meet.
It is true that the majority of people wish to see the back of an incumbent government, but it is also true that members of any successive democratic government will come from the same pool of leadership which seized and has held parliament since 2008. In simple words, any in-house change, or even fresh election, will return almost all the same faces to parliament. If current by-elections are any guide, then the next parliament is also expected to be a hung parliament. In any case, one thing is for sure, the current change means only a change of faces. The question therefore arises whether or not it is the change of persons in top jobs which we actually need. Will the departure of Zardari-led thugs solve our problems? Is there any guarantee that our future rulers will be any different from our current loathsome, corrupt, hoggishly self-centered, purblind, myopic leaders?
It is a palpable fact, and we must consciously realize it, that we have become hostage to a group of politicians, feudals, industrialists, bureaucrats and military generals. Individuals from this elite group show up in parliament to decide the fate of the nation. Thus, the change in this perspective will only mean that the names of the next pharaohs residing in the Presidential and Prime Ministerial houses will not be Asif Ali Zardari and Yousuf Raza Geelani. If we look at the political arena then it becomes very clear that if the next government is not more corrupt and dishonest, then at least it will equal the present government in looting the national wealth. Is it our fate that we will continue to allow exploitation of our national resources in the name of democracy? Are mothers in Pakistan giving birth to the slaves who will continue to be directed by a few families and their children? How long will we continue to be fooled by the delusion of change?
If the truth is unmasked then its face is extremely poignant and acrid. After six decades of repression we have become masochistic, and we enjoy being taken advantage of. On the eve of elections, we know very well that the politician in front of us is fraudulent and mendacious. His history reminds us that everything he is saying is anything but the truth. Going against our gut feelings, we not only believe him, but honour his mendacity with our valuable votes. When he starts grabbing the loaf of bread from our mouths, roof from our heads, and clothes from our bodies we start crying and accusing him of corruption and plunder. Honestly speaking, our parliamentarians and public representatives are innocent, since they do very honestly what they are made for.
Whether one agrees or not, our current government and members of parliament are the true and real representatives of our nation. Who do you consider a public representative? Someone who is authorised to represent his constituents. When people elect a representative, they actually define their own type of personality and character. For example, we can safely say about a parliamentarian who is elected on the ticket of a religious party, that the majority of his constituents are religious. To complain about our corrupt politicians is our favourite pastime and we never bother to look at our own image in the mirror. Let us ask a few questions about ourselves too. Is it not a fact that most of us prefer individual interests over national interests? And, is the one who puts the national interest first not considered to be an idiot by his fellow compatriots? Most of the people mix water in the milk, sometimes even that of dirty ponds, to increase their earnings. Are they not our Muslim brothers? Are those guys American citizens who deliberately sell expensive, counterfeit, life-saving drugs in our medical stores? Are the clerks, with their open palms, agents of Israel? Are the police, which also work as a personal force for MNAs and MPAs, a branch of villainous Blackwater? Were those mullahs, who provoke sectarian sentiments, trained and educated by Britain?
Literally, Pakistan means "a land of pure," but the decisive majority of its citizens is anything but. We have imprisoned ourselves in individual and personal cells. Our objectives and thoughts get strangled within the boundaries of limited personal space. Consciously or unconsciously, we are not only pulling each other's legs, but also cutting each other's throats. Our politicians and leaders are doing the same. They are just exposing our national character, which we have nurtured over the past six decades. In the presence of such pungent and acrid fact, our current politicians and leaders are the best we can ever have!
In its unit, the biggest ocean is nothing but a drop of salty water. As oceans are formed with the assemblage of lots of tiny drops, so are nations made by the amalgamation of individuals. The character of the majority of people reflects the national character. Simply speaking, change and refinement of a nation starts from our own personality, at a very micro level. If we really wish to change the outlook of Pakistan, we have to change ourselves first. Saying "no" to imposed rules, we have to empower sincere, skilled, and honest people from amongst ourselves, in our towns and cities, and entrust them with the responsibility of solving our social and political problems. The real change will come when the real representatives of the nation will be behind the wheel, steering the country.
It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness. Once one candle is lit the journey of illumination will follow. The everlasting change will only germinate from our streets, towns and cities, materialising the dreams of a prosperous and flourishing Pakistan. Otherwise, be perfectly clear, any change in the current government will only bring in new masters, with their empty coffers!
( This article is also published at The Statesman http://www.statesman.com.pk/ on October 7, 2010 )
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