Time for a change!

Farasat Latif
In an era of social media war, achieving set political objectives is never an easy pursuit! Particularly when opposing forces can target your vulnerable soft corners through sheer ingress into your electronic machines and launch a media warfare.
9/11 totally changed the methodology of politics in many developing nations. Especially Pakistan, which in a very hostile environment, found it more than just a struggle to keep its head above water. The tragedy was far more than combating internal unrest and laying uncountable bodies in defence of motherland dressed in bloodbath which mankind may not have experienced in a long time.When the tempest dies down, the brains and bodies facing continuous relentless roar of thunder study the causes responsible for the terror and trauma nation faced.

Pakistan has to understand that war may have been thrust upon them by external forces but sadly tools used by the enemy for a war were made easily available to them from within the economically ,socially, politically frail nation still working on how to successfully eradicate the causes of erosion.
Time is a witness that in the military history of the world , victories achieved by armies are not singularly won by the soldiers in the battle field . Fuel comes from the nations unity, self belief that war they are fighting for is their war,against the whole nation and not just the duty of an army to defend the geographical boundaries , victory is always a dream .
If we were to carry out a study of Pakistan’s trauma of socio – economic- political instability, it would not be difficult to unearth the grounds on which the country laid the foundation of its progress , were not appropriately addressed. In fact causes were not dug deep enough keeping in view the catastrophic nature of issues faced by the country.
The authorities in control of affairs made experiments after experiments, the direction of which was more towards acquiring services of able individuals, known political figures rather than formulating long term durable political economic policies , redesigning or restructuring the failed system partially or totally in order to give a halt to its sliding fortunes .
Unless the nation realises that the “soft revolution through people “ not politicians is what they need, it is going to be another stone left unturned ,leaving the nation to face crisis after crisis .
The dark area unaddressed in its seventy years of history is the most ignorant population struggling to cope with financial assault by politicians, on a nation with a crippled economy, ripping them off their rights and eating their loaf of bread.
People clearly divided by caste system, arian, rajput, jut and many more ,and hence the system of elections bring the wrong people to power, resulting in even more injustice ,inequality and hunger deeper than ever before.
The religious division, Sunnis, Shias, Deobandi, Brelvi, all only adding insult to injury. No matter what kind of political experiment is put in place again, unless the eradication of flaws in a division within the country at grass root level are not addressed and removed, peace and prosperity will only remain a dream.
In this small para is a hidden message, that foundations of a viable solution need to be rock solid before embarking on wild ventures. We need to address the weak points which enemy hits with ease and comfort and enters the restricted zones which authorities find hard to defend.
Cure the cancer of “concept of individual superiority “, spread far deeper than in the society for the doctors’ microscope to diagnose. Lack of cohesion, cooperation, compatibility, at the very bottom of thought making process, is the need of the hour, keeping the loopholes firmly closed for the enemy to enter, is vital and needs to be taken head-on.This obviously is a gigantic task but no bigger than the towering torment caused to the public by the elected Parliamentarians who only enter the arena for a profitable business.
It is hard to defeat a united nation no matter how weak frail it may be economically, but a lot easier to enter geo political gaps created by lack of consensus of opinion on the basics by the people and politicians alike. Division within politicians on issues of national interests, such as defence, foreign affairs, and internal security make the task even harder for the pundits in power trying to find a long lasting solution to the ever falling fortunes of a nation trying to surface itself on international arena with strength.
The lethal question , inexplicable in one single small insufficient effort, can no way provide a comprehensive answer to the most complicated complex nature of problems being faced by a nation deeply engulfed in multi nature of issues. However, a very basic opinion can be floated for an open debate leading to a concentrated effort for a resolution of a possible solution.
The only time Pakistan ever flourished was under President General Ayub Khan when it successfully floated an image of a rising nation. His exit and events thereafter surfacing of Parliamentary form of government, transformation of power from President to Prime Minister proved to be devastating. Nationalisation of banks and industry, redesigning of socio-economic policies, an authoritarian rule in the garb of a political dressing did not pan out as planned.
Eventually, Martial laws, making experiments, one after another drafting policies designed by individuals, proved cancerous the results of which are still being experienced at every level.

Pakistan has given thirty years to Parliamentary form of government and decades to Martial law. The desired results still not achieved. Instead, the nation has gone backwards facing the complex nature of problems. It’s geopolitical situation demands reformation of its policies compatible to its internal and external needs, rather than the undue pressures and politics of its immature, hardly stable political system.

The crux of the issue is that democracies are designed for nations whose people understand the demands and complexities of its issues. For them who can stand up for their rights and tell the chosen electoral on their face when they go wrong.

The colossal damage caused by democracy in a developing nation is that it gives power in the hands of people who’s interests greatly vary from the national interests.
There is a conflict of interest to be more precise. The elected lot spends huge amount of money to come to power. It expects returns and dividends in quick time , without going into the debate of good or bad . Hence no matter how honest ,how hard working dedicated a ruler is at the top , the justice is impossible to reach at the very bottom.

In addition to education of people ,what is needed in the growing democracies in an honest judiciary at the lowest level ,accessible police at the village level unbiased to protect the rights of ordinary powerless citizens .
Where is the reality in a country like Pakistan is totally averse. Police and judiciary at the lowest level join hands with the powerful elected lot, leaving the much helpless voter as vulnerable as ever. The powerful feudal, caste and religious system in Pakistan is a huge barrier in the way of democracy, beyond any elected Prime Minister to surpass unless addressed in letter and spirit.
The greatest drawback with the present popularly elected Prime Minister of Pakistan is his thin majority in the Parliament, dangerously poised in a vulnerable weak position in a hostile arena, giving air to uncertainty not needed for a way forward.

As such a sword always hangs on his head and head of others with him that slight “attractions “here or there could easily break “the marriage of convenience“. This uncertainty is neither good for the economy nor for the progression of the country. Therefore the system in doldrums.
The present parliament is non-functional, not in a position to play any significant role for legislation.Government does not enjoy the numbers needed to pass any law. This is a great drawback and surely Imran Khan realises it fairly well. The Parliament, therefore ,for all practical purposes is powerless, not good enough for the reason it was elected!
The think tank has food for thought. If Pakistan could ever move forward ,it’s only chance is to take power away from the “middle man,”the barrier between the Chief Executive and the people, which is the elected lot . However before this could be pondered upon, one last chance could be given for the oxygen of democracy!
Its time to see what is good for the country ,not for the self confessed promises ,which may prove to be a hurdle for achieving set objectives . One such viable option could be to squeeze the “bandits “, to get the massive black money back, strike a financial package! .
Apparently this is being resisted by the Prime Minister. Rightly so as this is not what he promised to his countrymen. However a question therefore would be what good stolen billion dollar in foreign banks with no access what so ever by the government, specially when the country is in dire need of money?
And why let such massive amounts die down in a foreign land? Plus work a viable solution for Parliament to play a constructive role for which it was elected ! Dead money, dead Parliament, all so painfully stuck getting no where.
Country is passing through a silent , curious turmoil. There is lull in the air. Court cases, arrests, media noises, unrest , a kind of distressing uncertainty persisting for longer than needed. Something which is cancerous for political- economic progression.
That peace ,calm ,cool atmosphere is missing which is much needed by country and the public both for their spiritual contentment. The authorities need to understand that the persistent pressure of political uncertainty is causing chaos, a storm in ordinary man’s lives. Three decades of frauds, forgeries and fatalities have left them mentally wrecked and they are looking towards skies for tranquility promised time again and never delivered .

It’s time for a change in practice .

To add insult to injury ,constant rumours in the air , of different forms of government to replace present obsolete ,unworkable method of governance . What is much desired is a total control of government institutions by the government, which is the only way to deliver the goods in the quickest possible time. Democracy is designed for literate public who understand their rights and duties. Who can challenge an authoritarian rule and bring them to answer for their follies.
Under the given circumstances, where nothing is working at the moment , reforms apparently more on paper than on ground , public not feeling the change so often spoken about . The Presidential form of government assures to dish out good governance, gives much needed access to the public, which is now literally crying for delivery of goods they need so badly.
The lords, the rich, the police, the Shahs,the Tiwanas , the Rajputs, the Arains, the religious authoritarian impasse , and what not , all hurdles making impossible for the popularly elected government to move towards its target .

Food for thought and time is running out . This is the ideal time to push for prosperity with little or no opposition to resist the plans of the government. Remember time waits for no one. It is once in seventy years that three stars all working from the same platform , for the same dream , same defence and the same dividend dreamt by all and sundry.