Naushaba Abid
SHAFAQNA PAKISTAN (Shia News Agency)
Finally PTI and PAT marches crossed the red line, Imran Khan declared civil disobedience with ultimatum, Tahir ul Qadri re-asserted his demand to Register FIR against all those involved in killing the peaceful people at Minhaj ul Quran and arrest of all those involved; how this all it possible, the time will tell. That will be another discussion but, when one says “why?”, the answer is very clear and straight; injustice or doubt of injustice to PTI in general elections, and massacre of unarmed 14 PAT people; and still continuing indifference of the government towards the PTI / PAT demands.
It is itself a serious question that if system didn’t play any role to the leader of political party and a leader who enjoys the total allegiance and obedience of his ideological followers, how a common man can get any relief. Both are actually compelled to do so by our own system. We know we all have limited time span for tolerance more or less. They are lamenting for a year about the issue to the government, Election Commission and other responsible institutions for but all in vain. Unfortunately we believe in slogans; we have attributed ‘Jamhooriat’ to a group of influential families or individuals; we don’t understand that ‘Jamhooriat’ is the participative will of the ‘Jamhoor’ – the people at large. It is the will of the people that matters in ‘Jamhooriat’(democracy); only going for elections after a stipulated time, getting votes (mandate) from the people to govern them, does not in anyway mean that now the people after electing a person or a party, which proves to be a wrong decision, can not rectify their mistake and compel the elected rules turned despots, to behave or exit.
It is also immaterial to say that someone is not in the Parliament; hence he can not raise a voice or lead the disgruntled and frustrated masses. The right to assembly guaranteed by the Constitution is for any citizen of Pakistan and is not restricted to a landlord, a feudal lord or an influential person. It is rather worse to claim the representative of the masses and grinding one‘s own axe and concentrate on money making, fleecing the poor people through heavy taxation and nurturing one’s own family and friends.. Prima-facie, the demands are based on principles of justice and equity and the Constitution and law do not restrict a person or a group of persons to raise voice against injustice, corruption, nepotism, exploitation, insecurity, hunger, poverty and all acts violating the first forty Articles of the Constitution; rather it is the Constitutional obligation of the State (government) to address all these anti-Constitutional factors, hampering the life of the people of Pakistan.
Government has to take serious steps with political maturity and consultation. Apparently it is a kind of situation that has almost hijacked Islamabad and its residents are in trouble. There is shortage of vegetables, medicines, milk and other items of daily use that has already been reported. Whatever is being done by the government is ‘too little, too late and hopeless’, yet aggressive statements from the worthless ignorant Ministers are suicidal, non serious and un-understandable even in this situation. At least they should resolve this as soon as possible. Government has to take people of Pakistan seriously and other political concerns of political parties. Ministers are handling the issue as opposition vs opposition and there is no government. It should also be clear that democracy is the name of the will of the masses which is being reflected through the followers of Imran and Qadri, who have found in them the leaders to express their discontentment against the ruling elite.
It could have been more appropriate and reflective of political sagacity if the Prime Minister could, in his address to the nation, had endorsed the public grievances highlighted by the Marches, promised to resolve them in consultation with leaders of public opinion, removed the manifestations of nepotism by replacing Maryam Bibi by a renowned man of integrity, asking Hamza to behave, ordered probe into the four disputed constituencies and allowed the law take its course in matters like killings at Minhajul Quran Secretariat. At least his third term Premiership could have been saved.
pakistan.shafaqna.com
