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Of People n' Politics!
by
Mumtaz Hamid Rao
A fluid scenario—an upshot of the fiasco, generated amidst the medley of divergent
perceptions of a few political heavy-weights—is prima facie—posing perils to the dynamism of a
long-awaited democratic rule in Pakistan.
Going by the index of the note-book, the fact stems as clear as crystal that a new abysmal facet
comes insight—with the advent of every dawn. Its’ manifested by a diverse outlook which emanates from
the staggering views—being beamed to the nation—with one viewpoint or the other—explicitly on the
litigious issues—with the Legal Framework Order [LFO] as the focal point.
No doubt—in an arena of politics—it’s a bona fide right of everyone to make use of the right of the
freedom of expression to the optimal—n’ in whatever fashion, the one feels apposite, yet every
erudite society applies this parameter with a zest to shield a system, with acceptance of precedents
n’ realism.
Of-course with the emancipation of such an environ—minds are applied with all fairness to clutch a
goal in the best interest of the populous, setting side all types of egoism, even if it is reckoned
as pragmatic to a specific set of an entity. The acknowledged axiom of ‘a government by the people,
for the people n’ of the people’ magnifies the impact for reflecting the bona fide aspirations of an
electorate in place of a peculiar perceptive. Paradoxically—we try to eschew this mindset, setting
aside the ‘experiences’ of the gone-by days n’ eventually land into a setting—which neither the
people nor their envoys would—legitimately—like to glimpse or gaze at.
We ought not to stay away from the lessons of the history, which—by all acuteness—stands as a podium
to divulge a de facto path to lift the nations’ image to a lofty magnitude—beyond oceanic as well as
pave a resilient way for the opening of vistas of peace, progress n’ prosperity to attain a real
affluence—a longtime dream of the laypeople. With no private leaning at all, every realistic soul—as
I look at it—would bear with the remarks of Prime Minister Jamali—wherein he envisions that the
political hubbub has—by n’ large one of the main factors that Pakistan could not get it re-admitted
in the fold of Commonwealth.
Its’ evident from the statement of the CW’s Secretary General, Don McKinnon wherein he has spelled
out ‘ifs n’ buts’ [without any reservations] vis-ŕ-vis Pakistan’s re-entry even applying the jargon
of ‘monitoring’ our domestic affairs—for deliberations—at a follow-up stage—n’ that too in the
company of a ‘euphoric rep’ from a country—India which has always been antagonistic towards Pakistan,
creating hazards for us to thrive in the comity of nations.
As a matter of fact, New Delhi still suffers from the phenomenon of restiveness—perceptibly due to
Pakistan’s global esteem n’ adore—bestowed in the post-Nine/Eleven awful episode—as Islamabad
zestfully came out to join the US-led anti-terrorism crusade against heavy odds, because this
sanctified soil—too—has been a target of terrorist acts, unleashed by the radical n’ fanatic agents
of its neighbour—India. Every-one—irrespective of a peculiar view knows that Pakistan—in the current
epoch—is passing through a crucial stage—on multiple dimensions.
Hence its’ an apt n’ pertinent time—especially for the elected lawmakers to thwart each n’ every
ferocious approach of the foes—like India, which can very expediently be made possible via a singular
gauge—the absolute unity amongst their ranks—putting aside their political penchant or propensity—at
least till the time the lovely homeland is blessed with a stable democratic course. The eyes of the
entire nation are focused on their stance—with a trust that they will not let down the guiltless
people—by placing the proceedings of the government-opposition dialogue in the elfin files of the
apex body—the National Assembly’s secretariat—the venue of almost a month-long interaction.
Its’ not a piece for thought for the opposition alone—but is simultaneously meant for those—in the
corridors of power, steering the multifaceted affairs of the country. A room for accommodation has
always existed in the history of dazzling—Pakistan.
If the rules—initiated by the Ayub Regime or far that matter ‘the law of necessity’—the trait n’
hallmark of Zia-ul-Haq—could be allowed to persist as valid n’ justifiable—what are the impediments
in the way of backing the rules composed by President Musharraf for the governance of the State’s
affairs? A lack of consensus—at this stage—may—eventually—situate the nation in a delineate, far
afield ones’ mind's eye.
The nation’s verdict—via the Oct-10 polls—[irrespective of dissimilar views, aired by assorted sets]
had virtually put the galaxy of politicians at the bay of an enormous test for the restoration of a
lasting democratic rule as none could grip a discernible majority to form a government—without any
obstacle.
While the interaction amongst the apex headship of manifold parties and alliances went on unabated
for quite sometime, ever since the decree of the winners—ultimately breaking the ice towards the
composition of the Lower House of the Parliament—under a mutually-agreed modus operandi as to who was
to head the treasury benches and who will have to occupy the differing seats.
Obviously the politicians deserve all extol for bringing the visible deadlock to an end. Though two
parties, the PML [QA] and PPP-P plus the Muthida Majlis-e-Amal [MMA] did surface on the national
polity without a specific mandate, a sort of political fiasco—did emerge. Yet—true to the people
aspire; a way-out was made available for smooth sailing, as envisioned by the egalitarian pundits in
the silhouette of a coalition for the re-emergence of the dawn of an era of democracy after a pause
of almost three years.
An immense responsibility thus—now—rests with the lawmakers to work out a mutual formula, reflecting
the aspirations of the people, who have reposed confidence on them, with savor and finest reliance,
that with the return of a democratic era, their representatives will—go by the words, they had aired
via their speeches n’ manifestos.
Its’ an acknowledged fact, accepted by the global community with a down-to-earth concur that
President Pervez Musharraf has accomplished his commitment with the nation within the time frame,
given to him by the Supreme Court, by holding general elections in a free, fair and transparent way.
Now—with the fresh environment—the ball is roving in the arena of politics, which has to set off a
decisive role for the transformation of the set-up into a democratic structure—of course—by touching
the zeniths of an allure—in the same style—they did in the post-election era for the re-birth of the
Parliament—by bailing Pakistan—out of the on-going political uproar—expectantly—by flaking the taut
posture on the touchy topics through an amiable way—for the continuation of a parliamentary form of
authority as its pedestal—lest a choice for a newest milieu shells.
One can at the best hope that the magnificent n’ dynamic political headship—would finally translate
the nation’s fabulous dream into a reality through a candid n’ transparent vision—marked by the
emotions of goodwill n’ amity amongst their lines to make each n’ every dilemma, which appears as a
fascia get evaporated—for all times to come, as neither the exchequer can pay for the opulence of
cyclical polls—nor the people seem in such a mood.
The author is a noted journalist, political analyst and ex-Director News Pakistan TV.
Source:
by courtesy & © 2003 Mumtaz Hamid Rao
by the same
author:
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