In Khyber Pakhtun Khwa since
more than a decade there had been a great turbulence. Talibans had given a blow
to socio economic progress in this province especially. All the inhabitants had
suffered either directly or indirectly due to this hullabaloo. The government
had taken a firm decision to launch an operation to root out the threat of
terrorism but the agitations of Imran Khan and Dr Tahir ul Qadri left no stone
unturned to undo these efforts as the attention of authorities remained focused
on providing security to protestors.
The political leaders in the parliament however vowed to strengthen the
democratic process. The clear message is given to the revolutionaries that now
on the behest of any single person no coup would take place. It shows the
supremacy of parliament which is a good sign.
The actual thing is the support which must be rendered to democratic system. PPP
also supported this cause to safeguard the parliament. It reveals that the
political parties of Pakistan have learnt the lesson that any confrontation
among their quarters would lead to the devastation of the democracy.
The PM displayed a great role in tackling with this issue by resorting to
political maturity. In his recent visit to China, PM has signed 21 new
agreements relating to energy sector. This visit would be very helpful to finish
energy crisis in Pakistan. It would be a good precursor to overcome the crisis
created by protests.
Moreover during his visit to UK he inaugurated Pakistan-UK Energy and Investment
Conference which would aim at mitigating energy shortage in Pakistan. Hence
social and economic growth in Pakistan has shown progress as a result of these
visits.
One very interesting debate ensues upon as a result of these dharnas which is
their importance as a medium of social change. It is said that these protests
contain a symbolic significance and their impacts are very visible on the whole
society. They have sent feelers to both the ruler and the ruled. They indicate a
crisis on economic, political and governance level. They indicate that the
politicians failed to come to some consensus on their own. This is a time for
political class to think that the protests are not against the Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif’s government. They are against the judicial system, inflation, load
shedding and many other institutions. It is a frustration cry against the
failures of 68 years.
The problem with the Pakistani nation is that it lives in a fleeting mode. Years
ago I read that the need of hero is always felt in a chaotic society. And why we
need heroes even after so many years of independence is self evident. The system
is in dire need of change. The protests serve as the wake up call for all the
institutions as well. Also a great responsibility lies on the revolutionary
leaders like Imran Khan and Dr Tahir ul Qadri that if they think they have
helped the people wake up from a deep slumber then they must lead them to the
correct path. Simply waking up is not enough. The impetus they have triggered on
account of their charisma and eloquence must be converted into the positive
force with due astuteness and a optimistic strategy. In this way it is a great
test of their insight as well. The focal point is and must be the welfare of
Pakistan.
There are lessons for the sitting government to learn. They symbolized some sort
of tussle between the government and the protestors. The rulers have to see
where they wavered and which gabs are to bridge in. What were the flaws that
situation took to such extreme that the charged crowd had to lodge huge protests
and come on roads. They are thus a persuasive source of bringing a sort of
change in the contours of governance. The courage of the people who participated
in the sit ins have to be accepted that they challenged the system and brought
to the forefront their grievances.
The charges leveled against the government about the kitchen cabinet’s decision
making that seeped in policy formulation of the economic and other concerns
should also be a matter of concern for them so that in future no such situation
occurs. Prime Minister has to see how to improve the system against which the
people are raising their voice. Whether it is through amendment in laws or
starting some reform process, but he has to think as a seasoned politician to
deal with this state of affairs and I firmly believe that he has throughout
behaved very assiduously.
The huge focus was levied on advocacy of social justice, about the tax
collection system, delayed development projects. It was the demand of an
educated and aware Pakistani who would be no more oppressed and has barefacedly
refused to serve as serf as in the early times.
A new political culture is developed now indicating that the educated people of
Pakistan are now limiting their demands not only to basic amenities like food,
clothing and housing, they are also inquisitive about the equitable distribution
of resources.
On one hand people show distrust to heavy mandates and on the other hand we see
that the huge crowds also fail to achieve its objectives. It shows a chaotic
society where nothing is clear. Everything is in a terrible mess and
uncertainty. So much confusion prevails. Yet the same situation may be the
portent cause of ushering a new era of revival. When the people start realizing
about the problem and a malady, they are sure to locate the remedy as well.
One other factor is also noteworthy. Now simply on the basis of gathering a huge
crowd would be no more successful in obliging the agenda of a particular person.
On the other hand the character defamation in the rallies of protest leaders is
lampooned heavily by media and intelligentsia of the society. Protest is the
democratic right but one has to see that there must be a limit to the limit of
freedom of protest. One can have objections over policies but the character
assassination is not a sign of a civilized society in any way.
The media must perform a non partisan role. It should try to bring to the masses
the actual facts rather than becoming the mouthpiece of a particular party. One
politician has expressed the views that he thinks media as the biggest
establishment in Pakistan. It played a role in discrediting PPP, reinstatement
of Chief Justice and in the recent coverage of dharna, it is contributing
greatly in shaping up public opinion. Its positive, constructive role coupled
with social service can help in subsiding the wave of unrest in the country.