Amidst deliberations on national security, power crisis management, literacy, poverty and other subjects that actually matter - out of nowhere enters the pious, righteous man on a holy mission to purify. Mr Jamshed Dasti’s not-so-startling revelations regarding parliamentarians getting their buzz on and enjoying dance performances in parliament lodges has successfully indulged the people in their favorite pastime; being indulged. Mr Dasti’s antics fail to surprise. He has in no way surpassed expectations. At least, not of those who are familiar with his ‘illustrious’ but brief political career. Since being declared a fake degree-holder by a court of law, the nation has always looked towards him for moral guidance.
There are two broad categories of leaders. Most leaders focus their attention on improving the lives of their voters, and then there are those few exemplary figures that take up the enormous responsibility of saving us sinners from the wrath of hellfire. Mr Dasti has now fallen into the latter category after being unable to stand out in the former. His accusations may well be true. And he is surely within his rights to contact relevant authorities for redress. But presenting it as sensational breaking news before Parliament was just a tad off the priority radar. Furthermore, his suggestion to force parliamentarians to undergo blood testing is a slippery slope. Today they ask for blood tests to measure morality. Tomorrow they might require IQ tests to determine intelligence. If nothing else, that ought to deter Mr Dasti from prolonging his show.
Mr Dasti is doing what he needs to. The question is: What are we doing? Mainstream media’s obsession with ratings is actively enabling an environment which promotes rubbish. Has it really become impossible to say no to sensationalism? It certainly appears so. There is only so much good the celebrated ‘independent watchdog’ can do if it carries on the way it has so far.  The duplicitous and hypocritical reaction from the people is no less discouraging. Let us allow ourselves a rare moment of honesty. Pakistanis drink alcohol. Surely, parliamentarians, bureaucrats and generals are not the only ones. We pitch in. Some less, others more. So why the outrage? We are not fooling anyone but ourselves. Enough fun for now. Lets stop, and get back to work.