Mian Shahbaz Sharifs idea of the different stakeholders in Pakistans well-being, such as the judiciary, the army and, of course, politicians, getting together to chart a course of action that could avert the disaster, which appears to be looming on the horizon, must be viewed against the backdrop of the situation prevailing in the country. There is no doubt that optimism in the face of a challenge is a sterling quality that can enable one to get over any situation, howsoever tricky it might be. And to strengthen the spirit of optimism there does exist in the country great potential, both human and natural, which could be exploited to great advantage to the nation. There is, therefore, an urgent need to seriously reflect on the causes of the precipitous and all-round decline in values that has brought the country to a pretty pass, and think of reversing the trend to serve national interests, as the Punjab Chief Minister remarked while talking to the media after launching anti-polio campaign in Lahore on Sunday. There is no crime, big or small, even wilful acceptance of diminished sovereignty and open loot and plunder of the country that the nation is not witness to. Not only the resistance to present before the court the citizens who have mysteriously gone missing, but also untraced instances of thefts and robberies and even petty crimes like snatching purses and cellphones have become the rule, pointing to a multidimensional malady society is afflicted with. Demonstrating blissful denial of this reality, the ruling classes have come to treat this as something unavoidable. They openly defy judicial decisions, something not heard of in the not-too-distant past. Nor one could recall leaders charged with graft and corrupt practices unabashedly sticking to their seats of power in the past. And then there is an unending flow of meaningless rhetoric. However, the problems are so severe and the scenario so grim that the mutual wrangling of politicians is of little interest to the general public. But the gravest is the threat to countrys integrity, with foreign elements inciting dissidents to resort to violent means to achieve their ends; and, indeed, our participation in the war on terror has become a veritable yoke of servitude to the superpower, thanks to the rulers callous disregard of national interests and their penchant for personal gains. It is here, if for nowhere else, that Mian Shahbazs suggestion to bring all concerned about the welfare of Pakistan on board to chalk out a national policy sounds relevant. The idea is not to give the army a dominant role, but to seek its inputs on matters relating to security and what impinges upon this vital aspect, especially in the context of today. The judiciary, no doubt an institution that is concerned only with compliance of constitutional provisions and the rule of law, should as well be consulted for working out a method that makes sure that its verdicts are obeyed; for it would be hard to argue the point that in the current deteriorated political climate, judicial decisions hold the key to turning the ominous tide of events.