I wonder why the politicians don’t want to believe that the establishment want democracy in the country consisting of honest, competent politician who themselves are democrats and are able to tackle and solve the problems faced by the people and country. Speaking on a point of order in the senate PPP Stalwart Raza Rabbani while referring to Dr. Qadri’s Long March cautioned against more efforts to derail democracy in the coming days to get the general election postponed. He said, “A conspiracy has been hatched against the democratic system a few days ago, a failed attempt had been made to murder democracy in front of parliament house”. The revolution never came about but he believes that it is not the last such attempt. Mr. Rabbani also said that the role of the ruling elite in the appointment of a caretaker setup and Chief Election Commissioner has been eliminated through 18th and 20th amendment.
He rejected Dr Qadri demands for 30 day period for scrutiny of nomination papers of candidates intending to contest election under Article 62 and 63 of the constitution as having no basis. Mr Rabbani is forgetting that just the other day, the CEC appreciated and welcomed the 30 day period for scrutiny of candidate’s nomination papers. My question to Raza Rabbani is who is the real enemy of democracy? It is those who seek continuation of a dysfunctional democracy which failed to deliver on all key fronts during the last five years or the establishment?
Due to the inability of the PPP coalition government to deal with the key challenges apparent in the present crisis of governance, economic mismanagement, rampant corruption, crime, terrorism and the crumbling writ of the state that now pose the greatest threat to both democracy and the country. People have paid heavy price to preserve the flawed democracy during the last five years.
Which political party except MQM is having members in the assemblies from the middle class? Dr. Tahirul Qadri’s agenda is to replace the mediaeval feudal and tribal system with modern democratic institutions. Majority of people are in favor of democracy but are not prepared to accept the tested old politicians for another five years.
S.T. HUSSAIN,
Lahore, January 22.