The joint parliamentary session had drawn to a conclusion. There were handshakes all around. It was a ‘triumph’ for the parliament and democracy. It was apparent that all were on the same page; even Shah Mehmood Qureshi sounded a bit defensive, and condemned the attack on his ‘political kaa’ba’. After all, it is the parliament we are talking about. Anyone who dares flout its sanctity is a ‘terrorist’ and ‘an enemy of the state,’ it doesn’t matter if those sitting in it are corrupt, criminals or even murderers. Meanwhile, the people of Pakistan continue to live in abject poverty, prolonged load-shedding, and sky high inflation which has broken the back of the poor. Justice is not available, unemployment is at a rise. The rich are getting richer and the poor, poorer.
Democracy has indeed won, but who said it has got anything to do with all of this. Democracy has done what it does; protect the personal interests of a select few who call themselves the so called representatives of the people. Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri continue to vociferously express their resentment at the corrupt sitting inside the parliament, often asking “Is this democracy?” Well, sorry to disappoint you, but yes sir, this is exactly what democracy is in Pakistan.
MOAZ MOBEEN,
Islamabad, September 3.