I personally believe that the process of elections of May 11 was absolutely fair and transparent and the boycott of the opposition, led by PPP, was only an excuse for face saving. Despite my belief their statements as well as PTI’s protests have made it somewhat controversial. What I feel is that if the President has to be a totally neutral, impartial and a singular symbol of the unity of the federation, then why must he be a politician figure belonging to some particular party? See, how various political parties act and behave to field their own candidates and then try all sorts of maneuvering to get him elected?
A politician, howsoever he might try - resign his party membership, try to disassociate himself from the party that he once belonged to, etc. etc, simply cannot not have, in his heart a soft corner for the party that got him into the high office of the president of the country. Why can’t the political parties nominate non-political men of repute like, Judges, Academicians (Ph.Ds and Professors), eminent scientists, capable and honest bureaucrats, successful business entrepreneurs and even, if it doesn’t give them cramps in their stomachs, retired Generals, Admirals and Air Marshals.
After all the Kings and the Queens of England have not been fools to appoint many a Viceroy and Governor General from the armed forces in the common wealth countries stretching from Canada to Australia. Pray, tell me, why the President has to be a politician from a political party unless they want to use him in one way or the way for their own gain and game? What are they afraid of from a strictly neutral, impartial, honest and capable president?
COL (RETD) RIAZ JAFRI,
Rawalpindi, August 1.