Transparency, accountability and participation in decision making are essentials of good governance. Watchdogs are expected to ensure that government follows code of conduct and all processes are strictly legal and constitutional. Any criticism of government is valid only if reasonable, legal and constitutional course is followed. Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) and Imran Khan have failed to demonstrate tasteful behaviour since after the 2013 elections. Their continued over reactiveness to anything and everything that happens around is not in national interests. Imran Khan’s confrontational approach, over-aggressiveness and unending blame game has to end. The federation of Pakistan and Nawaz Sharif’s government have accommodated more than the PTI Chief deserved. People are fully conscious of the fact that Imran Khan’s confrontational politics is damaging to national democratic institutions and security of the state, specially in view of threats that Pakistan faces internally and externally. It is not easy to run a government in crises situations that the state of Pakistan faces. It is time that Imran Khan and his political party realise their responsibility to the state and to the people who had elected their representatives to the parliament, since after elections 2013 Imran has spent all time on agitation, sit-in and containers politics. His contribution in the parliament is zero. He has to think about this number and change himself for service to the people of Pakistan. He should think of going back to the parliament to make his contribution to developing policies that could help Pakistan move on the road to progress and positive thinking. He should personally go and congratulate the winner Mr. Ayaz Sadiq.
In the circumstances the country lives in, especially in context of terrorism, Imran Khan should extend his hand of cooperation to the government. This is expected of every patriotic Pakistan. There is a limit to which institutions could be pressurised. There is a method even in madness. With the right approach a political party has to prove itself deserving of the confidence of the electorate. Performance alone creates positive perception. Imran Khan seeing wrong doing in NA-122 by – election is not something unexpected. It sure is part of PTI’s strategy of confrontation by design. ECP rejects vote shift claims of PTI. Politics of threats and protests shows its face again. Imran should think in broader context of Pakistan’s need for peace, security and socio-economic development. As a leader of a major political party Imran Khan should join all efforts to overcome the Pakistan paradox and crises, involving multiple issues that need to be addressed with national consensus.
Saner elements in Pakistan expect a class of politicians who clearly and vividly understand their role and responsibility in truly representing the people in the parliament and in demonstrating tasteful behaviour. By-election campaign for a single seat in NA-122 has sent out wrong signals. The kind of unbecoming reflection and demonstration during the election campaign suggest that in context of behaviour and attitudes the contesting parties did not qualify to occupy prestigious and honourable position in the parliament. Perhaps they are not worthy of the honour that the people bestow on them. Sadly our politicians and their workers have not shown seriousness and keenness in identifying issues that have to be addressed. Time has come when we need to decide who should really be in the government. Parasites can no longer be tolerated to reign and command.
We need honest and capable individuals in politics who can counter the enemy campaigns against Pakistan for instance of Indian malicious anti-Pakistan campaign in the United States ahead of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s upcoming meeting with President Obama. Indian military presence in Afghanistan and cross-border attacks on Pakistan territory is a serious issue. We have to unite as a nation to project a unified national outlook. We shall not allow Indian propaganda to succeed as Indian falsely blame Pakistan for interference in Afghan internal affairs. Government and the opposition political parties in Pakistan have to be on the same page to counter Indian hate campaign against us.
Without envisioning a clear line of action and road blocks constructive change is not possible. Selective perceptions and biased approach are not of any help. Force field analysis involving objective investigation has been found a useful method to reduce the impact of negative forces by enhancing positive factors in a give situation. Resistance to change has to be overcome with the assistance of civil society, the elite and all stakeholders. Internal unity and united focus on issues is essential for stability and capacity building to successfully meet the challenges Pakistan faces. On the external front we seek friendly neighbourhood, no hostile attitudes and tensions. For going on the path to stability and real good of the people both India and Pakistan need to build trust and a strong base for peace in South Asia. Both Countries have the capacity to do this if there is a will.
Ongoing challenges of leadership have to be considered. There is need to understand the leadership styles that have helped nations to meet challenges in difficult times, civil-military interaction. Strategies evolved under ablest of leadership, and ways and means to make religious co-existence possible. Research and studies in culture and ethnicity can help to reduce the extent of extremism, violence and its extreme shades that appear in terrorism.
I tend to agree that there is much more to a Muslim’s identity than theological adherence. Religious coexistence can be made possible by adopting and adapting to Muslim pluralism as an essential factor of culture. That course we need to follow in Pakistan to eliminate terrorism.
Let us consider what we can and should do. The Supreme Court of Pakistan has established that there is light at end of the tunnel.
Cultural and ethnic identity renders politics dysfunctional. Extremism turns into violence. The ugly mode is terrorism. The best counter-terrorism strategy would be to fight and talk. In case it does not work the only choice available is to cut terrorism from its roots. It means identifying terrorists support and to fight against them as well on diplomatic and political front. At the end of the day the clear need is to organise and revitalise politics. Politicians and political parties need to find time to ponder on this proposition. Currently they seem to be occupied by blame game.