KhanIsKhan
Politcal Worker (100+ posts)
[h=4]Umar Naveed[/h] No statistics are required or indeed needed to be banded out for it to be evident that the overwhelming majority of the Pakistani population is not represented according to the current political system in place. The problems are so vast and extensive that they stretch the length of the Indus River. It is not wrong to speculate or affirm that the pendulum is clearly in favor of what is more wrong currently in our nation than what is right. Our economy is on its knees, basic necessities are now a luxury, industry is close to collapse and the divide between the rich and poor has never been more apparent.
Many have argued and will continue to do so that until Pakistan elects a charismatic, influential and trustworthy leader nothing will change. However, look more closely to the surface and the problem of consecutive failed leaders is just the tip of the iceberg. It is the system which is the problem and not the leader. Dont get me wrong, the leaders Pakistan has elected in the past or those who have usurped power have been a stain on this nation. Nonetheless, it is the system itself which has given such individuals, the opportunity to be seated on such prestigious thrones.
The structure currently in place heavily safeguards the rights and interests of the rich and aristocrats and continually marginalizes against the poor. It has always protected the 5 to 10% elite in society and sheltered their vested interests at the expense of the rest of the population. The laws made are always passed to favour the rich and their political and social aspirations whilst the poors interests, needs and demands are scarcely highlighted, fought for or even openly discussed on various platforms. It is all a fantasized drama, and the promises made by politicians in todays day and age, are nothing more than token gestures which are clearly hollow and never followed through.
The problem begins well before the elected people begin their stint as MNAs in parliament. From the start of campaigning to be elected, the dirty games are apparent. First and foremost in any other democracy across the world the main tool an aspiring politician has is his manifesto. This manifesto lets YOU the voter, gage in to the mind of the individual hoping to be elected, by looking at his stance on burning issues and what he ultimately will do to rectify them once in power. How many politicians are there in Pakistan who primarily has a manifesto? And for those who do, how many fulfill any of the promises they make in their campaign to be elected?
Furthermore the extravagant expenditure in place to guarantee votes in elections is astounding and another continual struggle in the game of politics. Candidates can spend millions upon millions in securing votes. This is done through political pressure, fear, rigging, and monetary incentives for voters and at times even political assassinations to ward off opposing candidates from contesting. With such financial muscle how can a common man expect to run for office? Unless you are bankrolled by a lucrative backer or from your own accumulated wealth, it is guaranteed that you will fail before you even begin. It really does not matter if you are a more educated or qualified candidate. Money in this instance really does talk.
With such disdain against the current electoral system it is no surprise when we look at the statistics of voting number how it has dramatically decreased as time has evolved. The turnout of the people in the elections of 1977 was a healthy 63%- by 1987 this has declined to 43.7%. This further fell to 35.42% in 1997 and by 2005 it was at its lowest ebb with representation of LOCAL councilor elections being a pitiful 30%. By observing simple statistics it is clear that the population has lost faith in the system and there is a general acceptance that corruption is part and parcel of society, and that it plays a major role in the selection of individuals to positions of responsibility in government.
The issue of winning horses is also crippling the nation. If an independent party wins in their respective areas, a bidding war will then ensue from major political parties across Pakistan to secure their cooperation. The winning candidate does not look at the political aspirations of these parties nor do they observe whether their beliefs are compatible with their own. It all comes down to money and who is willing to part with the most to secure their approval and association.
Once victory is secured, the losing party is always subject to ridicule, humiliation, and harassment after their loss for solely trying to contest with the eventual winner. And what is the reason behind this? For simply daring to oppose your opponents thought process? This is not democracy.
The only people or parties which gain from such murky political endeavors are the rich, landowners, aristocrats, thieves, con artists and general people who would not be trusted if brought forward in a court of law. Is this the Islamic System Quaid-e-Azam strenuously fought for? Are these the only viable nominees left to contest the leadership of our country?
Is it therefore any surprise that once elected, these individuals bring about no change? They are in the position where they are for their own financial and social gain. The general public, their rights and needs are continuously overlooked and ignored. This is the reason that successive governments have thus collapsed whereby they cannot fulfill their 5 year tenures. The reasoning behind this is because the country for the last 60 years has constantly been in political, economic, social and moral turmoil.
This argument is not a modern phenomenon either. Failed leaderships are conversely then overtaken by martial law to stabilize the country. It happened when Ayub Khan came in, it happened again with Zia-ul-Haq and more recently again with Pervez Musharaaf. If the same pattern emerges again and again it cannot be construed as a coincidence.
How can people live in a country and expect it to succeed and flourish when corruption is evident in all walks of life. The exact people that make the laws and those who are tasked in implementing these legislations are themselves the most corrupt. Corruption therefore breeds further corruption and it then trickles down to the common man whereby it is viewable in sports, business, religion, trading, industry and so forth. Further still wages do not reflect the inflation in the country. Everything has increased in price whether it is food, gas, petrol, electricity, land yet the wages have not increased in time. Forget about prospering as a nation currently, people are unable to keep their head afloat at this bleak time.
This therefore goes to show that the election of a leader or political party cannot bring about the change that is craved. A lot more is required than just one leader being changed. With the current system in place, even 10 elections will not bring about the required level of transformation which can take Pakistan out of the abyss it is currently engulfed in. It is the system which needs reform and not who is sitting pretty as the Prime Minister or President in the coming years. And until the nation realizes this and stands up for what is their democratic right nothing will change. Is this not the truth?
Allama Muhammad Iqbal, a national hero and treasure once remarked, People who have no hold over their process of thinking are likely to be ruined by liberty of thought. If thought is immature, liberty of thought becomes a method of converting men into animals. Does this thought process not reflect upon the current state of Pakistan? Iqbal wanted a Pakistan- a nation for the Muslims separate from India. However this quote is still relevant today despite 60 years of freedom and almost 100 years after it was initially quoted by Iqbal. We live in a state where equality, freedom of speech and peaceful co-existence is still a dream despite this all being promised to us upon independence.
A whole host of changes are required. The nation needs to bring proportional representation in to the system. How can it be that in a district of 10,000 for instance, where only 5,000 vote, the person who wins by a mere 8 to 10 votes is elected as the overall leader? Proportional representation must be incorporated. Furthermore education must be promoted. We are the neighbors of India yet our literacy rate pales compared to theirs. How many academics do we have who are very well versed in the English Language? If they are around, it certainly isnt visible. The sad reality is that some leading politicians are not even equipped to run the departments they are currently heading.
Until major reforms are not made, this country will never stabilize itself. The potential of the youth is this country is unlimited- the sky is indeed the limit. However we must break the door first in order for such talented people to be recognized and then put in appropriate positions for them to prosper.
Until we do not stabilize our country and have stringent accountability in all forms there is no point holding any further elections as nothing will be amended. For a successful change it is not enough that there is just discontent. What is required is a profound and thorough conviction of the justice, necessity and importance of political and social rights. We are not talking about revolution as it is perceived in current times. We need a social revolution, a political revolution, an academic revolution, a moral revolution and most importantly a revolution of the mind. This across the board change will only occur when the people whose rights have been discarded, stand up and no longer accept such a totalitarian regime.
People need to stand up for their basic rights and simply not accept their fate. If Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and the other Arab Nations can stand up to the dictatorial rule imposed on them for the last 3 to 4 decades, Oh Pakistan Nation, why are you still sitting quietly while your basic human rights are being taken from you? Do you not deserve better? Something basic which is seen as a necessity and not luxury (electricity) cannot even be provided by this current government. How can a nation thrive, succeed or even come in to the 21st Century with such lack of basic requirements?
Remember Zardari is not your enemy, nor is the Muslim League or MQM, PTI or any other political party. The Pakistani nations biggest enemy is the failed system which systematically protects the elitist monopolistic few who benefit and prosper from it.
The plan put in place by Dr Muhammad Tahir ul Qadri is the only realistic and practical option we currently have. No offence to any other leaders out there, especially the sincere ones, however your own ideas will not be enough to bring about the desirable change as it is the system which is the biggest issue here which is grasped in the hands of a select few with an iron fist.
Dr Qadris idea for Pakistan is one which will rid us of the threat of terrorism, give women an equal voice in society, and provide education, respect, food and shelter to the poor. However one solitary voice will not be able to appease the 180million population who are crippled with such injustices.
In order to move forward the people of Pakistan will need to stand up and be counted. YOUR VOICE MUST BE HEARD. You must ensure that a new system is put in place where the mandate is changed and respectful, patriotic, noble and dedicated people are brought forward to take this country out of the dark hole it is currently imprisoned in. It is you the people who must take those hard steps to begin to bring social and moral change to protect the freedoms which are your unequivocal rights. Take off those imaginary shackles you are chained up to, and contest for the things that are justly yours.
Dr Qadri is the only beacon of hope that is left for the sorry state we are currently in. Join this movement on the 23rd of December 2012. For one day, forget your allegiances and alliances and come in your droves not for a particular person or party but for the sake of Pakistan. We must save the state first before we can even begin to save our politics.
http://www.saach.tv/2012/12/01/flaw...435357_1147985_280130822089491#fb0ad5e99a9f88
