Well well, there we are again. Pakistani politics
going one step forward and two steps back. We just refuse to grow up
politically, institutionally and yes democratically. It requires a serious
anthropological study as to why, we are like that. I mean like the way we are
which is bizarre and abnormal to say the least. Even after 70 years of our
genesis we are still not sure what kind of political system we want. In recent
years, may be a decade or so, being supporter of democracy has somewhat emerged
as a fad. However, it is not that simple. A segment of our society wants
democracy but it must be "controlled". Much like a remote control
plane which gives a semblance of a free flight in the air but is actually
controlled by someone on ground. Someone who is stable, not corrupt, sincere,
sane, educated (ahem) and a true patriot. Because the free flying elected
representatives are devoid of all such traits and to top it all the electorate
is not mature and educated enough, yet, to choose the right candidates. So, we
need someone to tell us from time to time that who is a right choice and who
isn't. By chance if the poor electorate chooses a 'wrong' one, there is some
intricate, hidden, a bit treacherous yet absolutely correct and highly
patriotic system of elimination for such dirty eggs.
To be fair, Pakistan is in the midst of a war. A
war of narratives and mindsets. We have absolutist, elitist and self righteous
lot. We have people on the other side of fence who vouch for democracy, free
thinking, freedom of choice but they also champion mediocrity and incompetence.
Tough choices, eh ....
So the weak-hearted cave in, in the favor of the
mighty ones. Why take pains to go through the excruciatingly painful,
patience-demanding and unforeseeably long path of setting things in their right
order. It is really testing to let the system mature, take shape and jell in
properly. We are much like the child who sows a seed in a pot and then digs it
every day to see why it has not sprouted yet. We just keep digging the frail
and fragile seed of democracy and then wonder, "Why aren't we getting the
fruits of democracy"? Should we call it sweet and simple or idiotic and
vile? Well people standing on that side of narrative fence cover the whole
spectrum; from simpletons to vicious conspirators.
So where do we really stand? Still at square one
or have we covered few inches at snail’s pace? Few paces on ground and
materially speaking, may be; but the war of mindsets is hitting its ugliest
battlegrounds just yet. We are far from maturity, stability and consensus on
fundamentals as a nation. We need serious social scientists, philosophers and
thought givers who may guide us through turbulent times ahead. People, who
would selflessly dedicate their lives to study, research and analyze the
complicated and deep rooted issues of Pakistani society, politics and governance.
They can be many with differing opinions but if they are intellectually honest
then they can surely save the day for the nation.
However, having said that no single messiah can
rescue the whole nation. Even thought givers can suggest directions. They are
not magicians or soothsayers, no one is! Sooner or later, by love or hate, WE
as individuals shall have to realize that it is the collective wisdom of the
whole nation which carries a country forward. No single person or a group of
hidden few can rescue the country. It is the collective wisdom, manifested by
postulates of democracy which ultimately translates into welfare, upbringing and
progress of society.
I can only pray that sanity prevails among the
masses and especially those few who hold the strings of virtually every
character playing its role on the stage of politics.
Pakistan Zindabad!!
