Jahangir's World Times First Comprehensive Magazine for students/teachers of competitive exams and general readers as well.
Long marches have failed to unfold the untold and unseen in Pakistan. Things are same; poor governance, illiteracy, health issues, inflated prices, deteriorated law and order, human trafficking, rampant unemployment and acute energy crisis are still haunting the nation.
The honeyed words do not bring out substantial changes; there is Herculean effort behind everything existing and surviving at its best. In Pakistan, alarmingly, the social fabric has been tearing apart with every passing moment. Societies are built through their mantle and approach towards life. Though, international economic system and political compulsions have affected Pakistan a great deal, things could have been better had the society behaved differently. Institutions are the pillars of state. They take years, perhaps, decades, of strenuous efforts and consistent hard work to be stable and strengthened. This evolution makes them so strong and effective that they can tackle any unforeseen problem(s). The other way to achieve this ambitious goal is ‘revolution’.
But the question arises that is revolution the only solution to bring Pakistan out of the quagmire and direct it toward a track that may lead it to prosperity? Probably not!
‘Revolutionary’ changes in Pakistan
Let us peep into the past and see what the ‘revolutions’ have done to Pakistan.
In 2001, General Musharraf promulgated the Local Government Ordinance with an aim to transfer power and authority to the elected representatives the grassroots level. Whole administrative system in the country faced sea changes. Police reforms of 2002, also, introduced a new culture in police ranks. This was unprecedented in Pakistan’s history that a huge effort was made in the name of separation of judiciary from executive and was by no means less than a revolution.
Next example of the major policy shift was that of U-turn on Taliban and Kashmir issues. This issue has been a subject of intense debates since last many years. Whether the government actions were right or wrong, is not the only issue; the major cause of frustration is that when all the governments in past kept on pursuing a particular policy, how that policy could be changed overnight without realizing the repercussions of it? Today, Pakistan, the only Muslim nuclear power, is perceived as haven of terrorists, the most dangerous nation, and the most untrustworthy neighbour. Neither the Kashmir issue has been resolved nor have the water disputes been settled rather we further got our image tarnished by the actions like hosting Osama bin Laden and also were accused of sending Ajmal Qasab to India to carry out the brutal acts of 26/11. End to drone attacks and suicide bombings is still out of sight. This all resulted due to the imprudent policy shift.
Lastly, there is one of the most important revolutions in Pakistan’s chequered history and that is of movement for the independence of judiciary that proved last nail in the coffin of General Musharraf. Soon, the new government was installed comprising mainly the anti-Musharraf political parties. Whole nation firmly believed that this is the dawn of new era and it will bring the light of justice for the poor in Pakistan. Traditionally, the judiciary had been pro- establishment but now, it was quite opposite and expected to be very healthy and positive. However, after 5 years of the democratic government, ground realities are absolutely against the aspirations of the nation. Judiciary and executive have been at daggers drawn. This isn’t what the people of Pakistan have aspired to.
Democracy is a behaviour that requires evolution as it doesn’t come overnight. Roots of political system need proper nutrition to get stronger and political institutions grow with the passage of time. But when roots are dug into time and again, the tree i.e., the institutions, tumbles and withers and society deteriorates. Pakistan is at crossroads at the moment. So-called ‘revolutionary changes’ have given us nothing but ‘dehshat gardi’, ‘media gardi’ and ‘wakeel gardi’.
Pakistanis are indulged in religious and sectarian conflicts, killing of polio workers, and even questioning ideology of Pakistan. This is flabbergasting and is an outcome of extremist behaviour, dictatorial approach, dogmatic minds and stagnant society.
If Pakistan goes, successfully, through the peaceful transition from one elected government to the next it will be a massive behavioural change. This is what the evolution means in the truest sense of the word. If this process goes on, soon Pakistan will be in a position to rebuild itself and stand head and shoulders high among the comity of nations.
