ABDULLAH MUSTAFVI
It requires lot of patience to hear most of the representatives of political parties for a stretch of five minutes ! Verbal cannonade at opponents while having no valid reason to do so remains one of the most irritating quality of the Representative Brigade .
All parties possess a dozen (with a half minus plus) such like representatives who appear in talk shows repeatedly and test the patience of poor audience. Gone the days once politics used to revolve around genuine issues having close relevancy with public and national interests. Now the politics is all about downing the opponents by any means. Serious allegations keep pouring in boiling pot of politics with no realization of the fact that how deeply these traits may damage the national culture. On certain matters , this tendency of baseless allegations and blind followership of party leadership has fetched enormous embarrassment for the Pakistan in the comity of nations. Election rigging allegations , pressed and exaggerated by the major opposition parties, is one such example which makes whole democratic process questionable in the eyes of international community.
Despite many weaknesses in electoral process, this remains an undeniable fact that previous elections were free and fair . Impartial independent observers largely opined that no systematic or organized rigging took place during the process of election. Such independent opinions came up from ‘Common Wealth Observers Group’ , FAFEN and PILDAT .
Interestingly, those political groups, who complain about electoral rigging, are quite satisfied with their respective victories in same elections. PPP is the most relevant example which at one breath complains for rigging and at second breath proudly claims that her victory in Sindh is the true reflection of public trust on party’s leadership, policies and past tenure performance.
It seems so illogical once PPP chairman throws mud on transparency of electoral process by labelling PM as ‘selected’ but claims to be true trust holder of Sindh as a result of same elections. So is the case of PML-N and JUI , who openly disapprove the election process but at the same time proudly claim their victory in respective constituencies. Unnecessary allegations of rigging and personal attacks on opponents proved excessively detrimental to routine parliamentary functioning and its responsibility largely falls upon the shoulders of major opposition parties.
In more than one year period , parliament could not properly focus on important national issues for even a single day . No discussion took place about the causes of economic deterioration and sudden price hike. Important matters like Indo- Pak bilateral ties , worsening situation in Kashmir , impacts of middle eastern crisis in the back drop of US- Iran tension , Afghan crisis and USA’ tour by PM could not fetch any attention from so called experienced parliamentarians.
The only issue, having top priority for opposition , is cursing the ruling party for being ‘Selected’. Situation on ruling side is not brighter too! Government’s Policy of replying the opposition in same coin with redoubled efforts has further spoiled the political atmosphere. Only way to accelerate the political process on right track is a meaningful engagement of rivals through frequent dialogue ! This initiative should be taken by the ruling benches with no further wastage of time.
Precious national exchequer spent on conduct of parliamentary sessions and standing committee meetings must be made useful to the extent of each penny. Tax payers money should not be wasted upon game of allegations played by the political groups on the floor of parliament to safeguard petty personal interests of respective leadership. Introspection of opposition’ stance is a much needed step in present day scenario. Rigging allegations and titling of elected PM as ‘selected’ is not only a routine harsh statement rather it is a clear effort to drag the national institutions in political arena. Opposition is persistently calling PM ‘Selected’ without saying in clear that who they actually blame as the ‘ Selector’ in this particular case.
It is obvious that opposition parties are ruthlessly accusing national institutions for interfering in political matters and it is being done just to pursue the wasted interests of their party leadership . This tendency is badly destroying the political culture and causing embarrassment for the country. Ignorance towards sensitive national matters on part of political leadership is a clear indicator of deepening political turmoil in the country. Some sense should prevail in political quarters about granting due priority to the actual issues being confronted by the nation. Politics is not all about playing the game of baseless allegations.
