Imran Khan’s recent comment on the appointment of the new army chief has taken the country’s politics to another low. His continued vitriol against ‘certain’ elements, that in his own words were active to dislodge him, is meant to repair his damaged ego and retake his prime ministerial designation by hook, line and sinker.
Despite the fact that he was given a quintessential ‘freehand’ to run the country’s affairs for almost three and half years under a ‘hybrid’ system, he could not deliver. The living standard of ordinary people declined due to financial hardships. Pakistan’s relationship with international partners – including the US, Saudi Arabia and China -- suffered. Because of Khan’s inability to govern, the state and its people had to bear the brunt.
Pakistan has spent decades playing musical chairs with democracy and dictatorship. It will take time to come back to something concrete in terms of uninterrupted democratic governance. However, Khan is not contributing to strengthen true democracy.
He coined the term ‘neutrals’, and since then it has been frequently used in the media. Prior to this term, former PM Nawaz Sharif invented an equally irresponsible term of khalai makhlooq (aliens).
‘Neutrals’ has become a household word. It decreases the veneration of the defense establishment. The referred institution is supposed to be neutral anyways. The institution is only ‘non-neutral’ in the face of external threats and enemy maneuvering.
Another term, with a funny connotation to an otherwise serious situation, is ‘software update’. Using this term to refer to some specifics is not sensible. It will cause further desensitization among masses and will continue to pull our moral fiber.
When Imran Khan talked about the 'letter', waving it to the public in one of his speeches, the contents were leaked bit by bit due to preservation of the so-called 'national secret'. In the end all was exposed, and it turned out to be only an eyewash because nothing was 'so secret' in the letter.
Recently, audio leaks of the PTI senator were played on almost all news channels of the country and on social media with the follow up discussions on all platforms, including the print media. Seemingly, no one is interested to find out who is recording and leaking these conversations?
Imran Khan has become a fulcrum of Pakistan’s politics. In the backdrop of Shahbaz Gill’s case and criticizing and threatening the member of judiciary and senior members of law enforcement, he offered to take his words back only “if they were inappropriate”. This was an insult to the injury. Who in their right mind would say they were appropriate remarks? This is tantamount to making a mockery of the judiciary as well as peoples’ common intellect
Our politicians think of themselves as kings not public representatives. Former President Asif Zardari once said, “how dare a mere NAB chairman summon me for any investigation.” (NAB Chairman ki kya majal kay mujhe talab kare?).
Things will not change in this country if rule of law is not considered supreme. Foundational change is required, from top to bottom, to change the course and revamp the system -- so that survival of 220 million people is guaranteed. We have become a country of secrets with no secrets.
Despite the fact that he was given a quintessential ‘freehand’ to run the country’s affairs for almost three and half years under a ‘hybrid’ system, he could not deliver. The living standard of ordinary people declined due to financial hardships. Pakistan’s relationship with international partners – including the US, Saudi Arabia and China -- suffered. Because of Khan’s inability to govern, the state and its people had to bear the brunt.
Pakistan has spent decades playing musical chairs with democracy and dictatorship. It will take time to come back to something concrete in terms of uninterrupted democratic governance. However, Khan is not contributing to strengthen true democracy.
He coined the term ‘neutrals’, and since then it has been frequently used in the media. Prior to this term, former PM Nawaz Sharif invented an equally irresponsible term of khalai makhlooq (aliens).
‘Neutrals’ has become a household word. It decreases the veneration of the defense establishment. The referred institution is supposed to be neutral anyways. The institution is only ‘non-neutral’ in the face of external threats and enemy maneuvering.
Another term, with a funny connotation to an otherwise serious situation, is ‘software update’. Using this term to refer to some specifics is not sensible. It will cause further desensitization among masses and will continue to pull our moral fiber.
‘Neutrals’ has become a household word. It decreases the veneration of the defense establishment. The referred institution is supposed to be neutral anyways. The institution is only ‘non-neutral’ in the face of external threats and enemy maneuvering.
When Imran Khan talked about the 'letter', waving it to the public in one of his speeches, the contents were leaked bit by bit due to preservation of the so-called 'national secret'. In the end all was exposed, and it turned out to be only an eyewash because nothing was 'so secret' in the letter.
Recently, audio leaks of the PTI senator were played on almost all news channels of the country and on social media with the follow up discussions on all platforms, including the print media. Seemingly, no one is interested to find out who is recording and leaking these conversations?
Imran Khan has become a fulcrum of Pakistan’s politics. In the backdrop of Shahbaz Gill’s case and criticizing and threatening the member of judiciary and senior members of law enforcement, he offered to take his words back only “if they were inappropriate”. This was an insult to the injury. Who in their right mind would say they were appropriate remarks? This is tantamount to making a mockery of the judiciary as well as peoples’ common intellect
Our politicians think of themselves as kings not public representatives. Former President Asif Zardari once said, “how dare a mere NAB chairman summon me for any investigation.” (NAB Chairman ki kya majal kay mujhe talab kare?).
Things will not change in this country if rule of law is not considered supreme. Foundational change is required, from top to bottom, to change the course and revamp the system -- so that survival of 220 million people is guaranteed. We have become a country of secrets with no secrets.