Pakistan is going through difficult phase. This is a sentence that has been used one way or the other throughout Pakistan’s history. First, there was not enough stuff right after the patrician. Then, it was the threat of Communism, later the country lost one part, which became Bangladesh, followed by the crisis in Afghanistan. Now, it is the threat of terrorism. In other words, Pakistan can be described as a country that is in perpetual crisis.
For those who know a little about Pakistan’s recent history, It is humorous that Nawaz Sharif wants independent judiciary, and they point out, correctly that it was Nawaz Sharif and his thuggish brother Shahbaz Sharif who with thousands of gangster are responsible for physically attacking Pakistan’s Supreme Court when the then Chief Justice Sajad Ali Shah was hearing a case to disqualify Nawaz Sharif. Therefore, Sharif brother’s claim to fight for judiciary is nothing, but a sad and cruel joke.
Interestingly, or perhaps ironically, there is no end in sight as for as the current turmoil is concerned. The democratic setup that is in place is in grave danger, yet again, and Pakistan Muslim League (N), under Nawaz Sharif’s leadership is determined to destroy everything. However, Nawaz Sharif is convinced, wrongly of course, that he is agitating to ‘save the country’.
Historically, conflicts are resolved through negotiations. Even wars are settled by sitting together and finding common ground, but Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif are adamant that it is their way, and only their way, otherwise, they won’t let anything in the country or in the system continue.
Democratic politicians opt for democratic ways to air their differences. Tolerant politicians accept defeat even if they are convinced they were not given a fair chance. More importantly, sensible leaders adopt peaceful means to fight back. On the other hand, those who are willing to disrupt the daily lives of millions of people for the satisfaction of their personal ego are the biggest threat to the economic security of the country. In fact, the entire country must understand that personalizing legal matters and more alarmingly, launching vitriolic attacks on elected officials is anything, but democratic.
Sadly, this is exactly what Pakistanis are forced to swallow.
When the current government came into power, everything was in shambles. There was not enough flour in the country, the country was about to go bankrupt, incredible load-shedding was the norm and if this was not enough, the winds of terrorism were gaining momentum. One by one, the government dealt with these challenges and in the process, they did make some mistakes, but overall, things are slowly but surely getting better. Regretfully, this development under Pakistan People’s Party is not acceptable to Nawaz Sharif. First, Pakistan Muslim League (N) quarreled with Punjab’s Governor from day one. The governor was sadistically attacked, his character was attacked, and his family and their personal lives were attacked. In fact, everything about him was attacked, even though he did nothing to invite these vicious assaults. First, the thugs in PML (N) were engaged in these verbal strikes. Now, the Sharif brothers have dipped their tongues in despicable garbage and the result is trash talk that is below even Sharif brothers.
Ironically, once again, just like in the past, Pakistan is in crisis, but this time, people of Pakistan have the political awareness and the will to stop Sharif brothers from setting the house on fire. Sharif brothers are convinced that they can only win if the engage every state institution in direct confrontation. Obviously they are wrong, but it is also time that everyone in the country to accept that if the army took over, it will be the result of Sharif brother’s political immaturity. Time is right for Pakistanis to decide if they want to live under a democratic leadership or under Martial Law. Either way, Sharif brothers are going to lose, but if the system can be saved, it must be saved, even at the cost of Sharif brother’s eligibility to run for office.
Bilal Qureshi
Washington, DC