Neutral Comments on Some Social and Political Issues

By: Dr. Maqsood Jafri

I deem it imperative to comment on some social and political issues which not only haunt me but hunt the people in general drifting them in to the dykes of confusion. Most of our political analysts are biased and project the party stance. When we see a sectarian cleric on any TV channel, before listening to him we know what he has to prove. Our TV anchorpersons also have tilts towards some political parties. Their basic duty is to question the panelists and then neutrally listen to them. But unfortunately some of them do not pose questions to the panelists but impose their own opinions on them which are highly unwanted. The other thing that baffles the onlookers of the TV shows is the rude and nasty behavior of some panelists. They yell at each other. They do not argue. They do not discuss. They debate. They disgrace and deride each other. That shows their political intolerance and immaturity. The nation is already bruised by the arrows of the religious hard liners and aspires to see moderate culture but the political dummies have aggravated the situation. We need rational and moderate clerics and politicians to steer the skiff out of the tempests. The agencies must avoid the political disaster by making and breaking. Let the democratic process continue so that we may achieve our cherished goals of educated, honest, patriotic and able leadership. There are a few issues that need neutral and rational approach:

(a):  Politics of Reconciliation

It was a great dream of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Mian Nawaz Sharif to democratize the society and introduce the politics of reconciliation. They had learnt a lesson after shudders and shocks. Earlier, they acted like political enemies and harmed each other. But the strokes of martial laws had straightened them. Their "Meesaq-e-Jomhoriyyat" agreed upon in London was the best organ to stop the military intervention. Unfortunately it flopped. The sweet friends, once again, became  bitter enemies. Who is to be blamed for that, let the history decide. Presently, the stake holders have concocted and fishy stories to hoodwink the masses. Once again the politics of vindictiveness has started. The alliance of the PML(Q) with the PPP was the need of both the parties. For their survival, they had to unite. Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi,the nominated murderer of Ms. Benazir Bhutto by her in her life time became the senior minister in the cabinet of the government of the PPP. The people ask, is it the politics of reconciliation or the politics of convenience? The zealots of the PPP maintain that Mian Nawaz Sharif is responsible to drifting the PPP for the politics of convenience. The votaries of the PML(N) have their own arguments. The blame game is rampant and the mudslinging has marred the democratic rules. The PPP workers say that they have shown latitude and in Khyber Pukhtoon Khaw, they have a coalition government with ANP; in Sindh, with MQM. Here, it must be mentioned that the present government of the PPP has avoided political vilification and vindication. There is not a single political prisoner in the jails of Pakistan. This much credit must be given to the government of the PPP.

(b): Nawaz Sharif and the Memo Gate Scandal 

It is a very serious issue or has been made a serious issue will be decided by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The parliamentary committee headed by senator Reza Rabbani will also announce its' findings. By that time we must avoid speculations and conjectures. The former ambassadors of Pakistan in the USA, Mr. Husain Haqqani and the complainant Ijaz Munsure have submitted their verdicts. But, the PPP workers ask Mian Nawaz Sharif that when he flew to America and asked Bill Clinton, then the USA president to interfere and stop  General Pervaiz Musharraf from his unconstitutional activities. Was that treason? The political thinkers are of the opinion that when a person maneuvers with an enemy country to harm his country or gets money and passes on state secrets, it is tantamount to treason. Suppose, if some Pakistani collaborates with the Indian government to damage the interest of Pakistan, it is treason. We have never declared the USA as our enemy country. Since the very creation of Pakistan in 1947, we are in American lobby. Our first Prime Minister Liaqat Ali Khan visited America and sought help and protection against the Indian assault and hegemony. The USA supported us on the Kashmir issue. We get American aid for our military and civil needs. We are on the same page as for as the policy of counter terrorism is concerned. Unfortunately, now we have some differences on the Afghanistan issue. But these strategic differences can be overcome by dialogue. Let us bridge the gap by reconciliation and not give India a chance to exploit the situation.