Leaderless Nation

Pakistani nation amongst a few in the history of modern times who witnesses helplessly the character assassination and political demise of any potential  rising leader at the hands of the dictators of its time without any judicial oversight . After the death of Barrister Jinnah, the nation felt that Liaqat Ali khan will take the mission forward but unfortunately he was shot in front of his own people.

Another popular leader emerged within a martial law and we saw the fate of Zulfiqar Ali Bhuttoo whom western world called 'zulfi' a man with a vision and passion for his country who not only inaugurated the idea of making this nation an atomic power but also signed to bring infrastructure as well as the man with know how. He successfully advanced the country on the route to progress front nationally as well as on foreign front but when his wisdom and skills came nearer to serve Pakistan at the highest level he was sent to gallows and 'was made an example' as he himself warned. His death was a fatal blow to the state of Pakistan. His daughter could never come nearer to delivery of his father's famous and politically romantic slogan of 'roti, kapra aur makan' (bread, clothes and accommodation) despite having two chances of crippled administration.

Then came a businessman who aspired to translate this declining economy a vibrant, powerful and  progressive market and bridge in between hot waters and states of Asia and his first reign was called a way to turning this country a 'tiger of Asia' as said by a top magazine of its time. However his rule was toppled yet again by a powerful military dictator who is in power violating the article 6 of the Constitution of Pakistan which say, '(1) Any person who abrogates or attempts or conspires to abrogate, subverts or attempts to conspire to subvert the Constitution, by use of force or show of force, or by other unconstitutional means, shall be guilty of high treason.' He sent them in exile and nation is again leaderless.

When popular leadership is politically assassinated then we are left without a voice. Pakistan is seriously suffering from a vacuum. Empty floor is occupied by scoundrels who can bargain on anything and have no morals and principles and no love for the country. Loot sale of the national assets is on. Ruling coalition does not carry the voice of masses, military dictator is showing autocracy by detaining the creator of the national supreme arsenal, exiling the both political leaders popular in the masses, and bringing the top judge of the state on his knees and on the road begging for justice. Its waste of time to even think the treatment bestowed on the sitting chief justice of Pakistan.

One single breach of any constitution if tolerated leads to a chain of similar events which can never be curbed later. Pakistan is seriously a victim of lawless clan of a few who do not understand the language of law. Might is right is their motto and oppression is their answer. In these circumstances democracy, free judiciary, political wise leadership, free media and accountability is a dream which may never come true.  Time has come that the maker of this country are looking towards the nation as well as the nation's dearest soldiers to find the key to the question as to why Pakistan was made.

Pakistan is a dream come true, a story of a nation who without having similar language, culture and geographical heritage decided to live peacefully at one platform. They won a 'statehood' as a result of a one man one vote rule and opted for this land later called Pakistan and attempted to preserve their identity as well as their vision as an independent nation and their religious practices upon which were proud. That dream had a passionate leader a barrister from London's Lincoln's Inn. In 1971 that dream had a fatal blow when a popular mandate upon which this country was made was denied to its people. Second blow collectively is a collateral damage caused by 'military coup de tat's. If its one successful coup then history negates it, if that act puts you on the real road to strength, but when it turns into a periodical habit then state organs and its leaders start loosing their grip and those who are sub ordinate to sovereign must pay heed to this trend which is damaging the core essence of a state. Our political clan has not shown 'whiter than white' philosophy either and lust for money, greed for power and intolerance for others has damaged the original principle. Autocracy has not confined to one particular institution and or party it has become a common phenomenon in our mind set. Time has come to change our course and call for a public accountability. This nation is not a private land of any one particular individual, group, class and or party. This land of pure is a shelter for all classes, cultures and safety zone for all languages and geographical heritage on top of that it has a scared role of leading and assisting the Muslim community of nations by preserving its own. '

Unjust society kills its own children like a rattled snake eats its own eggs. If our countrymen does not realise at this juncture then we will be very soon out of league even to think comparing with our arch enemy India whose system of governance is strong and judiciary is independent and common man is confident of its system. Self accountability is a noble cause for nations who believe in truth, rule of law and justice. Denial of truth and sham convictions may for the time being put the founders of great nations who lay leading bricks behind bars and glory greets those who strengthen their system. Qadeer Khan and Abual Kalam Azad is a glaring example like a slap on the face of tyranny. If this leaderless chain of events continue for little longer, then this time, even they will not require to lay down their arms as public will snatch those arms and put the barrels on their chest asking them to shoot.

Nation takes pride of their leaders and feels secure on the basis of the strength of their judicial system. Alas we have none at the current time. Government of Pakistan has turned into a rattled snake and is eating its own leaders and founders of its institutions whose efforts are enormous for the state of Pakistan whether its Qadeer Khan, Akbar Bugti, Nawaz Sharif, Benazir Bhuttoo, or latest victim Iftikhan Choudhary. Time is asking them to lay down their weapons and preserve what's left otherwise eternal repentance will be their asset but will that repentance bring those times and leaders back?.

Amjad Malik is a Solicitor-Advocate of the Supreme Court (England) and a life member of Supreme Court Bar Association as well as Chair of Association of Pakistani Lawyers (UK).