Source: ET
Tahirul Qadri’s Long March has ended and it is not immediately clear whether it was with a fizzle or a bang. Last week saw days of high drama as Qadri and his supporters camped outside parliament and the Supreme Court ordered the prime minister’s arrest. Then, on January 17, Qadri summoned politicians to his armoured shipping container (you couldn’t make it up) and a deal was reached. The response has been mixed. Some claim that the government has capitulated to Qadri in agreeing to give the self-styled anti-corruption campaigner a say in appointing the caretaker prime minister, committing to dissolve the parliament by March 16 and pledging to screen candidates in advance to establish their honesty. Conversely, others point out that Qadri did not succeed in achieving the immediate dissolution of parliament, the resignation of the government or the reconstitution of the election commission.
Unless something else happens to derail the process, Pakistan will go to the polls later this year and it will be without any major changes to the electoral system. This will be a historic election: the first time since independence that a civilian government will be completing its full tenure and Pakistanis will have a chance to vote it out and elect another. On the surface, at least, it seems that everyone in the halls of power is committed to ensuring that it goes ahead.
No saviour will be successful for short duration. Reformation of a society, a complicated and gigantic task. Social fabric of Pakistani society is extremely complicated. Tribal traditions, family bondage, cast, wealth, religion and many other factors play their role. In true sense very less people are educated to grasp the real concept of democratic system. Even after 65 years votes are given only to those who are influential and have feudal or strong family impact on the masses. In neighbouring country, at the time of Mr Nehru things were put on right track. Here in Pakistan story is different. One puts things on track and then some one else comes and uproot the ongoing system. Every new comer starts again from basics. Current set up also did the same and additionally never became free from fear of toppling up as such was unable to deliver some thing concrete. Most of the current government energy was spent to keep on rolling the so called democracy without delivering any thing to the masses.
Even a new saviour comes next five years also will not bear any fruit unless basics are put in right direction. Foremost the political parties to bring in the competence in their file and ranks rather than loyalists. Get guarantee from military brass not to exert pressure on civil elite. Select the top notches on the basis of competence, honesty rather than with a strong will only to stay in power. Get the national goals or priorities re adjusted as per the actual facts on ground. Ensure absolute justice to all and separate the religious and state matters every thing will start moving in right direction.