Vested interests

Pakistan has been following a democratic form of government since its inception. Although it is the most preferred form of government, it is plagued with so many problems which need to be addressed on an urgent basis. Political parties who have come to power under this system will never bring necessary amendments to it as this system suits them. The politicians of these parties have now started bringing their children in politics for the post of prime minister. Don’t we have seasoned and experienced politicians? Have we tried all of them? Can we call it democracy where a politician from one party joins another party the next day without an iota of shame? For how long the people of this country would bear the two main political parties who are playing musical chairs and making fool of the voters. Until voters don’t get educated, the same state would continue. An English evolutionary author who, keeping in view the UK’s decision regarding EU membership, questioned the referendum held in the country by asking the following question: “How should I know? I don’t have a degree in economics or history. Why would you entrust your country’s economic and political future to know-nothing voters like me?”

He was right. He emphasised on the fact that how would a man on streets know the implications of staying in the EU or exiting it as he was not an economist. This reminded me of something similar. Recently, I asked an ordinary person one question: who will he cast his vote for during the 2018 elections. He named a politician from interior Sindh. When I told him that this person was corrupt to the core and had many charges against him in the court of law, the man replied, “Whatever the case may be, he is from my village and clan. I can’t even think of voting for anybody else except him”. So, where would you place such a voter?

Air-Cdre (r) Azfar A Khan (Karachi)