Mythical democracy

Regardless of their political rhetoric about learning lessons from history and vows to strictly follow the norms of democracy, our parliamentarians seem to be still struggling to find out the real meaning of democracy. Probably for them democracy means elections after every five years. Those who form government remain obsessed with their popularity graph, and the ability to know everything to the exclusion of all others. They form a cabinet consisting of loyalists without any qualification or merit. And if any member erroneously discloses any fact he is either sidelined or relieved of his duties.
Similarly, the opposition embraces the habit of criticising each action of the government – good or bad – without any regard for the sentiments or needs of common citizens. The real issues and problems concerning people remain missing from their talk. It is time our rulers and their adversaries pondered over their faults and drew a strategy to confront the bitter realities prevailing across the country.
Raja Shafaatullah
Islamabad