A few days ago, the paramilitary force in action in Karachi along with Police against crimes and terrorism, Pakistan Rangers Sindh has stirred the political circles in Sindh through a press release, which is being followed by opinions from people from different walks of life based on their point of views. The well-stirred political canvass in Sindh in particular and in Pakistan in general took the situation to its apex after the former President and Pakistan People’s party Co-Chairman spoke up on certain realities. Without going deep in details of speech of Asif Ali Zardari, federal interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan issued a statement that reminded the fellow countrymen of his chronic grudge against the Pakistan People’s Party. Anyway, Chaudhry Nisar has his own way of understanding with the ground realities and issues but sadly his statement seems to be one made in quite haste as it should be avoided due to his key position in the incumbent government.
However, it would not be out of context to remind Chaudhry Nisar and everyone that it is the Pakistan People’s Party that has been on the forefront to protect the PMLN government in centre and the democracy in Pakistan, just a few months ago.
It is a rule of thumb that all national institutions work under the administrative control of the incumbent government and all the institutions have in light of the constitution of Pakistan been provided a concrete forum to seek remedy of their grievances and problems through their prescribed forum.
Any political government and any politician cannot even think of betraying his assigned constitutional obligations and afford seeing any damage done to the country or any national institution. Henceforth, when a leader speaks up on any particular point or issue, he must be given space and every effort should in this regard be made to understand the background of his spoken words.
It is indeed a matter of concern to get to know why a selective institution ignored the prescribed forum to discuss about the concerns and reservation and why any institution needed to voice its reservations through a press release.
It is not only the law in Pakistan but it is a universally acknowledged principle that none is above the law. We have observed that a particular influential had on the pretext of exemption enjoyed full liberty to stay at home and ignore court orders meant for his production and a step ahead the indicted for high treason is even allowed to make insulting statements against respectful leaders.
There was no harm in asking the institutions and individuals to stay within the prescribed constitutional limits or else the whole system would turn into a hotchpotch. Forgetting their own sins, ministers in the incumbent federal government especially federal minister for defence Khawaja Asif failed to recall his own standing against the Army but he stated in haste that the speech of Asif Ali Zardari was tantamount to weaken the national institutions while the fact was contrary to his hasty statement. Though there was nothing controversial but if still there was anything wrong in speech of Asif Ali Zardari, why Khawaja Asif and his superior are pardoned for the same sin?
All Pakistanis loved and respected their national institutions but it does not necessarily mean that any institution is above the law and could not be criticised. Asif Ali Zardari had pioneered the politics with reconciliation, which is the best way to move forward but unfortunately, the incumbent government of PMLN in the centre seems to be completely void of the basics of the policy of reconciliation.
There is no second opinion that Pakistan People’s Party is the only federal political party that always stood on the forefront and offered tremendous sacrifices for the integrity and sanctity of Pakistan.
As far as the matter of implementation of promises and commitments, people are still waiting to see when the incumbent government of PMLN would honour its promises it had made to the people of Pakistan during general elections 2013.
The performance of PMLN government can be accessed through its federal budget 2015-16 in which it failed to address people’s issues like availability of potable water, electricity, comfortable transport, economic developments, creation of new jobs and many others. Therefore, people from Karachi to FATA rejected that budget and termed it as anti-poor budget. Even the federal government of PMLN has utterly ignored the blessings of the GSP+ as the current fiscal budget has no guideline on it.
The federal interior minister should also look back at his own past when the law and order was so highly deteriorated and if Khawaja Asif believed he was right to criticise Asif Ali Zardari, he should also look around as he has in recent days hurts a big segment of population especially the Mohajir against whom he used highly offensive words.
Pakistan People’s Party is the guarantor and protector of democracy in Pakistan and its struggle and especially the vibrant role of Asif Ali Zardari are unparallel in Pakistan.
The is Deputy Information Secretary of Pakistan People’s Party Karachi Division and Member PPP Media Cell Sindh.
