PESHAWAR Dec,15 : Since its inception, Pakistan experienced different eras of political and democratic struggles against dictators and political hegemonic leadership besides foreign conspiracies to keep the nation intact and steadfast against all odds.
\nThis journey of struggles and turmoil, political or dictatorial, left indelible imprints on our tumultuous political history with sometimes political forces warring against each other or sometimes unanimously against the dictatorial regimes.
\nThe uncalled for exercise of democratic and dictatorship rules, have not only disrupted the democratic process again and again but also hindered socioeconomic development in Pakistan, resulting increase in unemployment and brain drains of youth.
\nDuring all these eras we found some sense of sanity and tolerance in struggles, agitations, protests and even political differences except scattered incidents of violence. But, in recent years an onslaught of immoral assertions, below the belt criticism and bitter mud-slinging surfacing on our political scenario with rival politicians hurling unethical allegations and using slang assertions against each other.
\nThis tendency has not only badly damaged our social fabric but also ruined ethical values of most of youth who are deemed to be future of nation. Most of these slangs were unfortunately introduced to political workers by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf leadership.
\nThis haughty and arrogant segment of political struggle made to ignite workers passion to intolerant and insulting attitude shrinking room for other\u2019s point of view and promoting ethics of abusing opponents leading society to saturation.
\n\u201cPolitics of violence\u2014characterized by long marches, sit-ins, street protests and hooliganism\u2014pose a significant threat to democratic governance,\u201d remarked Prof. A.H. Hilali, a retired educationist from University of Peshawar. \u201cDemocracy derives its strength from people\u2019s vote. In genuine democracies, political rivals outclass opponents with better performance and not with violent protests, agitation rallies and sit-ins.\u201d
\nHe said the developed nations had achieved economic success by ensuring political stability and continuity of policies rather than pursuing disruptive movements or bloody protests.
\n\u201cPakistan\u2019s stained political history reflected a pattern of instability, often triggered by dissatisfaction with election outcomes. The country, blessed with abundant natural resources and a large population, has yet to realize its full economic potential due to overthrowing elected governments,\u201d Dr Hilali said.
\n\u201cIrrational agitation politics, persistent political intolerance and disrespect for electoral mandates derailed democracy again and again,\u201d he stated. \u201cAbsence of strong constitutional framework during early years of independence and consequent accusations of election rigging by rival parties had hampered country\u2019s democratic evolution.\u201d
\nReferring to PNA\u2019s movement of 1970s and consequent cycle of political chaos during 1990s when the successive governments of PPP and PML-N were dismissed on allegations of corruption and electoral manipulation, political uncertainty continued to prevail.
\nIn 2014, a new chapter of political unrest unfolded when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), launched a long sit-in against the PML-N government, accusing them of rigging the 2013 general elections.
\nAlthough the allegations of electoral fraud against PMLN government were dismissed by an independent commission led by former Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk, yet both the PTI and PAT unfolded a new trend of abusing, maligning and slandering political opponents.
\n\u201cThe PTI founder did not learn a lesson from country\u2019s past grim political history and encouraged assault on sensitive military installation on May 09 and storming the capital on November 24 by utilizing public resources of KP\u2019s provincial government,\u201d remarked Ikhtiar Wali Khan, PMLN KP Information Secretary. \u201cThe PTI leadership once again exploited workers sentiments for fulfillment of its ulterior motives and their violent approach to target state institutions and attempts to undermine democratic process had badly damaged national fabric.\u201d
\nWajid Ali Khan, former environment minister also criticized the PTI leadership for telling lies and making false claims and described their demands to revoke 26th constitutional amendment and release of Imran Khan as childish. \u201cOnly parliament can undo or pass a constitutional amendment while PTI leader was jailed on corruption charges and only courts could release him.\u201d
\nHe asked the KP Chief Minister to focus on province\u2019s peace and development instead of spoiling time and government resources on agitation politics. \u201cWhen warring faction were assaulting each other in Kurram, the Chief Minister was busy in futile agitation.\u201d
\nWajid Ali said when PTI\u2019s anti-corruption slogans were badly exposed after billion trees project, on what grounds its leadership was protesting to get the founder freed from jail without trial? \u201cBRT is running in loss, KP\u2019s Ehtasab Commission is closed and probe starts in the billion tree project. Does it mean that their agitation is for escaping with all this corruption?\u201d
\nExperts believe that repeated long marches and agitations had eroded people\u2019s trust in political forces, democratic institutions. Irrational tactics of PTI leadership could not bring genuine change rather created political polarization and shook the confidence of foreign investors.
\nAs our people still have an enduring hope for a strong democratic future and a prosperous Pakistan, political forces must mend their ways to materialize this dream and avoid unnecessary onslaught and slangs against political opponents as well as ruining our noble political norms and ethics.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PESHAWAR Dec,15 : Since its inception, Pakistan experienced different eras of political and democratic struggles against dictators and political hegemonic leadership besides foreign conspiracies to keep the nation intact and steadfast against all odds. This journey of struggles and turmoil, political or dictatorial, left indelible […]<\/p>\n
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