I always tried to talk against the views that, such and such things should not be politicised. To me, every thing that affects the nation and general public as a whole is political.

In the present day judicial/political turmoil, the government which called itself a political-civilian government is taking its posture that, the general's reference and the resultant issues are not political. The issue should not be "politicised". Strangely enough, the political elements in the government, who identify themselves with a "˜political party', sermonize against "politicising". One can understand the ruling army party's stance; one can understand the Chaudhries' stand that, the issues of public interest should not be politicised, otherwise their hold on the political neck of the nation will be slackened. But it is not understandable as to why the political elements in the government, even the people of public opinion and the event commentators could say so.

The things, however, have started to change; bit by bit, of course. I am happy to note that, gradually voices are coming up against this philosophy of "don't politicise". People here and there are now started talking that, the matters of public interests are political matters, and political parties and their members should play the important and constructive role to take the things to their logical conclusion. (Some people might say that, political parties take advantage of the situation and try to reap the benefit. If so, why not? They are there to do so. It is their right, rather obligation, to do so. If you do not agree with this, then please do not talk about a civilian, political society. Ask for something else!)

One of the first, and by far the strongest voice in this regards was that of Khawaja Asif of PML (N). He categorically asked why he, being a political person, should not view this as political issue, why he should not take political advantage for the people who he is representing, and the people he worked for. Now, this stand of his is being quoted elsewhere. Some other voices are also coming up to add to this.

In a recent TV programme, an analyst relating to a Pakistani think tank, also categorically vouched against the government's stance that these things should not be politicised. She even gave the root cause of such phenomenon. According to her, in Pakistan politics has been presented to people as something evil, something bad, and should be avoided at any cost. She is right. Here, peoples' minds have been programmed to dislike politics to perpetuate stranglehold on power by the non-political elements.

Now, these voices should increase by number and volume, so that the civilian members of this so-called democratic government can feel ashamed for saying "don't politicise", even though they claim to be politicians belonging to a political party.