WHY DON’T WE WAKE UP

This article is directed to all those Pakistanis, particularly the younger generation, who claim to be patriots concerned about their future, careers and prosperity and who want to save Pakistan and see it as sovereign and independent state and take it to a higher level of a dignified state. The alarm bells have been ringing aloud; time is indeed running out as the pace with which the events are unfolding is unprecedented in history of the state.

The writing is on the wall and if we fail to understand it even now then indeed we have asked for it as the saying goes “what thou shall sow thou shall reap”.

We are the masters of our own destiny yet the present state of slumber and particularly an attitude that since it is not in my backyard I can’t be asked, would leave us in a state of despondency and despair for times to come. What we as a nation are witnessing is a sharp decline, erosion of our sovereignty, freedom and values and destruction of the fabrics of our state of Pakistan which would eventually lead into a total collapse of the state of Pakistan.

It is not the author’s intention to put before you another piece of a critical writing expounding upon the current state of affairs of Pakistan under any specific head of political science as it is, becoming too late now, to embark upon such an attempt. To the author’s mind the one and only word that keeps on reverberating is that there is literally a crisis like situation everywhere in each and every sphere of the state of Pakistan be it politics, economy and commerce, society, judiciary, sovereignty and integrity of the state, policing, military etc..

Any attempt to restrict the analysis is neither intended nor would make any difference as a lot has already been written. It has now become too obvious that even a teenager could understand and or at least start connecting the dotted lines that the ship is sinking while the sailors are hiding under the deck waiting for the storm to subside. It has become quite common that western media leaves no opportunity un-availed in declaring Pakistan a failed state.

Various articles are being written almost on daily basis about the state of affairs of Pakistan. However, breaking all previous records, recently an independent Australian MP Bob Katter had the audacity to state before the Parliament that the US will invade Pakistan to deal with instability and Australia must send troops there, too. When will we wake up?

On the other hand the Pakistanis are too engrossed in their ways of lives. The elite which is corrupt to the core is busy multiplying the wealth, devising schemes to hide their corruptions keeping our courts busy, living a life of luxury and entertainment every day at the expense of poor. The middle class is quickly evaporating under the burden of taxation, unemployment rising food and transport prices. Shortage of electricity gas and fuel is making it extremely difficult for manufacturing and agricultural industries to survive with the costs of doing business and farming soaring to unprecedented levels.

The already oppressed class of poor is further being pushed to new lows of extreme poverty and destitution; breaking all previous records and statistical numbers. The massive displacement, after the recent floods have rendered the majority homeless without any food and shelter; who are now all out there to face the winters relying of their animal survival instincts.

The prolonged and on going war on terror is another dilemma confronting the nation killing our very own people whilst the west is not happy and wants us to do more. Do we want this war to go on after reaping the ill conceived petty benefits since 9/11? When will we wake up and rise to the occasion and start saying NO? The military is helpless under news demands to launch an offensive in North Waziristan in the name of terrorism killing our very own people. It seems that there is no end to this war. Do we still want to carry on with it?

According to our law, should not any decision to launch an operation be debated in the Parliament? But what good will that serve when the very occupants there are busy doing party politics, protecting their credibility when the same has been exposed by fake degrees and hiding their assets and corruption. In any case we have dispensed with the need; we have too many cooks who are busy spoiling the broth according to their flavor and appetite. Our media is preoccupied in unearthing and debating the corruptions of the elite, holding non stop talk shows rubbing dust in each others faces with “he said this… oh no… he said that” , whilst, our judiciary is trying hard to stay intact as a pillar of the state and claiming that it is reasserting the old age adage of Dicey’s Rule of Law principle and burial of the doctrine of necessity. However on that score too, is it not a contradiction that the same court itself excavated the grave in its very own and same decision and reinvented the doctrine of necessity after declaring the same has been buried for ever.

The very decision declared ex chief justice’s appointment void ultra vires the constitution but the oath of the president administered by the same as valid in the name of not derailing the system. Is that the job of the court? Is it not to uphold the Rule of Law? What does the law say? What does the constitution say? Is that not a reinvention of doctrine of necessity or the case is we would never know what exactly is it. On another issue of judicial appointment where apparently the petitioners involved sought declaration from the court that the clause be declared as ultravires the constitution against the basic structure of constitution protecting the independence of judiciary.

However, our court once again rising to the occasion, referred the matter back to the Parliament… Hang on… but what about the Rule of Law and the principle what do you say on that. What does the law and constitution say? However again, the answer by the court was through application of discretion rather the principle of law. What then is doctrine of necessity we fail to understand.

Also, about throwing the issuing of judicial appointment, when a direct attack was made at the independence of judiciary, back at the Parliament comprising, feudals, fake degree holders and thugs who did not have the courtesy nor responsibility to debate upon the issue taking into account the views of various stakeholders in the first place, for review; what object is intended by such a referral the general public remains oblivious. The very law minister who is going to be part of the judicial commission has allegation of corruptions to answer someday but that is not important let him appoint few judges first. However, these issues are not on our list of priorities.

The debate on NAB ordinance is more important. Schemes of corruption and rulings of court, thereon, are more important while the ship keeps on sinking with our youth remaining perplexed about their security and safety in this strange country of Pakistan let alone their careers and prosperity. Needless to state his physical well being, particularly, keeping in mind the fact that there is an out break of dengue virus. Could you tell anyone without embarrassment and without making a mockery of yourselves that our state machinery after 63 years of independence has failed to provide us with the basics i.e. uninterrupted supply of electricity and clean drinking water.

The schools, decent education, medical facilities, etc . list goes on but loses relevance when basics needs are not met. But no our government and the opposition parties, with their feudal background and fake degrees are too busy debating the NAB ordinance, forging new alliances devising new schemes to prolong their tenures and how to get reelected, impose further taxes at the dictates of IMF saying don’t you dare do business in Pakistan. I think its time our youth wakes up and voices his/her thoughts through whatever channel possible to put a stop to this miserable state of affairs. The time has come when one has to at least raise his voice and show solidarity against the way the prevailing state of affairs are in Pakistan.