REFERRING to Azadi March that has already entered Punjab on its way to the Federal Capital, Prime Minister Imran Khan, on Monday, categorically declared that his Government would not give any NRO to anybody even if all opposition parties get united and come together to Islamabad. He said the March is not being organized because the Government was failing but the opposition was scary of it succeeding, adding that has anyone heard about a March coming to seek resignation of the Prime Minister.
Irrespective of the motives and reasons, we have been repeating in these columns since long that every elected Government should be given free hand to function and try to deliver. The political parties given mandate by people of Pakistan and elected Prime Minister should not be pressurized to resign or engaged in issues that divert their attention away from pursuing the path of resolving real challenges of the country and problems of the masses. After coming into power, Prime Minister Imran Khan has been making sincere and concerted efforts to address ills of the economy even at the cost of his own popularity and that of his party, which came to power with the slogan of change in the life of the people and conditions of the country. Latest indicators show that the bitter and harsh measures taken by the Government have started bearing fruit and the economy was now moving in the right direction. However, even if there is something wrong with the functioning of the Government, there are legal, constitutional and democratic means to differ and challenge its policies at different forums. There was absolutely no justification to undertake ventures that could undermine authority of the Government and destabilize the system. By now, we should have learnt lesson from the mistakes of the past that undermined the authority of the elected Governments as their energies were wasted in attempts to save them from negative politics. It is, however, also a fact that some of the policies of the ruling party especially offending statements being issued by some of its leaders every now and then are themselves to be blamed for political bitterness and tension. Fight against corruption and accountability of the corrupt are noble objectives as the country cannot progress and prosper without eliminating the menace of corruption. However, at the moment the campaign is considered to be focused against the opposition politicians alone whereas ground realities show even an increase in the instance of corruption in the public dealing organizations. The accountability would be irrelevant for the people as long as they continue to bribe even to get basic facilities, which are their legal and constitutional right. As for the Opposition, instead of pushing it to the wall, there is need for showing goodwill gestures as the authorities did in providing medical care to MNS and not opposing his bail.
