Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space. They are published in good faith with a view to enlightening all the stakeholders. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.
Political adversaries not enemies
In a democracy political adversaries function within confines set by laws and the Constitution, each having the right to project his opinion or ideology without resort to violence. A “Majority Party” or a “Coalition” of more than one party assumes power through the ballot, with an Opposition, consisting of one or more parties, whose members are elected to parliament, are essential prerequisites for democracy to function and deliver.
There is no concept of a One-Party system in a democracy. The spirit of democracy requires both opposition and majority to interact within parliament to legislate laws, through collective wisdom for welfare of people and safeguard national interest. Constitutional democracy is a system of governance where the will of the people prevails to serve the people and be accountable to them.
Rule of Law must prevail and not individual whims, otherwise it degenerates into a fascist system. Today’s adversaries can become allies tomorrow, or each chooses to tread his own path, but this adversary should never degenerate into enmity, with the aim to destroy each other through use of violence or abuse of power. In pre-partition India there existed two political adversaries: Congress and All India Muslim League. They each represented opposite political agendas and manifestos, yet they remained civil and ultimately through political negotiations the division of subcontinent took place and Pakistan was created in August 1947.
There was no armed struggle involved in the freedom movement for the creation of Pakistan. It was purely a political and constitutional struggle waged under the dynamic vision of MAJ and other pioneers like Allama Iqbal etc. For Pakistan to survive and flourish as a sovereign independent state, it is essential that a modern democratic welfare state that Quaid envisioned must emerge, with no space for fascism or military dictatorships.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
A top-heavy bottom-weak building
A layman understands, but civil servants who are supposed to be public servants do not understand this simple theory that any building with its top heavy and bottom weak cannot sustain heavy load on its weak foundation and is bound to collapse. Our economic managers have entangled our mediocre politicians who have shown the path of retaining power on over-borrowings, so to make hay while the sun shone on their heads. Whatever the consequence for the poor masses, this is our present dilemma where ruling elite are thriving on ‘operation is successful but the patient (masses) is dead. But we are yet not realizing our mistake.
Average Pakistani worker is unable to earn rupees 25,000/- per month where our government servants and so-called autonomous bodies employees ‘salaries, perks and privileges are soaring up to 6 to 7 digit, that needs to be made public in a transparent manner to stop this malady! On the first of Ramzan we realized how difficult it was to arrange just a simple Iftar feast due to the lack of gas and other utility services despite all the promises that had been made by the Baboos and Politicians before Ramzan. Stop promoting multi-cultural society and adhere to Islamic tenets in life.
Our national clock is ticking fast and time is running out before the national structure collapses like a house of cards, a bold decision needs to be taken. Our economic managers should take a lead from the “Poor Man’s Budget” given by Liaquat Ali Khan as Finance Minister of India in 1946 if they honestly believe that fountains of power are masses and not the puppeteer on whose tune they are dancing.
ALI ASHRAF KHAN
Karachi
Students’ facility
I would like to draw the attention of the authorities to an important issue, no doubt a very good step taken by the Punjab Government to provide free travel facilities to the students.
On the other hand, despite the approval of free facilities for disciples on the Metro Bus and Orange Train, the Mass Transit Authority still has not implemented the decisions of the Cabinet meeting, and no mechanism for free travel for students on Metro Bus and Orange Train could not be made.
So far as the federal and provincial governments’ announcements regarding the mega transport project in the city are concerned, no tangible steps have been taken.
FEMAN AHSAN SHAIKH
Lahore
