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.
India’s policy of bluff
The Republic of India has been commercialized as the state practicing the largest democracy in the world and as the advocates of human rights at the international forum. That bluff of India to call themselves as the protectorates of democracy and human rights has earned them an international reputation and voice. However, all these claims could only be true in a parallel world.
The story is quite different from the one portrayed at the international level. The streets of Kashmir, Manipur, Nagaland, Assam and other victimized areas are the eyewitness to the majoritarian politics of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The rape victim women, the democide of minorities and extensive torture and discrimination of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), screams out to the injustice being held out in a so-called largest democracy and advocate of human rights, but sadly their voices are not loud enough.
Policy of Bluff is a concept used by Hans J. Morgenthau in his book, ‘Politics Among Nations’, where he defines policy of bluff as a tool for states to gain prestige and power. In this policy, a state exaggerates itself to get reputation and perks in the international arena. The Modi regime has successfully executed this bluff of creating India as the largest democracy in this world and not letting any voice against this image in the international media.
The BJP Government’s policy has rightly earned them perks and privileges in the shape of voice at the international forums and huge economic opportunities in the state; whereas there remains a need to highlight the ground-level problems in Modi-led India.
M SHAHBAZ RAJPER
Islamabad
Country’s ill economy
The level of poverty in Pakistan is on the rise and it is becoming increasingly difficult for individuals such as daily wage workers, low-income earners and even those with middle incomes to afford a single meal a day. This situation highlights a distressing humanitarian crisis, as our society is failing to provide sustenance for the average citizens, which is a matter of great shame.
The business community in Pakistan is unhappy because of the increase in the price of electricity which will raise cost and reduce competitiveness for both domestic and foreign buyers. Industries have already shut down or decreased production due to the country’s poor economic conditions, including high energy prices and inflation, and Pakistan is unable to pay the cost of the imported products.
The government is facing a problem because it needs to follow new rules from the IMF to avoid a money crisis. At the same time, they want to help grow the business and create more jobs for workers who have no jobs. But in the past, no government has made important changes to fix the real reasons for the economic problems. Some people give a suggestion that raising electricity prices will help improve the economic condition of Pakistan, but that would hurt businesses and make it harder for normal people to pay for electricity because we know now everything is more expensive.
The government needs to try different things to fix the energy sector’s problems, make businesses that pay too little tax pay more, and sell off businesses that are losing money. But they haven’t been brave enough to make these changes. The IMF is worried because Pakistan has not kept promises in the past. The IMF wants them to stick to their plans this time for the new program to work.
UNZILA TAHIR HUDA
Karachi
Post-rain effects
Monsoon rain has hit Karachi and it is reported that in some areas, rain and sewerage water are accumulated on the roads and streets. It has become a common practice of the masses and incumbent government to criticize successor government for this mess up ignoring the core reason behind it.
If it is pondered over seriously, it comes to notice that in fact, it is the fault of the contractor/constructor who had built such roads where water is accumulated which indicates that the contractor was inexperienced and had no idea how roads should be carpeted. If roads are carpeted in a curve down towards drainage lines and if the lines are not choked, there is no reason why water becomes stagnant on the roads no matter how much it rains.
So, let’s change the mindset and reach a core reason with an objective to resolve it instead of politicizing it. Moreover, a constructor’s name should be posted on the slab on one side of the road so that common people should come to know the name of contractor/constructor and in case of faulty road, the contractor/constructor should be blacklisted so that he may not get another contract for construction of the road and money spent on construction should be recovered or forced to rebuild the road.
FAISAL ANSAR
Karachi
Rise and fall of PTI
Imran Khan has fallen victim to his own irrational desire. He convinced himself that he could start a revolution and change the course of history. Even while he could have thought that his elevation transferred into the greater good, it was obviously more focused on the ego than the common good. Millions of people’s hopes have been dashed, and he hasn’t brought them the daybreak he promised. He failed to sufficiently prepare himself on how he might bring about a significant improvement in the nation’s politics. He recognized the chance, but he wasn’t able to seize it.
Even while he sought to survive in that system and pursue power in that political structure, he had little understanding of the workings of parliamentary democracy. There are actually numerous choices accessible here. Imran Khan might have temporarily been politically neutralized. However, the Party may return with a mutation, a new name, a new leader, and a significantly altered political outlook. At least, that is what IK’s political and non-political opponents will anticipate.
The PTI of the future could not be as radical and controversial, but rather something lasting and strong. However, the PTI did not fail on its own. The major parties’ incapacity to mature into mature organizations willing and able to alter Pakistani society in line with the aspirations of its people was what led to the rise of PTI as a phenomenon. These problems were made worse by the rigors of military authority, which also made it less likely that there would be substantial structural change and reform.
MOHSIN FAREED SHAH
Islamabad
