Thought of writing a blog but was stuck for want of a suitable title. A friend suggested this one.
In 2016 a former UNDP Director Marc Andre Franche took an aim at Pakistan’s elite in scathing final interview (the link is cited). In his words, “only way a critical change could happen in the country was when the influential, the politicians and the wealthy, would sacrifice short term, individual and family interests for the benefit of the nation.” He further said, “You cannot have an elite that takes advantage of very cheap and uneducated labour when it comes to making money, and when it is time to party it is found in London, and when it’s time to buy things it is in Dubai, and when it’s time to buy property it invests in Dubai or Europe or New York. The elite needs to decide do they want a country or not.” He was critical of landowners, gated-communities, media and mass-exodus of youth. He only praised KP government for decent people-centric laws.
I am also reminded of Dr Abul Kalam Azad who mentioned in his book that prior partition of India once congress announced policy of land reforms, feudal lords of regions which comprise today’s Pakistan said, “let’s make another country where there are no land reforms.” The feudal lords are still ruling this country. The common man’s purpose for creation of Pakistan was “La Ilaha Illalah” but that of feudal was “no land reforms.”
Eight years have passed since Mark Andre Franche said prophetic words. One thing is glaringly emerging with each passing day that a fight is going on between the elite and the street. Elite is not willing to give up what it has acquired in seven decades. Elite has rather rallied together against the street to safe guard its interests. With change in personalities no change is being seen in policies. Elite is getting ferocious with each passing day. The street on other hand desires to have its say.
Every saner mind is grappling with a question that, why the system has gone berserk? One possibility is that the powerful have decided to transform this society from open to a closed society, where fear rules and no one dares to question like China and Arab World. It’s a tough job but they seem to be resolute. On another account fear is also in play for pursuits of high offices of Pakistan. The pursuits which were earlier driven by greed now have fear as another driver.
The street is running out of options. Its patience is running thin. Its vote becomes inconsequential, its peaceful protest is ransacked, its voice unheard, its opinion doesn’t matter. Where the street goes from here. Will it take up arms? Will it bear all this? Will it react violently? One thing is for sure the seeds of thorns will never bear fruits. What we are sowing we are bound to reap, sooner or later
Another valid question is, why it’s happening this way? Today’s political dispensation is non-representative of people of Pakistan. It has got to power corridors through machinations, deceit and stealing election results. Few personalities at the helm of affairs like Faisal Wawda and Mohsin Naqvi are not even political personalities. They have nothing to lose. The Government on the whole and these non-political powerful personalities have zero respect and regards for the street. The present system is viewing the street as enemy, since it didn’t vote for them. Political leaders have on record questioned awareness and wisdom of people of KPK.
It’s era of social media which has both strengths and pitfalls. It’s hard to hide truth while it’s equally easy to spread lies. It was a battle which seems over but the war is still on. Let’s follow in true letter a spirit Quaid e Azam injunction,
Allah may protect Pakistan from all evils.
Sammilogger 