Political turmoils: For how long?
Political turmoils. For how long? Why does it happen time and again?
Political turmoils
The same turmoils take place; the same political figures surround us; the same politics of whataboutism keeps on; the same opposition vs government rivalry goes on; the same establishment-backed government stays in power and the same rationale prevails in the political corridors.
If somewhat something has changed so far that is the inclusion of another party, Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI), that has entirely changed the political realm. It has ended the political dominance of the two previous parties, The PMLN and PPP, for it has become a taunting setback. The political alliance in the form of PDM wonders why? When they think of this forward block that was stemmed from the 2013 general election by establishing provincial government in KP. It became more loomed when it came into power in 2018 general elections.
Since then, the foundation of the opposition politics started shambling. The government was slapped with flaks for their much-hyped claims and incompetence. Anyhow, it seemingly proved inept too. The PDM led opposition left no stone unturned to turn down the government as it was deemed as selected not elected. Ultimately, they got succeeded in toppling the government down through vote of no confidence back in April 2022. Once again, unfortunately, the pages of history remained devoid of having a prime minister in the state who has ever completed his or her tenure of five years.
The story gets again changed here when the new PDM government comes in power. The same leaders who were taking broad side of the previous one on inflation, rupee devaluation, mis-governance and incompetence proved itself incompetent in policy making, governance, controlling skyrocketed inflation and rupee evaluation. I don’t take any issue with these claims because these are easier said than done in a country like Pakistan.
Where I take the issue with is the military-establishment that is only criticized once you get out of power. I have never seen a government denouncing rather egging on the establishment when it is in power. Where does this duality come from?
This hypocrisy direly needs to be vanished anymore. Either foster them or malign them whether you are in or out of power. And it would require the combine efforts of Government plus opposition to set around the table and devise a charter of democracy to limit every institution to its ambit.
Recently, the arrest of the former prime minster by dragging him from his collar was humiliating and condemning. That appalling story saw and followed the countrywide arson and vandalism that is also censurable. If stealing school chairs, setting vehicles on fire and damaging public property is vindicated, then there is somewhat problem with your mind and psychology unless there is a mass revolution that changes the whole system. It means nobody really cares for the sustainable future of the country that is already on the verge of economic meltdown.
If one is to care for anyone that would be its affectionate tilt towards a personality cult not the system in the first place. And all this is fostered by herd psychology where the mobs only blindly follow. This state of mind dumps down one’s sanity and rationale to critically look at things and do what is in there greater interest.
In his book “The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind”, Gustave Le Bon argues that crowds are impulsive, emotional, and irrational, and they have a tendency to act in ways that are not in their best interests. He also explores that leaders and demagogues are often able to manipulate and control crowds by appealing to their emotions and instincts. By tapping into the crowd’s fears, desires, and prejudices, a skilled leader can harness the power of the crowd to achieve their own goals. And this has taken place so many a time in Pakistan.
Crowds can be both positive and negative forces in society. They can lead to great achievements, such as revolutions or social movements, but they can also cause destructive behavior, such as riots or lynching. It is therefore they should be led in a positive direction to make them bring about any promising development. That development must be in the best interest of the public and fruitful in the long run. For how long these political tumults would prevail? Nobody surely knows.