It is the need of the times that we, student and government leaders alike, start thinking above our personal agendas
KARACHI: It seems that politics, the way it is practised in Pakistan, makes one a corrupt person no matter what. At the student level, similar to the national level, politics has had an adverse impact. From my experience of running for my school’s biology society secretary, I realise that a lot of dirt surrounds the word ‘politics’. Student elections should not be political at all; they should be clean and serve the purpose of leading student bodies towards having a more positive experience at school. The elections should also be based on what the candidate can offer to others and how she or he can help those who are in need of help of any kind, guide those who are lost and light the path for those who lie creeping in the shadows of the darkness.
Of course, the way student politics works at our schools and universities is a reflection of the way politics works at all government levels. There is a great leadership crisis in Pakistan. Each leader fights for individual credit for his personal work and demands fame. Politicians have pushed national interests aside and each party comprises a mob that leaves no stone unturned in fulfilling its individual desires and vested interests. The concept of national integrity is slowly vanishing day by day.
Conferences are held every so often to discuss national issues and threats. However, all such conferences end in personal grudges over petty issues and no solutions. Nobody accepts that national interests are more important than their egos and personal greed and wants.
We, as citizens, cannot expect much from those named as custodians of this country. Democratic norms have been severely crushed by different players. It is the need of the times that we, student and government leaders alike, start thinking above our personal agendas. Our leaders need to correct themselves so that the youth has better examples to follow.
Bushra Mehboob
Published in The Express Tribune, April 23rd, 2016.
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