The loss of his traditional seat NA-149, Multan, marks one of the lowest point in Makhdoom Javed Hashmi’s chequered political career. In the by-poll necessitated after Mr Hashmi resigned from the National Assembly and later the PTI, some weeks ago, he was decisively defeated by independent candidate Amir Dogar, who bagged 52,321 votes against Hashmi’s 38,393. In 2013, Mr Dogar had received less than a quarter of Mr Hashmi’s 83,000-plus votes. Though contesting as an independent, Mr Dogar was backed by the PTI. The winds seem to be changing. Perhaps, people really want a change to the old order, and a new Pakistan that the PTI offers is however ironic that the very system that the PTI speaks against because of its corruption and poor performance has worked for the party in this case.
It is no surprise, of course, that people want something different. They have tolerated poor governance, neglect, corruption and the issues that stem from them for far too long. In such a scenario, change would be welcomed by most. This closely watched by-election has signalled just that, however, it must be noted that the PTI actually ended up retaining this seat as in 2013, Mr Hashmi won here after standing from the PTI’s platform.
The rulers need to take heed of what the voters are saying. At the same time, the PTI must also answer some pertinent questions. After his historic win, Mr Dogar announced, as expected, that he would be joining the PTI. But PTI MNAs have handed in their resignations from the National Assembly. Will Mr Dogar then be expected to do the same, even as he celebrates victory over a genuine political heavyweight? The PTI must decide what its strategy is. The resignation issue remains shrouded in confusion and clarity is needed here. Imran Khan and his party have now also received a clear signal. People, it appears, are willing to toss the past aside and look to the future. But the PTI, too, must tell them precisely how it intends to deliver; what are its policies for the future, what lies ahead and how the people’s desire for change is going to be of advantage in the future.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 18th, 2014.
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@ CH. Allahdad, You have started sounding like a Paid Commercial for the PMNL , I am sure you can do better!!!!
@Ch. Allah Daad I am not a PTI supporter but honestly why are supporting the current setup so much. These judiciary, election commission, parliament honestly have done nothing for the common man and only serve the elite or political class with connections. What about gullu butt and the innocents killed in Model Town ?? Is the life of an ordinary citizen so useless..PML-N leadership promised to recover looted wealth from PPP whatever happened to those promises..what abt the fact that PML-N government totally ignored the education budget in last budget. The state institutions you talk about protecting are only for the VIPs
Things have not changed in Pakistan. Before partition, the British utilized various Mir Jafars and feudals/monarchs/nawabs to control India illegally...The same thing continues today...Pakistan is largely still controlled by either PPP or PML-N or military dictatorships.
One should fear Allah and stand for what is right, even if one has to stand alone.
Decisive defeat for whom? I think, its Imran and his mission which has been defeated. He, along with Fake revolutionary thug went to Islamabad with a mission to uproot elected government and clear path for dark forces. He maligned and ridiculed electoral process, judiciary, election commission and parliament. Resignations from elected bodies, civil disobedience call, refusal to pay utility bills were other items in long list to fuel his movement but at the right moment a brave man stood up, uncovered his dirty plan and crashed down hopes of all opportunists. Since that great day when a Baghi turned the table on Imran.. Democracy and elected government is still intact. Dharna and protests have ran out of fuel. Imran has contested elections under same administration and under same election commission. Contesting an election and accepting result, he has proved himself wrong. sending a member in parliament, he has defeated his own policy of boycotts and resignations.