KARACHI:
Pakistan’s ongoing political crisis has increased polarization, intolerance, and hatred among the masses. Whilst the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) led coalition government has been focused on economic revival and preventing the country from defaulting, the opposition i.e. the PTI has led public processions inciting hatred toward the government. This is dividing the masses because people are ending their friendships due to political disagreements. The hatred has seeped through all levels of society as people can be found arguing with one another on social media and in public places over minor disagreements.
Freedom of speech is the essence of democracy, but when it threatens national unity and integration, it must be curtailed. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan already harmed Pakistan’s global image by expressing unpopular views concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict. His claims of US conspiracy against him have also strained Pakistan’s ties with the US. The accusations of treachery and disloyalty have rallied the masses against the PDM and those with dissenting views.
The country is now on the brink of a grave civil conflict because there has been an increase in country-wide ethnic, cultural, and political strife. It is high time that all political leaders take this issue in earnest and urge their supporters to be tolerant of each other, accept differences of opinion, and promote unity. If we let this intolerance, hatred, and violence prevail, Pakistan will never emerge as a successful, developed, and progressive nation.
Abdul Rehman
Narowal
Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2022.
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