KARACHI:
Democracy is all about tolerance for differences of opinion, faith, and the right to dissent. This self-assumed right to question the loyalties and patriotism of those who took an oath to hold public office and pledged loyalty to Pakistan and its Constitution must stop. We are a strange nation willing to allow individuals, who while swearing an Oath of Allegiance to another country, “absolutely and entirely renounce” their loyalty to Pakistan yet are considering allowing them to hold elected public offices or be part of a technocratic setup. Giving the vote right to those who are not even on the registered voters’ list while casting aspersions on the loyalty and patriotism of those who live in Pakistan and pay taxes makes no sense.
One can disagree with what Shaukat Tarin said, or his choice of words and political rationale, but nobody should have the right to question his loyalty to Pakistan. His late father was a staunch supporter of the Quaid and the Muslim League, which led to the political struggle for the creation of Pakistan.
Pakistan has a tragic record where individuals who served the Raj loyally and continued to protect their interests and compromise our sovereignty even after independence, dared to call Fatima Jinnah a traitor and cast aspersions on the likes of Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy. At the same time, they were showered gifts and fortunes for serving US and British interests. We have had people who have left a legacy of extremism, terrorism and Kalashnikov culture. It is time we stopped this. We must accord those who serve the nation with due respect and ensure that Pakistan’s interests and sovereignty are protected.
Malik Tariq Ali
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, September 4th, 2022.
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