Learning democracy

Letter December 02, 2022
Learning democracy

KARACHI:

No political party or its leaders stick to their rhetoric about holding general elections. The PDM coalition government assumed power after ousting the PTI government which was unable to curb inflation and provide relief to people. In opposition, PDM demanded an early election, but the PTI was unwilling. However, after the roles were switched, both sides flipped their stances too.

While the PTI suddenly realised that elections were the best way to sort the mess, it dawned upon the PDM that this is not the best time to hold general elections. Strangely, both sides use the same allegations to malign the other side. Both claim themselves to be the champions of democracy and the other to be anti-democracy and dictators.

I wonder if our politicians will ever learn the real democratic ways to respect the mandate of winners and show patience until their term finishes. Toppling governments and discontinuing policies result in a bigger economic mess than the problems created by the government’s poor policies.

Raja Shafaatullah

Islamabad

Published in The Express Tribune, December 2nd, 2022.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.