I wish there were leaders who could stand up against such old-fashioned thoughts and follow a more liberal agenda.
AMANZIMTOTI, SOUTH AFRICA: This is with reference to Imtiaz Gul’s article published on February 26 “Dealing with paradoxes”. The writer has given a very sensible analysis of how the West in general, and the US in particular, view Pakistan’s political landscape. The writer states: “What remains alarming for many in the West is that mainstream political parties embrace part of the agenda that religious parties peddle, and thus help expand the constituency that looks at all issues through the religious prism.”
This is indeed very worrying. We know that many of those who vote for these parties follow a very conservative ideology. In order that this large portion of the electorate does not desert them, the parties feel obliged to woo and follow this conservative agenda to remain in power. I wish there were leaders who could stand up against such old-fashioned thoughts and follow a more liberal agenda. This can help these conservatives change their minds about the modern way of life. This can also help improve the image of the country worldwide.
Sharif Lone
Published in The Express Tribune, February 27th, 2014.
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