The true representatives of the people seem to be on back benches and there is growing dissent amongst them
LAHORE: The present regime is more authoritarian and inward-looking than past governments. Those with authority have concentrated most of the power within themselves. Adding to this is the malaise wrought by a short-sighted and incapacitated bureaucracy. The true representatives of the people seem to be on back benches and there is growing dissent amongst them. After all, they have to face the electorate. The leadership has the illusion that they win because of their so-called performance, so there is no need to take on board the elected representatives in the decision-making process. In other words, they are not paying heed to the collective wisdom of the people. This has resulted in weak decision-making and political and economic institutions, which only serve a privileged few. Another example of authoritarian rule and an extractive political system is not holding of local bodies elections. No democracy is complete without local body institutions. These create an inclusive political order for the people and also prepare the leadership for tomorrow.
The other national, religious and ethnic parties have grown fearful of losing their political base because of recent developments on the political front in the country. Some of them are trying to sell the same old slogans to keep their workers united in order to protect their political base, but this seems to be in vain. Others are using ethnicity to justify their existence. Some are using religion for their personal benefits. The only good thing is that they have been exposing their own hypocrisy in the process and hopefully, the people will oust them from Parliament whenever the next elections take place.
Dr Khalid Mushtaq
Published in The Express Tribune, November 12th, 2014.
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