Realistically speaking, IK and his party are not the exception in the game, foul play via use of inappropriate language is as old as Pakistani politics itself. With less than the countable few, defamatory and derogatory references are a trademark for the local politicians, where many — who believe politics is not decent enough for females — stoop down to address her female counterparts with demeaning terms.
Hence the question that arises is if this is all what local politics has come down to? Where a party’s deliverance in the past and the capability to deliver make it to the lowest of the list. From a philosophical-cum-moral perspective, politicians are required to address issues rather than their opponents’ personal characteristics. It is indeed shameful that a code of conduct issued by the Election Commission was clearly not enough as the commission is now issuing notices to the contesting candidates over the same. Leaving the values of respect and civility far behind, leaders have set the worst of examples to the young who aspire to serve the country by following the precedents set by those coming before them.
Moreover, national leaders are the epitome of a nation’s civilised class; they have a moral high ground through which they inspire courage, harmony and a sense of pride. Leaders who choose to insult their colleagues fall short of moral standards.
Our media too amplifies this moral degradation by showing it multiple times only to attract an audience that if nothing is already highly receptive to content that is scornful and lacks in moral values.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 21st, 2018.
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