The cynicism of change

The subtle yet evident cynicism hidden in Imran Khan’s historic win remains a matter of much debate. Perhaps I should start off with a clarification of never being a PTI supporter, rather my opinion of him lay on the other side of the spectrum, until two months ago. The change in my opinion came from the realisation of the practice of accountability that Imran Khan has attempted to bring in, previously unfathomable. Though corruption has been rampant in Pakistan’s history, Pakistani politicians have kept the concept of accountability under wraps. IK’s effort saw a sitting PM being convicted and jailed for his corruption. This wave of accountability is undeniably the result of endless effort by the PTI, which eventually bore fruit.

Further, upon research I discovered the common parlance about the PTI opposing the women’s protection bill is in part misconceived. The party did question certain procedural and practical aspects of the bill and then abstained (dissimilar to opposing) from the vote when those aspects remained unconsidered. The PTI proposed a women’s protection bill in K-P and had previously opposed the Hasba Bill in 2006, showing they are not against the ideology of protection of women. Strangely, critics failed to mention that the PML-N’s spokesperson opposed their own women’s protection bill. Social media users who now openly and unabashedly voice dissent against alleged retardation of democracy in the 2018 elections must remember these are the same tools of freedom granted under a military dictator. None of the previous so-called democratically-elected leaders allowed any room for dissent, and those defying would be dealt with swiftly and harshly.

Furthermore, the PTI is the one major party whose founder’s political career was not catapulted by the military establishment, in light of which it remains baffling and ironic how supporters of former regimes now scream about a lack of democracy. I further urge readers to consider the 13^th & 14^th amendments to the Constitution — presented by the PML-N — which removed Presidential powers to dismiss the government, and prohibited legislators from voting against their party, respectively. In addition, their leader also attempted to declare himself ‘Amir-ul-Momineen’ through another defeated amendment introduced to ensure that once elected, he could not get dethroned. This in itself forms a civilian dictatorship and has no semblance of any democratic ingredient. Such parties never favoured true democracy, they just led to its façade. Everyone has the right to an opinion in politics, but before submitting statements that are mere crowd-pleasers, all facts should be considered.

Also, the former ruling party’s own members are allegedly involved in the cover-up of the Kasur Child Porn network, with their law minister even going so far as to state that no such instance of child abuse was even reported. This is unforgiveable, yet it has been forgotten since. The same minister was in fact rewarded with a ticket again in the 2018 election. Whilst slamming the PTI for abstaining from the women’s bill vote, I urge these critics to show what they did about the even worse and grotesque atrocities committed in Kasur. Many people have so boldly called for the PTI supporters to hold their leader accountable (to which I agree). But was the same done in the Kasur case for the PML-N? And my final point for consideration is that the PTI remains the only federal-level, multi-ethnic party having a leader who has worked long and hard against all odds to reach where he has. Like any other profession, there will be moments of trial and error, but I personally would back a hardworking and financially-honest person any day over the self-entitled and corrupt. I conclude by stating that I understand people who possess lifelong affiliations with any political party, and I understand the uneducated perhaps being sold on pipe dreams. However, what I don’t understand are the educated liberal classes who say they are “impartial” yet slam the thought of much-needed change? I truly question the mind, morals and ethics of such persons who have opted to stick by the former status quo in the current perilous scenario of Pakistan, rather than give someone who has sincerely raised a voice against corruption a chance.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2018.

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