The writer is Editor of The Express Tribune
Why do we stop at the murderers of Shahzeb Khan? Let us start with our elected officials.
Go to the parking lot at the parliament and most of the vehicles of our MPs break all the rules — they have tinted glasses, fancy number plates and, in many instances, are not even registered. A large portion are stolen vehicles. Question them at our own risk.
A journalist does a survey which shows that most parliamentarians don’t file tax returns, let alone pay tax. Instead of remorse or shame, the parliament wants to know who leaked the information so that they can be punished.
On our roads, our high and mighty travel with guards that bully other motorists. The servants of the people don’t stop at traffic lights, don’t pay toll or parking fees and park where they want.
Both the elected and unelected party faithful are given all sorts of benefits. The government does not even have proper records of how many vehicles it has given and to whom. In fact, it is common now to see two cars with the same government number plate. Police guards are provided. Government employees serve as assistants, peons, cleaners, gardeners at homes of these people. No wonder staff is missing in most offices.
The pampering is at another level. Parliamentarians have special desks at airports. The VIP lounges are open to them. They don’t pay for anything. They get special seats on planes. They have the best of everything.
It would be unfair to blame our elected representatives only. Look at our bureaucrats. When it comes to delivering, they are possibly worse. The Sindh police chief is not interested in pursuing the murderers of the son of an officer of his force. Only because the local thana has taken money and fixed the FIR. Corruption exists as never before.
The government at many levels works only to intimidate and threaten. Not to help and serve. Work in any government office, barring a few, is only done if bribes are paid. It is a wonder why every year, the budget religiously enhances the pay of federal government employees when they have done nothing to deserve this.
Any attempt to reform the way the government functions is thwarted by the bureaucracy. They don’t want power devolved or their incomes reduced. One of the biggest mistakes of this government is that it over-relies on the bureaucracy.
One remembers the time of Nawaz Sharif, who did away with the permit raj and also cut through red tape. Such initiatives are now seen only in Punjab under Shahbaz Sharif.
The only check to a feudal mindset is the rule of law. But if our lawmakers are amongst our biggest lawbreakers then we have a problem. A gentleman officiating in the Senate supported the burying of women who were alive “because it is our tradition”.
The feudal mindset thrives on the lack of accountability. No one should ask any questions. All the high and mighty get together and share the spoils while the people starve and suffer. But is there hope ahead of change? Very unlikely in the present scenario. The parties that started as best friends and fought in between are now coming back and banding together. Political expediency means keeping the status quo and not taking the guilty to task. In all this, the feudal mindset thrives.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 7th, 2013.
COMMENTS (18)
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@John the Baptist: Has PTI a preacher who baptises the corrupt and sick minded landlords, or the dirty rich feudal minded industrial tycoons and education business magnates who now control it?
Muk muka between the two status co party should not be allowed in any cost .PrimeMinister for interum govt should be on the consensus of all parties
@Ajay: Ver well said Ajay
@Ch. Allah Daad: @Author Why is it that in our society the feudal mind-set is almost universal , and resists any change ? It is because, over generations, it has acquired religious sanctity . Our religious discourse is permeated with feudal and patriarchal values which are embedded in our psyche so deeply that we are not even aware of them. One pre-requisite for getting rid of feudal mind-set is to get rid of a version of religion we developed to justify the absolute monarchies . It is relevant to note that even in the 21st century we have absolute and dynastic kingships in so many Muslim countries .
Pakistan need land reforms immediately.In Pakistan couple of decades ago attitude of people living in Urban areas was not so arrogant and this behavior was attributed to land lords of Sindh & Punjab.As no restriction was imposed on feudals, this negative mindset penetrated to all segment of society.We need to work cohesively and also laws need to be devised to rid the society of the attitude that might is right.
Another worst thing in our society is that law enforcement agencies hesitate to arrest powerful person on their crimes Law should be equal for all and justice must be provided to every one irrespective of their cast,creed & religion
@Dr Asif: The MQM was part of this government and also the preceding military installed puppet govt led by Shaukat Aziz. It also benefitted from NRO, which was a prodect of sick feudal mindset of the military dictator and the beneficiaries who considered this acceptable, although it was a dsicriminary act violative of constitution.
You could have not said is better. Thank you for looking after the common citizens.
The feudal mindset thrives on the lack of accountability. Only MQM take Step against feudal mindset thrives. All the high and mighty get together and share the spoils while the people starve and suffer. But is there hope ahead of change on 14 Jan 2013 By Long March InshaAllah.
Dr. Tahir ul Qadri should be supported for the electoral reforms agenda, otherwise the same status-quo politicians will return in the assemblies.
Changing the mindset is the most difficult thing. It's the time for a change, overhauling the system. Tahir ul Qadri may be one answer.
@Ch. Allah Daad: THE ONLY SOLUTION IS RULE OF LAW----there is no other rocket science involved. It has worked in other countries, which were as worse as ours, but than decided to change for better.
"muk-muka" is the ultimate form of feudal mindset. Making sure no one else gets into power, be it PTI or any other political force. The status quo parties under two family dynasties have to be rejected for any sort of change in the country or it's feudal mentality
The writer in few days has changed his topic from feudals to fedual mindset. We have already read and heard these things million times. If there is any solution, please let us know.
Very good write up and it helps to wash out misconceptions specifically related to land growing feudals and Sindhis. This feudal mindset is not prerogative of any rural or urban person, land owning or business men, it belongs to any one who considers himself beyond law and accountability. We all must demand justice for Shahzeb and those involved must be brought to books, but unfortunately, some section of social and E-media and some powerful groups have started using this particular case as hate campaign against feudals, crop growers and agriculturalists of Sindh. Those who are propagating hate campaign and using racial slur on the behest of Shahzeb case, I ask them who killed over 2000 people in Karachi in 2012?And Is it sane to generalize and malign whole profession or any community or race on one specific case? By doing so, it will create only rift and more divide in society which is never good omen. Media managers, civil society, PEMRA and state apparatus should keep check on such things, not to let hijack any case by those who want to spew hate and create rift in our society.Thanks once again for very good article and Thank you ET and hope that more careful, fair and balanced reporting should be done.
Feudal mindset: It's not going anywhere unless the country succeeds in changing the mindset of it's voters, which seems highly unlikely under the circumstances.
Dear Mr. Siddiqui
You have highlighted the problems well. Here in India, we are running into similar problems except we don't have feudalism and sectarianism. However you haven't proposed any solution. Solution/s won't be easy. It has to start somewhere. Where, that is the million dollar question. Here in India, we have Arvind Kejriwal for a change, in Pakistan you had Salman Taseer. I think change has to start with people who should be willing to come out and risk their lives. But people don't or if they do they come out for wrong reasons like garlanding Taseer's killer or for lynching blasphemy accused. The mindset of the people has to change first. We need new leaders to rise from public who will create new awareness among the people. Right now the only people creating awareness are pen-pushers- journalists and educated people who read English newspapers.
The feudal mind set is all pervasive in land of pure at all levels of society. It is not just land owners and politicians but includes bureaucrats, judges, generals, industrialists, and media moghuls.
Get rid of this filth. Vote PTI.