Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Zahid Qurban Alavi seems to be getting his priorities mixed up. In a city where almost a month has been lost since January to strikes, strife and off-days, one would have expected that such impromptu public holidays are best avoided.
Other than this, the decision to hire 8,000 policemen at a cabinet meeting in which the only other item on the agenda was the shortage of funds defies logic. As does the hiring of an 18-member cabinet, when in Punjab, a quarter of that number is enough to make do.
If we were hoping for some relief through a caretaker government, we have been sadly mistaken. Possibly this reinforces the belief that we need to elect the right candidates in the coming elections.
However, we may elect whoever we want. But if the bureaucracy is as strong as it is now, it may be an attempt at futility. Take the law and order situation in Karachi. The chief justice has done all he can to make the provincial government realise the folly of its ways. But it hardly makes a difference.
Our esteemed judiciary has put things in perspective by asking the government to eliminate the no-go areas in Karachi. Taking notice of a report on no-go areas in this newspaper, the chief justice ordered the government to give an explanation. Till then, the police refused to concede that there were any no-go areas in the city. Then grudgingly they did, only after being berated and threatened.
The Rangers, working without any coordination with any other law enforcement organisation, continue to conduct random raids in which no one of any value is ever arrested. Possibly, they are trying to justify the millions that are spent on them by the Sindh government.
In the background, we have the din of the oncoming elections. Who will be able to stand, who will be disqualified. What are the alliances that are being formed or broken? These are exciting times.
But most of the larger questions continue to be ignored. None of the parties have come up with a concrete and clear policy on terrorism. Imran Khan’s rather simplistic approach that with the end of drone strikes, the suicide attacks will also end, suggests a lack of seriousness on dealing with the issue.
I would like to ask Mr Khan: why is his party a member of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council? Why does his party continue to flirt with extremists?
The other parties are no better. In other parts of the country, candidates are breaking bread with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and getting their blessings. Some have entered into political alliances with them in Punjab.
What we are seeing is that the number of bank robberies in Karachi and other parts of the country has risen significantly. This is possibly an indicator of funds being gathered by the extremists to play havoc with the elections.
Our intelligence agencies, which are usually not so clued in, have warned leading political personalities of possible attacks. But then, what exactly is the job of these outfits that we maintain at great cost to ourselves — do they simply issue warnings or actually prevent such things from happening?
The security angle was a convenient excuse to explain away the sudden departure of our crown prince to Dubai after a tiff with others. Now it seems his recommendations will be taken more seriously. Possibly more deserving people will be given tickets by the ruling party.
It is usually the common person who suffers the most in the end. Take the example of the guard who valiantly fought with robbers at a Habib Bank robbery last week — one of the several that took place in different banks. The man — who was shot multiple times — received basic treatment and is now left to fend for himself — injured permanently and jobless as he was laid off by his employer, the Police Foundation. So much for rewarding the brave.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 8th, 2013.
COMMENTS (18)
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The shift of the priorities is mainly due to the personal interests. of politicians. Hence they never bother to either change their party or change their so-called "Sincerity".
The double standards of politicians depict their "sincerity" to our country. The way they change their strategies shows their personal interest.
agree. its all greedy politics, switching parties for gaining advantage. despite of knowing everything we are quiet. we need leaders with true spirit who could take out Pakistan from hault.
agree. its all greedy politics, switching parties to gain advntage. despite of knowing everything we are quiet. we need leaders with a true spirit to take out Pakistan from hault.
@Malik T:
May I ask which comment of mine sent you into this fit of rage? My comment above is only a retort, in exactly the same format as the unprovoked attack to mock me, by the khusyani billi called "@observer."
But, you are right. Let's forget petty attacks and start a dialogue on the real issues facing Pakistan. How about illiterate, corrupt, inept, pathetic, low grade, uncaring, uncouth, badly dressed, ill spoken, criminals politicians? Would you agree that is a real issue casting a shadow on the very existence of our nation? Now let's not wallow in despair and talk about solutions. I suggest we kick them all out and bring in new faces in the upcoming elections. What does your bleeding heart suggest?
now only forthcoming elections are our " last hope" if the previous government come back again (God forbid) so the whole public of Pakistan will be die definitely ( except some ). moreover new government should come with better and strong policies and their priority should be the elimination of terrorism and corruption .
@John the Baptist: Please for God's sake, focus on the issues that Pakistan faces, rather than this cult like sycophancy of political leaders, who should be serving the people, instead of being served.
@observer, then as not a pakistani voter, please keep your views to yourself. the havoc the ppp government has played, the damage caused by pml n (which is still better than ppp in terms of performance) are seen by thos who live here.
Its not the mixed priorities that matter but the individual interests of politicians.
@Ch. Allah Daad: Sir, you have always been supportive of PML-N. Is this a U-turn? OF course I am an Indian and do not care who comes to power - one way or another but was curious.
@John the Baptist:
Great response to @oberver. Very funny and so true!
@John the Baptist:
Rather lame. Allow me to explain.
A. You are assuming that I support PMLN. I am not even a Pakistani voter, but my sympathies are more with PPP, ANP who lost brave leaders to the extremists.
B. Even if PMLN is hobnobbing with 'banned outfits' it does not mean PTI is not.
C. Your statement I would like to answer: PTI is not part of DEPC and it does not flirt with extremists. is not supported by facts in the public domain.
As they say 'Imitation is the Sincerest form of Flattery',
I am flattered- (BLUSH, BLUSH.)
@observer, great observation,
The Police Foundation and the concerned bank where the robbery took place should be ashamed of themselves for deserting the security guard who resisted the robbery. Where is the Government of Sind? Are they sleeping?. Is the Security Guard being punished for putting up resistance?.
Siddiqi, please allow--it is a direct response in the same format!
@observer:
Darbari, darbari,
Ji Maharaj
Hobnobbing with terrorists?
Hehehe, Ji Maharaj,
Read the papers,
Can't Maharaj. Never went to school thanks to you
http://www.allaboutmqm.org/forum/topics/nawaz-sharif-his-party-pmln-is-harbouring-banned-outfits-senator
http://dawn.com/2013/03/18/man-having-links-with-banned-outfit-may-get-pml-n-ticket/
@John the Baptist: http://www.siasat.pk/forum/showthread.php?104582-Hashmi-backs-Hafiz-Saeed-came-up-with-Difa-e-Pakistan-name
@John the Baptist:
Johny, Johny,
Yes, Papa,
Hobnobbing with DPC,
No Papa,
Read the Reports,
NA, NA,NA
http://www.siasat.pk/forum/archive/index.php/t-102009.html
http://tribune.com.pk/story/404884/show-of-unity-pti-leaders-attend-dpc-and-jud-protests/
I would like to ask Mr Khan: why is his party a member of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council? Why does his party continue to flirt with extremists?
I would like to answer: PTI is not part of DEPC and it does not flirt with extremists. Now I would like to ask you a question: why have you and your comrades at ET gone completely crazy and have started telling lies with a straight face and in perfect English? Is this the level you have fallen to just because you fear that a PTI government will end your institution's and its linked entities perpetual tax holiday? Are you a Pakistani who cares about his country and people or another example of a lost soul who can't digest Western education without betraying their own identity? I keenly look forward to your answers.