Harsh words leading to harsher realities
As rating battles rage on, anchors are fuelling tensions to create an intriguing show for viewers
PESHAWAR:
The use of harsh language and the lack of mutual respect are rampant among politicians these days and television channels are the first to cash in on all the crassness. As rating battles rage on, anchors are fuelling tensions to create an intriguing show for viewers without realising the potential damage.
Perhaps they need to be told that many of the unnecessary arguments sparked through their careful maneuvering can only lead to disunity and bad governance.
Maligning opponents in politics is nothing new; leaders have been using such tactics for decades. At the same time, some of the more seasoned players, despite differences in ideologies, always respected each other. However, that mutual admiration is fading fast and badgering each other has become the order of the day. The constant squabbling bodes well for television networks, but what media outlets and the politicians do not realise is that they are portraying the country in an almost comedic light to the rest of the world.
These rifts are also more than skin deep and are affecting the functioning of state institutions where corrupt practices, injustices and nepotism are flourishing. Appointments and inductions are made in all these key bodies on the grounds of likes and dislikes.
Even state institutions do not recognise each other’s rights and limitations. This has destabilised the democratic process. As a result, the masses have lost faith in executive, judicial and legislative authorities.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan was seen by many as the saviour of K-P’s people. His party’s popularity soared to new heights in 2013 when PTI came into power in the province. People believed he would be the solution to all their problems and a remedy to the constant headaches. The party started off on the right foot by setting up working groups for government departments such as health, education, social welfare and general administration.
Leading experts were roped in and several meetings discussed ways to iron out long-standing issues. However, the outcome of these efforts is yet to surface. Instead of streamlining public institutions and addressing the miseries of the public, there is unrest amongst officers and officials. More worryingly, a majority of senior civil and police officers are reluctant to serve in K-P.
The PTI-led government has also scored a bit of an own goal by clubbing all government officials into the corrupt bracket without taking into account that honest officers also exist.
Mending fences
An encouraging sign for the province was Imran’s recent remarks during a press conference at Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Peshawar where he commended the previous Awami National Party government for allotting land for the facility. Former chief minister Amir Haider Hoti will be invited to the inaugural ceremony on December 29.
However, it has been far from smooth-sailing as Imran has upset plenty of people with his words since coming into power in 2013. A couple of days ago, he announced plans to streamline the affairs of the health department and managed to upset the medical fraternity in the bargain. As a result, a large number of doctors are now protesting against the PTI chief.
A leading political figure from a religious party said Imran is sincere, but he needs to choose his words more carefully. He added the PTI chief wants a Shaukat Khanum-like system in the health sector. This is an unrealistic goal. Another technocrat associated with health sector agreed with the senior politicians, saying Imran needs to control his temper and become less sentimental.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 9th, 2015.
The use of harsh language and the lack of mutual respect are rampant among politicians these days and television channels are the first to cash in on all the crassness. As rating battles rage on, anchors are fuelling tensions to create an intriguing show for viewers without realising the potential damage.
Perhaps they need to be told that many of the unnecessary arguments sparked through their careful maneuvering can only lead to disunity and bad governance.
Maligning opponents in politics is nothing new; leaders have been using such tactics for decades. At the same time, some of the more seasoned players, despite differences in ideologies, always respected each other. However, that mutual admiration is fading fast and badgering each other has become the order of the day. The constant squabbling bodes well for television networks, but what media outlets and the politicians do not realise is that they are portraying the country in an almost comedic light to the rest of the world.
These rifts are also more than skin deep and are affecting the functioning of state institutions where corrupt practices, injustices and nepotism are flourishing. Appointments and inductions are made in all these key bodies on the grounds of likes and dislikes.
Even state institutions do not recognise each other’s rights and limitations. This has destabilised the democratic process. As a result, the masses have lost faith in executive, judicial and legislative authorities.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan was seen by many as the saviour of K-P’s people. His party’s popularity soared to new heights in 2013 when PTI came into power in the province. People believed he would be the solution to all their problems and a remedy to the constant headaches. The party started off on the right foot by setting up working groups for government departments such as health, education, social welfare and general administration.
Leading experts were roped in and several meetings discussed ways to iron out long-standing issues. However, the outcome of these efforts is yet to surface. Instead of streamlining public institutions and addressing the miseries of the public, there is unrest amongst officers and officials. More worryingly, a majority of senior civil and police officers are reluctant to serve in K-P.
The PTI-led government has also scored a bit of an own goal by clubbing all government officials into the corrupt bracket without taking into account that honest officers also exist.
Mending fences
An encouraging sign for the province was Imran’s recent remarks during a press conference at Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Peshawar where he commended the previous Awami National Party government for allotting land for the facility. Former chief minister Amir Haider Hoti will be invited to the inaugural ceremony on December 29.
However, it has been far from smooth-sailing as Imran has upset plenty of people with his words since coming into power in 2013. A couple of days ago, he announced plans to streamline the affairs of the health department and managed to upset the medical fraternity in the bargain. As a result, a large number of doctors are now protesting against the PTI chief.
A leading political figure from a religious party said Imran is sincere, but he needs to choose his words more carefully. He added the PTI chief wants a Shaukat Khanum-like system in the health sector. This is an unrealistic goal. Another technocrat associated with health sector agreed with the senior politicians, saying Imran needs to control his temper and become less sentimental.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 9th, 2015.