left with few options, many are blindly following Imran Khan. But they have been following their hearts, not minds
I grew up in a time when debates regarding political correctness carried immense importance. The 21st century claims to be a century of development and prosperity. But for whomIJ Just the selected fewIJ The definitions of these vague terms vary from person to person, depending on their interests and agendas.
The anti-Government protest of Mr Imran Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf, is a spectacle that puzzles me, and at the same time, makes me feel sad about where Pakistan is heading. I have to be politically correct but in times like these we can't look at things in black and white.
I have seen people marching against dictatorships, considering it a ruthless form of governance. I remember how I participated in discussions when we had to oust General Pervez Musharraf. Pakistan Peoples Party's slogan loudly said, “Democracy is the best revenge for dictatorship”. So we entered a democratic system, which had to be a Government of the people by the people and for the people — my understanding of democracy a while ago.
After the successful transition from one democratic system to another, it is now the Pakistan Muslim league (Nawaz) turn at the helm, after five years of the PPP. It isn't a Government by the people, as there was massive electoral rigging. It isn't a Government of the people as nepotism led to many important seats being taken by the relatives of PMl(N) leaders, and it is also not a Government for the people as many don't get justice, let aside basic human rights. There was dissatisfaction among the people over rising food prices, unbearable taxation, unemployment and more. We weren't happy then and we aren't happy now.
Then came Mr Khan telling the people to adopt civil disobedience to overthrow the current democratically-elected Government, as it was not delivering what it was meant to. Sadly, no Government ever delivered what it promised during election campaigns. Mr Khan is putting forward accurate demands; whether his methods are right or wrong, I can't decipher. Wanting the judiciary to take action on massive rigging during the election is not undemocratic. Mr Khan has proved to be a worthy philanthropist and a cricketer but whether he is a good politician only time will tell. With few options to choose from, many are blindly following him, listening to their hearts more than their minds.
Mr Khan gave many references of Egypt, wanting to make Islamabad's Red Zone area like Tahrir square. I want to ask him: Are you aware how the people of Egypt feel at the moment with President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi at the helmIJ These institutions, these empty buildings, empty consciences didn't deliver what many gathered for, hoping to see a better future. As I write, graffiti of the face of Jalal Meghazi on Mohammad Mahmoud street near Tahrir Square looks into my eyes. He was born in 1992 and lost his life fighting to see Hosni Mubarak's removal. Those passionate eyes tell me that he died for nothing.
The power play only fools the ones gathering or hoping to see better days. Sometimes, I feel that the general population is just used for propagating the political interests of the unseen. It was never about justice. Someone rightly said that, “justice is what love looks like in public”. We never want to lose the people we love as they carry an important place in our hearts.
Besides the slogans, we are also brainwashed to believe that you don't get freedom easily. You have to give your life for it. This has always been central for gathering crowds. I don't reject the notion, but gathering for leaders who want to lead me into an abyss is not what I want. However, this doesn't mean that I don't acknowledge the efforts of all those freedom fighters who gave their lives struggling for justice and freedom.
Years of witnessing all the past struggles, should make us more conscientious and aware of the fact that using force should not be an option. We say we are civilised beings, so we must act like one and talk things out. Dialogue is essential but it is also important to note that, in dialogue, both parties should be ready to listen to each other and resolve the matter, keeping aside personal interests. When Governments are operated by foreign elements, due to their strategic importance, they should not be called sovereign states. We live in a globalised world — living in isolation is not an option. We are living in a time when we know what is right and what is wrong, especially when it deals with matters regarding justice and peace, the words highly exploited in today's world.
Nobody anywhere in the world likes to be kicked into darkness. People everywhere in the world want to live in peace and if the forces that play an important role in creating wars and unrest think they can get away with it, they should know that the empty slogans of justice and peace don't fool us anymore. Enough of these theories and intellectual content, act like you are pro-peace and justice and that will be enough. Noam Chomsky once said, “The general population doesn't know what is happening and it doesn't even know that it doesn't know.” Yes, when we don't know anything, we make ourselves available to people who can make use of us. So, let us open our eyes and try to find the truth. Truth is a relative term, I know, but we can try to be righteous in our own capacity. We should make our little contribution whenever possible to propagate justice and peace in our own circles, and that might turn out to be a catalyst for change.
(The writer is Pakistan-based journalist)