Being selective


LARKANA: Holding rallies and addressing the public is a democratic exercise, but using these public gatherings as a platform for a vilifying campaign against state institutions on unjustified grounds is indeed an undemocratic exercise.

Alleging conspiracy theories involving state institutions is easier than proving one’s innocence with documentary evidence in a court of law. But the ousted prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, doesn’t think so. He has launched a campaign against the judiciary calling it “a movement for the restoration of justice” in the country.

Having returned from a political pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Nawaz gave a rebuttal of the Trump tweet unleashed against the state of Pakistan. Unsurprisingly in the same written press conference, he threatened if the activities behind the curtain did not stop, he would disclose secrets as well as expose the conspiracy hatched against the democratic dispensation during his stay in the office.

But the question that arises is: why does Nawaz Sharif only consider exposing undemocratic forces that had been present all this while only after his disqualification? If his words are to be taken seriously, then what was the reason for his silence when such scheming was underway? If such an exercise was going on against the elected government/parliament, then why did he chose to be a silent spectator?

Until the character, competence and public service delivery are the parameters to vote, the public will be deluded by godfathers such as Nawaz Sharif. If Mr Sharif does indeed think the disclosure of these ‘secrets’ will help the country’s democratic process, he perhaps should disclose them.

Nazeer Ahmed Arijo

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11th, 2018.

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Original news : https://tribune.com.pk/story/1605350/6-being-selective/