Political parties PML-N, PPP, PTI and MQM are in power solely or in coalition at the centre or provinces or both, but they behave as if they are in the opposition. They decry all that obtains today in Pakistan in terms of poor governance, stagnating economy and failing law and order, without realising that they have been voted to office to rid the nation of these weaknesses. It beggars belief that instead of standing up to the challenge of putting in place a government that delivers effectively they look for scapegoats. Imran Khan says he would be leading a million-man march to besiege Islamabad on Independence Day to bring down the Sharif government, only to earn Sharif's ministers' taunts. Unchallenged in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa for nearly a year now what is there that Imran Khan may say 'look, we did it'. Or, if in Shahbaz Sharif's Punjab people enjoy heavenly peace on earth? Or, the PPP-MQM combine has rid the mega city of extortionists and target killers? The hard fact is that for the common man nothing has changed - violence, corruption, nepotism, extortion you name any vice, it is there making the common man's life an everyday ordeal. What mentionable deeds these great champions of democracy on both sides of the querulous political divide have done since their electoral empowerment last year? We have heard their frothy speeches and watched their rallies and 'dharnas', but not a word why they have failed to deliver for well over a year now.
How come at this critical juncture when our armed forces are engaged in a battle for survival of Pakistan, the country's civilian leadership instead of standing firmly at the back of our forces is fighting for crumbs of political power. This should change; politicians must rise above their petty considerations and help nurture esprit de corps or feelings of loyalty among various centres of national power. And for that to happen we feel it is for the government to come forward. Howsoever heavily mandated it may be, it must realise that it takes two to tango. There is too much of unguarded comment on the part of ministers instead of showcasing actual performance in areas of their governance. The prime minister and the concerned chief ministers should reign in these ever-available commentators, to be promptly riposted by their opponents generating and creating an unending babble readily lapped up by a waiting media. How ironic it is that it is no longer lawmaking - in fact, that is left for the parliamentary committees to do - but an activity that is largely characterised by frivolous points of order and flurry of accusatory and counter-accusatory charges in elected houses. Isn't it an insult of an elected house that its members would prefer to speak their mind beyond its four walls? The tough challenges confronting today's Pakistan demand of its political leaders to be rational and realistic. Quite a few malaises besetting the country were there when the present governments took over. There are huge challenges threatening the very foundations of the state of Pakistan, and no single individual or political party single-handedly or any 'grand alliance' can handle it. There has got to be a unified national approach jointly hammered out with all political stakeholders on board instead of staging mini theatres that invite praise from fans and rebuke from rivals.
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