In every story, there are always two sides, one who claims to be the victim and the one who is to be blamed as the culprit. But, in the world of politics, things are jumbled up and manipulated in a way that is hard to understand for normal people like us. Here, both sides play the blame game, holding each other responsible; for the disasters they caused, the mischiefs that happened during their tenure, and the liabilities left undone on their side. It’s really hard for a common man at such a time to decide which side to choose. But the question that stands is; is anyone worthy enough to be chosen?
The Pakistani political system is quite unpredictable. One can always expect the unexpected and as mentioned earlier, no one can truly ever predict, what is going to happen next? Political tension is always at its peak. If we cast a glance at the history, we will find out that from the day of independence to the year 2008, there has been a very fragile political structure in the country with the Democratic Parties and the Military, ruling the state subsequently. Only after 2008, there has been an uninterrupted democratic rule established in the state, yet no major development could be identified for the progress of the country and its citizens. Three major political parties have been governing the country since the last military rule ended; PPP in 2008, PML (N) in 2013, and PTI in 2018 (until removed in 2022, with PDM taking the charge).
Each democratic government claimed to facilitate the public but instead, they found their interests at stake and kept safeguarding them while burdening the common people more and more with inflation and rising prices by taking high debts from IMF (23rd time in 2022) and others. Pakistan is due to pay $ 6.4 billion to IMF only, to be paid till 2024. Furthermore, Pakistan is ranked 154th (out of 189 countries) in the HDI, which is calculated on the basis of three major indicators; life expectancy, education, and per capita income.
Currently, the political scenario in the country can be seen once again changing at 180 degrees. Now is the time to decide, on which end one should stand. Surely, no one wants to end up on the wrong side. The side has to be chosen and that selection is very critical in defining the future of the country, and there is no option of staying neutral.
The country is on the verge of bankruptcy. The basic needs are getting scarce and highly-priced, becoming less accessible for the people living under the poverty line. Many middle-class families are now falling under lower-class families due to this current high rise in prices, turning the citizens into the plight of destitution. The one who suffers the most is the working class while the elite doesn’t even care an iota.
The power shown, by the government and the opposition, is at its peak and so is the blame game. Many controversies, conspiracy theories, velitation, deception, propaganda, fabrication, and much more is going on in our media channels in the name of politics from our political parties.
Politics is more like the game of chess, every step is very crucial. Among everything growing so massive and a consistent change with every passing minute, there is one thing that is consistently failing, the public’s belief in politicians. Politicians behave like crabs, pulling one another down. Apparently, the politicians claim that the power they seek is not for themselves but to empower the public interest. The reality, however, stands far behind, that is; to safeguard their interest and cover-up all their misdeeds.
All we know till today is that from the top to the bottom, the system is corrupt, poisoned to its very core. We all are answerable to our younger generation as we are the key decision-makers for what we will do and what not. We must decide while refraining from the same mistakes done by our forefathers and the generations before us. The time to stand behind, seek help, and try to remain on neutral grounds is long gone. This time when you chose your vote, be wiser. To clear the mud, one needs to step in and it is such a time. Fight for the right, and struggle hard to steer the course in the right direction. Because, if not now then when, if not us then who, if not this way then how?
