Nearly after the break of 15 months, recently, the third case of polio was reported from Waziristan dreading another advent of the poliovirus; the outbreak of cholera in Balochistan killing almost 21 people so far and provided poor health facilities, the tally could swell beyond control; the deteriorating climate change, and not to mention the economic turmoil, the Sword of Damocles hanging our heads should have sent the shocks of alarm in our nation.
Not that it’s the first time that Pakistan is being feared to unravel into an economic, political, and social disaster. However, the extent of turbulence is unprecedented and unparalleled. The above-mentioned issues demand the hasty and undivided attention of the stakeholders and public en masse. The boggy of politics, however, has been engulfing everything that happens to be in its way. If politicians are occupied with vilifying each other, vying to curry favour with the mighty establishment, the people, on the other hand, have made it the objective of their lives to dance to the tune of their respective leaders, turning their political adversaries into arch-enemies. The line dividing sanity and insanity has become pretty blurred. Invectives, character assassination, gendered slurs and intimidation have become the new normal.
Besides, the role of the media is not so different from the rest of society. The talk shows, the news and even the entertainment industry have been feeding political horseshit to the populace around the clock. Pressing issues are being brushed aside. Obviously, concentrating on them would not enhance the vote bank of the politicians or would hike the TRP of media channels. In every news channel, every setting, whether it’s public or private, friends or family, the only thing that remains consistent is “politics, politics and politics”. The divisive politics piercing through leaders have reached the dining rooms of the public. Today, members of the same family are at each other’s throats. So, in this situation, could we even expect any sense from our stakeholders to address our genuine issues?
They would sell what is readily bought irrespective of the cost to the country and its people. At the moment, the nation is struggling with inflation, debt circulation, population explosion, terrorism and eroding democratic insight, but our people are more concerned to prove ” Who is the extra clown among different clowns” by putting their own benefits at stake. Even if they do somehow touch on serious issues, for instance, inflation, the motivation stems from the instinct to undermine and invalidate their political opponents, not out of concern for the destitute.
That doesn’t mean Pakistanis should abandon politics altogether, which is obviously not a viable and reasonable solution. Active public participation is the glamour of democracy. The same people are supposed to vote and demand accountability if their leaders are not living up to their expectations. On the contrary, politicians, whether in opposition or the ruling party, are expected to keep the well-being of people above their petty differences. If necessary, negotiation, compromise and even simple dialogue should be the means to engage instead of employing populist ploys to further their own interests. In Pakistan, the situation is quite bleak.
Pakistanis need to realise that their political leaders don’t give a damn about their lives. For them, everyone is just an ant to be trampled upon, cannon fodder to exploit their sentiments in their favour. Of course, our people, oblivious to this simple reality, are proving an edge for the politicians and establishment to milk. At the moment, people are dying of hunger(inflation), terrorism and heatwaves, yet the focus is more on proving their allegiance to their parties.
It’s high time we wake up and hold the roaring wolf of crisis before it catches our neck.
Malalaiye Zar is a Clinical Psychologist who writes on mental health, social issues and gender issues.
- The Confused Priorities - 04/06/2022
