Barkat Ullah
After its independence Pakistan has experienced a number of ups and downs in term of changing government. This country have seen democracy with presidential and parliamentary form. It has also observed more than thirty years of military rule in its total age. Currently, it is a good luck for Pakistan, that the country has successfully completed two consecutive democratic terms and the third one is in the process. Generally democracy is considered best form of government in the contemporary world, because of its several attributes that are, flexibility, respect for others opinion, freedom of speech and
expression, tolerance, populism, hierarchy and so on. But in third world countries democracy hasnt proved fruitful, because of a number of domestic constraints and core, periphery relations. Same is the case in Pakistan, democracy is still in hatching phase because of immature political setup and unnecessary military interference in the said system. We are living in 21 century, a time where freedom of speech, difference in opinion, logical debates and reasonable conversation are valued a lot. An era in
which democratic governments keep themselves open to press and media criticism, and they give full and effective freedom to the later ones. The democracies tell every person and institutions their duties, responsibilities and jurisdictions. Unfortunately In Pakistan things are greatly different, here it has become a fashion that either institutions dont perform their duties or some of them cross their lines and deal those matter which they are not supposed to handle. Media is considered, one of the key drivers of improvements in democratic societies. It is the one that shape public opinions, keep public and
government aware of the proceedings. But in Pakistan the matters are very complicated regarding media. Either the media has some culprits that do biased and totally subjective journalism or government has restricted the others from Doing constructive work in the said field. Unfortunately it is one of the big dilemma, that the national institutions are not ready to absorb the criticism of media and take it in positive sense. Recently, Matti ullah jan, a senior journalist was kidnapped and tortured badly because he was criticizing a non civilian institution. This is such a shameful act that you are harassing or
targeting some one because he is trying to show you your limits or circle of work. The question is, have our forefathers struggled for this very day in which freedom of speech is suppressed? No absolutely not, they had worked hard for this motherland because the voices of certain classes were suppressed and kept silent in United India. Similarly, being a nation we are confused and irresponsible. This is one of the big problems of this nation that they dont bother to investigate about certain slogans or moments but just follow it blindly. Some of the youths in the pure land are trying to be liberals, but they dont know
the actual meaning of liberalism. They just criticize religious actions and principles, and try to wear jeans and shirts, eat on standing and talk in English,despite the fact that liberalism has nothing to do with these things. Liberalism shows how to be nice and respectful to others opinion, and how to treat others with kind and tolerant manner. Liberalism has nothing to do with the practices that new generation of Pakistan is doing. Moreover,instead of showing the actual meaning, spirit and true principles of religion, religious people are busy in pulling each other legs by discussing non issues. This country needs a serious
political and social renaissance if it has to survive in modern day. We need to bring major changes in ourselves as a nation. The civilian and non civilian institutions have to realize the fact that difference in opinion does not necessarily mean to suppress someone and send him or her behind the bars. It is in wide interests of democracy, politicians and public that the government stop political victimization in the name of accountability. Similarly politicians have to use their role in strengthening the civil supremacy rather to provide face savings to the irresponsible acts of non civilian institutions. Moreover it is the need of time that non civilian institutions realize their jurisdiction and stop the dirty game in political affairs.
