AdeelFaheem
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For some it is the season of contention. In Karachi, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) organised a day of mourning across the city over the extra-judicial killings of their party members, halting all economic activity.
Then there is the Baloch Student Organisation (BSO-Azad) hunger strike currently taking place for the missing Chairman of the organisation.
And of course, the anti-government protest planned by Imran Khan as a means to weaken the current administration.
Each matter is a cause for concern and needs to be looked into.
But there are also others for whom, a year on since the last election, it's a season of reassurance.
The assurance comes not so much from the development policies with the load-shedding and electricity problems, and certainly not from the peace talks with the TTP which are still lingering on.
These are all areas where governance needs to be improved.
The reassurance comes from the fact that politically, the system is free from being usurped by the military.
The nagging problem is Imran Khan.
Earlier, the country had commemorated Youm-e-Shuhada (Day of Martyrs) where fallen soldiers were remembered.
It was a sombre reminder of how isolated Pakistan is regionally, given how soldiers are placed along every border and how its self-created monster TTP haunts the country.
The Chief of Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif, made a speech which made everyone comfortable about the country's political future.
Following this came Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's interview in London, where he stated that democracy was the solution to Pakistan's problems.
Between the General's speech and PM's interview, it was clear that the military was backing the civilian government, especially when it comes to handling the TTP - and they also respected a responsible media.
Both are key points when the country is battling not just to ensure that democracy and the writ of the state are firmly established as accepted political standards, but also when the country's media and secret service are are at war when it comes to freedom of speech and accountability.
Indeed, there's a sign of political maturity and acknowledgment of the growth of media and the judiciary which means the military knows any interference will not go down well.
Unfortunately the same cannot be said of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan, who is due to hold an anti-government protest on May 11.
From the Electoral Commission to the Returning Officers, from the media to the judiciary, from PML-N to the current government, Khan has had issues with everyone.
He has the right to express his opinion, but is it always based on facts? And that's where political maturity turns out to be a disruptive tantrum.
The history of dislike between the military and the civilian government cannot be erased but the current agreement between these two institutions to jointly respect the ability of using speech and not guns as a means of achieving peace is empowering the future generation.
But what is not empowering is setting an example of continuous aggression under the pretence of progress.
For each one of his claims, Khan needs to understand that evidence is needed; without fact, what remains is his opinion, which changes according to his target.
While electoral results do remain a concern, Pakistan is at a point where it needs to keep all parties on board to address crucial issues.
Given the presence of anti-democratic forces on Pakistani soil, the consequences of Khan's agenda of proving the elections were rigged, are dangerous as they include a dismissal of the government.
Besides, if Khan continues to go down this path, the danger is his party may remain just a pressure group.
Source : THE LAHORE LOG: Imran needs to grow up | Mail Online
Then there is the Baloch Student Organisation (BSO-Azad) hunger strike currently taking place for the missing Chairman of the organisation.
And of course, the anti-government protest planned by Imran Khan as a means to weaken the current administration.
Each matter is a cause for concern and needs to be looked into.
But there are also others for whom, a year on since the last election, it's a season of reassurance.
The assurance comes not so much from the development policies with the load-shedding and electricity problems, and certainly not from the peace talks with the TTP which are still lingering on.
These are all areas where governance needs to be improved.
The reassurance comes from the fact that politically, the system is free from being usurped by the military.
The nagging problem is Imran Khan.
Earlier, the country had commemorated Youm-e-Shuhada (Day of Martyrs) where fallen soldiers were remembered.
It was a sombre reminder of how isolated Pakistan is regionally, given how soldiers are placed along every border and how its self-created monster TTP haunts the country.
The Chief of Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif, made a speech which made everyone comfortable about the country's political future.
Following this came Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's interview in London, where he stated that democracy was the solution to Pakistan's problems.
Between the General's speech and PM's interview, it was clear that the military was backing the civilian government, especially when it comes to handling the TTP - and they also respected a responsible media.
Both are key points when the country is battling not just to ensure that democracy and the writ of the state are firmly established as accepted political standards, but also when the country's media and secret service are are at war when it comes to freedom of speech and accountability.
Indeed, there's a sign of political maturity and acknowledgment of the growth of media and the judiciary which means the military knows any interference will not go down well.
Unfortunately the same cannot be said of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan, who is due to hold an anti-government protest on May 11.
From the Electoral Commission to the Returning Officers, from the media to the judiciary, from PML-N to the current government, Khan has had issues with everyone.
He has the right to express his opinion, but is it always based on facts? And that's where political maturity turns out to be a disruptive tantrum.
The history of dislike between the military and the civilian government cannot be erased but the current agreement between these two institutions to jointly respect the ability of using speech and not guns as a means of achieving peace is empowering the future generation.
But what is not empowering is setting an example of continuous aggression under the pretence of progress.
For each one of his claims, Khan needs to understand that evidence is needed; without fact, what remains is his opinion, which changes according to his target.
While electoral results do remain a concern, Pakistan is at a point where it needs to keep all parties on board to address crucial issues.
Given the presence of anti-democratic forces on Pakistani soil, the consequences of Khan's agenda of proving the elections were rigged, are dangerous as they include a dismissal of the government.
Besides, if Khan continues to go down this path, the danger is his party may remain just a pressure group.
Source : THE LAHORE LOG: Imran needs to grow up | Mail Online
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