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Azaadi March - A threat to "Status Quo Politics" By Ahsan Alavi
In 66 years of Pakistan's history, only once have we witnessed credible elections and that was in 1971 when Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto swept. Before/after that, either a military dictator would hold elections to provide legitimacy to his own office, or the "powerful" establishment would manoeuvre election results to bring their own puppets in power. Till date, people of Pakistan have been deprived of their fundamental right, which is to vote in/out the leadership of their choice. The 2013 elections were no different; in fact they turned out to be the most heavily rigged elections in the history of Pakistan!
Whether it was the opposition or government, all contesting parties alleged their counterparts to be involved in rigging. The only debate was on the extent of the rigging. Question arises- what should be done to prevent rigging in future? All parties (majority of them for public consumption only) agree that the election system must be improved, reformed and revamped. But, it seems except for PTI, none of the parties consider it a priority. PTI's tabled bill for EVM (electronic voting machines) is yet to pass in the national assembly, in fact-neither the government, nor the other opposition parties have paid heed to it. Also, except for PTI, none of the parties have been calling for punishments under article 6 for the perpetrators.
Many, who are criticising PTI for showing urgency and disrupting the "democratic" process, must understand that PTI's support/vote base is entirely different from the support base of the "traditional" parties, hence for PTI, it is of utmost importance that they stand by their word and fulfil their commitment. Also, the reason why Imran Khan is hell-bent on holding those involved in rigging-accountable is because of the immense pressure by the youth-first time voters. Let's not forget that it was Imran Khan who attracted the youth towards politics & persuaded them to come out and vote in order to bring about a change. What happened after that is known to everyone- and for many, the massive rigging which took place was/is acceptable as it is considered a "norm" after every election in Pakistan. Perhaps, the only difference this time around is that there is a genuine opposition in the parliament in the name of PTI- which has raised the issues of the common man-especially of those who voted for change, but their vote got changed.
Imran khan has been diligent in his struggle for electoral reforms, but no other opposition party, whether it’s MQM, PPP or ANP have lent any real support to him. PMLN, obviously has been busy dilly dallying inside the parliament for the past 14 months. The grotesque statements from their ministers in the media are mainly in defence of this corrupt electoral system - which makes their intentions very clear about reformation of this very system. Also, when confronted, you get to hear the most bizarre argument that: "Dhandli tu har election mein hoti hai, iski wajaah se jamhooriat ko derail nahi karna chahiyay hai"! Actually, reason for their obfuscation and obscurantism is clearly because they are the beneficiaries of this corrupt, decadent and rotten system! Moreover, PMLN's shenanigans - such as rewarding the main architects of election rigging (Najam Sethi’s appointment as PCB Chairman, Justice Ramday's son's appointment as Attorney General Punjab and Arsalan Iftikhar’s appointment as VC BIB), has only bolstered PTI's claim that the elections were not individually, but institutionally rigged.
PMLN's tactic to involve Army in their battle with PTI will only backfire. Army is not a private militia. It’s not Punjab police which, due to political interference/appointments has become a private militia- It is a national institution which should be kept out of petty politics. PMLN should know that PTI's march is not dependent on anyone but public support. For them it’s incomprehensible as they have always been molly coddled by the establishment.
Given the current circumstances, Azaadi March becomes imperative & inevitable as all legal and constitutional avenues have failed in providing justice to the voters whose vote were robbed. If Imran Khan's Azaadi March really manages to change this flawed electoral system and ensure free and fair elections in this country, it will only strengthen and prosper democracy- In fact, the coming generations of this nation will be indebted to Imran Khan.
Azaadi March - A threat to "Status Quo Politics" By Ahsan Alavi
In 66 years of Pakistan's history, only once have we witnessed credible elections and that was in 1971 when Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto swept. Before/after that, either a military dictator would hold elections to provide legitimacy to his own office, or the "powerful" establishment would manoeuvre election results to bring their own puppets in power. Till date, people of Pakistan have been deprived of their fundamental right, which is to vote in/out the leadership of their choice. The 2013 elections were no different; in fact they turned out to be the most heavily rigged elections in the history of Pakistan!
Whether it was the opposition or government, all contesting parties alleged their counterparts to be involved in rigging. The only debate was on the extent of the rigging. Question arises- what should be done to prevent rigging in future? All parties (majority of them for public consumption only) agree that the election system must be improved, reformed and revamped. But, it seems except for PTI, none of the parties consider it a priority. PTI's tabled bill for EVM (electronic voting machines) is yet to pass in the national assembly, in fact-neither the government, nor the other opposition parties have paid heed to it. Also, except for PTI, none of the parties have been calling for punishments under article 6 for the perpetrators.
Many, who are criticising PTI for showing urgency and disrupting the "democratic" process, must understand that PTI's support/vote base is entirely different from the support base of the "traditional" parties, hence for PTI, it is of utmost importance that they stand by their word and fulfil their commitment. Also, the reason why Imran Khan is hell-bent on holding those involved in rigging-accountable is because of the immense pressure by the youth-first time voters. Let's not forget that it was Imran Khan who attracted the youth towards politics & persuaded them to come out and vote in order to bring about a change. What happened after that is known to everyone- and for many, the massive rigging which took place was/is acceptable as it is considered a "norm" after every election in Pakistan. Perhaps, the only difference this time around is that there is a genuine opposition in the parliament in the name of PTI- which has raised the issues of the common man-especially of those who voted for change, but their vote got changed.
Imran khan has been diligent in his struggle for electoral reforms, but no other opposition party, whether it’s MQM, PPP or ANP have lent any real support to him. PMLN, obviously has been busy dilly dallying inside the parliament for the past 14 months. The grotesque statements from their ministers in the media are mainly in defence of this corrupt electoral system - which makes their intentions very clear about reformation of this very system. Also, when confronted, you get to hear the most bizarre argument that: "Dhandli tu har election mein hoti hai, iski wajaah se jamhooriat ko derail nahi karna chahiyay hai"! Actually, reason for their obfuscation and obscurantism is clearly because they are the beneficiaries of this corrupt, decadent and rotten system! Moreover, PMLN's shenanigans - such as rewarding the main architects of election rigging (Najam Sethi’s appointment as PCB Chairman, Justice Ramday's son's appointment as Attorney General Punjab and Arsalan Iftikhar’s appointment as VC BIB), has only bolstered PTI's claim that the elections were not individually, but institutionally rigged.
PMLN's tactic to involve Army in their battle with PTI will only backfire. Army is not a private militia. It’s not Punjab police which, due to political interference/appointments has become a private militia- It is a national institution which should be kept out of petty politics. PMLN should know that PTI's march is not dependent on anyone but public support. For them it’s incomprehensible as they have always been molly coddled by the establishment.
Given the current circumstances, Azaadi March becomes imperative & inevitable as all legal and constitutional avenues have failed in providing justice to the voters whose vote were robbed. If Imran Khan's Azaadi March really manages to change this flawed electoral system and ensure free and fair elections in this country, it will only strengthen and prosper democracy- In fact, the coming generations of this nation will be indebted to Imran Khan.
Azaadi March - A threat to "Status Quo Politics" By Ahsan Alavi
