Pakistan

A history of servitude

Written

3 years ago

Apr 09, 2021 04:10 AM

Faheem Ahmad

The fool is a strong word so I will not use it but I will term those expecting Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to bring about a democratic revolution “naïve”.

Faheem Ahmad

It is not just the PDM that is on the verge of breaking up. The dreams of social media warriors and democracy advocates are also lying in tatters. There is little introspection about PDM itself, a movement that came into being only to protect the self-interests of the parties that constituted it.

A fundamental reason for PDM’s failure is the fact that it did not concentrate on the problems faced by its voters. Member parties were chiefly concerned with smoothing out the path ahead for them to grab power. Civilian supremacy and respect for the vote may benefit opposition parties, but for the common man, monumental problems remain his issues of having food on the table, basic amenities and a roof over the head. Embattled in trying to survive from one day to the next, the public took not much interest in the movement.

The second reason for PDM faltering along the way is that the status quo and hybrid regime they bash regularly has, at one point or another, benefitted them too. Their interest in changing this system is negligible or even nonexistent. It is no secret that contrary to their narratives and slogans, their anger was primarily directed at not being given yet another chance to rule in servitude to the powers that be. Neither is it a secret that the real demand was to abandon PTI and adopt them instead.

All the behind-the-scenes efforts to strike the proverbial deal seem to have paid off for one particular opposition party, and that perhaps is the bone of contention upon which the PDM is choking. The alleged green signal to Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has left Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) shocked and angry.

As for the government, its happiness over cracks inside the opposition alliance is baffling. PPP coming close to the establishment should ring alarm bells not just inside the PML-N but also in PTI. The former seems to think calling the PPP, the governments B-Team is an apt description. It is not. It is now a valid replacement. Or, that is what has been conveyed to the PPP, who may otherwise not have been pursuing such confident political moves.

The current political scenario and PPP’s attitude provide clues to the possibility that for the establishment, granting another five years to the incumbent might not be possible. A new recipe might be drafted with PPP, ANP and PML-Q as the main ingredients. With ANP’s reluctance to use the provincial card, PPP’s turnabout from resistance to reconciliation and PML-Q’s ever-present subservience, this goulash might not be difficult to concoct. A hung parliament that can be reined in whenever required may be in our future once again.

All of this is of course just speculation. PPP’s servitude can either mean it gets lucky or that it might be used and disposed of like Shehbaz Sharif was. Whoever may emerge victorious from this crisis, the advice I offer to social media warriors remains the same. Pursue the history of these political parties before pinning all your hopes on them.

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Faheem Ahmad

Faheem Ahmad is an associate producer at GNN

Pakistan

South Korea expresses desire to enhance bilateral cooperation with Pakistan

The Ambassador congratulates the Prime Minister on behalf of the Korean leadership upon his re-election.

Published

13 hours ago

May 13, 2024 06:02 PM

Hussnain Bhutta

Islamabad: South Korea on Monday expressed the desire to enhance its bilateral cooperation with Pakistan in a number of areas of mutual interest, particularly trade, investment, IT, culture, tourism and people to people exchanges.

This desire of the Korean Government was expressed by Korean Ambassador Korean Park Ki Jun during his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Monday (today).

The Ambassador congratulated the Prime Minister on behalf of the Korean leadership upon his re-election. Shehbaz Sharif thanked the Korean leadership for the warm message of greetings that he received and expressed the desire to work closely to further strengthen bilateral ties.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan and Korea enjoy good relations, particularly in trade and investment. He said both countries had cooperated since the early 1960s for economic development and conveyed admiration for Korea's remarkable transformation into a modern technologically advanced economy.

He said that Pakistan is keen to learn from Korea's experience of industrialization and SME sector growth as well as in the field of IT including artificial intelligence.

Shehbaz Sharif also offered to enhance export of skilled manpower from Pakistan to meet Korea's human resource needs.

To promote mutually beneficial trade, he proposed the exchange of business delegations between Seoul and Islamabad. In this regard, the Prime Minister said he would instruct relevant Cabinet Ministers to coordinate with the Korean side to discuss existing investments by Korean companies as well as to explore new opportunities.

Shehbaz Sharif also extended an invitation to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to undertake an official visit to Pakistan.

Pakistan

Former Punjab CM Manzoor Wattoo joins PPP with family

Former members National Assembly, Khurram Wattoo and Rubina Shaheen Wattoo and former members Punjab Assembly, Moazzam Wattoo, Jahan Ara Wattoo and Amina Wattoo Kasuri were the family members of Manzoor Wattoo who joined the party

Published

9 hours ago

May 13, 2024 09:25 PM

Hussnain Bhutta

Lahore: The former Chief Minister Punjab, Manzoor Wattoo after meeting with the Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Lahore on Monday announced to join the PPP with his family members.

Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Hassan Murtaza, Shahzad Saeed Cheema and Chaudhry Sajjad ul Hassan were also present in the meeting.

Pakistan

Omar Ayub calls for judicial probe into May 9 riots amid concerns for democracy

The Opposition Leader in the National Assembly calls IGP Dr. Usman Anwar as “Gullu Butt”

Published

8 hours ago

May 13, 2024 10:55 PM

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Islamabad: Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan expressed serious concerns over the state of democracy in Pakistan during a session held on Monday.

In his address to the National Assembly, Ayub Khan advocated for the establishment of an independent judicial commission to probe the events of May 9.

He emphasized his appointment as opposition leader by his party leader and stressed the importance of adhering to the founding principles of the PTI.

Expressing dissatisfaction with President Asif Zardari's unchanged rhetoric over the years, Ayub lamented the absence of genuine democracy in the nation and criticized the perceived interference of the establishment in political affairs.

He raised concerns regarding the disappearance of CCTV footage from the judicial complex and called for accountability for those responsible.

During his speech on the floor of the assembly, Omar Ayub also called IGP Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar as “Gullu Butt” of the PML-N. He said that the Punjab police was ill-disciplined force under IGP Dr. Usman Anwar.

He regretted that the lawyers were baton charged on May 9 by the police.

He also said that the CCTV footages of the sensitive areas of that day should be brought before the public for record.

Ayub urged for the formation of an independent judicial commission to investigate various historical incidents, including Hamoodur Rehman, Ojhri Camp, Abbottabad, and Army Public School tragedies.

Besides it, he highlighted alleged interference in the judiciary, citing instances such as the closure of social media accounts and the disappearance of the Rawalpindi commissioner.

Ayub also brought attention to incidents like the intrusion into the PTI founder's residence and alleged targeting of the PTI government. He referenced Defence Minister Khawaja Asif's admission in an interview regarding dialogue with former army chief Gen Bajwa.