The nation celebrated its 75th Independence Day on Saturday, paying rich tributes to Quaid-i-Azam, whose leadership made riddance from the British rule possible for millions of Muslims of the subcontinent.
At various ceremonies, the successes and failures of the country in various walks of life and the factors behind both were enumerated.
While successive governments implemented their policies during these seven decades, what is most astonishing is the world of difference between the views of the Quaid-i-Azam (Great leader) Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Quaid-i-Azam- II, a title sycophants around Mian Nawaz Sharif use for him, mostly to get benefits from him.
Regrettably, MNS never said that he doesn’t deserve this title.
What the Quaid-i-Azam did to get Muslims of the continent a separate homeland is mentioned in detail in history books.
However, the same Britain Muhammad Ali Jinnah had struggled against is the ‘benefactor’ for the Q.A-II.
Away from Pakistan on medical grounds for the past 20 months, the three-time former prime minister, QA-II is using Britain as place of refuge. He has been staying there along with many family members – turning the luxurious Avenfield region into a ‘Sharif district’.
Despite the feigned medical grounds, Q-A-II is not willing to face cases against him about his wealth and its sources.
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah gave unbelievable importance to the law, but for Q-A-II it’s not that important, especially when he is out of power.
In spite of this attitude, the members of the Q-A-II family who are in Pakistan keep harping in chorus the need for rule of law.
This example best explains the thinking of Quaid-i-Azam and Q-A-II.
Then, during the past seven years there has been a gradual decline in the stature of leadership. And still more painful is the fact that no improvement can be expected in the times ahead.
With the passage of time the parliament has also turned into a house of influential people. These people get elected through a process which, otherwise, is not acceptable to them.
They treat themselves above all laws – and their intervention in any matter can’t be resisted as it may lead to the breach of their privilege.
Like other walks of life a decline has also been witnessed in politics of opposition parties.
They have made it a point to oppose whatever the ruling party says on a particular matter.
It’s not based on any principle or argument, it is opposition just for the sake of opposition.
The parliamentarians have failed to give the country a system of election whose results are acceptable to all. It is because of this reason that results of all past polls were rejected by the losing parties.
At present the ruling PTI is trying to bring in a system of electronic voting machines to ward off the possibility of manipulations.
However, the opposition parties have rejected the idea – and at the same time are not offering any alternative.
As of now talks for electoral reforms remain a dream – despite the fact that the opposition parties are also demanding immediate fresh elections as in their opinion this is the only way to solve the multiple problems facing the country.
Introduction of the Islamic system – the main goal behind the creation of Pakistan – remains unaccomplished even after seven decades.
Despite all efforts, a ‘riba-free’ economic system could not be introduced because of a number of factors.
Despite Quranic injunctions in favour of this system, those in power have always tried to give an impressions about its enforceability in the present era.
As a result, people continue to give and take interest in transactions with banks.
Lately, Islamic banking system has been introduced by various banks.
But those addicted to pocketing interest, an overwhelming majority of people still prefer the riba-based system.
While taking stock of the situation after seven decades, it would not be out of place to point out that corruption has become a way of life in the ‘Islamic republic’.
It’s beyond the capacity of anyone to point out which department is more corrupt than the other.
Fingers are also raised even at the working of judicial system.
It is alleged that influential people manipulate even the judicial process.
A former judge of the Islamic High Court alleged at a meeting that intelligence agencies interfered with his judicial work.
Shortly thereafter that judge was removed by the Supreme Judicial Council although he has approached the apex court again for justice.
The situation in the police departments remains worst as ever.
The ‘medal’ of most corrupt department should certainly go to the ‘law enforcers’.
Lucky is the one who gets justice from the police – and that too without greasing any palms.
The crime rate is going up with the passage of time because of the police complicity and the government’s failure to execute those awarded capital punishment to those involved in heinous crimes. They are living comfortably in jails, irritating those who had filed petitions for their conviction.
Still more painful is the fact that nobody is taking the notice of the lack of executions.
The situation in the field of education is equally disappointing.
The same is the case with inter-provincial harmony.
This is briefly the state of affairs in various sectors at a time that the nation is celebrating 75th Independence Day. Although Quran says no one should get disappointed from the mercy of Allah, only the Creator of the Universe can change this situation.