Where has the wisdom of the elders gone?

Unnecessary activities are not just a waste of time and resources but also spread an impression of nonseriousness. There is a saying, "Actions speak louder than words." State institutions do not need public relations campaigns to assert their authority. Public interaction for gauging public opinion can be kept to a minimum. Without understanding the true nature of the challenges Pakistan is facing due to the New Pakistan Project, any efforts to address them will be in vain.

Before moving forward, let me recount an incident from 2022. At that time, a no-confidence motion was about to be filed against then-Prime Minister Imran Khan. A relative from abroad was staying at my house with his family. A friend of theirs, a doctor, invited everyone to dinner at his residence in DHA. When we arrived, not only the host but his wife and three children were also doctors.

It was my first meeting with them. When they found out I was associated with journalism, the doctor decisively steered the conversation toward politics. I tried to avoid the topic, considering the family setting, but his enthusiasm was overwhelming. "Everyone except Imran is a thief, corrupt, Bajwa is a traitor," and so on. I asked, "Who stole what?" The doctor had no answers, only a litany of accusations. He made derogatory remarks about Nawaz Sharif, Asif Zardari, and even Maulana Fazlur Rehman. When he wouldn’t stop, I said, "Now I will say a few things about PTI, and if anything seems wrong, please correct me." I mentioned Imran Khan, Aleema, Pinky, Zulfi, Farah Gogi, and nearly a dozen major corruption scandals.

The doctor was stunned and eventually retreated, saying, "Whatever it is, Imran Khan is still far better than the rest." This kind of incident has likely happened to many others. That’s why it is said that the class of "educated but politically illiterate individuals" has become a significant problem for the state. However, the solution is not for state institutions to engage in public interactions to change their opinions.

A far better and more effective approach is to ensure that cases against individuals are pursued rigorously, punishments are secured, and crackdowns on fake news are intensified. Hypocrisy and leniency must be completely eradicated. When the state begins to appear serious in its actions, all such elements that have overstepped their bounds will naturally fall in line.

Those who have elevated the captain to the status of a deity due to the state’s own propaganda campaigns will also correct themselves. What will be achieved by ISPR officials visiting educational institutions? When questioners are already molded into a specific mindset, trying to reason with them is like talking to a wall.

No matter how well-intentioned the "Youth Awareness Campaign" may be, it gives the impression that institutions are defending themselves in the dock. It is hoped that those being addressed will reflect on this point. The affairs of the forces and agencies are conducted with dignity and authority. The same applies to constitutional officeholders.

Everyone saw how, after Chief Justice Yahya Afridi’s meeting with the PTI delegation regarding judicial reforms, misunderstandings were created. At the outset of the meeting, the Chief Justice had clearly stated that he would not answer any political questions. Yet, PTI focused entirely on its narrative. People were surprised when the Supreme Court’s press release mentioned all the political demands and allegations, including cases still under trial. Earlier, the Chief Justice’s meeting with the Prime Minister was related to protecting foreign investment and expediting tax cases, which had legal and moral justification.

However, it raises the question: Was it necessary for the Chief Justice to meet with the PTI delegation? If opinions on judicial reforms were needed, they could have been sought in writing. If anyone thinks that engaging with PTI and its supporters can prove their neutrality, they are mistaken. This has been proven time and again, but the elders of the state still haven’t grasped it.