IMRAN Khan has again fired from the hip. He’s not alone; rather it has become our national obsession to speak irres­ponsibly. Only Ayub Khan and years later, Benazir Bhutto used to weigh their words before uttering the same to the audience. The erosion of this golden principle started with ZAB who was the first of the democratically elected leaders of this country. Zia was also irresponsible with his words. He made a historic blunder by terming the Constitution a piece of paper. Pervez Musharraf would never be spared by the people for saying what he shouldn’t have on May 12, 2007 when dozens of innocent protesters were slain by workers of a political party.

Great leaders always prepare well before exposure to media or people. Churchill was well-known for carefully selecting themes and words before speaking. Most US presidents scripted themselves before their exposures both formal as well as informal, the exception being the latest incumbent of the White House who remains in trouble for speaking on every subject under the sun without according adequate serious thought to it.

Our present leaders in office also have an unenviable record in irresponsible utterances. Recall what they said ceaselessly during their election campaign of 2013. The media never stops playing their recorded speeches in which they promised to bring the national wealth back to the country or their pledges of bringing an end to power cuts.

I would request all people holding public offices to firstly reduce their appearances and exposures before the public or media. The time saved should be utilised in reading books and reflecting. Secondly, they should schedule their meetings and media conferences well in advance. Thirdly, speeches for every occasion must be outlined and the notes must be freely consulted while speaking. This would not undermine their speaking ability. Rather, it would help them highlight all the important points while safeguarding against wrong utterances which they and their loyalists would struggle hard to defend later.

Pervaiz Sarwar

Lahore

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2017