As a senior citizen, I often think why our political leadership does not show maturity in the ways they behave. Why can’t they agree on some ground rules and at least agree on the single point agenda of developing and working on a long-term strategy for economic strength of the country?

Probably, they are oblivious of the history and only care about their own gains and goals. More than 70 years have gone by and several elections held but unlike a responsible democracy, not even once have the parties accepted the outcome of the elections. Every time, the winners claim the election to be fair and free and the losers cry foul. Every election held saw the opposition calling for protest and inquiries and dislodging of the newly elected government.

In this ugly drama for power, our leaders seem to forget that they are cutting the branch of the tree they are sitting on. In the past, the habit of our politicians to cast doubt on elections has led to extreme outcomes — from brutal martial law and weakening of democracy to poor economy. Still, our politicians learn nothing and keep doing things that lead to the very things they are protesting against, that is, the weakening of democracy and increased interference by non-political forces.

I wish our leaders showed some maturity.

Raja Shafaatullah
Islamabad

(2)

APOLITICAL institutions are behind much of the domestic upheaval in Pakistan. But it does not mean they are solely responsible for the whole mess.

Fazlur Rehman’s hostile attitude in ‘Azadi march’ speech exposed our political parties. Unfortunately, it has always been a political vacuum that instigated undemocratic intervention in politics.

Najam ul Saqib
Sargodha

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2019