The US House of Representatives impeached President Donald Trump and sent its impeachment resolution to the Senate to convict him. The ‘most powerful man on earth’ has been impeached twice by the US Congress. The current impeachment resolution speaks volumes of respect by America for democracy and state institutions, sending around the globe a message of respect for law and state institutions, and the value the American people attach to the democracy.

For Pakistan, there is an excellent lesson to learn. It is a country where people’s representatives often breach the basic principles of democracy, like, say, writing letters to military institutions to intervene in the democratic process.

Pakistan is the country whose foundations were laid by the founding fathers on the principles of democracy. Still, the so-called leaders never leave an opportunity to deviate from those principles and teachings.

Further, justice is found mostly on paper in the country. In the US, a president has to face impeachment for inciting people to attack a state institution. In contrast, when the Supreme Court in Pakistan was attacked physically, the judges had to use the back doors to save their lives, and the attackers were treated with sumptuous food by those who had incited the mob.

The difference is there for all to see.

Aamir Aqil
Lahore

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2021