ALLAMA Muhammad Iqbal is believed to have once remarked that nations are born in the hearts of poets, but they either prosper or die in the hands of politicians. Pakistan itself can be a good example of it except probably for the ‘prosper’ part of the quotation.

With elections around the corner, the roar of political rhetoric is once again heard with irritating consistency. Principally, during election campaigns, politicians are supposed to present their party manifestoes outlining clear agendas to be implemented when in power. Unfortunately, here the case is just the opposite of it. The campaigns lack concrete agenda. They are rhetorical, with allegations flying in all directions.

Our politicians fail to present policy measures on issues of public interest and national importance, such as crippling economy, low-quality education, struggling health sector, disastrous climate-driven disaster management, lack of youth skill development, and ineffective women empowerment. Election campaigns are important for effective public participation, provided the issues mentioned are part of the manifestoes as they are bound to strengthen democracy in the country.

With women comprising almost half the national population and 64 per cent being aged below 30 years, party manifestoes have to focus on every-thing that has got to do anything with these two elementary components of the electorate. Is that the case? No.

Asif Jhatial
Tando Jam

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2023