ELECTION campaigns of all political parties were marked by unrealistic promises to not just address a long list of long-standing issues faced by the common man, but also to resolve each and every one of them. Gone are the days when such promises used to elicit some reaction. Political rhetoric is neither funny nor frustrating anymore. Everybody knows the actual worth of such promises.

During the election campaign, a sad incident occurred in Karachi in which activists of two political parties clashed, and as a result, one activist lost his life. Videos of the incident went viral on social media in which a bunch of armed activists could be seen firing openly. This also raised aquestion about the necessity and permissibility of political activists to be so heavily armed as to take lives.

Such situations were triggered when those who were awarded party tickets to compete in elections by their parities intimidated their opponents openly in their speeches, instigating the young to clash with their rivals.

Party leaders should have focussed on their manifestos rather than delivering hate speeches, but probably there was nothing in their manifestos for them to focus on. In fact, it is a worrying thought that people who were openly threatening their opponents, would become members of provincial and national assemblies. How can one imagine that they will behave with modesty and maturity once they become parliamentarians?

Having political differences appears to be natural. However, what matters is how one articulates such differences; with decency and rationality, or, say, through intimidation. In their lust for power, most of the political parties clearly showed yet once again that they could go to any limits, and beyond.

Let us hope the election day itself, and the days till the final outcome of it is known, are going to be peaceful and hassle-free.

The country needs people to elect the right candidates to take it out of the current quagmire of never-ending issues rather than making environment even more tense by vitriol and intimidation.

Faisal Ansar
Karachi

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2024