Tuesday, May 14, 2013

This is New Pakistan, already!!

Pakistan has changed, many still need to realize the fact. In last 6, 7 years people of Pakistan have become more aware of their rights and country politics than before. Huge turnout in 2013 elections is another indication of change. PTI has stood first or second in many constituencies, highlighting a significant change in Pakistan. We are now living in New Pakistan where voter can throw the people out if they do not perform. PTI holds most of the credit for this change. These elections are success for PTI. Common PTI supporter just need to realize this. IK never defined the change as 'Govt of PTI'. I think IK is satisfied with his and his party's performance. First time voters should now show maturity; one cannot win majority right away (that too without any record of running a govt.); it takes time.

As PTI has emerged as a bigger party than veterans like MQM, JI, PML-Q et al, PTI should show more maturity, stop wasting their energies and should move on. They are now in a position to spread the effect of change. PTI is in parliament now with significant no. of seats. They should have made strategies to make alliances with other opposition parties right after the trend of the results was out. They have not made any single such move after elections, which shows lack of preparations and maturity on PTI's part. Inexperience and lack of maturity is one of the reasons PTI could not get majority in center. They should not waste their energies in lesser important issues like 'Saad Rafiq ko maza chakhana hai', 'Saad Rafiq enter kyun hua khawateen ki side per?' If certain ppl have issues, they should move to courts and not occupy streets.

PTI and PML-N should now think for Pakistan and start respecting each others' mandate. NS has already shown maturity by saying 'aap nay mujhe gaali di, main nay aap ko muaaf kia. aayein table per baithein aur muzaakraat karein'. NS has also said that it is PTI's right to form Govt in KP. In center, PTI can now cash in and discuss a formula with PML-N. PTI can demand ministry of foreign affairs and a couple of relevant ministries that can improve image of Pakistan. If PML-N does not agree, sit in opposition and try to capture the seat of Opposition Leader, Head of Public Accounts Committee, Head Kashmir Committee. In KP PTI can offer PML-N to join them in Govt. I wish PML-N allows PTI to run the province as they like.

Mature moves from PTI are still awaited. Party leadership should stand up, accept the results as PPPP, ANP, MQM etc. have done. PTI leadership should take immediate steps so that they can play effective role in Pakistani politics. They should thank their supporters and ask them to be patient for a while. Elections campaigns can be run with emotions, a country/province cannot be run this way. Patience, maturity and calmness are required skills to run state affairs. Supporters should allow the leadership to focus on bigger issues. Handle the rigging issues through courts or EC.

There are certain old things in our New Pakistan. One of them is not respecting the mandate given to others, a tradition of 1990s. Todays this type of agitational politics damages party's image. Parties might lose their voters if they keep doing street/propaganda politics only.