The Government - an Epic Fail By Shamsa Jhumra

Having grown up in an era where PTV and NTM used to be the only choices of electronic media, where PTV News was the only news channel that reined the masses. That was the era when Independence Day was like a festive to adorn the house with small and big flags and jhundian. Participation in school events through national songs and speeches used to be the norm.

As years passed by and as one Government was thrown over by another, many bitter political realities of the ex-Governments got unveiled over the same TV channel. As a growing child not only was that difficult to believe but also astonishing to accept the tarnished image of the ex-Governments that we used to upheld in high esteem as they were portrayed over the TV earlier. All this resulted in losing interest in political affairs of the country and eventually in the fate of Pakistan. The zeal and zest with which we used to celebrate August 14 got faded away and so was our level of patriotism.

Putting up a flag on August 14 became a ritual, without any inner feeling of solidarity with the country, as we could not see any leader like Quaid-e-Azam who could change the fate of the nation as we studied in the course books that he did earlier. All we could see around was corruption, nepotism, smearing and vested interests of the ruling class.

After entering the workforce and gaining practical insight to bookish realities, many eye opening facts were revealed as; how the government’s withholding Taxes and General Sales Taxes actually affect the price of any commodity and how devastatingly those taxes were increased over the years which eventually got translated to the end consumer, how petroleum prices caused inflation and how quickly those prices got mushroomed, how lack of power (gas and electricity) caused closure of prime industries in Pakistan and how miserably factories in those sectors were facing severe bankruptcy, how corruption coupled with terrorism and poor law and order situation was making foreign investors away from Pakistan, and how prices of FMCGs got escalated and the standard of living worsened with the disappearance of middle class to upper lower class and how people below the poverty line were soaring in numbers.

All this created a lot of anger and resentment for the ruling class and urged a strong desire to change everything for the better – this was the time when Imran Khan’s speeches provided the only logical source to panacea and only hope for change.

Elections 2013 were unique as that was the first time young educated youth wanted to vote and could be witnessed in chanting slogans for PTI everywhere on the roads before elections. Branded shirts for both girls and boys with Imran Khan’s picture printed over those were sold in high numbers. Pre-elections environment was filled with happiness for PTI’s expected success!

Election Day began with news channels reporting non-operative polling booths in many constituencies, long queues waited for ballot boxes to arrive. One after another reports about different constituencies started pouring in over TV that showed so much lawlessness. Nevertheless hope remained till the final results. Polling was extended till 8 o’clock in some constituencies. At 12:30 or so Mr. Nawaz Sharif’s speech was aired over news channels and he was reported as Prime Minister, which seemed completely illogical and insane as all the votes could never be counted in just four and a half hours!

What happened after that and happening till now is evident. The question remains, as to why should we trust and support the present Government? If Metro buses and laptop schemes are strong reasons to support this Government, then drawing attention towards “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory” would be helpful, that categorizes the level of needs in a hierarchy, such that higher level needs can not arise unless lower level needs are met. Drawing the theory to our country leaves no sense for Metro busses and Laptops. Ours is a country where more than 60% of population is poor, what they are supposed to do with Laptops and Metro buses? Such things are cosmetic remedies that do not eradicate the root cause menacing the majority. Majority needs constant source of income that ensures them food twice a day, which can only be assured in the long run through free quality education that leads to a job security, how many steps the present Government has taken for education? Rather our Government allocates only Rs. 63 billion for education in the budget of 2013-14 as against Rs. 700 billion to defense and Rs. 77 billion to Railways, revealing its clear priorities.

And beyond this why should we trust the present Government who stole and changed our votes. Can we make a thief the guard of our home???? Certainly not.

by webmaster@insaf.pk (tkiadmin)