Generally, when we mention democracy, concepts such as freedom of expression, choosing rulers through voting and serving the people come to mind, but on the ground the situation is totally different.
Why go away? If we talk about Pakistan, as soon as the name of freedom of expression is mentioned, the killing of Arshad Sharif will be remembered, as soon as the name of voting is mentioned, allegations of rigging will come up and as soon as we mention serving the people, we will start thinking that after voting, the elected members went out of the reach of the voters.
These political leaders who are elected by public votes, are only seen on TV shows or sometimes in rallies, but rarely anyone will be seen serving the people. And for this behavior, not only are the politicians responsible but their parties also share the blame.
When talking about political parties, the first question that comes to mind is who created these parties? Because most political parties are said to be products of authoritarian regimes and establishment’s tactics and there is hardly any party that can prove that it has never been associated with dictatorship.
It is also the fault of the people who expect democracy from political parties created by dictators and also hope that the government elected by the votes of the people will serve them as the slogans of ‘politics for service’ are just slogans. Not to speak of serving the oppressed public, these politicians don’t even say a few words of sympathy for the masses.
All those who elect to decide the destiny of the nation seem to be associated with those political families who have political hegemony in the country since day one, so it clearly shows that only the members of these influential families can come ahead in politics and become President, Prime Minister, Minister or member of the parliament. And it is not possible for the son of a poor man to become a MNA or MPA.
Due to this undemocratic attitude, politics in Pakistan is not in the name of serving the public but the name of securing vested interests. As a result, people are losing faith in the political system of the country. Before the patience of the people comes to an end, the political parties need to mend their ways.
