Imran Khan, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf
Public Meeting in Lahore 30 Oct 2011
History of Soft Revolution in
Pakistan
Over the past few
decades the collective wisdom of the masses in Pakistan has seemingly decided
in favor of a soft change instead of a bloody and violent revolution. Though it
is a slow process but is likely to have deeper and more sustained effect on the
society. Despite the efforts of the forces of status quo to keep the social and
political indolence in place, the catalysts of change are actively heading
forward with a steady pace.
The First Soft Revolution came in the shape
of Freedom of Media. Media, both
print and electronic, had started its efforts to break the shackles of the
state restrictions during the late 1990s. Interestingly it was during the reign
of a military ruler, Gen Pervez Musharaf, that the media acquired its optimum
freedom. Since then media has played a vital role in creating awareness in
society, analyzing the political situation, exposing the social evils of
corruption, lawlessness, favoritism, apathy of the government officials and
molding the public opinion in favor of a progressive, peaceful and a just
social system. Though the powerful political mafia, who wants to keep the
masses ignorant, is all out to coerce, intimidate and pressurize the media to
get them in their favor, the media is showing commendable resilience and
steadfastness in achieving its objectives. With the passage of time media is
likely to be more vibrant, impartial and effective in transforming the society
in to a better shape.
The Second Soft Revolution occurred in the Restoration of Independent Judiciary. The incumbent Chief Justice of
Pakistan, though one time a beneficiary of Gen Pervez Musharaf’s PCO and a supporter
of his unconstitutional rule, asserted himself in 2006-07 by taking a pragmatic
stand on issues like Steel Mill, missing persons and sugar scandal etc. His
removal from the apex appointment of Chief Justice Supreme Court by Gen Pervez
Musharaf led to a vigorous movement by the legal fraternity. Soon this movement
swelled beyond proportions in which various political forces also joined. Their
aim was to remove the President and restore the dysfunctional chief justice,
who was then being seen as a symbol of independence of judiciary and justice at
national level. The enforcement of emergency, suspension of constitution and
arrest of judges by Gen Pervez Musharaf on 3 Nov 2007 proved as last nail in
the coffin of his rule. Movement for restoration of judiciary became a popular
national movement that ultimately achieved its objective when the dysfunctional
chief justice along with his other companions was restored in March 2009.
Since its restoration
the superior judiciary has, by and large, played its role effectively. For the
first time in the history of Pakistan, a sitting government was dealt with
according to law, whereby even Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had to go home
for not obeying the Supreme Court orders. An independent judiciary is entirely
a new phenomenon in social and political environment of Pakistan, where the
powers-that-be are finding it difficult to come to terms with this change. This
was the reason why a large number of court orders were never implemented by the
government. Despite all the limitations and handicaps, the independent
judiciary is coming up well. Like media, the judiciary is also not likely to forfeit
its hard earned freedom in coming days. An impartial and independent judiciary
is crucial to the sustainability of democracy and progress and prosperity of
the country, and it is really a big achievement.
The Third Soft Revolution that is making
its headway is the Electoral Reforms
Process. Since democracy is the only acceptable political system in today’s
world, the elections play a pivotal role in shaping the political and social
structure of a country. If the electoral system is faulty, corrupt, tilted in
favor of the people with nuisance values and does not provide a level field to
all the contesters- as is the case in Pakistan for the past six decades- the
result will be total chaos, confusion and destruction. Without reforming the electoral
system the same breed of corrupt politicians will keep coming to power again
and again and the country will not see any hope of progress.
Imran Khan of PTI was
the first politician in the present times to kindle this ray of hope to the
hapless people of Pakistan. He provided an opportunity to the people to elect
an alternate leadership that would replace the custodians of present rotten system,
who are occupying the citadels of power. Dr. Tahir ul Qadri of Minhaj ul Quran
International provided further impetus to this movement by launching a long
march and a sit-in in Islamabad in favor of electoral reforms. Though his
efforts met vehement resistance from the forces of status quo, he has been able
to make deep impression in the minds of people. The people now stand well
educated about various provisions of the constitution and have better knowledge
about their own rights and the obligations of those who are voted to power. There
is a general craving in the public for conducting meaningful elections. They do
not want to do this exercise just for the sake of it and as a ‘business as
usual’. That is the reason that despite intense defiance from the ruling and
opposition elite, the Election Commission and Supreme Court are being obliged
to comply with the aspirations of the people. However this revolution is still
in progress and will see its culmination, if the next elections are conducted after
requisite reforms.
Akhtar Malik
14 March 2013
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