Dr Herbert Fensterheim, PhD and Jean Baer co-authored a book, Don’t Say Yes if You Want to Say No. An intriguing study. But, I am not going to discuss the book nor will I write a review on it. My main concern is that when our leaders, if they are, will learn to say No to the blackmailers.
There was a lot of storm in the cup in the past a few days. Even some of the level headed people started speculating the change in the government. So many insects of rain suddenly appeared. Some old frogs started to croak. The greedy vultures started hovering, praying for the death of the beleaguered system that they or their so called perpetrators left behind. The dust settled sooner than expected.
I have been repeatedly saying that it is for the first time that the government and the army are on the same page. There had been repeated efforts from different quarters to draw a wedge between the two but failed. Ex CJP Khosa threw his spanner too. The special court crossed all boundaries of decency and justice. Tainted media persons tried their level best to convince the public to believe in their rhetoric of doom. All failed in their nefarious designs with the splash of muck on their faces.
It is not all roses for the government. Prime Minister and his team has much to blame themselves. Governance is the main issue. Right from the outset the selection of team was bad. I understand the problem of Imran Khan. He had to share his power with his allies. The allies, who have their troubled past. They are like blood hounds. They will pounce on any bone of opportunity that comes their way.
Every now and then they prove like foam that comes with a torrent. They brew a storm in a tea cup. Then a series of negotiations start. Foam subsides and calm prevails. This knee jerk relationship continues. So, for how long will Imran Khan bear them? It is a million dollar question.
Time to shake up has come. All stakeholders in the governance will have to pull up their socks. May it be judiciary, bureaucracy, establishment, politicians, etc, must start a serious soul searching and fast. If anyone is thinking that it will be goody goody must revisit the thinking.
Army has proven that there is no compromise on discipline. Stern action has been taken against the culprits. But, it is not visible in any other department. Judges are sacred cows. Likewise bureaucracy is seen scratching each others back. Scapegoats seem to be the politicians. But, are they the poor souls? I believe not.
Gone are ones whose honor was acknowledged by their friends and foe. But, the present lot will swear, as has been experienced, but not believed even by their close associates and confidantes. The rot is so deep that their supporters and followers swear for their innocence without a wink.
The time has come to bridle these scoundrels, may it be anyone. With change in command in the Supreme Court, I expect that the Chief Justice will take stern action against the judges sitting with him or under him who have flouted the law to their convenience.
He must haul up the judges like Iftikhar Choudhry who have become a stigma on the judicial wellbeing. Change must start from the home. Let it be visible as in Army.
And you, Mr. Prime Minister, come back to your old self. Say no to the blackmailers. If it is not being controlled by your team, say goodbye. There is no fun clinging on. No significant legislation has taken place in the last sixteen months.
Billions of rupees of the taxpayers have been spent on the so-called parliament and the parliamentarians who deserve a kick instead of a pat. I am sure your saying “no” to blackmailers will rally your supporters behind you. I am sure you will come back with the required strength to legislate for better Pakistan. Go ahead and do not say “yes” when you want to say “no”. Do it this time.
Read:Mindless administrative reforms; dominance of administrative service bane to progress
