Look! They are ‘Deedahwars’!

Almost all of the Muslim theologians agree that the government is a need of the community and not the community a horse for ride of the rulers. ‘Rulers are servants and not the masters’ is, no doubt, a unique concept given by Islam. Modern western ruling principles are a polished trace of the same concept intelligently picked and brought in practice by the democratic governments of the world. The government is bound to ensure the security of the lives, belief, property, and honour of the people from internal mischievous elements and defend the territories of the country from external aggressions. The government has to make sufficient provisions for the society to thrive and not let to grow the factors causing physical, moral, mental and psychological damage to those who live under their rule.

Propriety and justification of its existence is contingent on only whether the government proves its capability to come up to the expectations of the people of the country or not. Its failure in protecting the lives and belongings, moral values and cultural traits based on the belief of the people and bringing prestige and dignity to the nation and the country invalidates it to remain in power. The views of the modern political thinkers theoretically might have slightly different angle to define the function of the government and duties of the state but what commonly accepted theme is not dissimilar to the thoughts of the Muslim theologians. In the modern western states the governments enjoy the support of the masses only till they come up to the mark of the popularity and they have to leave as soon as they lose the support of the people of the country. Their legitimacy depends only on their effectiveness and deliverance.

Stepping forward from boasting point to having a heavy mandate, one of its woman state ministers, in a TV talk, was of the opinion that leaders in the government and the faces decorated in present parliament are the people for whom Allamah Iqbal said in his famous verse:
Hazarun Saal Nargis Apni Benoori Peh Roti Hae Bari Mushkil Se Hota Hae Deedahwar Peda

What more egotism may be than a corrupt, immensely incompetent, shortsighted and reckless group in power is in self-deception claiming to epitomize what Iqbal said in his verse?

What is accomplishment there in the balance sheet except acquiring notoriety for breach of pledges and going against the words given by Mr. Zardari to the leadership of main opposition party in the parliament and the promises made to the people of country? What a ludicruos thinking this is making them brag about their caliber to be ‘deedawar’ towering over the Qaduid-e-Azam, one of the greatest political leader the twentieth century had seen in entire Muslim Ummah, and Allamah Iqbal, a singular philosopher in the same century, still unmatched as a thinker, and many of other great characters of Pakistan Movement? The political group claiming to be ‘deedahwar’ has only feather, if there is any, in their cap not else but humiliating submission to the Americans at the cost of our national interests and prestige? The only performance this government we see is its constant move from its one wrong to a bigger wrong in order to defend series of its wrongs. Unable to provide commodities of everyday need but comes to nothing in maintaining the law and order situation and protecting the lives and properties of the people. The president himself has hidden himself in the fortress of president house. Dozens of the ministers and advisors have bulletproof cars still they are scared to come in public, which is subject to the terror acts and suicide bombing. Only rhetorical and stereotype statements are issued which are of no meaning for the terror stricken innocent citizens of the country.

‘The president and prime minister have rigorously condemned the act of terror and expressed their sorrow on the loss of innocent lives.’
‘We have broken the back of the terrorists.’
‘We will not rest without rooting out the terrorism.’
‘We will not allow the terrorist to play with the lives of the citizens.’
‘We will not let the terrorists to succeed in their evil designs.’
‘Prime minister has ordered a swift investigation in the heinous terror act and submit the report to him.’
‘Authorities have found the parts of the body of suicide bomber and taken them in custody for DNA test.’
‘The nation should stand behind the armed forces to lop off the militancy and push the Taleban to their end.’
‘A dubious man roaming about somewhere caught by the law enforcing authorities and was taken to an unknown place.’

The people have become so used to these readymade hollow statements that they think them anticipated after every terror act or suicide bombing. And no need to tell, these typical statements are tuned by a choir of four of the ‘deedahwars’ (sagacious and shrewd persons) the president, the prime minister, interior minister and MQM chief Altaf Hussain. Unfortunately the major opposition party is also not showing any exceptional qualities and seems suffering the same moral and intellectual vacuum. Both sides are deficient in a visionary approach and sincere initiative in addressing the problems presently we are facing. Both are under the shadows of their expediencies and vested interests. Irrespective of their hyperbolizing claims of being ‘deedahwar’ both are in dearth of prudent leadership. On both sides we see superficial knowledge of the serious issues, ignorance of the roots of the problems, half-heartedness to address them.

Munir Ahmed Khalili