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HAVING decided that the PTI’s anti-government protests are unlikely to topple the government, the PML-N had two options.
The good option was to engage the PTI, address the party’s legitimate demands and allow the country to move on from a debilitating and long-running political crisis.
The bad option was to view survival as an opportunity to exert more pressure on the PTI and disrupt the anti-government protest.
Also read: Govt looking to frustrate PTI’s Nov 30 show
A report in this newspaper yesterday suggests that the PML-N has chosen the latter option, ie the PML-N leadership is developing a strategy to disrupt the PTI’s planned Nov 30 rally in Islamabad.
In a staggering display of misplaced priorities, government circles appear obsessed with what the PTI is doing rather than governance issues.
Some concerns of the government are legitimate enough. A large crowd in Islamabad near parliament can be a security risk, especially if the PTI leadership riles up the protesters, as happened on Aug 30 and Sept 1.
Moreover, the possibility of a terrorist attack, either on the crowd or using the crowd as cover to break into buildings housing state institutions, is ever present. Yet, many of those risks could be reduced with professionally managed, lawful crowd-control tactics by law-enforcement agencies and pre-rally consultations with the PTI.
After all, the PTI has held many such rallies in various parts of the country already. And, ultimately, the government has a twofold responsibility here: to ensure the safety and security of the protesters as well as the protection of state institutions. Yet, it appears that political calculations and personal grudges are characterising much of what the government does on the PTI front.
To be sure, part of the problem is Imran Khan and the PTI. The endless protests rather than accepting that democratic change ought to be channelled through parliament along with the overheated rhetoric aimed at the government has created an environment in which rational debate has become difficult.
But it is the PML-N that is in power and, being the chief custodian of the democratic process, it is the PML-N that has to demonstrate the calmness and magnanimity necessary to produce democratic breakthroughs when dealing with protests against the government or even the system.
What those breakthroughs could be are well known by now and repeated many times — robust and meaningful electoral reforms legislated by parliament and an independent and powerful commission to inquire into allegations of fraud during the May 2013 election.
That is where the focus of the government ought to rightly lie. Unhappily, from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif downwards, the PML-N leadership keeps being swayed by the logic of the hawks.
Effectively though, the government has three years left in office — why not spend that time focusing on governance rather than the politics of protest and what needs to be done to crush a political rival?
Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2014
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Comments (58) Closed
Nov 20, 2014 01:30am
Completely agree
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Nov 20, 2014 01:31am
Why does everyone keep ignoring the fact that the government is not interested in reforms!
Didn't PTI try to get 4 constituencies checked via the parliamentary route? It was a reasonable demand. But it did not work. They tried for more then a year.
Even now, when IK has gone soft on the resignation demand, the govt is still not interested in any talks. WHY? Because they really don't want any constituency to be opened up. They really don't want any of the rigging allegations investigated. They will do anything to avoid a proper investigation, because they know that there has been massive rigging. Once that is proven, they will have no option but to resign.
Can't people see that the parliament is impotent? If IK could have worked things out in parliament, why would he be out on the streets?
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Nov 20, 2014 01:40am
People forget IK's original demand: rigging in elections and accountability of responsible.
If after so much political turmoil, PML-N is not interested in addressing the issue of rigging, then expecting them to do is folly. PML-N does not like the words accountability and audit, be it elections, big projects or anything else for that matter. It only strengthens IK's skepticism towards NS.
When IK's was demanding for resignation, all champions of democracy said its undemocratic etc and that he should withdraw this demand so that other demands could be addressed. Where are those people now?
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Nov 20, 2014 01:50am
Unfortunately PTI will end up in the dustbin of history.
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Nov 20, 2014 02:33am
Imran Khan and his colleagues in the PTI are doing a good job of acting as an effective pressure group highlighting the abysmal governance of the incumbent government. If the PML-N had any sense it would talk to IK and try and sort things out. What the PML-N is conducting is not democracy, and never has been. It is not all about gaining the maximum votes. Nawaz Shareef's heavy mandate in an earlier phase led to a Martial Law after he messed up the country!
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Nov 20, 2014 05:13am
What exactly his previous dharnas had achieved which this rally would do? It is a big joke and unending tamasha. There is no election campaign going on this country. IK's voice had been heard and noted. He has level enough allegations, accusation against the government and almost against everyone. What needs to be accomplished? He should go to the court (since he claimed to have a friendly CJ) and let them adjudicate. Basically, it would be tool cold, and I believe it would be his last show in the series of dharnas. In the 10th Downing street, they demonstrate in front of the British PM's house, (without breaking any traffic laws), present someone at the door with the protest memorandum and then disburse. Same thing against the White House.
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Nov 20, 2014 05:23am
This non sense so-called political rallies disrupting normal public life, has to be stopped & could not be allowed to keep on going like this for the next three & a half years. By Law, these public rallies should only be allowed during the election campaign & not when ever some loser feel like acting arrogant, be allowed to keep on creating problems for the public & for the government. Government & the Police should be allowed to do what they are supposed to be doing instead of dealing with this never ending non sense. These politician, in the government or from the opposition parties, should be resolving their issues in the parliament & not on the streets, at cost of public's daily life. The government has to stop using public resources, including police, to deal with their own problems.
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Nov 20, 2014 06:46am
The problem with PML N is that they are not interested in reolving the issue being on a very wicket. The massive rigging charge is more a political rehtoric but a ground reality and IK is not going to surrender on this point. No government restrictions can stop people
Once PML N and other political parties agreed on 5 and half points, why they didi not bring changes, had they startedworking on these issues these could have been resolved. Let PML N outsource changes in electoral reforms and it can be done in 15 days, the tactics to gain timings and fatigue PTI will fail. The public meetings of PTI and the crowd who come at their own by now should have woken up Nawaz. But he is always late
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Nov 20, 2014 07:24am
A hopeless cause is pakistan.
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Nov 20, 2014 07:27am
I sometimes think the others who write on the comments, are payed by government to write these bogus comments. Mr. Sharif and Mr. Zaradari are done. The people have already made their decision, we all want a change. The media is a sell out and the status quo is the popular position, because people have forgotten how it used to be with a proper system. No one wants to do anything about it, this is the death of our nation. One man has taken it upon himself to get justice, to try and fix what could have been the greatest nation in the world. It saddens me more, that Dawn prints articles and news stories like it does. Dawn is the one source I trusted all my life, really sad. For all the people who are in status quo and are scared of the change, don't be. We were not meant to be who we are now. We are at the end, can't you see? Or this is not the end?
Remember, you can buy souls, but never freedom. Freedom comes with conflict, with the fear of unknown. What does IK have nothing? He can't even really talk to get his point across, but atleast he is honest. He probably more educated than these other jokers. Does education not count? Do you not see what he is doing? Are you numb? Wake up, before its too late. Really its a pity when smart people who can read and write don't get it.
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Nov 20, 2014 07:30am
In times of stress, people revert to their nature. The party that was formed in the crucible of a all-knowing military relies on confrontation and cowing its opponents with overwhelming odds. It is rather like the now notorious "shock and awe" policy of the Bush doctrine. NS only knows this and the policy of state patronage and spectacular buildings, roads and cars. In the process he further impoverishes the country while it continues to bleed. I am dismayed by the judiciary's lack of concern at the obvious misgovernance and state terror.
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Nov 20, 2014 07:31am
@Malveros
Stop dreaming. Wake up man and try to think about an agreement between PTI and PML-N on election rigging.
Otherwise I know IK, he will continue to follow NS and his Government that can lead to a destruction path.
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Nov 20, 2014 07:42am
Nawaz and his brother Chota Nawaz [little nawaz] are very very nervous.
Interior minister Nisar is having panic attacks. Dollar Dar and Saad are
packing.
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Nov 20, 2014 07:44am
God bless you IK for doing all you can for the reawakening of Pakistani youth.
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Nov 20, 2014 07:45am
I am surprised at the Dawn's editorial. It simply appears out of date and update
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Nov 20, 2014 07:47am
If the govt. was really clean they would have investigated rigging in the election long ago.
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Nov 20, 2014 07:48am
It is a numbers game if Imran can pull those numbers despite adverse weather conditions and Government obstacles, then it may weigh in Imran's favour otherwise Parvaiz Rashid will claim victory and may see through the malaise until next general elections. In addition, Dr Qadri, Choudhry Shujaat, Siraj, Mumtaz Bhutto or Fatima and Altaf Hussain may still be able to tip the balance in favour of Imran provided it is well coordinated taking the protest simultaneously nationwide bringing it to a grinding halt. The writer has candidly stated Government had sufficient time introducing electoral reforms to make ECP independent, order recount of four seats instead of shielding crooked politicians that pose a threat to Nawaz Government third time round but instead the appointment of Chief of ECP has become so contentious and it goes down to intent of both Nawaz and Zardari of hijacking electoral process rather than providing a platform to conduct a free and fair elections but more importantly Nawaz is no hurry to provide good governance or introduce much needed police reforms. It is ominous with Imran spending more than 100 days on that container that Government is damaged and is running out of options other than hold a snap general elections under army supervision. The elections to local body elections the backbone of a democratic set up is once again ignored by so called democratically elected government.
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Nov 20, 2014 08:00am
Unfortunately too much humiliation has taken place from the Container. It comes down to two people NS and IK that are obsessed and are no more rational thinkers for the sake of the country. They use the poor as an excuse for what they are doing but at the end of the day the very poor will be the losers again. We have to expect now that more people will have to die in the next confrontation and that suits them as it makes the case stronger. I am today convinced that the bigger plan in where we are all used is in the making and eventually directly or indirectly we will be ruled be the Army again if it is not already the case.
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Nov 20, 2014 08:02am
I am waiting to hear anything worth noting from PTI and Imran Khan on any policy matter that is important for Pakistan on domestic and international front other than elections, allegations and mudslinging
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Nov 20, 2014 08:23am
What is there to discuss with Imran Khan? That Pakistan should become the first country in the world where the elected prime minister resigns because some other candidate refuses to acknowledge defeat? Or that Pakistan should become the only country in the world where the Military Intelligence sits in a judicial committee? I am amazed at the low level of intelligence among those "educated" Pakistanis who continue to act as if imran Khan's wishes over-ride national election results.
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Nov 20, 2014 08:39am
Wow, all your two options go in favor of the govt. Is it the money speaking?
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Nov 20, 2014 08:54am
Well, you talk about rational debate. What is the rational way of dealing with a deadly stranglehold of a troika consisting of corrupt elements in police, judiciary and politicians. It is an airtight hold that is strangulating the public and the state. We must realize that the public is in a 'marta kya na karta' stage, we must give them some oxygen to enable them to think rationally. If someone is getting enough oxygen, they are either very lucky or part of the problem these have nots are protesting about.
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Nov 20, 2014 09:09am
@Malveros, how I really want for you to witness the glorified Pakistan under PTI's leadership but people like you are best described as Naraz Phuppi. probably you'll sit with like minds of Javed Hashmi who will definitely be in that part of history as you mentioned. and you my friend, will be nowhere because you are a nobody.
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Nov 20, 2014 09:14am
This government is not capable to do any thing good for the country. Then why not supreme court by using its power send them home. Nawaz and zardari both are security risks for the country. As soon as supreme court understands it would be better for the country.
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Nov 20, 2014 09:20am
On August 14 Imran Khan's rally was a storm and yet they were unable to topple the Govt. The flame was also provided by Qadri at that time. Secondly supporters were very enthusiastic that Govt. will fall down. Nothing happened. Qadri is not joining, supporters have left. Supporters of IK also don't take beatings for a day even they go to dharna and then go to gloria jeans for fresh up and then straight to home. IK also goes to Bani Galla. Keeping this history in in mind, what November 30 will do ? Nothing. My advice to Nawaz is that let them come they will deliver show with music and begone. Nothing will happen..
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Nov 20, 2014 09:23am
Or I think internallly both PTI and PML N have agreed to give IK a face saving on November 30..some disruptions will occur and IK will get face saving. Because keeping previous august 14 march in mind, with so much force and Umpire they were unable to topple the Govt. so why is Nawaz fearing. I think he is not fearing, he and IK have agreed over some face saving.and that's it..The end of great Dharna where we saw leaders of change going to Banni Galla, abusing, going to gloria jeans, going to Serena for rest..
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Nov 20, 2014 09:32am
@Mariam ..You are absolutely right. Unfortunately, rigging in election is the culture of our society. Come to the assemblies by whatever means is the slogan of the so-called politicians of this nation. They have nothing to do with the problems of the people as these are increasing day by day like the wealth of these corrupt politicians. God bless Pakistan and save it from these POLITICAL MAFIA. This mafia is united where their interests are hurt and divided where common men of this country get benefit.
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Nov 20, 2014 09:36am
Finally a balanced opinion on the prevailing situation by Dawn.
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Nov 20, 2014 09:52am
Lets recall that there is "Charter of Democracy" signed between PPP and PML-N. According to this charter, they will govern turn-by-turn. So PML-N is not going to do any reforms. Both leading parties do not follow democracy in their own parties. It is too naive to expect them to bring democracy to Pakistan. Ideally, they should have been banned from politics. IK is doing them a favor by not going that harsh. But I don't see old guys changing.
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Nov 20, 2014 09:56am
Unfortunately, we have short memories and our media bent on making them shorter. Whatever has been suggested in the article was the first thing PTI did and waited for more than a year. As usual nothing happened.
Now the so called intellectuals are again suggesting that PTI should wait again after their theories of “establishment backing”, “foreign involvement”, etc. have fallen flat.
Any rational person has no reason to question IK now. Thanks God he has taken all the right decisions and came out unscathed and strong.
I am proud to live in the era when Pakistanis have said enough is enough and this will not continue. We need accountability and justice.
I hope our intellectuals understand and support this rather than preaching restrained. It is not 1990s and we have moved on from the time when everything was considered as fate. Time to take things in our hands and improve.
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Nov 20, 2014 09:58am
This advise will met deaf ears in NS style of governance through money and bribe
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Nov 20, 2014 10:18am
@Malveros Pakistanis are living in garbage yard called Pakistan today by the grace of PMLN and PPP! PTI had put their hands in the Dustbin to clean the crap.
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Nov 20, 2014 10:22am
"democratic change ought to be channelled through parliament..."
Really? Do we still believe that this parliament is even remotely interested in doing anything - anything at all, let alone address grievances of any kind? Heck, it is not even interested in doing anything constructive for its own sake! Actually the mentality is that if everything is under our control or on our side, why do we have to address any problem; specially problems which are likely to expose their very crimes!
Thus the only hope Pakistanis have been left with - after having been let down by the Army - is to continue the protests in increasing numbers and remove this government (and all such corrupt status-quot-friendly governments of future) through sheer street power.
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Nov 20, 2014 10:32am
@Mariam
Spot on! IK waited for 14 months in the Parliament. He had given many petitions but non were accepted. Only verbal promisses were made. These Nooners are bunch of liers in the Parliament. They must be removed.
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Nov 20, 2014 10:35am
@Malveros
For your kind information Mr or Mrs. Malveros. PTI has already thrown PPP in the dustbin from Punjab and KPK. PTI has also thrown ANP, JUIF, PMLN in the dustbin from KPK. Sooner or later PMLN will also be thrown in the dust bin. Thank you for your patience.
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Nov 20, 2014 10:43am
@mukhtar
I kind of agree with you. PTi did get 5 and half points, but the question my friend is that can anyone trust PMLN? I, speaking for myself, cannot trust PMLN. They are masters in twisting things. IK has relaxed his demands of letting a Judicial commision take the course without PM resigning. Now its PMLN's turn to accept the offer and proceed with the proposal.
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Nov 20, 2014 10:45am
@Malveros Popular opinions never end up in dustbin.
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Nov 20, 2014 10:48am
@Life
When the base of a politician is fake, what else is there to talk about. No matter what PMLN does, if it came on fake mandate, then all their work is rubish coz people never voted for them. Almost all recountings have proven massive rigging. Fix that, then we can talk about other stuff.
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Nov 20, 2014 10:54am
The government should be uneasy. The masses are rising and rising fast.
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Nov 20, 2014 11:25am
The government has many good ideas and even better opportunities. But what use are these to party whose leadership is consciously determined to throw away all its opportunities in order to concentrate on making a mess of everything they do?
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Nov 20, 2014 11:54am
govt / media and their so called " functioning machinery " is cleverly hoodwinking the entire nation by putting the core issues of corrupt elections in 2013 and rather paying more attention on how, when, what to do about rallies. address the issue, agree to a certain level and let the country function back to normal. like our COAS, yesterday blamed Indian for loc firing which resulted in their failure to stop terrorists.............. likewise our PMLN is adamant in putting their inabilities on sit-ins. as if they would have made milk flowing across the roads.... come on guys grow up and let us live.
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Nov 20, 2014 12:32pm
As a voter I lost faith in NS after he and his political goons attacked the Supreme Court of Pakistan to reverse a judgement against him.
I lost faith in AZ after the unseen WILL was used to usurp power. I lost hope of clean government the day the BBC broadcast the money laundering activities of NS,ID and others and people supporting AZ huddled up to save him from the fallout of the SWISS Bank scandal.
IK is the only untested person. I would like to try him as a voter. But it appears that the tentacles of criminals in power masquerading as democrats are too strong and the will of the Pakistani people too weak.
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Nov 20, 2014 01:08pm
@Malveros : Wishful thinking on your part. PTI protest is supported by a silent revolution staged by women and youth for an ultimate demise of waderas, fat bellied traders religious nexus.
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Nov 20, 2014 01:13pm
IK has done a great service to the nation. To the least, he divulge the ways the corrupt mafia govern the country. Thanks PTI
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Nov 20, 2014 02:10pm
@Aziz How come you did not lose faith in IK when he attacked Red Zone, Parliament House, PM House and PTV. And he is not untested he is a total failure in KPK. Thanks
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Nov 20, 2014 02:27pm
@Mariam
Totally agree
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Nov 20, 2014 02:41pm
My Dear Daily Dawn.
As suggest in your article. IK should accept, the rigged election. IK is being denied free and fair investigations on rigging. Apparently he must learn to live it and move forward. Would the founder of this nation and Daily Dawn ever accept this grand injustice to his people?
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Nov 20, 2014 05:38pm
@ahmed Excellent trolling. If you are numb and can't think for yourself, let me explain it to you. The elections were rigged on a massive scale and it has also been proven as all the constituencies in which recounting has taken place, a sky high number of votes turned out to be fake. Therefore it would be in the national interest to rid the country of a civil dictator.
I hope you have understood, however if you were being paid to comment then I take my words back.
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Nov 20, 2014 06:25pm
Recently, Japanese Prime Minister has called for fresh election because he felt that he needed mandate from Japanese voters to continue fiscal policy. Democratic governments run on public's confidence. Nawaz Sharif & PML(N) government both require a fresh mandate from Pakistani voters because right now masses are tired of dynastic leadership. To prevent further prevalent chaos MNS should put aside an obsession with IK, hold mid term election, let the chips fall where they may.
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Nov 20, 2014 06:39pm
MLN is a party, led by non- democratic minded and they come from upper class arrogant sons and daughters of rich and corrupt parents ( most of them ). PTI should be ready for any bad thing on November, 30th. I pray to The God Almighty that innocent people be safe. They will be simply exercising their God given right for freedom from tyrants of Pakistan.
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Nov 20, 2014 06:54pm
The relentless sit-in at D-Chowk followed by the massive gatherings across the length and breath of the country has proven to be unsettling and unnerving for the already panicking incumbent government. The skeptics can harp on calling the dharnas "Tamasha" but to their utter dismay and against all their hopes against hope, IK has made some significant inroads to shake the status quo in their "boots". Regardless of the fact whether 30th November would prove to be a defining moment in turning the tables once for all or may be yet another "milestone" in achieving the same, either way it shall be a win-win situation. The unprecedented support PTI in general and IK in particular enjoys, speaks volumes how PTI is sweeping across the country. Mind you I am not an active PTI activist though a silent but strong supporter. Larkana or for that matter Sindh will not be the same now that IK after Karachi turns towards the stronghold of PPP. I reckon Skeptics cant stomach the discourse PTI has undertaken simply because they are struggling to shake off the banality of mindset that is the sheer product of the system we happened to experience since Pakistan came into being. Change and calculated chaos are indispensable to each other and go hand in hand whenever the moth eaten yet deeply rooted status quo be challenged. This is the first time such is happening in Pakistan and is unprecedented; a phenomena, we as a nation never anticipated even in our wildest dreams. It is happening and happening for sure! mere denial and sheer skeptics wont make any difference. Touche'
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Nov 20, 2014 07:21pm
The issue is that if Nawaz Sharif is allowed to complete its term without establishing that it did not come through rigged elections,then the country would have to accept all future governments even if the elections are massively rigged.Instability thus created will certainly land the country in more trouble and in a catastrophic situation.Meaningfull electoral reforms are not expected from the current Parliament and the government.
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Nov 20, 2014 07:27pm
Very good. Right suggestion. PM Nawaz must pay a heed to it.
PM Nawaz, all serious people want you to complete your tenure .. so a good customs prevails, and because of that they don't support PTI demand of premature departure of your govt. and assemblies.
On the other hand they know that there are problems in the system and IK rightly points toward them, and they agree that you need to fix them while in govt.
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Nov 20, 2014 07:33pm
if government want to solve the issue they can solve it even now. just open 4 constituencies that IK want because its his right. And form a commission to probe election rigging with mutual understanding. This is sooooo simple solution but goverment is doing nothing it means DAL MAIN KUCH KALA HAI (means election 2013 was massively rigged)
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Nov 21, 2014 01:33am
Right now is a great opportunity for Pakistanis to put pressure on the government for election reforms rather than trying to remove the government itself. With the election reforms in place, a better government can be elected the next time. People are just looking for a fast-and-easy solution, which is very unlikely, and the country may just end up wasting more years or decades without making any improvements to their system.
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Nov 21, 2014 04:27am
@zaheer Very well said!
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Nov 21, 2014 07:40am
PTI will win iA. Nawaz is leading a corrupt government.
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Nov 21, 2014 07:40am
PTI will win iA. Nawaz is leading a corrupt government.
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