Several people, and especially the PML-N government, seem to be deeply
irked by P
TI protests regarding the rigging of the May 2013 general elections. They are apparently having a hard time comprehending
why PTI is rallying on the streets instead of resolving their issues
in parliament.
Both parties and political pundits question what the party hopes to achieve with
street demonstrations. Allow me to shed some light on this because it seems
to be quite a complex issue for them.
I don’t want to repeat what has already been reiterated myriad times in news
outlets,namely that when it comes to election rigging, the PTI has
already tried all available options and given due time to the
processes as well. They have tried election tribunals,
courts and debates in parliament but to no avail.
Why we don't resolve these issues in the parliament is an odd thing to ask
because the parliament makes laws for the future, not for the past.
The parliament can of course make reforms for the next elections but that’s
hardly what we’re protesting for.
We are in fact demanding an accountability of the 2013 elections.
What could the parliament possibly do to that end, given that the elections
have allowed the PML-N a simple majority in it? Their constant invocations
of the parliament as a platform for this debate are nothing more than a ploy
to divert attention from election results.
The 2013 rigging allegations are no longer mere accusations; they are now a
proven fact.
The
FAFEN report; the leaked tape of
'35' punctures and its reward for those
involved; the forced resignation of the NADRA chairman, are all indications
of a cover up. Every constituency investigated has revealed rigging. NA-256
has shown it, NA-258 has proved it, PP-107 has confirmed it.
In this context, PTI protests are not aimed at sustaining party popularity – they are
about a real democracy that PML-N will perhaps never get their head around.
Remember how the PML-N mandate was also stolen in broad day light by
a dictator and how their leaders signed an apology letter to flee the country?
They never stood up for democracy and for the people when their rights were
snatched.
It may be the PML-N manifesto to run and seal their lips when democracy is
stolen but it is certainly not part of the PTI manifesto. Remember zero tolerance
for corruption and standing up for justice and against status quo? We actually
meant that.
To actively oppose the evil of status quo, instead of waiting for an auto-fix – that’s
the DNA we voted for and what you are seeing in action. I couldn't have been
prouder of the PTI initiative to stand up and rally crowds for free and fair elections
in peaceful democratic demonstrations. This is the 'Naya Pakistan' that you have
just stepped in, where injustice will not be tolerated.
I find the PML-N to be consistently in denial. We keep saying the elections
were rigged, they keep saying they are working hard.
Sorry but that doesn’t cut it.
We aren’t protesting your performance (which is a discussion for another day),
we are protesting against rigging. If the military takes over and does a better
job than you, would that make the coup legitimate?
Let’s also discuss, for the sake of discussion, the prospect of debating
reforms in the parliament. What kind reforms will the parliament pass?
Can they guarantee zero rigging in all future polls? Most likely no.
This means the reform must have two components (1) actual measures to
improve transparency (2) punishment for those who cheat the process. It is fair
to say that the real power of this reform would lie in its punishment for offenders.
Now wait a minute...those provisions already exist.
The election commission and courts today have the powers to disqualify
candidates and hold re-election in relevant constituencies. In fact, they already
did that. So why exactly is PTI being asked to turn to the parliament?
The protests are not intended to derail anything but to empower the
democratic system. All legislation required for justice is in place, but the
system is tied up in the chains of status quo. We are protesting to ask
the election commission and courts to do the right thing. We are protesting
to counter the forces of status quo. We are protesting to give wings to
authorities who have lost it.
We are protesting because if we don't ask for justice, we will never get justice.
PTI demonstrations are a way to take matters to the court of the people after
election tribunals, courts and parliament fail to address them.
After all, it is the people who ultimately elect the new government
and if PTI can keep the momentum, PML-N may have to go with
the tarnished reputation and the upholders of a corrupt system.
The day isn’t far when this awareness will be there everywhere;
times are changing faster than ever before.
The current period is a major test for us. If PTI does not do anything, then
we become the status quo as well. But if we resist and oppose,
even if we don’t get very far, we will still go down in history as
an anti-status quo party who fought its level best to get justice.
