Leadership in the Sky with Diamonds

Area 14/8

Blinded by hubris and fear of an ungraceful ouster, the leadership has been taking decisions that will make its downfall certain. Its stated ignorance during the Model Town incident is unfortunate if not laughable. That a man such as Qadri is able to make Pakistan’s favorite political party feel the heat is very telling of the level of insecurity felt by the latter—the insecurity that is often masked by bravado as the government and its representatives continue to congratulate themselves on bringing true democracy to the country.

What is unfolding before us does not look pretty: a leadership that is hell bent on shooting itself in the foot cannot lead a country out of crises of gargantuan proportions. How do you save someone who’s on a suicide mission? The country is fighting a war crucial to its survival while the political leadership remains passive and detached. Within the PML (N), there is also conflict and disagreement—the once proactive interior minister is now sitting in a dark corner licking his wounds. The chief minister tried, but failed to win him over. Perhaps he should give serious thought to serenading the disgruntled minister. “Akelay na jaana” was a hit with the youth and could have struck a chord given the contextual backdrop. Other than that, the government seems to be out of ideas as to what the game plan should be right now.

At such a critical juncture in the country’s history, when the government should work on taking the public into confidence and bridging the communication gap, it has chosen to fade into the background. The public is still unsure about what it is exactly that the government is thinking and/ prioritizing? Most of what is heard about the government’s responsiveness is in how it reacts to the unfortunate death of peacocks that once roamed the prime minister’s well manicured lawns. Nevertheless, it is still important to iterate that the government is mindful of the security threat that has grown to a dangerous level:  6 sniffer dogs and 2 bullet proof BMWs for the country’s chief executive are only part of the solution.

The Finance Minister knows his numbers and would like to add to your knowledge that Pakistan’s poor economic growth and high inflation rate are a thing of the past. Please update yourself on the latest statistics. Here, read a copy of the Economic Survey. The economy is thriving and if all goes according to plan, the dream of becoming an Asian Tiger will finally become a reality. His confidence and optimism touches hearts but builds curiosity: what is someone slipping into his morning tea? The question needs serious thought and consideration. We need a committee to sit on it (correction, sit for it) and evaluate various policy options to tackle this issue. Who is the real enemy? Is it someone from within our ranks? Or from across the border? Maybe someone who resents us and wants to beat us to world domination…

We must think fast and act faster. In fact, this calls for a sonic boom kind of response. We must fight this till the end. The nation’s salvation lies in the protection of its most prized assets: its ministers. The secrets to solving the energy crisis for instance, lie with one of the key men in government and have not been made public knowledge for fear of sabotage. If God forbid, the enemies of the state succeed in achieving their nefarious motives, Pakistan would be taken back to the dark ages (literally). What was that ghazal that Abida Parveen sang?

“Dhoondo ge agar mulkon mulkon

Milnay kay nahin nayaab hain hum

Taabeer hai jiski hasrat-o-gham

Aye humnafaso woh khwaab hain hum”