The political ‘kabaddi’ currently going on is not even surprising to most of us as it is just part of Pakistan’s cyclic history. While some optimists did think that things will be different this time and two largest democratic forces in Pakistan will finally pursue conciliatory power-sharing government for betterment of everyone; there still were people, a vast majority, that could foresee this honeymoon, sooner than later, coming to an unhappy end.

Situation in Pakistan is not in any case ready for another upheavel like this. Punjab was so far the only stable government regardless of its unfavorable attitude towards the centre. Disqualification of Sharif brothers from holding any public office for the thrid time can be justified as the honorable court’s verdict but imposition of Governor’s Rule and locking up of the Punjab Provincial Assembly building is surely a matter of grave objection.

However, for a common man, nothing has changed except for long traffic jams due to protests, purposeless damage to public infrastructre for which he had paid from his own pocket and city life coming to an uncertain but grinding halt.

The only bugging question is, regardless of who was right or who is wrong, can we really afford this crisis at this time? Can we bear watching ambulances stuck for hours due to almost daily road block by protesters at the Mall, and for how long? Will restoration of one man ensure speedy justice for a poor peasant? And, finally, do we even deserve democracy or are we just not ready or prepared for it yet?

Apparently, the Punjab government is considering spending more than Rs200 million of tax payers money on Mian Shahbaz Sharif’s security. The budgeted amount will be spend on obtaining high tech gadgets, sniff dogs, bla bla, so the provincial government could safeguard our ‘national’ asset.

What say you guys? I say if Mian shab doesn’t feel safe in the current environment then maybe he should let someone else take over his position. We are begging IMF for loan these days and so its mind boggling that provincial govt. is considering spending this hefty sum on security of one (or few) individuals. Common Mian shab, we know you are better than this!!!

“Are you a politician asking what your country can do for you or a zealous one asking what you can do for your country? If you are the first, then you are a parasite; if the second, then you are an oasis in a desert.” Khalil Gibran

Photo Credit: AP Pakistan

And they say it was an artificial crisis caused by smuggling of wheat to Afghanistan, Central Asia; fueled by evil intentions of the stockists; worsened by unplanned exports by the government; and hyped by bulk consumer purchases…

What factor do you blame the most?

“January 5, Saturday – 3:50 PM – On my way back from Sargodha to Lahore on the motorway, I saw one of the worst accidents in my life – Near Pindi Bhatian. I could see smoke on the main road from miles away on reaching the spot, there was a car burning in the middle of the road with 2 other cars crushed on the down side of the road. The car burning in the middle of the road had a burnt body besides it totally unattended – there was only a single police car on the spot with no fire-extinguishing apparatus from the scene it was looking that the car was burning for the last 5-10 minutes. The thing that was horrifying was the poor soul burning on the road was absolutely left un-attended. Question: Where was the motorway emergency team even after 10 minutes of the incident ? “

Awaam: Imran Kazmi

It may sound like any public opinion poll running on TV channels; but it is not! :)
And that’s because we will only be talking about Lahore and problems of the people associated with this city.

‘Awaam Asks’ or ‘Public Asks’ is a series being launched by LMB to include any concerns, questions, complaints, queries that you want to share or ask people in authority and/or the citizens of this city.

Just suggest us an issue or concern using ‘Suggest a Story’ link on main LMB page and don’t forget to include ‘Awaam Asks’ in title of the story.

Happy Complaining! :)