Munir Ahmad Khalili The Arab Spring was a popular rising of the people with an intensive wave of anger against the despotic rules in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, which toppled the decade-old dictorial regimes of Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, Muhammad Hosni Sayyid Mubarak and Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar Gaddafi. The same is being repeated now in Yemen, Syria and other Middle Eastern countries. In their crusade against the despots, the ultimate demand of the people was not the implementation of Islamic Sharia, but to get rid of the cruel and authoritative system. Freedom, honour, justice and availability of some basic sustenance, for which the people there have been longing for decades, were the main reasons for the demonstrations. The people, mostly deprived of the basic needs of life, were fed up with the status quo. However, when the Tunisians got a chance to elect their rulers through free and fair elections, they voted for Annahdhah - an Islamic party. It seems that the same will be repeated in the coming election in Egypt. The Arab Spring has proved to be a heavy blow on the status quo smashing it into pieces. In some nations, like Pakistan and other third world countries, the people are used to hearing a common catch phrase often repeated by the politicians: We will not let the system derail. One may ask: Why not, if it is not functioning properly? This is surely an evil effort for the continuation of the status quo. A badly functioning democracy works only as cosmetic measure to remodel the face of dictatorship. There is little difference between the dictatorships of the countries where the regimes have been blown up by the anger of the people and these second class democracies, as we see in practice in Pakistan. Here, the term 'system is similar to 'status quo. Rulers, whether they maybe of a single party or an alliance or opposition, are always united to maintain the status quo, especially because it is in their interest. In Pakistani context, most of the politicians belong to the feudal class. They do not pay taxes on their agricultural products/incomes. Many businessmen and industrialists cum politicians, too, are tax evaders. To achieve their goals, they block efforts to bring about a change for the betterment of the country. They are the biggest hindrance to the enforcement of the rule of law. Even Parliament remains subservient to their vested interests. No mechanism of accountability is allowed to be strengthened in the country. Both the rulers and the opposition try to keep the law enforcement agencies under their thumb. Needless to say, they are indifferent to the needs and demands of the people. In Pakistan today, giant national assets, like Pakistan Railways, PIA, Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Steel Mills and many other profit-making institutions, have been ruined due to the bad policies of the government. From politicians, bureaucrats, top brass to a clerk in a government department, police constable or patwari, everyone sees their interest secure in the existing stagnant and stinky system and are eager for its continuance. The cries for not letting the system derail is a topsy-turvy way of thinking of the misguided mindset, which deliberately wants to damage the potentialities of thinking of honest human beings, particularly mature and well educated youth. But till how long the 'Autumn Season will be held back? After all, 'Spring has to appear. It may be a bit late, but, after the 'Arab Spring, the 'Ajam Spring is destined to appear The writer is a freelance columnist.