Cirque Du Soleil

The situation we Pakistanis currently find ourselves in is quite extraordinary on a number of levels. Whether we look at it from a comical point of view or adopt an introspective lens into this cannibalistic interpretation of politics, one cannot help but notice a complete disregard for basic political conduct. It seems as if the need to maintain a sophisticated aura, or an articulate way of addressing fellow politicians has evaporated into a cloud looming above our heads, reminding us of how our beloved nation’s political situation lacks the integral role of civilised dialogue.
Sit back in your lounge, switch on the television and you will come to find a number of channels, airing a wide range of stand-up comedians, effortlessly running their colleagues into the ground. These humorous beings leave no stone unturned, from making fun of appearances, to name calling and criticising a fellow’s family members. Which comics am I referring to, you might ask? Well, they are none other than our 21st century Pakistani politicians. The pride and joy of our country. These rudimentary characters have drastically shaped what we, the general public perceive as domestic politics. It seems as if we had it all wrong from the start. Clearly, politics is not a place for decency, humanity or even morality.
The very fact that the majority of Pakistani politicians are ‘thoughtfully’ involved in the practice of bad-mouthing or name-calling each other, goes to show the priority of the political parties residing in this green and white haven. This mode of conduct and distasteful dialogue doesn’t only leave a bad taste in one’s mouth, but also eradicates any kind of constructive political thought within the general public. We are simply diverted towards this pointless show, which has absolutely nothing to do with the political situation of our country. And it’s not just that. With colourful words flying around and a lack of respect for your fellow politicians, why would anyone take this circus we call politics, seriously? Why would any nation outside our borders, ever pay heed to our opinions and our dilemmas, when we have such a wide variety of beings running our country?
The art of pointing fingers at one another, rather than solving issues at the forefront, seems to be a natural trait instilled within the souls of most Pakistani politicians. This is simply a distraction to push all the problems our country is facing, under the same old dusty rug. Constantly blaming one another and openly using another’s character as a source of entertainment is beyond my perception of politics. It baffles me, when politicians such as Bilawal Bhutto are made fun of for the way they speak and the accent they use. My answer to anyone who falls that low, is that at least the gentleman knows how to talk like a politician, without opening a dictionary of insults. Instead, we are forced to adhere to this rhetoric of indecency and vulgarity. The very integrity of Pakistani politics seems to be lost in this haze of obscenity and filth, eliminating the true purpose of doing what is right for our country.
So, my friends, as always, I’ll leave the question to you. Are we going to resort to accepting a crude form of politics that has ruined our country’s image on the face of this earth, or are we going to stand together and speak up against this madness? Time is of the essence.

The writer is a graduate from the University of Westminster, London in Political Science and International Relations.

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