South Asia Citizens Web

Pakistan has two angry messiahs, the Maulana and the Cricketer. Both are men of fine oratory — the former being more gifted. They promise to kick wicked leaders out of government, reward the righteous, and deliver a new Pakistan. Before a coup-plagued nation that has spent many decades under military rule, they preach to adulating under-30 crowds about the corruption of the present rulers. But neither dares to touch Pakistan’s real issues. Both are careful to castigate only the corruption of civilians; there is nary a word about the others.

Civil Society representatives addressed a press conference against threats to democracy at Karachi Press Club on Thursday. Dr. Kaiser Bengali, a senior economist; Noor Mohammad, President Pakistan Workers Confederation Sindh; Dr. Tipu Sultan of Pakistan Medical Association (PMA); Ms. Mahnaz Rahman of Aurat Foundation and Ms. Saleha Ather of Network of Women Rights. On the occasion they released the statement of civil society, which is endorsed by people from various walks of life.

Indeed leftist political ideals are a sad casualty of the populist brand of politics with which we are currently afflicted. No longer do hordes of political activists make their way into villages and working-class neighbourhoods to mobilise the classes that they want to emancipate. Urban middle classes are the vanguard of today’s ‘revolutionary’ politics, and the media and judiciary have replaced the political party as the instrument of change.

In an order that will be welcomed by civic bodies and bring relief to citizens, the Supreme Court on Friday banned fresh encroachment of roads, pavements and sideways by construction of religious structures or installation of statues of public figures.

Full Video of the Ceremony at 2013 Simone de Beauvoir Prize to Malala Yousafzai in Paris on 9 January.