Thursday, July 19, 2018
Editorial: #ElectionPakistan - The language used in electioneering indicates just how mature our society is
IT seems that a lot of people are talking at the same time at the top of their voices on stage and in television shows and corner meetings.
Barbs are flying, tongues are wagging and scandalous personal attacks against political opponents have become the norm. By the looks of it, we are in for the loudest election in this country’s history — maybe, the dirtiest as well. Almost everything that comes to mind is permissible here. At one meeting, a senior PML-N leader lost his cool. Apparently under pressure because of the tough competition from his opponent, the former speaker of the National Assembly reportedly blurted out deeply acrimonious words, dubbing those voting for the PTI as ‘beghairat’ — people without honour — reminiscent of the ‘jaag Punjabi jag, teri pagg noon lagg gaya daagh’ (Punjabi beware) slogan the Sharif camp had raised three decades ago in 1988 in a close contest.
The rashness comes in when parties and individuals are desperate for a win. Sentiments expressed with excessive intensity betray just how close the fight is. Emotions are better controlled when contests are one-sided. However, the language that has been used in the election campaign so far is shocking, given that inter-party exchanges are an essential indicator of just how mature and tolerant a society is and, consequently, how democratic. The ugliest part is that some of those who indulge in cheap and vulgar talk happen to be top-level politicians who have held important government positions in the recent past. Among them is the former KP chief minister who was so overcome by passion and his urge to retain power that he tried to ridicule the supporter of a political party, using appalling vocabulary. Whereas his uncalled-for outburst has led to some demands that the Election Commission pull up the loose-talking veteran politician, ideally, the rebuke must come from within the party. Except that no party has time for such niceties in the scramble for power.
#BhuttoDeNaarayWajjanGey - #PPP believes in principles, ideology and service to masses: Bilawal
Addressing a reception rally at Allama Iqbal Colony here on Thursday evening, he said: “I have entered the politics with the sole objective of accomplishing the unfinished mission of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Muhtarma Benazir Bhutto.”
He said that PPP had no enmity with any political party. “Our objective is to win elections in order to mitigate the sufferings of Pakistani people.”
PPP Chairman said that PPP had still its roots among masses and the people of Pakistan would prove that Bhutto is still alive, by stamping on ‘Arrow’, the electoral symbol of the PPP, on July 25.
He said that PPP could not be eliminated from national politics as it wanted to end hate from all ranks of society.
Bilawal said that PPP was not fighting against any party but it is striving for elimination of public hardships and people’s problems. It wants to provide quality education and health facilities at doorsteps of people besides eradicating menace of the poverty and unemployment.
He said that Zulfikar Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto struggled to provide employment to the youth and we launched Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) to continue their mission. This programme was also helpful for eliminating poverty and improving life standard of the poorest of the poor.
After coming into power, we would provide interest-free loans especially to the poor rural women so that they could start their own business and play role in stabilizing national economy, he added.
Earlier, he also addressed reception rallies at PMC Chowk Allied Mor, Bhutto Basti Sargodha Road Faisalabad, Rajoa Saadat Chiniot and Khatam-e-Nawubat Chowk Chiniot and urged people to vote and support PPP in General Election 2018 so that rights of the farmers, workers and oppressed and depressed segments of society could be protected.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/343716-ppp-believes-in-principles-ideology-and-service-to-masses-bilawal
#ElectionPakistan - #BhuttoDeNaarayWajjanGey - #PPP wants to strengthen system, institutions: Bilawal
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) wants to make institutions and the system strong, party chairman Bilawal Bhutto said at a press conference on Thursday.”Imran Khan has zero chance of becoming the next prime minister.” he maintained.
He added that an alliance can be made with those stand with the PPP as per its party manifesto.
Bilawal stated further that alliances have always been formed against the PPP but the party has persevered.
The PPP chairman also reiterated that a weak democracy is better than a powerful dictatorship.
Responding to comments by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi, a former PPP member, Bilawal said Qureshi was present when the Charter of Democracy was signed and knows well that its aim was to strengthen democracy.
He asked Qureshi what his present party stands for — other than making a mockery of the political system.
The PPP chairman repeated his invitation to those parties interested in altering the charter’s principles according to the present times to join him.
http://www.thesindhtimes.com/pak/07/ppp-wants-strengthen-system-institutions-bilawal/