A Nation’s strength lies not merely in its economic or military power, but in the cohesion of its institutions and the integrity. Today, several indirectly connected challenges serve as a serious threat to the political, institutional, and social foundations. Whether we discuss political nuisance, the spread of narcotics, or the erosion of political unity.
Political discourse is ideal for the reforms, progress, and representation. Unfortunately, it devolves into a noise of allegations in the house of policymakers. Rivalries for short-term gains distract the government from policymaking. These conflicts not only clog the democratic processes but also weaken public trust and divert attention towards disruptive concerns. In the past, politicians were known for their service to the public. Currently, the public service is turned into an individual interest service.
One such problem is the alarming rise in narcotics. Drug abuse is no longer a peripheral issue; it is a national crisis affecting youth, families, and communities. Narcotics not only destroy individual lives but also fuel crime, corruption, and instability. A distracted political system often fails to understand that in their differences, public interest serves as collateral damage.
A student learns from his teachers, mentors, and professionals. A person who studies politics learns from the professional politicians, but these days, what he learns is how to amend things that serve in their particular interest rather than a collaborative political interest of their respective ruling political wing that serves the people.
On one side, we hear the rhetoric of the president’s absence in the Iran-US peace talks and the news of differences between the PPP and COAS Asim Munir. The chaotic environment depicts that the establishment has decided to push back the Pakistan People’s Party in Sindh province. However, the news is not confirmed through authentic sources, nor does the political environment confirm the speculations. However, the internal rifts and differences between the Pakistan People’s Party demonstrate that the individuals are on the urge to defame, push back, and create an environment that serves their lobby interest while the other members of the Party suffer.
Recently, I have heard a news captioned “Speaker has closed the shop inside Sindh Assembly” in context with the unresolved controversy between the Public Accounts Committee Chairman and the Speaker of Sindh Assembly. A Shop that is constituted to deal with the appropriation accounts of the government & the report of the Auditor-General, and examine the expenditure of State corporations, trading and manufacturing schemes. The conflict was initiated on the transfer of the secretary PAC, and now on the basis of being allegedly involved in the corrupt practices. The issue could have been resolved with the mutual consent of the PAC Chairman. However, the speaker chose to stand with his ruling mindset rather than choosing the constitutional resolution. This decision was taken lawfully, but it also raises a question of why the speaker was silent if he had found that the secretary was involved in corruption earlier? A PAC Committee constitution suggests that the committee shall consist of seven members to be elected by the assembly, and the Finance Minister (Murad Ali Shah) shall be its ex officio member. Was the issue discussed with the Finance Minister, who is also the Chief Minister of the province? Undoubtedly, the speaker holds a democratic right & privilege to decide, but was this case consulted with the Rules of Procedure and Privileges committee?
This is where the Law vs Justice dilemma comes into the light. The committees were constituted for the resolution of parliamentary conflicts. The functioning of ROP & Privileges is to examine any question of privilege referred to it by the assembly or the speaker, and determine with reference to the facts of each case whether a breach of privilege is involved and, if so, the nature of the breach and the circumstances leading to it; and make such recommendations as it may deem fit. Another interesting factor is that the Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs is the ex officio member of the committee, which is known as the confidante of the top leadership, i.e., Faryal Talpur. Respectfully, Mr. Speaker, this particular case seems like a conflict of ego & upholding the power rather than political resolution. If there were a shop, the Baniya- Shop Owner & ex officio member of the committee must have disclosed it earlier for an internal political discourse & resolution in accordance with the rules of procedure constituted for the accountability of parliament members, including the custodian of the house.
Similarly, we have ample examples of internal rifts inside PPP Sindh that came into the limelight. The Narcotics Control & political division issue was also raised earlier by the Director News of Hamari Web & Sr. Journalist Rafiq Bhutto.
This distracted political system often fails to mount the coordinated, sustained response needed to combat this menace of narcotics. Previously, we have witnessed how Sr. Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon took strict action & initiated a crackdown against the Narcotics mafia, which eventually resulted in the withdrawal of the Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics control portfolio. Recently, the Chairperson of the standing committee for Home, and stateswoman Faryal Talpur, along with the provincial Minister of Home, have chaired a high-level committee and passed the orders of an intense crackdown against the same narcotics mafia. The Inspector General of Sindh Police has attended the meeting. However, the speculations in the surrounding states that the law enforcement agencies are already aware of the Narcotics Mob backing.
On one side, in just a couple of days of meetings, we are hearing good news of apprehensions, raids, and an intense crackdown to control the spread of narcotics. A recent byline states, “Ecstasy pills worth over Rs. 10 Million seized – DIG East Dr Farrukh Ali said that the suspect was allegedly involved in online sale of the pills to students”. Whereas, on the other side, we all have heard the story of Shahmir Lashari & Agha Shaheer- Son of a retired Superintendent. The victim is still in the hospital, fighting for his life, while the police have failed to catch Agha Shaheer. I am not blaming that every policeman’s son is like Agha Shaheer, but yes! We have good and bad examples.
The result is commendable and applaudable, but the repercussions of this action are harsh. It also questions the dignity of a police officer who is used by the politicians and then, as an individual, faces the backlash. I guess that is the reason why policemen do not take severe actions against the mafia. We have several examples, but I will just quote a Sr. Minister’s example on this particular issue. This calls for a collaborative political consensus between the Provincial Home & Federal Interior Ministry and the efforts of the law enforcement agencies, including the newly formed National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency.
Public trust erodes when politics becomes a nuisance rather than a mechanism for governance. Citizens grow disillusioned, and institutions lose their credibility. Provincial & Federal leadership has to rise above this cycle of differences & acrimony. Sindh requires a focus on harmonic politics and policymaking. While accountability must prevail in internal & external political matters. Long-term vision over spectacle is a win-win situation.
Unity does not mean uniformity, but it does require a shared commitment to public interest, respect for the grieved members of the party, and a willingness to prioritize larger interests over personal or group gains.
On this Labour Day, we have witnessed that the PPP provincial and Karachi leadership were together on the stage. While in the past, there was a visible acrimony. However, Saeed Ghani, Murtaza Wahab & the Karachi region require the attention of leadership and the members of the party. However, the Local government minister is also surrounded by several controversies. I guess the similar controversies were the reason for Saeed Ghani to surrender the Local Government portfolio.
Ultimately, the health of a nation depends on the choices it makes in moments like these. By rejecting political triviality, confronting the narcotics threat with seriousness, and recommitting to unity, a society can reclaim its direction and secure a stronger future.
