In response

This is in response, to a comment that I received for my post 'Political Parties' from my friend Kazim Aizaz Alam and from a response I received from another friend on my Facebook status.

I hope I do justice, presenting my view point.

I must confess, I have not read much literature about politics. But my article was based on the knowledge that I possess on the matters that have crossed my eye in recent time. Kazim's comment presents good facts but I am afraid I cannot provide any facts at the moment that proves my liking for the two-party system. But I would like to present my argument.

My support for two parties, is merely because, of the fact that I personally like this idea, of having one Party in power while the other one criticizing it. Just like the simple idea of ‘good’ and ‘bad’. Although like you mentioned, some voices may 'disappear in the propaganda filled bourgeois world of politics’; still they raise their voice to bring back their party in power.

My main aim, of the article was to draw a connection between the two-party style and our politics with many parties. I didn’t even know before writing this reponse how many parties we currently have in the Pakistani Senate. I just googled now and found out there are 15 parties at the moment, with 10 of them in the national assembly. But what do these parties do, when it comes to conflicts or disagreeing the policies of one another?

Out of the 15 parties that we have, I am not aware as a commoner, of either one of their policies. Or what they stand for, when it comes to their policies about our banks, big and small businesses, taxes, sharia law, terrorism, about their war on Iraq and Afghanistan. Off course, I am aware that at least for the sake to remain in power they would strongly oppose wars against these two countries. But what would be their take when it comes to the USA using our bases? One of the arguments could be, that we will have less choice when it comes to such decisions. But the point I am trying to make here is that, such issues should be addressed and thought before they come to power.

All we know about them right now is, that PML-N is in power because of the Shariff brothers, PPP belongs to the bhuttos MQM belongs to Altaf Hussain and so on.... but more than that, the irony is, that we also classify them as, the Sindhi's party, the Punjabi's party and the Mahajir's party.

I cannot recall any instance, where the people here would think that the labours or the conservatives would do well for only one particular area if either of them comes to power.

I must write, that I am so ashamed that even after being so much educated, and gone abroad for studies, I got a comment from a friend on facebook in response to my status on facebook

'Nousheen is utterly disgusted listening every bit of the Nawaz shariff's speech! Oh God plz save Pakistan!!!!'

The response I got was: "Well there is no need to be gutted atleast your family is safe just becuase of him right now y? coz what happened in 1998 otherwise rightnow there would have been a moneky sitting at Quaid tomb... and karachites would have been dancing around it.... any ways coming back to his potent speech which was a needed for this nation and plus you dont mess with sheer in punjab... he took mush down and now its zardari turn... respect your future PM Sheer hamara zindabad”

The reason behind my status was not because, being a Karachite, I would support MQM, or having lived in Sindh all my life I would support PPP, But, because I was just seriously ridiculed after listening to his speech. The way he spoke, the way he sort of roared, it just ridiculed me. Not once he mentioned why would we like him in power again and why should we support him, after he has been charged and even thrown out of the country.

But his response clearly meant that he had misunderstood me. He being a Punjabi thought, I would have written this status, because I would be supporting the PPP or the MQM. But I just don’t get it. Can we not for once, look beyond being a Sindhi or a Punjabi or a Mahajir? Why after being educated, we look at the fact of who belongs to our province rather than, what they as an individual and what their party stands for? I am completely aware of the killings and murders that took place during the Nawaz's tenure in Karachi, the land grabbings and so much more and I am also aware of what happened when Benazir was in power. I am aware of the facts that Zardari is the one of the most corrupted politician. He will ever gain my support, because I belong to Sindh or Nawaz would have gained my support had I belonged to Punjab!

Kazim, mentioned that he can look upto thee Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party, Labour Party of Pakistan and the International Socialists, I truly understand the reason behind his liking for them but what is the mere use when the voice of a commoner like you and me are not being heard? All I mean to say is, out of the 15 parties that we have, if we can relate to the parties, that form a minority and are ‘not’ in power, then what is the use of having 15 parties. Each of them fighting, for just one cause, just to get in power, but are eaten up by the four parties that are the most corrupt and have been in power since Pakistan is formed!

Although the two-party system might get manipulated some times, but is not ineffective like our system of 15 parties.