World Information Order is a reality; and biggest, powerful establishments and governments around the world obviously have agendas for which public opinion is created, managed and reinforced through media houses. This lets a lot of Govt’s to be seen as publically and politically correct albeit general public is ill/mis-informed re actual reality.
There will always be few voices who will still speak up and logically question the rationale behind various blunders (retrospectively proven) but it won’t get obnoxiously flashed on main media fearing hurting the “credibility” (pun intended) vis-à-vis simple, plain and candid truth.
If we miniaturize the above and view it from Pakistan’s perspective, and term it as Pakistan Information Order to construct & manage public perception; it gets easier for power houses to tweak the perception in their favour due to already broken down socioeconomic fundamentals and acceptance of culture of all types of corruptions – this was systematically carried out to weaken the institutions which otherwise can be a hurdle [read- being accountable] in governing [read totalitarian rule] - its a separate topic in itself.
Let’s digress from above and briefly see PIO is action:
- Case 1 : PMLN Leadership embroiled in corruption scandal:
PMLN top leadership is involved in corruption scandal like many other leaders’ families but a lot of money is being spent to change the course of discussion from “making money, while in power, custodian of public money, creating empires” to bring it down to the level of a petty bribery case of a traffic police.
PMLN (then IJI) had always utilized the services of disciples of Goebbels in the form of Hussain Haqqani, Abdul Maalick, Najam Sethi and many others to create a counter spin debate refer Ardheshir Cowasjee in his article about spin masters in Pakistan and glorified yellow journalism based on whose revelations there are many who base their entire case on it – as if it words from some divine power.
SUPPORTING ARGUMENT FOR ABOVE:
Corruption is being done by Aleem Khan and Jenagir Tareen.
NARRATIVE BUILT:
All are corrupt hence Nawaz Sharif’s corruption is justified and should not be discussed even though comparison is like apples to oranges for every logical thinking soul.
- Case 2 : Aleem Khan and Jehangir Tareen are Corrupt:
Head of their party asks the sitting Govt., if anyone is corrupt, then Govt., must exercise it’s executive power and register a case and put all culprits behind bars.
SUPPORTING ARGUMENT FOR ABOVE:
Since there is possible corruption prevalent in Pakistan, therefore any accountability is not possible.
Final narrative to be built:
Two wrongs make one right. Period
It is interesting to see that this final narrative is so much ingrained in thought process of millions and millions of Pakistanis; that we do not even listen and want to comprehend anything out of our self- administered and proclaimed righteousness but wait for our turn to take a jibe and juggat-ofy aka Faisalabad style and laugh it off aka Talal Chaudhry and Abid Sher Ali style forgetting that this attitude will transcend into our next generations and mere thought of this fact is enough to send chills down the spine of any normal human being no wonder we are “Special” with a capital S – of course!
Another interesting case was during 2013 when two different yardsticks were used to give one type of decision:
- Case 1 : EVER CHANGING STANCES OF PMLN:
PMLN seek MQM votes for PM and gets it, PMLN seeks support of PPP, ANP, PKMAP, JUI-F, JI (Punjab mostly), QWP.
No issues, no questions about going in circles, U Turns, About Turns – Nothing at ALL
SUPPORTING ARGUMENT FOR ABOVE:
Politics is art of possibilities; Political Savvy; Politics is art of negotiations; Doors should always be open in Politics; No Permanent No in Politics; Ego has no place in Politics; Political Magnanimity, Political Astuteness and list goes on and on.
Verdict:
Political Maturity
- Case 2 : PTI ENGAGING OTHER POLITICAL PARTIES:
PTI enters into alliance with JI; Reaches offers olive branch to PPP to discuss impasse; PTI and MQM in possible talks;
Every one cries about U Turn, Man of Establishment, Army Support, Jew Support, US Support, Taliban Support
SUPPORTING ARGUMENT FOR ABOVE:
Politics should be principled; Talking to corrupt makes them corrupt; There should not be any talks negotiations between others and PTI; No IS Permanent No in Politics; Ego should have highest place in Politics; Political Inconsistency; Political Pettiness and list goes on and on.
Verdict:
Political Immaturity
Socioeconomic fabric has shredded to pieces and generally public look upto powerful and resourceful as someone who can give some benefit and they have resigned to the fact that general public is for life-long suffering and rulers are from Special class and what they do is not up for question or debate and Bribery, Physical Abuse, Killing, Fabricated Cases, Buying out justice, is all acceptable and not even an issue to discuss because – general public is so busy in planning to make their both ends meet that above issues are non issues for them.
Has this happened due to coincidence or was and still is deliberate plan to keep the have nots as have nots and keeping them as “untouchables” and haves building empires and reaching the status of “unreachable” and also untouchable – but in a wow way!
I recall my grandfather used to narrate a story of his friend who was Governor of Punjab and then he went onto become first Governor of West Pakistan but he did not deliberately built road to his village from where his (voter) base was. His argument was; roads leads to education and education ends mentality of slavery and this will end his family’s the lavish lifestyle and undisputed kingdom.
This was not one off real life story; there are thousands of ones like this; where underprivileged class is kept at that level by design.
Question is: are we ready as a country or even in certain silos to challenge this or have we given up on this and hoping for that magical moment where current ruling parties and clans will have a sudden rush of love for Pakistan followed by a change of heart like in a Walt Disney movie?