Dr A Q Khan also jumps into Political Quagmire - forms his own political party

Although, it has been in the air for quite sometime, but Dr A Q Khan, the famous nuclear scientist of Pakistan, has finally jumped into the political quagmire of Pakistan by launching his own political party - Tehreek e Tahaffuz e Pakistan (Movement for the Safeguard of Pakistan) or the TTP.

The political scene in Pakistan is marred with corruption, nepotism, political rivalry and vengeance besides the extremely deteriorated law and order situation, specially at the hands of the asocial elements and the militants. The political government has miserably failed to address the vows of the people and the life of common man has been hit hard by increasing POL, electricity tariff and prices of daily use commodities. And the menace of load shedding that continues for most part of the 24 hours of day and night, has further worsened the life of conman man.

The people at large, and the youth of the country do not find a hope at the hands of the present set of politicians and the way they are governing the country for their self motives, completely disregarding the interests of the country and its people. There seems no hope how to get out of this quagmire.

While launching his party, Dr Khan promises the youth to guide them on how and whom to vote for in the coming elections. This means the TTP has limited political manifestation, limited to 'counselling' of the youth rather than actively participating in the elections. 

He further says: 'I never wanted to join politics but when your country is at verge of end then its not a right thing to keep sitting like a spectator - I will consistently urge youth to elect honest persons in upcoming elections and stand for survival of the country.'

Although, counseling of the youth is the immediate goalpost set by Dr Khan, but one can foresee its scope expanding and may ultimately land Dr Khan contesting for elections. But would that be prudent?

Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf or PTI, already launched by famous cricketer Imran Khan to mobilize the Pakistani youth was good enough, which has gathered momentum and has the tremendous support of the youth of Pakistan. Launching of Dr Khan's own political party with similar agenda, may thus not auger well nor gather immediate youthful support. In fact such an effort is likely to dent PTI's nation wide political campaign.

Naming his part with an abbreviation of TTP, which is similar to that of TTP (Tehreek e Taliban of Pakistan) is another question mark. With his acumen, intelligence and prudence, this certainly was not expected to have a similar name that is being used by the militant group.

Many political analysts are of the view that despite services of the nuclear scientist to the nation, there is a grim hope that his party will make a headway or draw popular support. He could have otherwise continued to 'counsel' the youth through articles in the newspapers as he usually does, but dragging himself in the political rut of the country may harm his popularity that he enjoys for his services to the country.

The fate of TTP, Dr Khan's own, may not be better than Tehreek e Istaqlal formed by Asghar Khan, or the Awami Qiadat Party of former army chief Mirza Aslam Beg and many other one-man parties formed till date.

Read More

Youth to decide the future of Pakistan: I see light at the end of the tunnel, FINALLY!!

Since many elections, the majority of voters have been middle to old age people of Pakistan – mostly coerced by the political parties and promised a better life. And we have seen who comes in and who rules and how.

Photo: Forum - Be Pakistani, be the power of Pakistan

And like the voters, the candidates too have largely been from the same age group. But trends seem to be changing as we see much younger candidates appearing in the elections – though mostly descendants and sons of aging politicians.

Like the younger politicians, the vote bank is also witnessing a real change – a change for good and perhaps to usher in a new era in the politics, democracy and future of the country. As per latest figures released by the Election Commission of Pakistan, some 47 percent of the 84.3 million people registered as voters are aged under-35. Of these 16.2 million are aged between 18 and 25 years, many of whom will be voting for the first time. 1.58 million voters attained the age of 18 years between January and May this year.

The above figures amply highlight the shift of vote bank from the middle and old voters to the youth, most of who care much more for the country than their elders who readily succumb to the pressures of their area politicians and are almost coerced and forced to vote for them to show their loyalty. But perhaps the youth will have a different strategy and role in the coming elections as they have seen the promises unfulfilled and nothing done for their future not for the future of their country.

The young, frustrated voters, finding no jobs and expecting a rather bleak future, have for the first time geared up and seem to be discarding traditional politics and going for pragmatic solutions and pragmatic politicians.

Youth in any country is the power which drives a country. The Pakistani youth now has a chance of lifetime to leave a lasting impact on the future of Pakistan’s politics – it is a chance for the youth to use their vote to change and change for the very good and future of not only themselves but for Pakistan too. I see the light at the end of the tunnel: FINALLY!!

Read More