“It is a relatively recent trend among politicians to hurl abuses at each other on TV”

Raza Rabbani, PPP leader

Politics is an art of negotiation without compromising one’s basic principles. I think that confrontational politics has never been beneficial either for the political parties or for the country in general, especially at a time when Pakistan faces grave economic challenges.

It is imperative to have political stability and it can only flow when political parties sit down together to work out basic norms of the game without compromising their respective party positions.

It is possible to have economic stability. Therefore, I am of the view that the charter of democracy is the need of the hour for the political situation in Pakistan in which all political parties should come to a broader understanding of the rules of the game.  Only after the political parties come to an understanding, it would be possible to hold an institutional dialogue to ensure the continuity of the process.

I think it is difficult to give a timeframe, but the sooner the parties realise this, the better it will be.

Moreover, I don’t think that the political confrontation has tarnished the image of the politicians. Political confrontation is a part of politics, even if you look at an international jurisdiction, you will find it there.

This negative trend has appeared recently in the society where politicians seem to be levelling allegations or hurling abuses on television talk shows. Those politicians who speak about the constitution and issues, while raising the voice for the oppressed and needy masses are eulogised.

It is a fact that if some politicians go against their party line to address issues of people and to support the masses, they are also admired. This is how politics work. I think personalisation and personal scathing attacks should not take place in politics. I must say, if all political parties agree on the charter of democracy, this kind of negative trend will fizzle out naturally.

We should understand that this is not an electric button that we press and find an appropriate result simultaneously. This negativity has prevailed over time in society, and it would take time to get rid of this malevolent culture. We call for a conscious effort to develop positive thinking to eradicate the negative one.

All politicians and parliamentarians are respectable and equal. No one is superior to the other. They have a command over the constitution and their subject, but this culture perpetuates in our society and there is a need to discourage this negative trend.

“Politics of confrontation and allegations undermines democracy”

Shehryar Afridi, PTI leader

A difference of opinion and politics of confrontation can never be eliminated as every party and every household has some kind of a bone of contention. It is impossible to not have conflicts between politicians.

Yes! Politics of confrontation, controversy, allegation and criticism takes place when ideology and democracy are weakened and when politicians work without them.

When you have a political ideology, you have to make independent decisions to reinforce it.

For example, if there is a law and order situation or an anti-polio campaign worker comes under an attack in any province, it will defame the country or the federation. When the federation attempts to take action, it finds hindrances in the form of the 18th amendment of the constitution which gives more autonomy to the provinces and prevents the federal government from taking initiatives. These people made such legislations to serve their vested interests at the cost of the federation.

Pakistan needs a strong national security policy to ensure that no one can raise a voice against the country. The voices of disintegration and separation need to be tackled. This happens in every civilised country of the world, including the United States of America and the United Kingdom. Ironically, in Pakistan, people have a freedom to criticise their country, but when you speak about rights, unfortunately, you will be discouraged, pressured and threatened.

Being a political worker and a student of international politics, until you stick to your ideology and basics, your politics will serve your interests, when you stand to work for democracy and the state, differences-cum-controversies will be raised. The so-called Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) or the coalition government is only struggling to protect their interests. They are holding together despite differences solely for this purpose. And because of this mindset, democracy is not thriving in the country.

I do agree that Pakistan needs firm laws so that nobody can dare say anything against the state. Let us not forget the extreme foreign-sponsored leftist and liberal elements are deployed in Pakistan to ferment unrest within the people, against the army and the religion.

I salute the local 40,000 religious scholars who have condemned suicide attacks and have categorically stated that the shariah doen not allow suicide bombings. The state is responsible for the protection of all minorities living in the country.

If an affluent man enters politics without having any knowledge about the constitution, the amendments, bills, rules of business in parliament, the budget, the role of parliamentarian, and the judicial and criminal justice system, then all will be compromised. If there are competent rulers, Pakistan would never stand at this crucial juncture.

“In today’s culture a leader does not become popular until he abuses other leaders”

Shah Mohammad Shah, PML-N leader

This culture of confrontation in politics gradually started thriving after the 70s and I have always discouraged it. Now it has hit the bottom because multiple factors, including the attitude and preferences of the people, the private ownership of (profit-driven) media and the politicians. You may take an example of great Muslim and Hindu leaders— Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and M. K. Gandhi – both were formidable opponents, but they never used to utter any invectives against each other. Both of them fought for the rights of their respective nations, but used to hold rivals in high esteem.

Jinnah addressed him by calling him ‘Mr. Gandhi’ and he also called him ‘Mr. Jinnah’. That was the calibre of politics of those leaders, who are also followed by us, but we hurl abuses at the leaders of other parties at public gatherings and on TV channels.

The culture of this region has been transformed completely. A politician cannot become popular until he abuses the other. When I was contesting general elections in Matiari district in which the Pakistan People’s Party leader Makhdoom Amin Faheem was my rival, but, he used to say good words for me during the campaign. When I was defeated and he won the polls, I phoned to congratulate him and admitted my defeat without levelling baseless allegations as being done today by most politicians.

We should adopt a positive and tolerant attitude in politics instead of fanning confrontation which only ruins the minds of the people and foment hatred.  If there is no harmony, no tolerance, and no brotherhood then only scuffles and bloodshed will take place in politics which is the trend today. If a political activist does not rebuke and shout at a deputy commissioner, senior superintendent of police and others about any work, he will not get popularity and rise in the party.

Our culture has been sullied and we call for bringing about a change in the society by using polite language and conveying a strong and complete message to the people.

Let me share an example that when the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan got injured after falling from the stage in a public gathering in 2013 election campaign, former premier Nawaz Sharif enquired after him and conveyed good wishes.

But when his wife Kulsoom Nawaz was in a critical condition and passed away, Khan did not bother to enquire or even condole over her untimely demise. This is a condemnable attitude. With apologies, the electronic and social media run trends when politicians flare up. They support their favourites without sound arguments and facts. That is why I am not invited to the TV channels and my statements are not printed in Urdu, English and Sindhi dailies because journalists like rude and vociferous politicians who shout at rivals while defending the party-line and their party chief. I say that the party line and party chief could be defended without insulting other leaders.