By Syed Haider Raza Mehdi*.
The sanctity of our vote, especially of those who have voted in the past, is reflected in the manner this trust was manifested by those who acquired power.
PPP got 13% of registered vote in 2008.
PMLN got 17% of registered vote in 2013
But whatever the percentage it is supposed to manifest.
In the quality of governance.
In our institutions responsible for delivering public services, becoming more efficient, effective, stronger and less corrupt.
In improved law and order and security of life and property.
In better health care, better education, better employment opportunities.
In a Parliament which acts as an eagle eyed watchdog on the Executive, ensuring this trust is not breached.
In public office holders being transparently and swiftly held accountable when they misuse public office for private gain.
In public institutions headed by honest and competent professionals who do their jobs without fear or favor.
And ultimately it is all about improving the quality of life of the citizens of Pakistan!
But this sanctity of the vote is not an unchallegeable license to kill, murder, loot, plunder and pillage our national wealth, misuse authority and destroy our institutions.
It’s not a shield to save a public leader from corruption, criminality and blatant and brazen abuse of office.
It’s not a “victimhood” card when a leader and his family is caught with their hands in the till for the entire world to see.
It’s not a means to weaken and destroy public sector institutions so the corrupt cannot be held accountable.
It’s not to flood government positions of authority and power and influence with toadies and cronies who are both corrupt and incompetent and their only attribute being loyalty to an individual and their ability to use these positions to illegally siphon off public funds and taxpayers money for themselves and the leader.
It’s not to foist their incompetent children on the country, as heirs to a throne.
It’s not to weaken other State institutions who they fear can check their unbridled loot and plunder.
It’s not to plunder obscene amounts of ill begotten and stolen wealth and , stash them away in overseas properties and assets and bank accounts in UK, Dubai, France, Switzerland, Spain, Malaysia etc.
*It is a sacred public trust to be honoured and not betrayed.*
On 25th July, vote with your feet and your heads.
Vote for those who you think are most likely to honour and not betray this trust.
Vote for those who you think will actually give “Izzath to your vote”.
Vote for Pakistan, for its future, for your own future and for our coming generations.
Vote for those who will give us a “fighting chance” to once and for all rid ourselves of this mafia of looters and plunderers.
*Salaams and Prayers*
*Haider Mehdi*