“We will make Pakistan a welfare state by coming into power.”
This is the claim that almost every political party makes in order to attract the public support in the elections. Making such claims is quite logical because not only of the reason that the founder of Pakistan declared it a welfare state, but also due to the fact that our religion requires the same.
However, is it necessary to be in power for the sake of making our contribution towards converting the country into a welfare state? Moreover, is it for sure that every political party will eventually come into power at least once? When no, then how will especially the remaining smaller parties make Pakistan a welfare state? It means if no power, no welfare activities for the nation? This is the traditionally prevailing concept that we need to change in our society.
Presently, the welfare activities are considered as the responsibility of only the government, NGO`s, and the mosque committees. In fact, as per our religion, everyone is required to help out the other Muslims weather in the individual capacity or through the collective efforts. As a result, every individual or group of persons has to perform this duty anyway.
We are aware that political parties have their organizational structure and the physical presence in the form of workers and supporters all over the country. So, they can definitely make great efforts in lessening the people`s pains no matter they are in the government, on the opposition benches or even outside the parliament. When the political leadership does not hesitate to mobilize its public strength for political purposes, why can they not use their leadership skill to perform welfare activities in the same way? Furthermore, when their supporters can gather in thousands in number in the conventions (Jalsas) organized by them, why will they not step forward for carrying out the welfare activities on the appeals of their leadership? Yes, they will sure come ahead for the service to humanity if their leadership mobilizes them to.
Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation (KKF) is a very good example in this context. Despite the fact it was established by a political party, yet it was not ever used as a base to gain political benefits in the politics. In fact, it was set up in order to discharge a religiously and socially due responsibility that lies on the shoulders of every political party in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Pleasantly, it has made a prominent contribution in the wellbeing of the people by way of its ambulance and coffin carriers, blood & drug banks, pathological laboratories, establishing industrial homes, provision of dowries to the destitute and orphan girls for their marriages, regular distribution of aid amongst the deserving in addition to its relief activities in the times of natural disasters like floods and earthquake.
The question is when just one charitable organization can provide all these services to the needy, why can`t they be multiplied through setting up more projects by the remaining political parties? Why and how long to depend only on Edhi, Chhipa, KKF and a few others? Why not to make some more additions to this network? To tell the truth, establishing such type of projects for maximizing the welfare of the people will be the best gift that a political party can give to its people. It does not depend on the powers or authorities. Rather, it pertains to the commitment that a sincere leadership is supposed to have kept with its people. That is exactly what the common people expect from the political leadership.
We know that there are countless political and religious parties all over the country which participate in the elections. If all of them are socially as well as legally required to establish their charitable organizations and start performing the welfare activities for the poor people like KKF, can we imagine what a great change the common people can feel in the country? Through such politically motivated and supported campaigns of welfare projects, we can be able to socially turn our country into one of the biggest welfare states of the world.
Therefore, not only the workers and supporters of all the political parties, but also the general people should demand their leadership to set up charitable wings so as to reduce the pains and the sufferings of the people who are in extremely miserable condition. However, if any party or politician tries to utilize these projects for the political gains, then the people are the best judges; eventually, they have to make a decision about them. Such politicians and their parties must be socially as well as politically boycotted by the voters in the elections.
(Originally at Dunya News :http://blogs.dunyanews.tv/?p=5045)
No comments:
Post a Comment