Many anchors and political commentators seem surprised to see the stark disparity between the reaction of people of Pakistan and Brazil, Iceland and UK etc. with regards to the recent scandal, the Panama Leaks. They are owned by the spontaneous reaction of the people of these countries by coming out on the roads against the corruption of their rulers, so for so that they have forced their rulers whose names were found in these leaks to either prove they are innocent or resign from their post.
Now when we look at the situation in the Muslim world particularly Pakistan we see nothing of such sort happening. There is virtually no one protesting on the streets as spontaneous reaction against those whose names are in Panama leaks, despite the fact the around 200 from amongst the ruling elites from Pakistan are found to be involved in it, including the Prime Minister of Pakistan and his Family.
The so-called political analysts and talk shows hosts are somehow blaming the people for being irresponsive and even calling them “dead” because they have not been responding to an issue that has pulled rug from under the feet of many state officials in other parts of the world. However, what most of these commentators and analysts are missing is the fact that direct Tax is not being paid by overwhelming majority of the people of Pakistan, hence governments impose repressive indirect taxes upon people. Hence people consider it a financial oppression from the elites upon the poor.
Moreover, they don’t consider it some revered thing as appose to western nations where tax is being taken, if they like it not, from overwhelming majority of people, both directly and indirectly and therefore, is considered the “Zakat” of capitalism. Hence, the spontaneous reaction to such scandal is pretty much understandable in these countries. While on the other hand the reaction of the people of Pakistan too is very much understandable.
Some other major reasons why the people of Pakistan are so oblivious to such issues is because they have been witnessing skyrocketing corruption by their so called leaders at home and on daily bases that they have become numb when it comes to such scandals. One could ask a simple question; what has the judiciary done to those cases that is known to even street kids? And the answer is nothing. Hence, the level of trust that if they come out on the streets something substantial will happen is next to Zero.
Likewise, people have completely lost trust upon the “justice” system of Pakistan. They are of the view, and rightly so, that the powerful elites who have robbed billions gets protocol even in Jail, while the poor and those who are exposing the ugly face of the prevailing system and the ruling elite are kept in prison or even kidnapped by the law enforcement agencies. When they are certain that there is no accountability possible of the powerful under the prevailing system, and that they have been used time and time again by the political imposters, why would they come out just to fulfill the agenda of another statuesque party? A country where around 20 innocent people were killed in broad daylight in the streets of Lahore but nothing happened. Not even a single person punished. A country where a huge scandal was unearthed in Sakhar of child molestation and rape, yet nothing whatsoever happened. And a country where a US spy Remand Davis killed two people yet he was escorted by the officials to a private plane and see offed him with a hug. How on earth in the presence of all this, would someone come out on the streets and protest against Panama leaks, when they have no hope whatsoever from the statuesque parties they will be able to change something for the better. I am including all secular, semi-secular, religion and nationalist parties.
Lastly, there is a huge disconnect between the ruling elite and the people on the ground. The issues of the ruling elite is nothing but a power struggle, incentives, foreign tours etc, while the issues of the lower and lower middle class is basic needs i.e. food, clothes, shelter, health, education and most importantly a leadership that could represent their aspirations, which is to take them out from this dire situation imposed upon them by the successive corrupt regimes through this corrupt system. Since, they don’t see any party that could represent them and resolve their issues, they have lost trust upon the present ruling elites and most importantly upon the capitalistic Democracy, dysfunctional judiciary and subservient policies by the subsequent governments.
Indeed, the people of Pakistan are looking for a leadership that could provide a radically different solution to their problems. This would only be possible when this whole system is radically replaced through a political and ideological struggle and Islamic ruling system, Economic system, social system, education, foreign policy, justice system etc is implemented, which will provide justice to everyone and will put the state on the track of prosperity, development and progress in all spheres. Making Pakistan a state leading the Ummah towards something we as an Ummah deserve. Now after this, when the people will see that the ruler is stepping away from Islam they will consider it an obligation upon themselves to raise their voice and account the ruler. If in case anything of such sorts happens, its Islam that will create this spontaneous urge in the people to come out on the street and demand from the Caliph to prove that he is innocent or else he is not worthy to continue to be the leader of the believers.
