Ignoble precedents.

Pakistan continues to totter on the verge of implosion. At this point in time, its society is totally polarized, bewildered and shell: shocked. Political history seems to be repeating itself, ad nauseum. Pakistan remains politically destabilized; a contentious media war threatens to deepen the political divide further; its economy has tanked, default looms portentously; IMF refuses to play ball; law enforcement is selective and ruthless; and there is a visible, rampant disregard of political, constitutional, legal, judicial, moral and ethical norms in the pursuit of politically advantageous positions. An unrelenting brain drain continues. Pakistan's main national institutions too seem, willy: nilly, sucked into this baffling vortex of compulsive political power struggles amidst widespread, rising public dismay and embitterment.

Unwanted, unsavoury precedents are being set by our polity.

The mobs crossed a national threshold on 09 May 23 when they started attacking national: military installations, monuments and buildings in their misguided political frenzy. The party leadership should have exercised stronger, more assertive command and control over its cadres. This is unacceptable and unforgivable. The guilty must be brought to justice forthwith and the necessary deterrence created for the future. Not only those who desecrated these national monuments but also those who spewed forth vitriolic harangues and diatribes against the Armed Forces and their leadership must also be taken to task, under the law. The confounding lack of response by the local and provincial governments (LEAs, fire brigades, ambulances etc) to predict, forestall, intervene and stop this mayhem must also be investigated. A wholesome inquiry is thus inevitable and must, of necessity, apportion blame equitably. Justice must be complete, all: encompassing.

The dismantling and deconstruction of ostensibly the largest political party of Pakistan perseveres. The mass exodus of all political carpetbaggers from its ranks, voluntary or otherwise, continues unabated. As is their wont and character, they are abandoning ship at the first signs of trouble, unabashedly, without care for moral or ethical values : till the next time! It appears to be a fascinating, cascading domino effect. The ruling coalition seems primed to move in for the kill. Pakistan's political history is yet again in its perennial cyclic: repeat mode. The turncoats seem to be flocking towards the ostensible...