Introspection and hope are two things that go side by side at this time of the year. At the time of writing this editorial the country is in the year 2017, when the newspaper reaches its readers the country would have stepped into the New Year, the year 2018.
It is importance to look back and see how the year 2017 panned out and where the country should be headed in the next year. Two things stand out when you look at the year 2017 in terms of positives; the country’s democracy though under stress is still functioning.
Even before the ouster of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif rumors and conspiracy theories were circulating that the democratic set up would be no more, citing various threats, most of them unnamed. However, the rumours, conspiracy theories and wishes of some did not succeed; the Prime Minister was sent home after the land mark decision by the Supreme Court but democracy roared on, with the current Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi assuming the seat.
Due to the country’s chequered history with democratic government’s toppled by military in the past, the country is now changed. The Army Chief himself has expressed his firm belief in democracy, something that can only be appreciated. Another major positive was that despite lapses where terrorists managed to stuck; overall the country’s fight against terror is on the right path with terror attacks diminishing in number. Smaller success stories included the Pakistan team clinching the Champions Trophy, beating arch rivals India in the final, the completion of the long delayed census
The negatives included the floundering economy that after showing promise in recent years has once again in a precarious position. The brutal lynching of Abdul Wali Khan University student Mashal Khan that shocked the country, the Islamabad siege by members of a religious party, government’s gaffe on the Khatam-e-Nabbuwat clauses, the mudslinging among political leaders, accusations against the Armed Forces and the country’s judiciary by certain politicians and the serious issues of ‘people going missing’ in the country.
Looking ahead, the general elections scheduled to be held in 2018 years if held on time will strengthen the democratic process even further. This is the single biggest test for the country, if elections are held on time and there is smooth transition of power the country will benefit tremendously. As far hopes go, a tolerant, inclusive and progressive Pakistan is what we should work towards.