Karnah is a region whose people have always set an example of hard work, patience and loyalty to the nation despite difficult circumstances, geographical isolation, lack of basic facilities and limited employment opportunities. Unfortunately, in the political arena, these simple and vulnerable people have for decades remained victims of promises, slogans and emotional rhetoric.
A political game has repeatedly been played with the people of Karnah in which, whenever elections approach, certain long-pending issues are brought back into the spotlight. Public emotions are stirred, and people are made to believe that their decades-old problems are finally going to be resolved. Elections pass, representatives reach the corridors of power, but the people are once again left standing where they were before.
It would not be wrong to say that the people of Karnah have repeatedly been given hope in the name of these issues, while actual progress has remained negligible. At times, tall claims have been made at public gatherings; sometimes promises have been included in election manifestos; delegations have met senior officials; and statements have repeatedly assured the public that their problems would soon be resolved.
Yet, with the passage of time, a growing feeling has emerged among the people that their problems have perhaps become less of public issues and more of a political asset for politicians.
When people are repeatedly given promises regarding the same issue and years pass without any clear solution, it is natural to ask: Are the people remembered only at election time?
Even today, the ordinary citizen of Karnah struggles for better healthcare, quality education, employment, electricity, drinking water and other basic necessities. A large number of young people remain worried about their future and employment, while many families continue to live with limited resources.
In such circumstances, if political leadership keeps the people occupied with emotional slogans instead of addressing their fundamental problems, it cannot be considered justice to the people.
The Power of the Vote
In a democracy, the vote is the greatest strength of the people. A single vote can help make or unmake governments. Unfortunately, however, voters in our society often fail to recognise the real power of their vote and are influenced by emotions, community affiliations, personal loyalties and temporary promises.
The people of Karnah must now ask themselves: Will they continue to use their valuable votes every five years merely to hear promises, or will they also demand an account of the performance of their representatives?
Questioning politicians is not opposition to any particular individual or political party. Questioning elected representatives is a democratic right.
It is no longer enough for a politician to simply say, “We will solve the problem.” The people now have the right to ask: How will you solve it?
Politics must be taken beyond emotions and brought firmly into the realm of performance and accountability.
The people of Karnah have seen enough politics. It is now time to change the standards of politics.
The popularity of a political representative should no longer be measured by the size of crowds at rallies, the number of social media posts or the loudness of slogans. It should be measured by actual performance.
– How many schools have been improved?
– How many young people have received employment opportunities?
– How many healthcare centres have received doctors and adequate staff?
– How many drinking-water projects have actually been completed?
– How many long-standing public problems have genuinely been resolved?
These are the questions that must be asked of every representative.
Responsibility of the Public
The people also need to understand their own responsibility. Merely blaming politicians is not enough.
As long as voters continue to cast their ballots on the basis of promises, emotional slogans and personal loyalties, politicians will continue to approach them in the same manner.
If a representative fails to address public concerns, then asking questions in the next election and making a decision based on performance is the true expression of democratic awareness.
If there are legal, administrative or technical obstacles in resolving a particular issue, the public must be informed honestly and transparently. If a matter requires approval from the Central Government or the Union Territory administration, the facts should be placed before the people. If a problem can be resolved under existing laws, the appropriate legal route should be pursued.
Keeping the public in the dark is not politics; it is political exploitation.
The people of Karnah are no less than anyone else. The region has educated and capable youth who are increasingly aware of their rights and responsibilities. What is needed is for people to use their votes with awareness rather than emotion.
A New Political Culture for Karnah
The time has come to promote a political culture in Karnah that does not divide people but unites them; that does not use public problems as election slogans but genuinely struggles for their resolution; and that regards political power not as a means of personal interest but as an instrument of public service.
The people of Karnah may have suffered political neglect, but they are not powerless.
Their greatest strength is their vote.
If that vote is used thoughtfully, on the basis of capability, performance and collective public interest, then no political force can continue to take the people for granted forever.
The decision now rests with the people: Will they continue to stand with the politics of promises, or will they begin a new era of accountability and performance-based politics?
Because in a democracy, the people are not merely voters. The people are the real owners of democratic power.
Columnist
Mohammad Hafeez Mir
Contact: 7006756956
