The leadership of Pakistan has persistently failed to come up to people’s expectations; and yet the nation in general doggedly refuses to shake off its faith in a better future, better leadership and a stronger country.
Here lies the paradox of Pakistan that goes to the historic vote today, and the heat of which is already being felt as far away as the Kingdom where no less than 1.8 million Pakistani citizens are awaiting D-Day with both a pinch of remorse, as they are once again denied the right to vote; and with a burst of rapture, as the country boasts of completing the first five-year term of the government.
It is also the paradox of democracy that the politics of votes back home have little room to care about those expatriates who do not have a vote to be counted, even though they send home no less than $ 13 billion in remittance every year from the world over providing a backbone to the national economy. And so it is not without reason that prominent expatriates in Jeddah demand a stake in the home politics as well as the right to vote.
“We need our representative in Parliament … We are around 1.8 million here in the Kingdom,” said Tayyab Moosani, a social worker. “Our voice should reach Parliament through our representatives.”
Dr. Khalil Rahman, a nephrologist at King Faisal Specialist Hospital, and Hamid Khan, general secretary of the Aalami Urdu Markaz, also pitched in for representation in Parliament besides the right to vote. “Overseas Pakistanis have vision and can elect good leadership besides playing a good role in the development of the country,” said Hamid.
“Pakistani expatriates should get voting rights and reserved seats in assemblies,” said Dilshad Jani of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). “A law and order situation should be normal and all citizens should be saved from criminals; and the government should facilitate business opportunities.”
Dr. Aleem Khan, president of the Engineers Welfare Forum, demanded a quota for children of expatriates in technical universities and housing schemes. “At least 50 percent of our remittances must be used for creating industries and jobs openings for expatriates returning home,” he said.
Amir Muhammad Khan, chairman of Pakistan Journalists Forum has only one demand. “The country should be corruption-free and the new government should be strong and fair,” he said.
He said that Pakistanis living overseas should be given voting rights and seats in Parliament. “They are the people who have the vision; they can elect good leaders and can play a positive role in the development of Pakistan.”
According to a prominent Pakistani Aziz Ahmad, the current elections are very crucial not only for overseas Pakistanis but for the future of Pakistan itself. “In my opinion, the leadership of Pakistan has to make all possible efforts to ensure better ties with the Saudi leadership,” he said.
All expatriates are hoping for a strong democracy.
“Pakistan is at a crucial crossroads. The future of my nation is linked to this election. If we elect an honest, brave and dedicated leadership, it can turn things around and we can come out from impending darkness into a broad daylight,” said Khalil Rahman.
Amir Khan said he thinks Pakistan needs a minimum of two good governments to set things in order.
“What is important is that the process should continue, which will gradually bring good people to power,” he said.
Dilshad Jani echoes Amir Khan’s sentiments. “We need two terms to bring the country back on track,” he said.
Aleem Khan hopes things will change this time, because, he says, there will be a better government led either by Nawaz Sharif or Imran Khan.
Pakistani expatriates root for good governance
