The fundamental beauty of democracy is rooted in public service and the protection of citizens’ rights. Unfortunately, in our country, politics has come to be defined not by service, but by manipulation, short-term interests, and the game of power. Where are those promises, those slogans, that are presented to the public before elections? Has public service been reduced to nothing more than an electoral slogan?
And what about citizens’ rights, which are the very soul of the Constitution-are they really reaching the public or the common person? Our political landscape is currently riddled with deep contradictions. On one hand, people are declared the real source of power at public rallies; on the other, once in power, the same people are crushed under the weight of problems. Inflation, unemployment, and the deteriorating conditions of health and education are visible to everyone. Yet within political chambers, discussions remain largely confined to the division of power, coalition politics, and attempts to undermine opponents.
Political manipulation is, in fact, the weapon through which public attention is diverted away from real issues. Sometimes emotions are inflamed in the name of religion; sometimes vote banks are built through slogans of nationalism and ethnicity; and sometimes the tune of foreign conspiracies is played to conceal one’s own failures. The result is that people forget to ask the real questions: Why is the farmer unemployed? Why is medical treatment so expensive? Why is education beyond the reach of the common person?
The concept of serving humanity has always been respected in our society, but once it enters politics, it becomes merely a slogan. Funds are approved in the name of welfare projects, yet their transparent distribution remains a major question mark. Roads break down repeatedly, hospitals lack adequate facilities, and schools suffer from a shortage of teachers-yet the politics of ribbon-cutting ceremonies and nameplates continues unabated. Public resources, instead of reaching the public, are distributed among select circles and influential groups.
When it comes to citizens’ rights, the Constitution guarantees equality, freedom of expression, and basic rights such as education and healthcare. However, in practical life, these rights fall victim to class divisions. The law appears lenient for the powerful and harsh for the weak. The common person grows exhausted making rounds of police stations, courts, and government offices, while influential individuals get their work done with a few phone calls. This very inequality alienates the public from the system.
During election campaigns, talk of public rights reaches its peak. Every party appears with attractive slogans like “New Pakistan,” “Prosperous People,” and “A Changing System.” Yet once in power, the same parties begin to evade responsibility by citing compulsions, the mistakes of previous governments, or global circumstances. Public trust starts to shatter at that very moment.
Political instability has further intensified public problems. Repeated changes of government, lack of policy continuity, and conflicts among institutions have weakened the economy and the social structure. The burden of this always falls on the common person. Prices of essential commodities rise, electricity and gas bills break people’s backs, yet the lifestyle of the political elite shows little change.
Is this situation solely the responsibility of politicians, or are we, the public, also accomplices to some extent? We often cast our votes based on personal benefit, temporary gains, or emotional slogans, and later complain that our rights have been violated. Until people become aware and hold their representatives accountable, political manipulation will not end.
The media, which has the capacity to highlight public issues, has seen its role become controversial due to ratings and political affiliations. Instead of serious public concerns, wars of statements and talk-show politics dominate the screen, leaving people confused rather than informed.
So what is the solution? First and foremost, the concept of service must be given practical form in politics. Transparency, accountability, and the rule of law must be ensured. Public representatives must understand that power is a trust, not a business. Education, healthcare, and employment must be improved through concrete actions on a priority basis, not just promises.
The responsibility of the public is no less. Evaluating performance, asking questions, demanding rights, and engaging in peaceful struggle are not only the rights of every citizen but also their duty. When people awaken, political manipulations will collapse on their own-because politics is built on trust, and that trust can only be restored through genuine service and the provision of rights.
If politicians truly adopt public service as their guiding principle, not only will the system be strengthened, but the country will also move forward on the path of progress. Otherwise, this game of manipulation will continue, and the public will keep asking: where, after all, have service and rights gone?
