One is not sure whether the formation of khidmat committees is a result of the government's ignorance of the dynamics of corruption and injustice, or whether it is once again playing to the gallery, or both. One wonders if the prime minister understands that these khidmat committees are the anti-thesis of modern institutions, and by patronizing them he is actually undermining the very institutions he was elected to manage and govern. Pakistan stands at the crossroads of history today. Grand designs and media acrobatics have been tried by many leaders and have proved to be futile. Grand designs are no substitute for politically responsible action and for effecting real changes.
Rhetoric is no solution to political legitimacy.
Bringing about a real change is a slow process. It requires vision and patience and integrity of thought and action. History may not have written this government off as yet, but if it fails to take cognizance of the real issues and continues to indulge in sterile politics, then history will judge it accordingly. This would be terribly unfortunate not only from the point of view of Mr Nawaz Sharif's own political future but also from the point of view of the ordinary people of Pakistan who have been subjected to far more than their share of corrupt politics, government high-handedness, and political uncertainties.