Who Are Changemakers: Leaders or Masses?
By Waseem Abbas Bagoro
There is a huge debate whether leader brings change or his aides and collaborators. This debate became even more intense as elections are approaching. Anti-PTI political activists and analysts argue that even if Khan is honest himself, how will he control those politicians who joined him recently. According to them, Khan used to taunt them by blaming them of corruption, nepotism, and incompetence. How is it possible to challenge the status quo and political aristocracy when the most corrupt of them are with you? When the whole system is corrupt, from grade-1 to senior officers, how can a person stop them from doing what they are master of? These questions and reservations are getting more public attention, so I would like to discuss the above mention issue.
A leader brings revolution by setting the path and directing his aides to follow that. If someone fails to follow the instructions or shows deliberate negligence, he backfires them from their position and takes necessary action against them. This does not happen only when the leader himself is corrupt, as his any such action can create troubles for him so he always plays safe. In the case of Imran Khan, even his political rivals will admit, he is not someone who has looted this country rather he has tried his utmost to give this country to the most. With the credibility and the character, he possesses, he can make all those accountable who create any hinge in the progress of the system. He has shown that caliber by ousting Aftab Sherpao’s party from KPK government in 2013 without considering its outcomes. After recent Senate elections, he cancelled the membership of 22 of his party MPAs on the allegations of horse trading and for selling votes in Senate Elections. It makes sense to believe in him that he will do the same if he comes into the power in centre.
Leadership remains substantial as it can change the path of its masses . A leader is someone who inspires, motivates and leads and stands for his nation: The only thing our politicians lack. There are number of examples of recent-past where single-handedly a leader changed the course of a nation despite the fact that, most of his aides were the product of the same system he is fighting against. China, Malaysia, Cuba, Iran, and Turkey are the world’s current economic or, either, strategical powers. were these countries enjoying the same status and reputation 50 years ago as now? If not, what is the reason for their progress as a nation? If we look deeply into this matter, it reveals to us that proper leadership is behind all this miracle.
Chinese were notoriously known as inactive and smugglers before the revolution. Meo Zedong’s efforts and leadership proved to be fruitful as now we can see china’s immense progress and hard work in every field. China is the world leading economy and possibly the world’s new superpower. Another such example is of turkey. After the fall of the Ottoman empire, Turkey was on the verge of destruction. It was the leadership of Mustafa Kamal Ataturk which gave support to this scattered nation until it became one of the world’s prosperous nations. Malaysia is another such an example, which was a colony of Japan once. But they emerged as one of the world’s leading economic powers under Mahathir Muhammad. In Cuba, America used to govern indirectly through its puppet Fulgencio Batista, but the gorilla efforts followed by the proper leadership of Che Guevara and Fidel Castro proved to be fertile. Now, as a result, Cuba is one of the most powerful countries in America. Iran, before the revolution, was an aristocratic state under shah of Iran who was a puppet of the West. But due to proper leadership of Imam Khomeini and Imam Ali Khamenei, it is now capable of challenging the western countries wherever it thinks it is necessary.
In all the above examples, only one thing was different before and after the revolution: leadership. All other things including other leaders, executive, and masses were the same. But, somehow, they managed to change their path by choosing the right decision at the right time. And choosing the right decision in right time is the elections for some and revolution for others. And that time is an election for those countries where the situation is not that severe. While for the nations who cross this stage without realization of their shortcomings, needs a revolution to bring things back in the right frame. Be cautious revolution soaks blood. And this is our last chance to avoid the revolution
Two questions, however, will remain significant. First, from where the leader will emerge? He will arise from very that system which is master in making shit out of everything. And, secondly, how to recognize that leader? Well! this remains a problem since times for all the nations. There is an Arabic Epitome that people are four: he who knows not and knows not he knows not, he is fool- shun him; He who knows not and knows he knows not, he is simple-teach him; he who knows and knows not he knows, he is ignorant- wake him; and he who knows and knows He knows, he is wise- follow him. The fourth one, the who knows the ways and knows what he knows is the leader you needed. Understand, in Pakistan, who tries hard to make people aware of what he knows- and they might not. You know who is trying hard to awake the ignorant, teach the simple and shun the fool- not likely but is necessary. Beware a leader is someone who inspires and motivates, while someone who boosts on budgeting and planning a project- Although khata hai to lgata b hai- is a manager. So, have a difference and do not mingle both of them.
However, there are some sections of society who believe that change and reform is a collective process; it cannot be done by a single leader. They believe whole nation erects its ways, only after that nation changes. According to them the will and the effort of an individual worth nothing when others are not cooperating. This makes some sense in general if we look at the contemporary political-scenario of Pakistan. But if we look down deep, there is a logical fallacy in the base of this argument. If we accept this as logic, the whole series of prophets seems to be meaningless. Prophets were sent to guide those who are not guided. Similarly, all companions, saints, and even our teachers are doing the same: to guide to the righteous path. In politics, too, you can invite and accept people from other parties regardless of their prior political affiliations. even prophets were joined by the sinners, ranging from alcoholics to womanizers. Those who want to change their course must be given a chance. Allama Iqbal beautifully puts in, “the ultimate fate of people doesn’t depend so much on an organization as the worth and power of individual man.” Individual man must start a cause and crowd of all types of people, ultimately, will follow him. Here IK leads the caravan with the name of PTI. huge crowd-pulling ability and the previous electoral results suggests that he is successful in shaping public opinion around his ideology.
A leader is like a driver who drives his passengers to a set destination. All other political and managerial staff is like passengers and equipment of that vehicle. A good driver can change equipment when it stops working and can ask a passenger to leave the vehicle when he/she creates troubles for others. Not one can deny him having that authority. A vehicle without a trained driver will face a severe fate because passengers and equipment have nothing to do with setting the direction. It is the responsibility of the driver. Such a vehicle, however, will move without an interruption as for as the path is straight. But if it faces a sudden interruption in machinery or an interruption in the road either a curve or a hole, it will face a severe accident.
This 25th July is your day to decide whether you want a trained and honest driver or a fraud and a bogus one. This is the time for making a decision which will shape your future. This is the time to accept the reality, the reality that leader is the pioneer of change.
The contributor is from Danyore, Gilgit. He is a student of BS Political Science at LUMS.
