Debates have often raged in the country regarding the reasons why Pakistani institutions crumble so abominably under pressure that they stop commanding the respect and trust of the people and instead become the butt of their scorn and jokes.

We are living through such times when no professional outfit manifests even the most minimal level of integrity, transparency, capacity, and efficiency to be recognized as a viable and credible state institution. This is a tragedy that stalks us, yet there is hardly anything that, surviving under the shadows of extreme oppression and suppression, can be envisaged to salvage the harrowing problem. Is it that we are, therefore, destined to live endlessly with our lips sealed and words bartered, with ropes tied around our necks and chains clenching our bodies?

But a more relevant question would possibly be regarding how long we can endure the agony of such existence and what it will require of us, as individuals and as a nation, to break free of this enslavement. It is vitally important because it is in our freedom that Pakistan will gain its freedom and legitimacy as a credible state in the annals of nations. Failing that, we will remain captive in the economic and strategic tentacles of powers that we have sworn eternal allegiance to.

Much to our shame, the tales of a stolen election resonate across the expanse of the world through multiple bitingly embarrassing manifestations. Memes of a variety of kinds mock us for being cheats who are unable to hold a free and fair election. The most recent such occurrence happened in the US Congress Committee on Foreign Affairs where a........

© The News International