IQBAL TABASSUM
Islamabad: Senior journalist and group leader of the United Media Council (Registered) All Pakistan, Muhammad Iqbal Tabasim, has voiced his concerns about the persistent neglect of the common man in Pakistan’s politics and governance. Speaking in Islamabad, Tabasim highlighted that the political and state systems have historically prioritized the interests of powerful classes over the rights and welfare of ordinary citizens.
He emphasized that while discussions about the rights of the common man frequently surface in national politics, they rarely translate into tangible action. “Our system has little regard for the weak. Politics, democracy, and institutions operate on a basic principle where elites prioritize their own interests above those of the public,” he stated.
This dynamic, according to Tabassm, has bred widespread distrust among citizens toward the system of governance. He noted that the political elite are often embroiled in conflicts over their own stakes, sidelining the pressing concerns of the masses. “The powerful and wealthy enjoy protection within the system, but the common man’s problems remain unaddressed. There is neither a solution nor an intent to find one,” he added.
Tabassum pointed to systemic challenges, particularly within the justice system, which he described as insurmountable for ordinary people. He criticized the use of popular slogans such as “democracy,” “rule of law,” and “public interest” as tools for political maneuvering rather than genuine reform.
The veteran journalist called for an urgent reassessment of priorities in Pakistan’s governance, urging stakeholders to bridge the gap between the elite and the masses and to work towards a system that equally serves all citizens.
