Unity for Aleema Khan, Silence on National Issues

In a jarring display of Pakistan’s political double standard, leaders from both the government and opposition swiftly came together to condemn the shocking incident in Rawalpindi where two women hurled an egg at Aleema Khan. The police, too, sprang into action, arresting the suspects and showcasing a rare instance of impartiality in law enforcement, even when it involved a high-profile opposition figure.

This swift response was a welcome move, and the police deserve credit for their prompt action. However, the larger question lingers: why does such unity only materialize in isolated incidents, while pressing national issues are met with deafening silence and partisan bickering?

Selective Unity

When Aleema Khan was targeted, politicians put aside their differences, uniting against what they deemed a personal attack. But where is this unity when Pakistan grapples with devastating floods, displaced families cry out for relief, or critical water management projects like the Kalabagh Dam remain mired in decades-long political deadlock?

Unity in the face of incivility is crucial, but unity in the face of survival is what truly matters. Pakistan’s challenges transcend partisan rivalry. Floods, economic instability, and climate vulnerability demand a level of maturity that goes beyond petty politics.

Lessons from the Police Response

The police demonstrated that institutions can rise above the fray of politics. They acted with speed and impartiality, proving that the law can protect even the government’s fiercest critics. This should serve as a model for Pakistan’s politics. Imagine if the same swiftness and fairness were applied to flood management, rehabilitation of disaster-hit families, or long-stalled infrastructure decisions.

What National Interest Demands

• Consensus on water management — Pakistan can’t afford endless deadlock on critical projects like the Kalabagh Dam. Political leadership must engage provinces with facts, not fear.
• Joint flood relief strategy — With every monsoon season bringing tragedy, a non-partisan national disaster framework is long overdue.
• Politics of responsibility — If political parties can agree that Aleema Khan deserves dignity, they must also agree that the nation deserves stability and long-term planning.

A Call for Maturity

The egg attack will be a footnote in history, but the reaction it sparked carries a valuable lesson. Pakistan’s leaders have shown they can put aside rivalries for a principle. Now they must channel the same spirit into issues that decide the fate of 240 million Pakistanis.

Unity over Aleema Khan was a matter of decency. Unity over floods, dams, and national survival is a matter of destiny.

(The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of AamAwaam.)

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