We hang our head in shame and embarrassed silence, and hope for a miracle that can liberate enlightened moderation from the curse of religious bigots. What are we witnessing in this pious land? The democratic course Pakistan had set sails to is now rudderless.

With the prevailing confusion in political circles, where exactly does Pakistan stand? The recent facade of unity in the ruling PML (Q) will only further blur Pakistan's vision and raise many questions about democracy. Is Pakistan's democracy an illusion? How long before the voice of democracy is set free? Is Pakistan inching towards a single-party government, something that our political pundits always negated? Or will it just be another euphemism for misused totalitarianism. With the current political developments gearing up and then grinding to a halt, one does question Pakistan's future course, not to forget that this question has been lingering over Pakistan since Partition, and who benefits from it all.

The role of the PML (Q) is becoming that of a totalitarian single-party, a party that fundamentally differs from other democratic parties in both character and role. The title totalitarianism reveals that the power rests only with this party, others are just part of this democratic facade. The right to voice concerns is nonexistent. Pakistan's introspective self is enraged and vulnerable, asking itself the sensitive questions about its identity as a democratic state, or is it deeply entrenched in an identity crisis. A crisis of 'double identity' that its divided self is not so sure as to differentiate between democracy and dictatorship. Can democracy be called a shadow of dictatorship in Pakistan?

The settling down of the Q-League after one meeting with Pakistan President Musharraf says it all. The pertinent question is whether it is permanent or has the game just begun. Over the past year we have heard of Musharraf leading the League. With sagacity and a steely grip, he has presided the League meeting shows the writing on the wall. The future is hazy for everyone except the scriptwriters.

Instead of getting carried away with ideas, Pakistan must live in this place of contradictions and come to term with reality. Much has been offered to the members of the Pakistan Parliament in terms of compensation to accommodate their shifting multiple-identity and integrity. The MP's are gallivanting the allies of the parliament house without paying any heed to the issues of concern to the nation, issues of poverty, unemployment and lawlessness.

Despite being an elected 'graduated assembly' with an illusion to handle affairs in a better manner and provide policies which will have a positive impact, they seem to be more disillusioned with their responsibilities. None from the treasury benches talks about the plight of the poor and the rising inflation. Let alone shelter, basic fundamental rights of every citizen are not being provided. In contrast, what has the present government actually achieved? Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz keeps trumpeting the tremendous strides Pakistan is making in the field of commerce and industry, and last week regaled the nation with the news that the country had achieved a growth rate of 8.3 percent.

But what is the point of reproducing such glowing statistics when financial achievements are not matched by corresponding improvements in the rural areas. People in Mirpur Mathelo and many parts of Sindh do not have potable drinking water and justice eludes poor victims of rape and other crimes. The common man in Pakistan is living with nothing more than promises and slogans of a better tomorrow; perhaps they have had their fill of promises. Their irony is that they have been in this perpetual state of unfulfilled promises. Whereas for the self-centred rulers the rest are 'insignificant others'.

While the rulers chair busy meetings, the masses show no interest. The meeting chaired by the president of the King's Party to resolve differences between Chaudhry Shujaat and Zafarullah Khan Jamali, Humayun Akhtar and Jamali is a reflection of the commitment of the rulers to the people of Pakistan. Apart from showing the commitment of the government towards the people, it also reflected the partisan behaviour which was in clear violation of the democratic, parliamentary and constitutional norms. So much for democracy, so much for the love and devotion for Pakistan and her people!