Criticism or Attack ? - Pakistan's Fractured Public Sphere

Pakistan does not suffer from a shortage of criticism; it does suffer from an overdose of it. Constructive criticism forms the bedrock of democracy, as it brings to light institutional failures, scrutinizes the misuse of discretionary powers and paves the way for corrective measures. Since Pakistan is a democratic state, its constitution guarantees that people have the right to criticize, within certain limits, the government policies. However, practically, criticism in our country has become a weapon to attack some people or a party, especially the ruling one, leading to a ruined political culture and rampant polarization in society.

Bona fide criticism is proportionate, driven by evidence and, undoubtedly, sharply issue-focused. It critically analyzes policies, structures and decisions with reasoned rationale. It remains constructive despite being uncomfortable for many.

On the other hand, vicious criticism becomes a form of attack or onslaught which is primarily adversarial and emotional and is driven by personal motives. Its point of attention is individuals rather than ideas, and its purpose is humiliation rather than accountability. It prioritizes spectacle over substance. Visible transformation of this type can be witnessed in Pakistan's political discourse, where constitutional questions, governance or economic policies are hardly debated. Political actors are labelled as “foreign agent”, “traitor”, “security risk” or corrupt, which are not empirical claims but oratorical weapons. Argumentation is exponentially weighed with disloyalty, narrowing the zone for political dissent.