The Sincere Political Worker and the Self-Serving Opportunist
By: Zaheer Ahmad Awan
A sincere political worker is not merely an asset to a political party, but a valuable strength to the entire nation. Politics, in its true sense, is not about power or position it is about service, sacrifice, awareness, and integrity. The character of a genuine political worker is defined by honesty, knowledge, discipline, and a deep commitment to public welfare.
A true political worker understands the ideology, constitution, and manifesto of his party. He studies the country’s political history, remains aware of national and international developments, and possesses the courage to speak the truth even if it goes against his own party’s leadership. Such a worker is driven by conscience, not by convenience.
In contrast, the self-serving opportunist seeks personal benefit, influence, or material gain. He thrives on flattery and manipulation, lacks principles, and views politics as a ladder for personal advancement rather than public service. While the sincere worker builds nations, the opportunist weakens them from within.
The Role and Responsibilities of a Political Worker Political parties are not sustained by leaders alone they stand on the dedication, struggle, and vision of their workers. The foundation of democracy lies in the awareness and discipline of these grassroots members. The first duty of every political worker is knowledge and awareness.
A well-informed worker strengthens both the party and democracy.It is therefore the responsibility of every political party to train and educate its workers about its ideology, constitution, parliamentary system, and democratic values.
International Examples of Political Training
In developed democracies, political education is institutionalized:
- In the United Kingdom, parties regularly conduct Political Education Programs to strengthen ideological understanding and civic responsibility.
- In the United States, organizations like the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Republican National Institute hold regular seminars and field training for their cadres to improve leadership and communication skills.
- In Germany,foundations such as the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung are globally recognized for promoting democratic culture and political literacy.
- In India, political parties have established Cadre Training Schools to train their members in constitutional law, governance, and ethics.
In Pakistan, unfortunately, political workers are often limited to slogans, rallies, and emotional campaigns. Most political parties operate as family enterprises, where workers are treated as followers, not partners. Merit and ideology are replaced by loyalty and flattery a trend that weakens democracy and fuels disillusionment among the youth.
The Self-Serving Opportunist
A self-serving opportunist can never be loyal to a cause or a people. His allegiance shifts with power and privilege. Such individuals exploit the system through manipulation, and their presence corrupts the moral and democratic fabric of politics.
In true democracies, workers are not treated as servants but as guardians of democracy.Party leadership consults, respects, and trains them. However, in Pakistan, workers are too often sidelined, their opinions ignored, and their contributions overlooked.
Political Training and Democratic Culture
Every political party must establish Political Training Academies where workers can learn: - The principles of democracy, ethics, and civic responsibility.
- How to engage in respectful debate and accept differing opinions.
- How to organize, communicate, and contribute to policymaking.
- How to prioritize public service and national interest over personal ambition.
When political parties invest in education and training, they not only produce capable workers but also nurture a generation of responsible citizens who value truth over loyalty.
Conclusion
The sincere political worker is the backbone of democracy, while the self-serving opportunist is its greatest threat. True political service lies in knowledge, humility, and integrity not in personal gain or blind obedience.
Pakistan needs a new political culture! one built on education, ethics, and empathy. The time has come for political parties to respect their sincere workers, eliminate opportunism, and rebuild trust with the people. Nations are not built by leaders alone, but by the dedication, courage, and conscience of their true workers.
