Good tidings for better Pakistan

Our generation should be able to handover a better Pakistan to the next. Where do we stand today and where do we go from here shall determine the fruition of the first line or otherwise. If institutions are strengthened in correct proportions, it can be said with absolute conviction that we may be able to pass the baton to the next generation with great pride that Pakistan is on course to become what it was destined to become i.e. a great country. In subsequent paras, mention of some political science and some powerhouses on ground shall keep you interested to explore the hope for better Pakistan.

Principally, government functions on cardinals of Political Science which ensure that ‘authority’ is distributed among Executive (PM and cabinet), Legislature (Senate and assemblies) and Judiciary. The trias politica model allows relative independence, checks and balance of power among institutions. However, our beloved country has never been a theoretical wonder, nor an academic ideal. So what went wrong? And the nominees are; army for protracted martial laws and her omniscient yet invisible hand in political landscaping, judiciary for doctrine of necessity, executive for corruption and legislature for partnering the crimes of executive.

1958 marked the beginning of martial laws. Army got out of hand and executive never had the guts to tame her due to her own incompetence and corrupt practices, judiciary adopted the skin for every occasion and parliament was always the sanctuary for executive to hide behind. Nowadays, parliament is just a sacred tool in the hands of executive to perpetuate her rule e.g. promulgation (and annulment) of dodgy 203 Election Reforms Bill 2017.

 Purpose of this post is not to spread doom and gloom but hope. Last couple of decades saw an awful dictatorship, a hybrid government with Pervez Musharraf as Chief Executive and Q League as political component of it. This was followed by another stint in the office for PPP but with a different ‘face’ and however tumultuous it was, PML (N) is completing her term in couple of months’ time. If this is not sign enough for democracy, then brace yourself for a potent dose of optimism through this post.

Post Pervez Musharraf, four powerhouses have emerged in the country namely Media, Army, Judiciary and Executive. True that Legislature in principle is the cardinal of trias politica model but it is not a powerhouse in ours because legislators remain ‘loyal’ to party leadership. Legislation is the last thing on their agenda. Passage of 203 may come up again as it reflects how ineffective parliament has become and how indifferent parliamentarians are to their basic duty i.e. legislation. We shall discuss all powerhouses one by one. First spot has been booked by media for its enormous growth and impact in recent past.

Hunger for power is never satiated. Last two decades have seen an unprecedented transformation of media industry. Initially, media owners remained focused on minting money and now they have learnt to rub shoulders in the power corridors of the country. They have created a new line of thought and life style. Couple dozen media houses in Karachi have stamped their way of ‘thinking’, ‘lifestyle’ and ‘ideology’ right across Pakistan including places as far as Kohistan, Thar, Khuzdar and GB. It is a separate debate whether we must preserve our cultural identity or adopt whatever is in fashion or follow those who think they define what is hip, modern and fashionable? Purely in term of impact, media has already impacted peoples’ lives beyond measureable proportions. On political grounds, the polarization among media houses comes as a blessing for the people. Now they go an extra mile to expose their media rivals and political opponents which is good for commoners. Politics savvy society is charged with political awareness and debate. However, there is criminal negligence on the part of ‘investigative journalism’. No one goes out to expose the dirty laundry of the big fish. People like Iqrar Hussain are exposing criminals playing in few millions, they need to up the ante and expose corruptions of billions. Poor hygiene of a butcher or a baker or motely incident of sexual harassment are not the serious problems of this nation rather mega corruption and institutional imbalances. Likewise, Umer Cheema style investigative journalism is a classic example of what not to follow at all. Laid back journalism will only yield risk free, inconclusive talk shows which are meant to get ratings, bully opponents and sell deceitful political schemas. In those heated discussions, they do not solve problems rather politicians achieve their political objectives and anchors get their next installment of favours from them. Journalism is scared than the sacred but it will not yield substantive results if media anchors and producers are having party time each evening with politicians or their brokers. Non-partisan investigative journalism is what this country deserves and what is obligatory on the journalists as well. Finally, media people will only be fed on the waste booty of politicians. It is up to them to choose their course of action because hunger for power has never been satiated.

Problem with hope is that it floats. Including current term, this should be completion of third consecutive term for the parliament. Democracy has every chance to flourish but why still army remains the thorn in the side of politicians or should we say certain politicians in certain circumstances? Army is a professional institution which is loyal to the country and it is quite independent in its decision making. That’s all good as long as her independence stays short of intervention. Quite certainly, it’s the independent decision making of the Army which hurts politicians with agendas. Frankly, Army has outgrown politicians and has changed her ways. General Raheel Sharif has set the bar correct (not high). He did what a professional soldier should do; nothing extravagant nor anything below par. General Bajwa is following suit and probability of Army takeover is diminishing by the day but that fear of takeover is here to stay for psychological and political reasons. More than army, politicians use this as a ploy to keep people guessing or confused. Second issue is of the invisibles. Since they are invisible, so not much could be said or we could throw the kitchen sink at them. International establishment does not like them and naturally those politicians who sing to the tunes of international establishment go on to sell their anti-establishment cum army mantra. Experience suggests that they are the most over-rated lot in the world. Again reasons for this over-rating are political not professional. However, it would be prudent if senior army officers are not seen distributing ‘return fare’ among Tehreek-e-Labaik youngsters for prevention is better than cure. A floating hope of better Pakistan is tied to their conduct as well. Now we take on judiciary.

Independence is not privilege but responsibility. Rise of Judiciary as a state pillar and a powerhouse was overdue. Iftikhar Chaudhry’s dismissal and re-instatement was a misfire. Along came Panama and the opportunity to redeem. Judiciary was also given enough confidence to do their job judiciously. Judiciary, like Army is on course to make independent decisions. As the cliché goes, judiciary should speak through its decisions not through public statements specially when there is an active campaign in progress to malign judiciary. Likewise, trespassing in to other’s territory is not independence it remains trespassing. Judicial activism is on the rise but it should not crossover in to realm of executive’s domain. At this point in time, the focus should be to mature judiciary’s on procedures. What to talk to Supreme Court and High Courts, justice in lower courts in delayed and unaffordable. It is time to focus on judicial leadership in the pipeline enabling them to take judiciary to the next level. Happy independence to judiciary but the gravity of situation and onus of responsibility has to be understood for better tomorrow.  

Fourth and final powerhouse is all encompassing Executive of the country. In Pakistan, it is two in one because Legislator has opted to remain a quiet stooge of the Executive for its entire existence. Instead of holding separate identity and role in state power matrix, Legislator has gone missing in action. Instead of keeping executive in check, legislator has become its mistress. This is where central control of political parties becomes critical to power relevance of political leadership. Only if legislator breaks the shackles and other institutions get strong legislative protection to perform nothing stands between this nation and success. For polarization among media houses, political maturity of Army and newly found independent identity of Judiciary, space on stereotype politics is shrinking. Personality based politics is also getting out of fashion. Narratives will not sell the merchandize anymore. Clean politics will be the only way forward and woes of MQM contain signs for the rest the pack as well. Institutions if strengthened can make this country a formidable force.  

Sun of hope is shining in the distance and few of its rays are visible now. Writing is on the wall for change in the fortunes of this country. It only seems like a matter of time.

Only Allah knows the whole Truth.