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.
