The country is once again in the grip of grave political crises which, if remain unresolved, could have serious consequences for its integrity and stability. Clearly, Imran Khan is playing high stakes poker, giving the message of ‘now or never’. His allegation that the entire election of 2013 was a fraud and a well-planned and executed conspiracy in which, judges, members of the election commission and the Punjab bureaucracy were deeply involved may have some element of truth in it. But to malign the entire election process and cast deep aspersions on the legitimacy of the parliament, judiciary and government without an impartial investigation are highly unfair. Imran’s continuous verbal assault on Nawaz Sharif and his main demand that he should resign, or at least take leave of absence as prime minster for a month, while electoral fraud is being investigated is an impossible proposition and has pushed him into a blind alley.
Lacking political clout and yet wanting to have his way he has adopted the strategy of highly inflammatory and derogatory politics.
Using street protests for seeking resignation of the prime minister has the potential of seriously undermining the foundations of the state. Once a precedent of this nature is set, all that the opposition political parties in future have to do is assemble a few thousand people in front of the National Assembly and hold the entire country hostage. It is a reflection of Imran’s political immaturity that having created a very positive impact by getting his demand for electoral reforms and the formation of a judicial commission accepted by the government and all political parties he insists on continuing with the protest.
Imran can also take credit for having shaken Nawaz Sharif from his slumber. But his persistent assault and ridiculing of Nawaz Sharif and other politicians has the potential of delegitimising the government, the parliament and the system as a whole.
Nawaz Sharif cannot be absolved either. Why did the government fail to react to the shooting of innocent civilians participating in Maulana Qadri’s procession in Lahore? Why was an FIR not registered till today, even when the court had ordered so? Why did his party take that long to agree to a recount of votes in disputed constituencies? Through indifference, they have allowed the initiative to be wrested away from them. It is a sad reflection of their ineptitude and arrogance.
In a clear departure from past practices, all political forces have sided with the government to preserve the constitution and political system. This should help build pressure on Imran to demonstrate flexibility. The lawyers’ community and most civil society organisations, also, realising the dangers inherent in the extreme position taken by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf have decided to back the political parties. Those who consider Imran’s ego fuelled demagoguery as healthy for democracy in Pakistan are essentially seeing things from a Eurocentric position and seem to ignore the fragility of our democracy.
The callous neglect of IDPs and lack of appreciation of the challenges that the country is facing betray a lack of sense of priorities.
The cry for a ‘new Pakistan’ by Imran with all the tried out leaders surrounding him makes a mockery of his vision. Imran’s claim that his present movement to oust Nawaz is similar to what the Egyptians launched against former President Mubarak of Egypt is a false analogy and betrays an erroneous understanding of the difference in the political systems of the two countries. Egypt, in its 5,000 years of history, had only once a brief (one year) interlude of representative government in which President Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood was unceremoniously removed by the country’s military in a coup. A more valid comparison of the current stalemate in Pakistan could be with the recent happenings in Thailand, where after months of sit-ins, the military seized power. Imran in fact is creating fertile ground for an intervention, exact opposite of what the people in Tahrir Square were trying to achieve.
Clearly, in a democratic system, protest movements are the norm. But Imran’s reference to the protests in the UK against the decision of former British prime minister Tony Blair to participate in the war in Iraq is another case of misreading history. Whereas he was full of praise for British democracy he fails to understand that it dates back to 1215 when the famous Magna Carta was agreed to. And has been refined over centuries through practice. It would have been worthwhile for him to mention about the regularity with which the parliamentarians and leaders of political parties in the UK attend the parliament sessions. On the contrary, by constantly attacking the parliament and fellow politicians as highly corrupt, the parliament illegitimate and on the verge of collapse, at his nightly street gala, he is undermining the sanctity of the parliament and lowering its image in the eyes of the people. Nascent democracy in Pakistan needs to be nurtured by setting good traditions and practices. Whereas by creating further disillusionment by delegitimising it in their eyes a grave situation could emerge.
Imran is least sensitive to the disruption of the economy and exceptional inconvenience caused to people. Consumed by his super ego and buoyed by cheering young party supporters, he fails to understand that there are millions who are watching on TV screens and forming their own opinion.
He is treading a dangerous path by inciting people to launch a civil disobedience movement. This is tantamount to striking at the foundations of the state. If people do not pay taxes, utility bills and dry the sources of its income how do you sustain government machinery. Imagine a possible scenario that the government goes bankrupt and is unable to pay salaries or meet expenditures of defence, education and health and fails to meet statutory budget commitments of all provinces.
If a political solution was not found, the army in all likelihood would have to reluctantly step in! Hopefully, sense will prevail and the crisis will be diffused, because military interventions have a dynamic of their own wherein all sides and worst of all the country sufferers most.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2014.
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COMMENTS (44)
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@Feroz: 197 Thanks my friend for your kind words. I am a marketer and hadn't been accused of being an idealist before! I would not waste my time if I thought it wasn't practical. I really believe we can turn a new chapter. The reasons are many: 1. Majority of citizens in the two countries are young, with very few carrying the scars of 1971, fewer still of 1965 or 47. Much of the "internet brigade probably doen't even remember Kargil all that well. The point is that the bitterness is behind us. It's a new generation ready to take things in their own hands. 2. New forces replace the old ones. This is the rule of nature. If our "agencies" continue to run breeding grounds of hatred for their own survival, it will have to stop. The hatemongers will have to be strongly dealt with and all this is possible if the young and aware citizenry of the two countries decide enough is enough. If a group of people can threaten to bring down a government, not many establishments are mightier than that. As to the armed forces, let's face it no one wants war. I am especially impressed with the wisdom of your Army Chiefs in recent times, namely Kayani and Sharif. They all understand war is not an option and might secretly support an uprising which forces the powers that be to find a solution to our problems. 3. More than anything, the Internet has redefined everything. The hatemongers were powerful because they could easily misinform and spread their propaganda to further their agenda, it's not the case anymore. There is open communication between the people of the two nations. We read each others' news and this helps to understand the other side of the story too. And more than anything it helps to put things in perspective. Not much can be hidden for too long. Our children can't be taught distorted history because facts are available at the click of a button. The conflict's shelf life is over. The fact that we are able to discuss this shows that the time for change is near.
@altamash: Excellent sentiments expressed by you, but you seem to be living in an ideal world, not a real one. Doubt anybody can fault your sentiments but without the India bogey many of those who profit from conflict may need to find alternative livelihood, live with reduced budgets and see an erosion of their Power. Welfare of citizens has never been a priority of those ruling Pakistan so conspiracy theories need to be spun to keep the spotlight away from real issues to imaginary ones. It is a sad situation but one we cannot alter. Any threat to those wielding Power for the last seven decades directly or indirectly will be eliminated, as usual through proxies if not directly.
Why is it that the democracy in Pak feels in danger when -Someone raise their voice for their right -Someone raised voice against state brutality (Model Town) -Ask for rapid justice -Ask to reduce inflation -Ask for employment -Ask for health and education etc
@Sharjeel Ashraf: You need to live awhile boy before you can mature. We all know how prices were under Mush and his famous quip on the prices of daal "why dont they eat chicken"
@Arijit Sharma: Firstly, I am an Indian. Secondly, just because India and Pakistan can't be one "country" defined by the same geographical boundary anymore doesn't mean we can't be one people. Forget even that, it doesn't mean we can't be human and live in peace.
@Humza: What do you call mob rule? Did they even mishandle a single police officer? NO As for Nawaz... my dear friend his small brother conducted a mass murder and we all saw that on TV. No one can dare deny that if he has a human heart within him. Now for the Gawadar port, the motorways and all. Do you even know with Ittefaq foundry why steel and iron prices are tearing roofs in Pakistan? The only reason is that both the brothers do not want to provide relief to the people. As I said earlier better people are available who can do better things. Bringing the same old guy to the corrupt system is unwise. @Asim: While I have not witnessed the martial law of Zia or Generals before him. Though I cannot agree with you about Mush. I have witnessed the prices at that time and have checked the prices later on. If you do not agree with me you can check the prices on any website that has information about Pakistan. Plus You can also check the GDP in Dictatorships and democracies. You will know what I mean. As I said earlier... Its an illusion! Even America the best practitioner of Democracy has only two parties. Why is that? When it is a democracy in itself!
@Sharjeel Ashraf: While I respect your opinion, which may be based on your experience, I have my personal experience to share. I have seen the army, under Ayub indulge in the worst kind of political wheeling and dealing (aka lotaism), that led to him being "elected" as president (lota-in-chief), despite losing miserably to Ms. Fatima Jinnah. I have also seen the biggest surrender in human history, again courtesy our "disciplined army" under Yahya (blame Bhutto as much, he was still a nobody, supplanted by Ayub along with Mujib to side line and eliminate Ms. Jinnah and Mr Suhrwardy). Next came the bloodbath, religious bigotry, sectarianism and carnage engineered under Ziaul, again a disciplined army general, and finally sky rocketing prices of the basic necessities (bread, flour/atta, daal, sugar etc) under Mush.
@altamash: " ... We are people who lived together for 5000 years. Islam or Hinduism or Buddhism or Christianity, everything comes next to our history. ... "
When you say "lived together" you imply that you are outsiders and have lived together with the locals. You are "us". But nothing is possible until you return to what you used to be.
@Prognosticator: Unfortunately many of our politicians are guilty of this. We can't leave our and our children's destiny in the hands of these people. Our problems can be solved within a few weeks we come down to it. Instead what do we do? Look at the number of Indians on this site, it tells you the genuine interest we have for each other. Even in the subcontinent, our people like each other. The kind of reception we accord each others' sports teams: Pakistan contingent in 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi or when Indian cricket team visited Pakistan. Are we stupid people who can't solve these problems and get on with our lives rather than live with these festering wounds?
The author is missing the point that In Pakistan a fractured,inefficient ,peoples enemy and to serve the vested interest system is called democracy which has been continued for last 70 years. We need a true democratic system where the polical parties themselves are regulated by certain laws as in western countries and the election process is transparent. I also don't care if there is military dictatorship or a king ruling the country as long as needs of the people are met and justice for common man is available.
The article is factual and very straight forward, but I would rather think that the Pakistani military will rather "gladly" step in than "reluctantly" as he says. He is right when he says that one can not be allowed to hold parliament to ransom by merely gathering a few thousand protesters. If this sort of blackmail is allowed that will be the end of democracy. IK seems to be both stupid and arrogant, calling everyone corrupt. I wonder when both politicians and the public will learn that democracy is all about respecting the majority and waiting for the next elections for a chance for themselves.
@Haider: that's exactly what I am saying. Let the people of two countries join hands and come out on the streets to pressurize their respective governments to get serious about solving these issues. All we need is 1.5 million of the 1.5 billion people out on the streets calling for action. Why this madness? Killing each other at the border. We are people who lived together for 5000 years. Islam or Hinduism or Buddhism or Christianity, everything comes next to our history. The least we can do is help each other and live like two civilized nations who are natural friends if not brothers. Enough is enough. Someone needs to stop this madness.
@altamash: I have lived abroad and I was amazed at the hospitality of Pakistanis and Indians towards each other. Don't know why, but the moment they enter the subcontinent they pick up the cudgels. It is the political class that sow the seeds of discord. Just listen to the hatred that Sheikh Rasheed spews out and others in India too.
@Ravian:
I respect your opinion, but tell me if the rigging accusation is wrong, let the commission as agreed by PM do their job. This situation could have been avoided without much fuss, had NS agreed to open 4 constituencies as demanded by IK. And as some comment suggested also, such demand in face of accusation is not un-democratic & in such situation, the govt wraps up to give space for thorough investigation & there are instances in many developed country, so why are we scared against such democratic step. This is the beauty of democracy & when we try to copy Western democratic system we must also copy their culture to resign on moral ground.
for gods sake let us come out of this mad mind-set, please ! just to maintain monopoly of status quo political parties & their affiliates, associate family members & beradari, we are fighting tooth & nail & painting people who want to bring in CHANGE for the betterment of the poor people as " un-democratic forces ". Same way when Dr TuQ in 2012 & 2013, was vocal against the present election system & demanded electoral reforms, people called him all sort of names & today all party agrees that electoral reforms is needed & parliament has formed 33 members electoral reform committee....same way insha Allah soon all will agree that what IK is demanding is fair...just a matter of time. IK is not against democracy, but the system.I fully agree with the author!
@Sajjad Ashraf: Thank you for pointing this out. As recent as of May/ June 2014, the President of S Korea resigned after accepting responsibility for the death of 200 kids in ship accident. Was the President directly responsible for such an accident NO, but these nations have moral values, hence, they take full responsibility against such events & by the way, in this case ( SKorea ship accident ) you know how many people were there to protest...only few thousand & here our respected Sir Talat Sb is saying that the demand by PTI with few thousand peole ( some painting the rally as mob rule does not seem to know the difference between peaceful demonstration & mob rule ) is not legitimate....because being from a military background, there is no culture to say " sorry " & no one takes responsibility, hence, no body resigns & that culture has dripped down to the civies. As long as this country has no ruthless accountability, things will remain as it is. This is the CHANGE what IK / Dr TuQ is trying to bring. Resistance for CHANGE from selfish & self-interest people & members from status quo parties & supporters will continue, because CHANGE is going to break their monopoly to loot & plunder.
India should offer to mediate to save democracy in Pakistan. I am serious. We are the same people irrespective of what hatemongers say. Once you live abroad you realise how similar we are as a people and the kind of mutual affection that exists between us. 67 years on we are fighting over Kashmir, water and still trying to harm each other. Isn't it time for the youth of the two countries to come together and work for peace. If protesters can shake up the system in Pakistan, why can't protesters fight for peace between India and Pak and force the governments to change their myopic stance. Those in charge of our destiny are not even in touch with reality. We can live like brothers. The world laughs at us when we fight. They exploit us. Identify the real enemy.
If a political solution was not found, the army in all likelihood would have to reluctantly step in
Isn't it interesting?
Every time the Pakistan Army steps in, it does so 'Reluctantly'.
And, every time it steps out, it does so 'Reluctantly' again.
Disagreed to the views of author as Courts are independent and robust........
Excellent analysis ! IK and TUQ are no lovers of democracy and only pawns in the hands of those who want to cut the democratic government to size. In a Democracy the only option to unseat an government is by majority passing of a motion of no confidence. Without suitable numbers in Parliament no democratic government can be unseated. These two guys IK and TUQ are proxies in a battle to destroy democracy, not ones who will usher in a new Pakistan. If they were interested in a new Pakistan they would have addressed the real issues that plague Pakistan --- fundamentalism, militancy, terrorism. Without clarity on the most important issues, no new Pakistan is possible, only pipe dreams.
Why army? They have wasted more than 30 years already.
2008 elections were held with 37 million fake votes as per ECP. 2013 elections were held with 60 to 70,000 unverifiable votes in every constituency according to Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar. Now what kind of a "democracy" is this that is borne out of elections with fake and unverified votes ?
As usual, a very well balance article by Mr. Talat, with one objection, Military intervention is not the solution but part of the problem. Strongly agree to the fact the Imran is setting a very dangerous precedent. It is never difficult to cook up allegations. If the present Government is not allowed to complete five years, a PTI government will never be allowed to work on its turn. Besides, the Insafians mark my words, Imran Khan will never be allowed to become PM, he is too dangerous for many very powerful people.........the same people who are using him against PMLN.
Democracy is good when organs of the state are working independently without interference. If there was any semblance of this democracy, the NAB, police, judiciary, etc would not have let the things come to this point. If we still want to run this country on suo motos and notices by PM/CM, then this system is coming for a crash and responsibility for this will lie squarely on the supreme court. A parliament and a govt run like a McDonalds franchise to get away with anything for 5 years speaks a lot about the democracy we are being preached. Saying all this, the divine interventions then become inevitable.
This situation is not about democracy or elections. It is about total dissatisfaction of the people of the country from the system. Nothing seems to be delivering. No justice, prosperity, opportunities, necessities; while ruling class continues to prosper.
In Pakistan democratic governments can complete their tenure on behalf of army and if COAS General Raheel Shareef supports PML-N's government then PML-N can complete its tenure.....
NS should just wait and be patient. Mr. IK will take his U-turn pretty soon.He is a complete joker and making Pakistan the laughing stock of the world.
@Sharjeel Ashraf: Perhaps you don't know that in many Western elections, voter turn out can be as low as 50 % in some jurisdictions but the final result is accepted as valid since eligible voters make their own decision whether to take part in the process. I suppose my problem with your thought process is that you would deny the majority of voting Pakistanis the right to choose their own PM - even if you think he is the wrong person to lead the country. In one fell swoop you disavow the rights of the millions of people - the majority - who did in fact vote for PML N. By all means, tell us that motorways, metrobus, Gwader, infrastructure projects and economic deals that the government is doing is worthless in your opinion. Convince people that money is better spent on other projects and make sure Nawaz is voted out in four years. Not march on the capital with thousands, play late night music and threaten to undermine all the institutions of the state. Try not to make this a personality debate and try to see the real issue of respecting institutions and working within a system to make things better. Think about how future generations will suffer if the nation allows mob rule to be the law of the land.
Rediclous: It was not democracy, was MONARCHY, and to be ended. Pakistan and its people cannot afford this type of rule for a long time. Few families have defined democracy for themselves, what a common man gains?
It was not democracy, was MONARCHY, and to be ended. Pakistan and its people cannot afford this type of rule for a long time. Few families have defined democracy for themselves, what a common man gains?
Demand for the PM to step aside during investigation is not unusual. Happens in civilized countries. The last president of South Korea stepped aside when accused and investigated and this was just about 5-6 years back.
Had PTI served KPK well with Pakistan first in mind, and would have kept on the pressure for electoral reforms, they could have won the next elections. Not only that, with governance experience on their side, they would have been better prepared to take the right steps in creating a Naya Pakistan. It's quite disappointing to see that even PTI doesn't have the visionary leadership to transform a country. Instead it too is a loose amalgamation of self entered egos. Now, if violence breaks out, there may not be much left to transform.
With all due respect what you're suggesting is that a true democratic process evolve fruits for people in 800 years or bucking this corrupt system will be dangerous to keep the state's autonomy & economy.. You fail to address the issue of corruption in the country, mass rigging in every election since this country was founded, civil rights not being given to the people of this country and educated people working abroad on cheap labors and driving Taxi. you should have sharpen your pencil when the rigging was happening in election 2013.
@Humza: I guess many will oppose your statement. Btw you should check the overall economic situation of our country during dictators and democrats. I respect your parents decision of voting for Nawaz but Nawaz never learned anything he came to power three times and look what he did? NOTHING, except building roads. Which, could be done in a better way by Malik Riaz if he was made the premier. As for the military, Yes I am in its favor cause I know they are better trained and better equipped. As for the democracy it is just a system to keep masses in illusion. do read Manufacturing Consent by Chomsky may be you get a better picture. I dont believe a word that the westerners say about 3rd world. They do all that to keep their noses poking in our matters. The elections were rigged BIG TIME. They have been rigged all the times. No one can deny that. And you talk about minor rigging when only 55 percent turned out to vote? Majority did not even voted how can Independent observers say they were 'minor rigged'?
Atleast military dictatorship is not anti peoplw. This civilian dictatorship aka democracy is clearly anti people. Tell me what is it that they do FOR THE PEOPLE.
Fully agreed with the author except the last statement instead of reading "If a political solution was not found, the army in all likelihood would have to reluctantly step in!" should read "If a political solution was not found, the army in all likelihood would gleefully step in after having manipulated and funded its agents Qadri and Imran Khan through Mush!"
@Sharjeel Ashraf: Reread the piece. The reason why people who used to support Imran Khan no longer support him is because mob rule only begets more mob rule. After digesting that fact, everything else makes sense. Independent observers from the West say that despite minor rigging that goes on in all 3 rd world countries, elections were largely free and fair. By all means protest but don't hold the country hostage. The reality is that the majority voted for Nawaz Sharif including my parents generation- they see him as pro business and pro economy. And yes they support his infrastructure projects. We can all have differences of opinion but there is no need to destabilize the nation and undermine the institutions of state - this is what Imran Khan is doing. He has surrounded himself by seasoned politicians of the worst sort so what type of Naya Pakistan is he creating? I am sorry to say, there is no justification for mob rule. I only hope the military sees that the way forward is to stand with the elected government and show that anti state behavior on the part of anyone will never amount to anything. If the nation allows Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri to destroy the democratic system with a few thousand protesters, this scenario will only be repeated again and again. They must show that ego, immaturity and being a bad loser does not pay.
Totally agree with you Talat sb, Imran khan has turned into a disgrace for pakistan
This is a fair, pragmatic and balanced Op Ed by a patriot. I agree with the author when he says about the current agitation politics “delegitimising the government, the parliament and the system as a whole”. Since the last elected govt came into power there have been constant attempts and campaigns to ridicule, weaken and delegitimizing the government, the parliament and the system as a whole. While each of the army dictators had totalitarian powers for a decade each and better part of our history no elected politician is allowed to function properly and complete its legitimate term. There is no respect for the mandate of the people and the electorate which are looked down as illiterate fools. Each time an elected govt comes into power it in siege by the establishment using opposition leaders, eternal losers, professional lackeys, religious leaders, SC judges, and LHC to name a few. After the constant siege of the elected govt and making it fail democracy is cursed and badmouthed. While the elected politicians are taken as corrupt, the losers and generals are the angels. Nobody questions the wealth of Ayub and Zia’s family wealth or the drunken womanizer general Yehya.
Property prices are tumbling because of theatrics of so called politicians. Army must step in to bring stability and ensure that our gentleman officers retire with the pension they deserve thanks to their sacrifices and build nice big homes where their retired jawaans can continue to serve them as their servants.
Author is missing the point for whatever reason,Imran has taken initiative against a corrupt inept criminal mafia across the board,that has dominated and subjugated a ppl 4 decades, Imran has the ppl behind him which speaks volumes. .author seems to take it lightly also he misses the point that imran warned the institutions that he will be left with no choice has he was walking in to a brick wall..author knows and has his reasons for bias whatever they are!
The fragility of democracy in Pakistan has everything to do with the establishment which ironically as the author implies may have to step in due to the current street protests by PAT and PTI. 67 years after independence, the fact is that Pakistan has a sham democracy where parliament is not the supreme authority. Democracy is just a front to show the rest of the world that a civilian government is ruling Pakistan when the sad fact is that the very same civilian government does not have any control on security, foreign affairs or perhaps even the economy. Zardari said recently that there is no third umpire in Pakistan, but the fact is that there is a third umpire and he wants to play cricket but only to defeat his own team.
I dont agree with the author. Why the resignation for on month is an 'impossible resignation'? And Imran is not creating a cloud for Military intervention instead it is Nawaz who wants to get political martyrdom so that people do not blame him for rigging and all corruption that has happened in his phase. Third why are we even comparing the scenario with Thailand or Egypt or Britain. Remember, history is everchanging. As for dharnas or protests, I think its his democratic right to carry those out after all the public is with him.
Now for civil disobedience. Sir, that is an old and simply a concrete concept that was even followed by Gandhi, Mujib ur Rehman and even Benazir Bhutto.
If I am not wrong than I will also include the lawyers long march as a civil disobedience though the method was different.
As for military, and martial law. If all goes well country won't suffer we have seen the dictatorship of Musharraf which was better than most democracts.