Let sanity prevail
Our democratic structure is weak and struggling to survive
The writer is a retired lieutenant general of the Pakistan Army and a former federal secretary. He has also served as chairman of the Pakistan Ordnance Factories Board
We all are fully aware that Pakistan is a crisis-ridden country because we live it every day. Our democratic structure is weak and struggling to survive. The economy with major infusion from global lending agencies has hardly managed to reach the stabilisation stage and is likely to stay in this phase for a few years. We have yet to destroy all terrorist hideouts despite the huge sacrifices our armed forces and other security agencies have made to eliminate them. Lashkar Jhangvi and Daesh continue to strike at Shia and other minorities and security installations. India is practically on a warpath and finds the situation most conducive for retaining an aggressive posture to isolate and weaken us. Its interference especially in Baluchistan is meant to exploit the resentment among Baluch nationalist elements. It is supporting the insurgency to divert attention from its repressive policies in Kashmir and to create hurdles in the implementation of the China- Pakistan Economic Corridor. Recent revelations about the subversive activities of Indian diplomats reinforce Pakistan’s apprehensions of New Delhi’s designs.Civil-military relations remain in a delicate phase.
Taking into consideration these challenges it was asensible decision of Imran Khan to abandon the lockdown of Islamabad and merely hold a “Thanksgiving rally” and wait for the Supreme Court to formulate the terms of reference. Moreover, denying the people their right of movement and freedom to exercise their choice would have been tantamount to trampling on fundamental rights. People expect that political parties, notwithstanding their differences, find political solutions to their differences. Imran by reversing his decision may have disappointed some of his ardent followers but it will help in erasing the impression that the strategy to assemble “million plus” people — essentially a muscular approach — was more as a cover to capture power than to combat corruption.
The PML-N leadership cannot be absolved of initially mishandling the current crisis either. From the very beginning it has given an impression of stalling the accountability process by not accepting an impartial commission that is acceptable to all parties for probing the allegations. By taking plea that PM’s name is not listed in Panama Leaks was not sufficient justification. Indeed, PTI, PPP and the people are justified in seeking answers to the accusations leveled regarding the sources of wealth hidden in Panama by our leaders and other citizens. The government could not have taken cover that it is undertaking extensive infrastructural projects and sidetrack the issue of its leaders being subjected to greater scrutiny and transparency.
Anyway now that the deadlock has been resolved the best course is to wait for the judiciary’s verdict and accept their suggested course of action. Similar was PTI’s line of action when in an earlier controversy it approached the Supreme Court to form a judicial commission to investigate the rigging in elections. Fortunately for the government no wrongdoing was detected. The current rise of populist and firebrand politics on the part of both the government and PTI needs to be controlled otherwise it could lead to further democratic decline. What both parties need to realise is that violence and unruly mobs have never served the cause of democracy and large rallies do not necessarily translate into electoral gains. Already people have scant faith in our leaders and if they continue with their antics their confidence in institutions will be further eroded. Threats and insults and mobilising the masses as a show of strength are poor substitutes for determining the direction of the nation.
When there is greater anarchy it becomes an incubator for corruption to flourish because it further weakens the very institutions that are vital to combating it.
We also cannot remain oblivious to our past history when politicians created an environment that facilitated army’s intervention and transition back to civilian rule took a long and difficult route. So the country rightly took a sigh of relief when PTI was prevented from crossing the precipice.
As fighting corruption is a painstaking process it is crucial that the political parties focus on strengthening democratic institutions, judiciary, investigating agencies, and create new legislation. It is by setting their own high standards of integrity that leaders can inspire confidence in the nation at large. The parliament would have to construct more effective and comprehensive anti-corruption systems to suit our conditions. Investigating ill-gotten wealth in Panama and other hideouts would require the cooperation of foreign governments. Although the Panama government has indicated it would cooperate, there still remain several impediments in collecting and collating facts and making them admissible in courts. Besides, there are other international tax havens where people have their secret accounts. This clearly shows there are no instant fixes in fighting corruption and political gamesmanship that lacks both tactical and strategic direction is likely to fail.
In a few weeks General Sharif would be handing over command to his successor. This is time for his farewell calls and for the new incumbent to take charge of his responsibilities, but the current happenings tend to be an unpleasant distraction.
Interestingly, in this current power play between major political parties, economic and business interests are as much at play as politics. After all for Imran to mobilise the masses and above all to counter Sharif’s advantage of being enormously wealthy he needs business tycoons on his side. And that is why you witness that the top leadership of PTI has a similar preponderance of them.
Imran’s contention that if Nawaz is not removed soon he will stay for good betrays lack of faith in people’s judgment, and belies his own experience. If that were the case PTI would not have been in power in K-P and PPP would not have lost the last national election so badly. This confirms the premise that if institutions are allowed to function and greater emphasis is laid on their efficient performance corruption will be reduced. It is also a fact that objective and thorough reforms to eradicate corruption would take years of faithful implementation.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th, 2016.
Taking into consideration these challenges it was asensible decision of Imran Khan to abandon the lockdown of Islamabad and merely hold a “Thanksgiving rally” and wait for the Supreme Court to formulate the terms of reference. Moreover, denying the people their right of movement and freedom to exercise their choice would have been tantamount to trampling on fundamental rights. People expect that political parties, notwithstanding their differences, find political solutions to their differences. Imran by reversing his decision may have disappointed some of his ardent followers but it will help in erasing the impression that the strategy to assemble “million plus” people — essentially a muscular approach — was more as a cover to capture power than to combat corruption.
The PML-N leadership cannot be absolved of initially mishandling the current crisis either. From the very beginning it has given an impression of stalling the accountability process by not accepting an impartial commission that is acceptable to all parties for probing the allegations. By taking plea that PM’s name is not listed in Panama Leaks was not sufficient justification. Indeed, PTI, PPP and the people are justified in seeking answers to the accusations leveled regarding the sources of wealth hidden in Panama by our leaders and other citizens. The government could not have taken cover that it is undertaking extensive infrastructural projects and sidetrack the issue of its leaders being subjected to greater scrutiny and transparency.
Anyway now that the deadlock has been resolved the best course is to wait for the judiciary’s verdict and accept their suggested course of action. Similar was PTI’s line of action when in an earlier controversy it approached the Supreme Court to form a judicial commission to investigate the rigging in elections. Fortunately for the government no wrongdoing was detected. The current rise of populist and firebrand politics on the part of both the government and PTI needs to be controlled otherwise it could lead to further democratic decline. What both parties need to realise is that violence and unruly mobs have never served the cause of democracy and large rallies do not necessarily translate into electoral gains. Already people have scant faith in our leaders and if they continue with their antics their confidence in institutions will be further eroded. Threats and insults and mobilising the masses as a show of strength are poor substitutes for determining the direction of the nation.
When there is greater anarchy it becomes an incubator for corruption to flourish because it further weakens the very institutions that are vital to combating it.
We also cannot remain oblivious to our past history when politicians created an environment that facilitated army’s intervention and transition back to civilian rule took a long and difficult route. So the country rightly took a sigh of relief when PTI was prevented from crossing the precipice.
As fighting corruption is a painstaking process it is crucial that the political parties focus on strengthening democratic institutions, judiciary, investigating agencies, and create new legislation. It is by setting their own high standards of integrity that leaders can inspire confidence in the nation at large. The parliament would have to construct more effective and comprehensive anti-corruption systems to suit our conditions. Investigating ill-gotten wealth in Panama and other hideouts would require the cooperation of foreign governments. Although the Panama government has indicated it would cooperate, there still remain several impediments in collecting and collating facts and making them admissible in courts. Besides, there are other international tax havens where people have their secret accounts. This clearly shows there are no instant fixes in fighting corruption and political gamesmanship that lacks both tactical and strategic direction is likely to fail.
In a few weeks General Sharif would be handing over command to his successor. This is time for his farewell calls and for the new incumbent to take charge of his responsibilities, but the current happenings tend to be an unpleasant distraction.
Interestingly, in this current power play between major political parties, economic and business interests are as much at play as politics. After all for Imran to mobilise the masses and above all to counter Sharif’s advantage of being enormously wealthy he needs business tycoons on his side. And that is why you witness that the top leadership of PTI has a similar preponderance of them.
Imran’s contention that if Nawaz is not removed soon he will stay for good betrays lack of faith in people’s judgment, and belies his own experience. If that were the case PTI would not have been in power in K-P and PPP would not have lost the last national election so badly. This confirms the premise that if institutions are allowed to function and greater emphasis is laid on their efficient performance corruption will be reduced. It is also a fact that objective and thorough reforms to eradicate corruption would take years of faithful implementation.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th, 2016.