End of one-man show in Punjab

This self-created belief that people from “Layyah to Lahore” are unaware and thus scared because they are unaware of the fact “who rules” is not only ridiculous but also an attack on the wisdom of the common people of Pakistan. We would rather call it who governs in a collaborative fashion rather than who rules.

Previously, Punjab was a one-man democracy or should one say dictatorship concealed as democracy which was quite contrary to the true spirit of democracy. It’s surprising to see that the Punjab speed that many of them can’t stop gushing about blinded them to ill-planned financial management, corruption, weakening of democratic institutions and vesting of power in one person. A look into the institutional damage that the Punjab speed caused would hurt badly as it is public money after all.

There are several types of leadership styles. Extroverts are generally considered better leaders due to the flamboyance they bring to the job but that in no way belittles the deep thinking and deeper connections that introverts bring in to a leadership job. It is proven through research now that introverts are equally better leaders. Governance, service delivery and public management are all areas that require a lot of work and a lot of concentration. It is less cosmetic thus might be invisible to those who can’t see beyond the exterior.

Now let me unveil the mystery; Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar is the Key Person in the province. He has a team and everyone works together, reports to the CM and finally the CM Secretariat takes the final decision. For instance, quite recently, after rigorous screening he has re-shuffled the whole bureaucracy, the one that, to quote, “don’t know who their real boss is.” The CM chairs all the meetings and exercises his powers to take decisions; suggestions from the cabinet are sought of course.

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar, who has proven his mettle in politics and social work even in the UK, is working within the jurisdiction of his post. It is highly misleading that he is interfering with the CM Secretariat. He is not invisible, unlike the past governors who played just a shadow role as power lay only in 7 Club Road.

Now coming to Senior Minister Aleem Khan’s role in Punjab with the most important portfolio of local government. With the key responsibility of bringing the local government back on track, why shouldn’t he be a part of power connection in Punjab? The long-awaited promised Local Government Bill is under process and will soon be presented in the provincial assembly. For the first time, the people of Punjab will experience the true power at the grassroots level through a strengthened local government system. And probably then will everyone understand that politics and government are not individual based but team based and people based.

Parliament is supreme power and the post of the speaker is pivotal to the power annal of parliament. The current speaker of the Punjab Assembly, being the custodian of the assembly, is exercising full power conferred upon him by virtue of his post, unlike the past where the speaker played the role of a spineless, decision-less invisible puppet. In this government and under the leadership of CM Buzdar, no one is a puppet. It is a highly democratic team and everyone has a role, and an opinion that’s respected and a specific position that’s valued.

The Constitution, from Articles 101 to 160, sheds light on the constitutional roles of governors, provincial assemblies, provincial governments and distribution of powers between the federal and provincial governments.

Within first 50 days of the incumbent government, the CM has chaired four cabinet meetings besides everyday interactions with MPAs. Certainly, it’s a new normal of Naya Pakistan.

It is an established fact that change initially is always resisted. Acceptance is a catalyst for change and it is a concept that is hard for people to wrap their heads around. Cultivating resistance against change is the normal reaction too but it doesn’t help at all. Positive change is inevitable in Punjab and the politics of one-man show has to end and it will, Insha Allah.

It is high time we all moved beyond party politics, affiliations, personal likes and dislikes and worked together to repair the damage one-man rule has done to Punjab. 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2018.

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