Time for serious politics

The real problem that Pakistani leadership is facing is not as much related to foreign policy but to domestic issues

In Pakistan, the most common and probably the easiest way of maligning a leader is to accuse him of being an Indian or Israeli agent. Of the many allegations that the opposition leadership has hurled on Prime Minister Imran Khan is that he has been soft on Prime Minister Modi for changing the status of Kashmir and equally mild in condemning Israel for annexing Palestinian territory. Conspiracy theories are a favourite pastime for our politicians. They have gone to the extent of linking the Israeli connection with the PM’s former wife and of PTI receiving funds from Israel during elections. These unsubstantiated allegations or innuendoes do not reflect well on the quality and ethics of our political discourse.

Ironically, the Prime Minister, while his party was in opposition, had been hurling similar accusations on the then ruling party. Perhaps this is a convenient label of politicians to implicate their opponent and place in doubt his/her patriotic credentials, at least for a while. But this has a downside — Pakistan’s leadership turns serious issues that Pakistan or other Muslim countries are facing only for point-scoring instead of formulating well thought-out strategies to counter them.

The real problem that the Pakistani leadership is facing, however, is not as much related to foreign policy but to domestic issues. The general consensus is that governance is weak and several state institutions have become dysfunctional and conducting as islands unto themselves. Democracy is only in name as it has become very weak; and demonstrations, protests and strikes in factories, or hospitals, have become a common feature. Similar predicament is experienced in the conduct of the parliament. The Prime Minister seldom attends assembly sessions, hardly contributing to the debates or subjects that have a strong bearing on national policy and international relations. His frequent speeches to a captive audience or long interviews with friendly anchors on television is no substitute to the proceedings in parliament and legislation.

The more disturbing aspect is that the country’s economy continues to go downhill as the debt burden keeps rising and news of pending financial liabilities keep mushrooming. A large number of the workforce was laid off due to the pandemic and the promise that the boost given to the construction industry will be able to absorb them has been only partly fulfilled.

Hundreds of Pakistanis are risking their lives to migrate to distant lands in Europe and the Middle East for seeking employment. Neither the government nor the opposition seems to have a workable solid plan for an economic turnaround. If there was one it has become difficult to implement in the prevailing chaotic political scenario. Although there is freedom of expression, certain areas remain kosher and many are in custody or facing charges for being too vocal.

There is hardly any incentive to look back for guidance as our history is replete with military rule, civilian rulers faltering on promises and providing poor governance. So, the question remains: is there a way forward as no country is destined to remain in poverty and chaos in perpetuity?

What is striking, but seldom addressed seriously even at the academic level, is that with the exception of a few democracies most of the Muslim countries have monarchies or dictatorships. Even the ones like us that are democratic flout democratic practices with impunity. The reason for Muslim countries falling behind in democratic development could be attributed to several factors. Most of them were colonies or not truly independent and deliberately deprived of modern education. Their lagging behind in technological and scientific development and poor resource management has resulted in advanced nations retaining control over them directly or indirectly and weak economies unable to compete internationally. Continuous economic dependence on advanced countries has resulted in compromising economic and political sovereignty and accepting their dictates. All this should not sound unfamiliar to most of our people as we are living and experiencing the ill effects of this legacy.

It is time that political parties and our leadership did less talking and seriously engaged in building a stable and self-sustaining society. Chanting slogans and leading demonstrations by feeding on people’s frustrations will take us only so far but will not change the destiny of the nation and bring prosperity and peace to its people. Equally important is that the leadership has to restore faith in democracy through concrete result-oriented performance or face the consequences of a disillusioned public.

The action taken by NAB and a general outcry against corruption even though by some quarters with malefice intentions, has helped in reducing corruption. Anyone having credible evidence can report about corrupt practices to NAB and go to the press or lodge a complaint in the court. The NAB’s reputation of being partial toward the ruling party and unduly harsh on opposition leaders needs to be addressed seriously.

There are other areas that need to be looked into and focused on if corruption at the national level is to be curtailed. The structure of political parties, their source of funding, practices and overall culture has to be revisited to fight the curse of corruption. Think tanks and civil society should play a role in educating the public and especially the younger generation on the value of clean politics.

The PTI brought in new and younger faces into the party but they have been generally disappointing and a drag, with the exception of a few.

Imran Khan’s political struggle spanning over two decades had raised hopes of change and high expectations. But the colourless performance of the government and its heavy leaning on the establishment has soiled his reputation. With the opposition up in arms he has hardly any space left for manoeuver.

As long as the old politicians with a poor reputation hold the reins of power in government and in opposition parties there is little hope for change. So, power has to pass to a relatively more enlightened and untainted leadership. But in the near future this transformation is not on the horizon.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27^th, 2021.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.