Changing Pakistan’s chaotic democratic culture

The political scene in Pakistan gives an impression as though the country is engaged in a war on itself. The type of language used against each other by political leaders and the intense venom and dislike for the opponent crosses all boundaries of normal etiquette and established practices in functional democracies. This undesirable behaviour, apart from severely damaging national image, has serious consequences on the economy and political future of the country. What is not being realised is that it has contributed to disillusioning the masses about democracy which historically has been anemic and subject to manipulation.

The popularity and following of Imran Khan is huge and has remained largely unaffected even while his party is in opposition. This is being repeatedly demonstrated the way he attracts people – mostly young but also aged, besides women in significant numbers. It is somewhat unfortunate that he is not actualising this potential in his position as the opposition leader by staying away from the parliament. This indifference, bordering on contempt towards basic democratic norms, is certainly not in the interest of the country, its people, his political party or for himself. His rather aggressive comments on military leadership in public, expressing his annoyance for not supporting him politically, is incomprehensible. The military leadership after years of involvement in politics has realised that it is time to stay away and let democracy take root. However, it would take time for the system to adjust to this change as being demonstrated by the reaction of PTI leadership. The unfavourable international environment, the changed domestic political scenario and critical economic conditions demand that democratic institutions are strengthened to face and overcome the crisis. Galloping inflation due to exorbitant increase in the prices of oil and gas has hit the poor and lower middle class. The collapse of Sri Lanka’s economy should be a warning as to what extent the present international crisis can damage a country if appropriate measures are not adopted.

Moreover, there is a growing resentment against dynastic politics, and treating the political party as a personal fiefdom has to be abandoned. Genuine elections for party leadership and appointments on the basis of merit should be the norm. For democracy to take root political parties have to be internally democratic. The accusation of corruption that is constantly hurled by Imran Khan on the leadership of PML-N and PPP has not only damaged the reputation of these leaders and their parties but of the country as well. Foreign investors are shy of investing in Pakistan fearing this trend. The young PML-N leadership, Maryam Nawaz and Hamza Shehbaz, and PPP’s Bilawal Bhutto are showing promise. They or any other leader of their parties, elected through an open process, should take charge and the old guard should give way. The temptation to cling to power is too strong in nascent democracies especially if there is vested interest involved. These veterans played their role in building the parties under very trying conditions. On many an occasion, they had to face imprisonment, for genuine and sometimes for trumped-up cases.

Another factor largely ignored in our politics and in developing countries is the criticality of honest conduct in affairs of the state and personal behaviour. Any departure or omission should result in the incumbent resigning. But the cost the party and the country are paying for leaders not adhering to basic norms of political conduct perhaps is not being recognised or given due weightage.

There is no concept of manipulation of votes through unfair means or by the coercion of state institutions which has, on occasions, been a practice in our country in the past and hopefully not the case now. Seldom is an election, and more so a bye-election in Pakistan, challenged for its veracity by the losing party; and few elections are without political and social anguish. So, one is really at a loss when Imran Khan seeks the help of the military, especially when the latter has realised that its involvement over the years in politics has not been beneficial for democracy and the country. His own admission that his party was supported in its protests by the army leadership in the past does not reflect well on our political culture and to perpetuate it would be no service to the country. More importantly, we also need to develop a culture of losing elections gracefully and the party playing an effective role in opposition and conducting itself seriously as a government in waiting.

The fallout of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and US-Chinese strategic rivalry has resulted in galloping inflation and placing unparallel challenges on countries like ours that demand greater prudence and close cooperation among political parties and within institutions. It would be extremely unwise to pursue the opposite policies that breed venom and constant confrontation. Let us also be clear that in this scenario the mismatch between the national resources and the magnitude of task is far too great and is getting worse due to continuous infighting among political parties.

In the life of nations conflicts and major political and economic crises have also been a turning point in changing the destiny and direction of nations. We have several examples when nations have risen literary from ashes. But for that the country needs a different type of leadership with a different intellectual and moral caliber, orientation and commitment. We are unlikely to have that good fortune but what we have is millions of well-meaning people all yearning for a better life and a fairer deal. So, it is for the media, the social media, intellectuals and think-tanks that can arouse consciousness of the masses to put pressure on political leadership to reorient their priorities, change the nature of politics that serves the people rather than their self. There is no reason why Pakistan should remain in political limbo, relegate itself as an economic laggard and be a victim of strategic confusion. Surely, it deserves better should be our passion.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2022.

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