The cost of confrontation

It does not augur well for a state if its vital organs compete or fear each other. A state, like an organism, owes its survival and healthy development to its functioning organs and a high level of cooperation among them. The entire body suffers when an organ fails to provide sustained support to others. Cooperation is always driven by a higher purpose which makes it quite natural for organs to embrace one another without “preconditions” or demand for preferential treatment by any organ.

This natural order of excellent cooperation in organisms can hardly be found in entities (states and organisations) precisely because of multiple identities and varied levels of consciousness at play. In the case of individual organisms, all organs are controlled by brain assisted by an extended nervous system. Communication breakdown and/or any damage to neuron cells in the brain can cause paralysis. But unlike organisms, being the products of nature, states and organisations are social constructions imbibed with many imperfections.

One of the key causes of non-cooperation among socially constructed entities is the absence of a higher purpose (collective conscience) — a moral compass which generally transcends immediate benefits and instant gratification or a sincere attachment to it. The purpose reflects something more aspirational and gives people a sense of meaning and direction. Leaders have to communicate the purpose with authenticity and constancy through their actions more than slogans. A disconnect with the higher purpose or lack of its genuineness means paralysis of the entire system.

In Pakistan, the system of governance seems to have lost its contact with a higher purpose and almost all institutions are, in essence, in a state of disarray. They work as if they do not belong to one entity with an overarching objective. The three vital organs — Legislature, Executive and Judiciary — are engaged in a kind of turf wars despite clear demarcations of their powers and functions in the constitution.

Pakistan, though not yet a failed state, has all the symptoms of a weak state. We have yet to set our country’s direction right in terms of reconciling its ideological roots with the demands of globalisation, balancing various competing institutional forces, and most importantly, working on a new blueprint for social harmony. Cutting itself of its roots would be as much pernicious for its physical health and wellbeing as is living aloof from the outside world. Similarly, the constant tug of war among state institutions has the potential to cause irreparable damage to Pakistan as an integrated and viable entity. The recent accountability process and the way issues of national importance are being sorted out amply demonstrate disunity to the core.

Both accountability and unity are undoubtedly essential for dealing effectively with the current and emerging challenges but this requires sagacity and sincerity. Instead of going public with statements that could provoke anti-state sentiments, it seems more prudent to discuss vital issues inside parliament and other forums in an environment of trust and mutual accommodation with all stakeholders on board. In WWII, Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin, who were ideologically poles apart and ruled powerful countries, joined hands to fight the Nazi Germany until its ultimate defeat. They did not allow their egos to come in the way of fighting a big threat!

Existential challenges such as the imminent financial default, the resurrection of terrorism in KP, and the fallout of global geo-political landscape — coupled with the bulging young population, rising inflation and unemployment — should open up our eyes before it is too late. Our leaders should stop defending their turfs and fiefdoms for the sake of saving Pakistan from sinking. Populism, the politics of hatred and institutional confrontation constitute a toxic combination for any country to endure! Let us start from the principle of mutual acceptance and go ahead with necessary constitutional/institutional reforms necessary for steering the country from quagmire it has stuck in for so long.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 26^th, 2022.

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