Focusing on improving governance

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It seems Pakistan's conflictual politics leading to the present stalemate is likely to prolong as attempts to further weaken and crush PTI continue. With no serious opposition and country's politics in disarray, the establishment's hold on power has further consolidated. What is even more troubling is that there is no serious awareness or discussion in the parliament and think-tanks, suggesting that this state of power play is likely to continue despite its long-term adverse consequences.

The economy too is extremely weak and the country is heavily dependent on international donors like IMF and World Bank as well as oil-rich countries for aid and financial support. This too has been the situation since the country's inception and is unlikely to change as the focus of leadership is more on borrowing, and there is hardly any serious effort at achieving self-reliance. Not realising that a dependent economy – apart from compromising political independence and national stature – has aggravated hardships of the masses, and has serious consequences, undermining the country's inherent strength and stability.

These economic and political challenges are well known, discussed and documented but we have found no effective means of overcoming them. Clearly, it is a reflection on the past and present leadership. But we cannot merely bemoan and keep harping on this theme with little effort on getting out of this dilemma. The realisation among the people that it is in the vital interest of the nation that the government operates within the constitutional boundaries still remains weak.

Unless serious corrective measures are undertaken by the political leadership and establishment hierarchy to get over these transgressions, there will be no change. Failing which, it is only the people's unified resistance to these distortions and expressed will for democratic governance that can prove effective. Moreover, the media and think-tanks have to play a critical role in arousing awareness and changing the political dynamic.

With politics in disarray and the economy in freefall, Pakistan's strategic power and influence has considerably diminished. This is unfortunate and not surprising that India, especially since PM Modi has been in power, has taken full advantage of it. His refusal to engage with Pakistan and frequent disparaging remarks about its leadership betray the extent of damage that political infighting and derailing of democracy has done to the country and its people. So, our greatest challenge is to overcome these weaknesses as there are no shortcuts or substitutes to it. But will those very leaders, who are responsible for creating these distortions or are now relishing it, will be willing to change and conform to the writ of the Constitution.

Perhaps what is not realised is that these distortions and internal weaknesses are also adversely impacting foreign relations. Although, Pakistan by virtue of its strategic location and nuclear and conventional force capability and being the second most populous Muslim country should have been playing a more active and effective role in the region and internationally.

We should also be mindful that it is not possible to separate foreign policy from the conditions prevailing in the country. The issues of poverty, foreign aid and migration of our people in search of better livelihood and in response to natural disasters, war on terror and the personal desire and ambition for a better life, have all now become inseparable from foreign policy issues.

There also has to be greater awareness and serious assessment of how the government is handling the economy, and whether people are showing their party preferences on this basis or not. If there is not sufficient public pressure for better governance then the country is likely to remain in a state of decline. These shortcomings point toward the urgency on the part of leadership to focus on overcoming these issues through well-planned and coordinated effort among major political parties and the military. But so far, we do not see any effort in that direction.

In a democratic milieu, opposition has a critical role to play. With PTI in disarray and Imran Khan and many of its senior leaders facing long-term prison sentence and the possibility of Khan making a comeback uncertain, the party seems abandoned. With no significant opposition in the parliament, the country's democracy has seriously suffered. The question is whether serious thought was given and consequences anticipated by decimating a viable opposition and a popular leader. Clearly, it will further weaken our already frail democracy. It is always advisable for the leadership to think through the broader and long-term implications of making these critical decisions. It is expected that the Sharif brothers, having themselves been subjected to similar treatment and faced imprisonment, would move the country towards norms in vogue in mature democracies.

Another area that needs special attention is the state of security in KP and Balochistan, especially in the border areas facing Afghanistan. News of casualties occurring in these areas are reported regularly and our troops and those living on the borders are making great sacrifices to defend the country. It is, however, not certain if the federal government is keeping a close watch and depending primarily on the army leadership and provincial leadership to deal with the situation.

The government, apart from fully supporting the army for its war on terror, should also support the provincial governments of KP and Balochistan for its economic uplift. These two provinces have also been burdened by millions of Afghan refugees.

As international attention to Afghanistan has diminished, critical issues facing these provinces need to be addressed with the full support of the army and the federal government.

At this point of time when the country faces multiple challenges, leaders are expected to essentially focus on governance and improving the economy and seriously addressing the security situation.

Our leadership probably overlooks or is not even cognisant of the fact that they have special responsibility towards the country that was created by the determination and resolve of millions of Muslims of the subcontinent under the dynamic and unwavering leadership of the Quaid-e-Azam. It has to live up to his expectations. The holy month of Ramazan offers the best opportunity to make a renewed resolve to achieve this goal.