The irony of non-serious politics

It was ANP's government in K-P (2008-2013). The savvy Chief Minister along with the Governor and the Corps Commander would visit GHQ, for what was later known as the 'Apex Committee' meetings, and take the Army Chief into confidence on myriad issues, with terrorism and the province's chronic financial woes topping the agenda. The COAS would, consequently, intercede with the PPP-led Federal Government, and K-P would get handsome handouts. The result: one district where I belong today has two universities (including one for women), a medical college and a state of the art medical centre, in addition to infrastructure development. Fast forward. Islamabad. During a meeting with another former Chief Minister, from PTI, who despite the military background, was unnecessarily gung-ho. Once reminded of the ANP modus operandi with the Centre, as witnessed by me, he laughed and said K-P had no dearth of funds. To this, my stark reminder was the province's inability to pay teachers.

Agitational politics, whipping up youth sentiment, has its obvious pitfalls. Any politician and any political party, worth its name, must hold supreme the welfare of its people…the electorate –always and every time. There is no going around this cardinal principle, and there is no other sure bet to win elections without it. Leaders do not abandon their cadres, and do not run away once the chips are down, and they do not hide as guests with some political 'untouchables' in tribal fiefs, leaving their political rank and file directionless, dispirited and feeling betrayed and abandoned.

Political flexibility is the name of the game. Any politician, who does not understand the 'constants' of Pakistan's 'enduring political culture', has no right to represent people, on whatever pretext. Emotional sloganeering and social media activism, without service delivery is political suicide. In a Federation, where the big brother Punjab has numbers; smaller federating units have to meander carefully, to be able to pick up larger than their due share. This is Pakistan's undeniable, hard and democratic reality.

The Government of K-P must be of the K-P, by the KP and for the KP. With no interest in running the affairs of the terror-ridden province, chasing distant ideals, for obscure reasons, under insurmountable odds is no sensible politics. It is childish and nonsensical. Remaining within the Constitution, without foul-mouthing this or that institution, and remaining on good working relationship with the Centre, despite political differences, is pragmatic politics. Sulking and brooding thereafter in palatial CM House that people did not rise (thankfully), once shown the door, and feeling abandoned and complaining betrayal is vengeful and of no consequence. Our primary school headmaster would say, 'time has a tail that is in front, not behind.' Cannot catch it once it passes and slips. Comparatively, with no love lost for PML(N)-led dispensation in Punjab, I think Lahore gets a hell of a good advice, except for the cheap gimmicks of personality projection.

Two issues surface. Long march and terrorism. As stated by the Interior Minister, the 'Long March' was no issue, as the thinking at the Centre was: a) it will not gain momentum; b) it will fizzle out on motorway within K-P; and c) the Centre would deal effectively with the remaining marchers, if and when in the Federal Capital. The last episode being a case in point. In any case, conquering Islamabad, making a laughingstock of the country when foreign dignitaries were visiting, forcing the fickle-headed security establishment to barricade 'Fortress Islamabad' by commandeering privately-owned containers and creating immense hardships for the general public is no smart politics, and this trend needs to come to an end for good, sooner than later. Civility and maturity in politics is what Pakistan needs. No wonder politicos command no respect.

Second, terrorism. Yes, situation in parts of K-P – especially the southern districts – needs immediate attention. As mentioned in this space, in addition to the Afghan swamp, terrorism also has an internal dimension. And this lies squarely within the provincial government domain, yes with Federal assistance. Police needs reform, reorganisation, relief, resolute leadership and recoupment, in direction, manpower, weapons and equipment. The abandoned US weapons and military hardware in the hands of terrorists outgun and outsmart police. Pashtun sociology respects success, so local success by terrorists et al gives their recruitment a boost. Police leadership needs to be resolute, and on the same page. Police martyrs must get the respect, support and recognition they deserve. These are administrative matters squarely within the provincial purview. But when the provincial leadership, during such critical times, is busy sloganeering atop containers – abdicating its immediate and urgent functions – this is criminal neglect.

When the provincial leadership emphasises non-military means against terrorists, then it needs to demonstrate its will; put its intentions into action; and show the needed spine to stand up with the LEAs. Meek statements, weak and late denunciations, belated visits to the scenes of terrorism and affected families, and 'running with the hare and hunting with the hounds' is not a strategy that would have gotten the PTI-led provincial government very far. And it surely did not, putting an end to PTI's 13-year stint in government, with no spectacular achievements to be shown, on a par with ANP's single stint, except for the eyesore of Peshawar Metro bus (jangla bus) that has ruined whatever remains of an idyllic Peshawar.

Third, the Federal Government. Without any tilt towards any political dispensation, except for Pakistan, it is fair to say that the Federal Hybridism, this time around, played more mature, savvy, tolerant and patient. They ran the full course of political process with negotiations continually making no headway with the PTI-led provincial apex. The childish obduracy repeatedly obstructed compromise, leaving recourse to hard options thinkable. Centre commendably showed the spine. Administration, in its true sense, is always about spine, protecting national interests and serving the public. There was no dithering once the decision was made. Keeping the PPP on board, and dangling carrot to JUI (F) astute politics of accommodation.

If present is any guide, PTI has lost Punjab to Maryam's delivery; Sindh and Balochistan were never for it to take; even K-P would be 'doubtful', if not outright impossible, during next elections. PTI-led corruption is still to surface.

I am keeping my fingers crossed!