Of its own making

Pakistan’s pursuit of democracy never really got going. The great Mr Mohammad Ali Jinnah laid out his clearly defined plans for a secular (that contentious word, the nature of which is beyond Pakistan to fathom) country, a democratic nation, which would take its proper and rightful place in the world of the 20th century.

But then, thrice in the eleven months left to him of life, during which he ruled (yes, ruled) ‘his’ Pakistan, he denied democracy on three occasions; in East Bengal, in the North West Frontier Province, as it was called then, and in Sindh. But this is all old hat. Apart from the fact that if at the birth of a nation, it sets off on the wrong path with a leadership unable or unwilling — the 1949 Objectives Resolution for instance — to steer its country in the right direction, then chances are that rot will set in. And as with rot, unless it is quickly demolished, it spreads with a vengeance.

So, here we are in the 21st century, with a past about which little good can be said with a sizeable number of the country’s citizens crowing about the fact that a government, termed democratic but which really has had little to do with that adjective, is about to do what previously supposedly no democratically-elected government has been able to do — complete its constitutional term.

Enabling factors to this have been US support for what it greatly aided in installing in 2008; the fading away of the allure of the army, that most powerful, most monetarily-endowed and most disciplined of institutions due to the horrendous blunders made by the last military man to rule and subsequent revelations of the misdeeds of a mass of generals. Of course, never forgetting the street-smart skills and manipulatory tactics of the accidental president who certainly knows his onions and how to consolidate them when it comes to his own political standing.

A master craftsman in self-preservation, but at what cost to his country, economically, morally (a decline most frightening) and to the lives, properties and general well-being of the many deprived citizens. Can Pakistan afford another of his terms in office? The answer, on performance grounds, would seemingly and realistically be ‘no’.

But as things stand, who or what is the alternative? Theories and suspicions are rife. Elections are scheduled, constitutionally, but when has the Constitution been able to over-ride the personal whims of those who have managed in one way or another to gain, grab or be catapulted into power?

One theory being floated as to how the incumbent will continue to remain in office, and keep that precious immunity intact, is that he may be tempted to use his considerable wits to postpone the elections. But then, as people bandy, how will the Supreme Court and the mighty supreme military react to such a move? As it is, the relationship between Court and government and army and government is on rocky ground. So any out-of-the-box move at self-perpetuation is not likely to be welcomed by the other powers that be — and that surely includes the media. He needs to think very carefully about springing a surprise as chances are it will backfire.

Then there is the feeling that, as far as we can gauge, everyone and that includes the important two other great powers, being fed up with the president and his non-performing tainted companions in government and coalition, some means will be brought about to install a medium to long-term non-political interim government given the task to sort out the mess that has been made. Sorting out is a tough one, as is the installation. The politicos will oppose it tooth and nail. Being deprived of their easy access to the wealth and assets of the state, and the accompanying pomp they demand will not be taken lightly.

The alternative — hold the elections on time, let the mess ensue, and let Pakistan stew in the juice of its own making.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2012.