The writer is Editor of The Express Tribune
We may all love to hate Asif Ali Zardari but his biggest achievement was that he managed to hold together a democratically elected government, be it comprising largely of crooks and buffoons, for five years. The coalition partners in his government blackmailed and blackballed while the establishment played its usual politics of deception. Ironically, history will remember Zardari as the president who sacrificed the party for the sake of democracy.
Zardari survived, helped along the way by a number of factors. Credit must be given where it is due: his ability to lead and mislead, to promise and procrastinate, to agree then disagree and in all this keep a smile on his face.
But he smiled while we cried. In the past five years, governance was poor, corruption endemic and nepotism at its peak. Many a time it was the Supreme Court’s interventions that helped stay the course of the country when it seemed all else had failed.
And yet there was a silver lining. The immediate benefit of Pakistan’s first democratic transfer of power has been an over 60 per cent turnout at the polling stations. This happened because the government agreed to a neutral election commission and a caretaker government selected by consensus.
Looking back, where did our Grand Old Party go wrong? Some say this is not the PPP of the Bhuttos but that of the Zardaris. For an average Pakistani, this doesn’t make a difference given that the tenures of Ms Benazir Bhutto as prime minister weren’t spectacular either. But for the PPP worker, the fact that they see their party being stolen from within makes a big difference.
But there is more. The composition of the Central Executive Committee changed over the years to include friends and family of the President. This stifled any room for debate within the party.
Nepotism didn’t end there. Friends who were first made members of the party were given ministries. Incompetent people were given responsibilities they could not handle. One former chairman of NADRA’s CV sent to the media listed how he was related to the Prime Minister as part of his qualifications. A medical doctor was appointed finance director of the CAA for several years only because he was related to the president. Examples abound.
And of course, the corruption. How a minister in Sindh fought for years with the World Bank to reduce the pass percentage for appointment of teachers in a WB funded program only so he could stuff his candidates – many of whom had paid money to get the jobs. Sadly, his example was not an exception. Jobs were sold in almost all government departments.
It is a sad reality that both prime ministers had corruption cases against them or against members of their family. And these are not political cases. These are genuine cases of theft. Other former senior ministers also have cases against them.
If that wasn’t enough, there was the lack of foresight. The party had no economic plan. Stuffed with landlords, the party’s policies went against business and industry – the prime drivers for economic activity and employment. Money was extracted for almost everything – from the usual discriminatory corporate taxes to levies for floods and other natural disasters. No attempt was made to make the rich agriculturist pay.
What alienated the donors as well as the corporate sector was that their money was being misused and abused while the rich in Pakistan made no sacrifice.
In the final analysis, the voter was not impressed and rightly so. With law and order in a mess, the economy choking for survival and most of the plans of the government yet to be implemented, the party was voted out. We know all this. The question is how will the party learn from its mistakes? One indication that no lessons have been learnt is that Qaim Ali Shah is being considered for the CM Sindh position. Now we have to suffer him for another five years. God have mercy on us.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 27th, 2013.
COMMENTS (9)
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Yeah, from many years plutocracy and political corruption goes hand in hand in our country... BUT this is the time to turn on your mind ECP, because it’s very disgraceful that with all electronic and modern technology, election commissions failed to deliver, what Pakistani expected from them. Basically, they should need to rectify the electoral process (such as the entrance criteria for politicians should be strict, the voting system should be electronic like NADRA etc.) While, lot of corrupt politicians have already come into governance, so under this “Elected government” thinking about a well established “Karachi” (Free from all troubles) might be a dream. But let’s hope and pray that May Allah bless Pakistan and make it safe by night and day.. Ameen
Well it’s over now; everyone has witnessed the crushing defeat of Pakistan People’s Party. But besides this, one good thing is that many big names tendered their resignations accepting responsibility for party’s dismal showing which is quite appreciable. And it makes some sense.
One necessarily has to face downfall. And I am agreeing nothing is learnt from this white wash. Feudalism will remain in the roots of our country. I wonder Qaim Ali Shah is so old, how can he be “selected”, oh I am sorry elected for the 3rd time as Chief Minister.
Manzoor Wassan Sahb, Sorry this time your dream of a young CM could not turned out true. Keep dreaming!!
Of course this is your editor. It explains everything!
Loss of PPP in elections has many reasons. You have been kind and pointed only few. No one should be allowed to rule us without accountability. That is check system which keep beaurocracy and politicians within tracks. Corruption can not be eliminated but can be controlled. Alas, ppp put no such efforts at all. May I correct your kindness regarding a doctor, relative of president worked in civil aviation. Fact is he is CSS officer belongs to DMG group and had never practiced medicine!!!!
The voter turnout was 55.5 percent and not 60 percent!!
PPP lost because it could not do much for the masses of Pakistan while the high judiciary and establishment let the TTP run amok with their weapons on citizens particularly minorities. Let us see how and hope that the high judiciary does not continue to let loose the terrorists out of jail and TTP have mercy on their own supported leaders. If the rightwing govt of Sharif could make a meaningful change in the plight of citizens it has a right to rule as long as it serves.
Like they kept telling us 'Democracy is the best revenge',the people actually showed them how democracy is the best revenge..However the losers in this equation are the people of Sindh who again chose same people who failed to deliver in the last 5 years.Its clear that if the PPP doesent performs in these 5 years,its very existence might be in crisis in a few years time.
"This is not the first time that the PPP has received such a drubbing but if the party does not reinvent itself, it may well be the last" The editor of your esteemed paper is saying that if PPP doesn't reinvent it won't receive a drubbing next time around. Contradictory much?
Looking forward, looking back the life of minorities (non-Muslims, Ahmadis) did not change. Marginalized before and continue to be. Any "benefits" of nepotism and corruption never percolated to the permanently bullied, persecuted and sidelined. Looking forward, I pray: god have mercy on them.