Optimism versus reality

Looking back, it is somewhat difficult to reconcile with the almost euphoric optimism that has heralded in the third coming of Mian Nawaz Sharif, as the head of government, of a country still diagnosed by concerned international observers as the most dangerous country in the world — due to its duality of terrorism and a hefty nuclear arsenal.

The general outpouring of bonhomie towards Nawaz Sharif follows a well set pattern. Successive governments of Pakistan have been so awful that each time one has gone, it has left unmourned — or rather, the leaving has been cause for celebration. So, whenever or whatever has come in, be it civilian or military, has been received with equal celebrations engendered by the all-round (often misplaced) belief that what comes cannot be worse than what has gone.

Admittedly, for the past five years, Mr Sharif has not only made the right noises but has done what democrats claim to be the right and proper things. However, some of this great optimism seems a little odd — hope over experience so to speak.

He had his two chances in the destructive 1990s. He seemed then to be a confrontationist at heart, taking on all and sundry when, in power, and also in those days when, in opposition. So, on his showing over the past five years, has he done what the sages maintain cannot be done? He has sat by calmly and watched a descent into unparalleled corruption and a total disregard for the national interest, the growth by leaps and bounds of the energy crisis, which he now has prominently on his list of priorities and about which, he sensibly has made no false promises of a quick fix.

Then comes terrorism, which like the drones is not going to go away. His plan to “talk” has been shot down. Not that any “talks” with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TPP) could possibly, in any way, have yielded any, even dim results. How do you “talk” to those who have a fixed agenda, as fixed as their warped mindsets, who have made it eminently clear that they will not bend to any deviation from intent? And that brings us to law and order without which, no progress can be made on any front. How can that be tackled? Where is the will and manpower, where is the reformed national mindset that will submit to law and order, which has been so glaringly absent for decades? It’s a tough call with the TTP and the religious right (of many shades) stalking the land, along with religious intolerance far from on the wane and with laws in place which do the opposite from encouraging the lessening of bigotry and criminal opportunism.

Then, ah yes, the all-embracing, collapsing economy. Enough experts have come out with varied and conflicting advice on what the new government should do towards financial rehabilitation. A businessman he may well be, but what can Mr Sharif do with a nation which from top to bottom has no concept of, or is averse to, fiscal responsibility?

Worrisome are the people he has around him, few new faces — so much for change. He needs a fundamental change of actors.

We can do nothing but wait and hope.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2013.                                                                                          

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