amina.jilani@tribune.com.pk
Nawaz Sharif’s perspective on democracy swivels around the dollar and the stock market, two rather dicey, mysteriously manipulated factors that according to him, have aided the world in recognising that “Pakistan is firmly entrenched on the course to democracy”. At least, he sensibly admits to be “on the course”, the problem being staying the course.
Supposedly, according to the largely un-interpretable and ignored Constitution, the form of democracy is parliamentary. But that is not how it works. For five years, after the 2008 elections and the unsurprising result, the country and parliament were ruled from the splendours of the presidential palace by a political party chief — democracy’s prime ministers and other dummy political appointees faithfully toed the presidential line, wise monkeys all of them. The main and much-lauded achievement of the party leader was that he actually lasted out for the full five-year term.
Then suddenly, come the next round of constitutionally mandated elections, following the traditions set in the 1990s, in comes the PPP rival, the PML-N whose chief moves all powers out of the presidency and into the prime ministerial mansion. An obscure party-man, unknown to almost everyone, but who has the happy knack of knowing which edibles are most appreciated by those who matter, is installed in the presidency from whence, from time to time, statements to no avail are issued — the rulers of the day are working devotedly and honestly, the $1.5 billion is a manifestation of the “love and affection” of the donor “brother and true friend”. But then he has probably never heard of Chanakya: “There is no friendship without self interests. This is a bitter truth.”
The powerful prime minister may waffle on about democracy, the world being his oyster, but he has neither the time nor inclination for parliament. It is irrelevant, the “people’s representatives”, who represent the people in no way, are but phantoms of parliamentary democracy. The prime minister has handed over the day-to-day running of the country to two men, one connected faithfully to his family for donkey’s years, the financial conjurer, the other a political companion, also for more years than should be remembered, with a remarkable consistency as far as coiffure is concerned and a tendency towards tediousness in many other matters.
Parliament, most of the time, is unaware of how things happen. It had no clue about the whys and wherefores of the largesse gifted by “brother and true friend”, it is puzzled about the transient mighty rupee versus the might of the dollar, and it is in the dark about the never-ending controversial “talks” masterminded by the superb jack of all trades, the IntMin. The political charade of jaw-jawing with an adversary of irreconcilable aims and beliefs (to the sane, but maybe not to the many in the closet, and the great aspiring to further greatness) defies rationality. But then, in the game of political self-preservation where stands rationality?
The prime minister’s concern is with the world, which he trots around, grim-faced, making persuasive noises to all that Pakistan, forgetting the horrors and danger that lurk beneath, is flourishing, wallowing in democracy. That’s for the Western democratic lot. On another tack, he and his financial conjurer are busy, in the words of a headline of an editorial, “Leasing out Pakistan.” So the trio that now seemingly controls the nation, with an unusual silence and hands-off stance of the true might of the land, are selling — not its soul, that went long ago — its future as an integral entity of this century.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 29th, 2014.
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Amina Jilani showed great insight into what is happening in Pakistan, but he could have been writing about most countries. Residents of Asian countries such as Pakistan and India are quite rightly envious of other countries, particularly Western countries, because they have a higher stand-of-living. What they do not realize is that the people in those countries know that what is happening in Pakistan is happening everywhere. They have not descended to Pakistan's level yet. Many economists who are aware understand that economies everywhere are leveling out, and by the year 2030 everybody may well be in the same boat. For example, Australia is slowly, but not too slowly, being progressively bought out by multi-nationals and wealthy foreign interests. As a result the Australian people are being squeezed, and together with the dreadful loss of jobs, and lack of control over the Government are doing it tough. Australians now are living off their savings, and investments, which will not last forever. Pakistan is currently catching up with Western countries and privatizing everything, which means that service will deteriorate, and costs will go up. Best of luck Pakistan.
It is said that the lion of Punjab spends hours in front of the mirror practicing his grim faced look. The same one that he has trade marked:: " my feet are hurting and I have just swallowed a lemon look." He thinks it befits his office. The responsibility, the stature, the solemness, the deep thinking required. Considering his handlers are advising him to abstain from this bereaved look....and get a more cherubic visage.
Madam, Thought I really appreciate your thoughts, you are only one of the few with clear thinking. Alas, its of no use. The pseudo intellectuals in this country love this kleptocracy since they are also part of this loot sale. You don't have to go far to listen or read the mantra of system will clean itself out in few election cycles. LOL, the end result will be Maryam, Humza and Bilawal.
"“Leasing out Pakistan.” So the trio that now seemingly controls the nation, with an unusual silence and hands-off stance of the true might of the land, are selling — not its soul, that went long ago — its future as an integral entity of this century."
Too bad Pakistan, you chose this road of pain and misery..And the worse is yet to come.
There is no way to hide from the karmic hisaab kitaab. When human rights are mauled at the altar of bigotry, no other outcome can be expected other than disgrace. The saga began with petty beings playing God when they judged the faith of others. Trespassing in divine realms is forbidden for a reason.
Nicely written...........those responsible for bringing the country to this state, do not in reality live in this country. They stay here out of necessity but live and hold their wealth abroad, this has been designed by themselves so that they do so without breaking the law. It does not take much to realise as to why this country has not progressed and will not progress, unless a major paradigm shift is made.