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The media, of course, seems to be a willing partner. It even loves the game in which it may feel like a kingmaker when it is just another pawn. The protestors, their leadership and the media, which appears to be totally in love with these people at the moment, is fast creating and recreating myths and narratives. We are told that the country has arrived at a point when things couldn’t change except for this local version of Arab Spring. Anchors and analysts name Syria’s Assad and Egypt’s Mubarak in the same breath as the government in Pakistan.
Here one would like to give full marks to the PTI and the PAT for playing a strong hand at controlling the popular narrative. The long march, the reference to Syria and Egypt or Nelson Mandela and Mahatama Gandhi is meant to create a ‘shock effect’ meant to confuse people to an extent that they forget what they actually believe in or what is right or wrong. No one can deny the PTI and the PAT their right to protest.
No one even denies that the government ought to be blamed for not making an effort to improve governance. But how do we judge that we reached a point where strangulating a government through such actions was the only option? For every PTI/PAT worker we talk to, there are many more who complain about what the government could not achieve but they also mention what the government did achieve. But we don’t hear the other voice as loudly as those selling a ‘new’ Pakistan. For instance, it is difficult to hear that the metro bus project, which is irksome to many of the seemingly pro-poor and pro-people aunties and uncles of Islamabad, is considered a blessing by many of the low-income people who will save some money as a result. This is not to suggest that the government has a misplaced sense of prioritisation. There are many things that it could do which may not be visible but could have been better. But then ordinary people do look at infrastructure. For all Imran Khan’s claims that the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) love him because a lot of them voted for him, many are uncomfortable with his inability to deliver anything that he promised. Many Pakhtuns and other ethnicities from K-P talk about lack of infrastructure. The K-P government’s shortfalls never make it to the discussion table. Are we surprised?
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Drawing a comparison with the Middle East is also dangerous because while focusing on the euphoria around the change in Cairo (for instance) we forget the peculiarities of the case and that those that brought the change ultimately failed and were side lined. The liberal or moderate and educated youth of Egypt, who thought they tweeted Hosni Mubarak out of power, were never the victors. Interestingly, the PTI/PAT leaders are not the only ones creating a new Pakistan. There are others like the JI, the JuD and similar organisations that are engaging the other Pakistan through welfare and organising movements to protest the crisis in Gaza. We, on the other hand, are not sure who would Tahirul Qadri take on board to bring about a revolution. Furthermore, considering that the opposition and the ruling party are engaged in a zero-sum game, they could be pushing in a direction where everyone would beg for the military to intervene out of frustration. The current march would not do anything but push the country towards the ‘end of politics’ which only gives birth to extremities rather than find a permanent solution.
The possibility of a soft or hard military intervention or the religious right strengthening are not the only two issues. We are not even sure if the ‘naya Pakistan’ leadership will be able to deliver themselves. Lost in the popular narrative created by the media. do we ever look at the inner capacity of the new leadership? Why are all the big landowners and pirs that are part of the PTI and do not object when people come and bow down in front of them any different from those in the traditional parties which are now out of favour with the media and the evolving elite of this country? Are the PTI Makhdooms and real estate walas a different brand? Why does it seem that these people will not market themselves and standing up for the rights of the poor while looking down upon them? As per the new narrative, middle class, poor and governance are terms that sell quite well. Even those that are part of the elite will often present themselves as the middle class.
Can we consider the possibility that the actual middle class or the dispossessed would be happy with change but also intertwined with stability? We cannot afford to let this country slip into greater chaos and confusion where nothing makes sense and that entire people do is turn towards war lords. We are not Syria or Egypt as yet. But this also means that we must not lose sight of the need for a dialogue and for not playing a zero-sum game. Wish that instead of manipulating rhetoric the leadership of the marchers and the government would understand that we stand on the brink of becoming Syria or Nigeria like, especially when our dream gets shattered. It really hurts to see this country crash like this.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 21st, 2014.
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COMMENTS (29)
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Writer has touched the threshold of vulnerability of the situation for the middle class willing to entertain change at the risk of the crash due to exaggerated expectations of non objective politicians amplified by vested interest media houses. Damage is already done. A lot more is at risk. She is right.
The talk needs to be on what electoral reforms Sharif is willing to bring in rather than whether PTI/PAT or PML(N) are right or wrong. This article does nothing but to prolong the confusion. Ensuring that a country's government is forever accountable for it's resources needs to be the point at the centre of the PTI/PAT 'revolution'. Once we look at it that way, the protests make sense. What does Sharif have to hide by calling for biometric electoral reforms. Sharif has always tried to centralise power and always will. The only reason PTI has gone from being a non-party to nearly leader of the opposition is because simply want a change like this. Bring in reforms and then you will have democracy, and the focus can finally be on policy.
We should beleive in the existance of pakistan and we should pray 4 the pakistan instead of discusing democracy and dictatership..may Allah save our pakistan !!
I agree with the writer, electoral reforms should be the objective instead of destabilising government at this and needs to cool down the situation, but disagree humbly that country is going to fall, I do not think our country and society is as fragile as they often think. Country is going to survive after coming out of this hard phase.
Agree 100% with Amjad Pervez sahab.
@Imran Qadri - Sirji.. The comparisons between Bush/Clinton and Gandhi dynasties is out of place. The next generations of Bush & Clinton did benefit from the legacies of their predecessors. However still they too had to work hard and prove themselves and had qualifications from reputable universities. Unlike in India, where the name of Gandhi enthralled the masses (in the earlier years), wherein a Rahul Gandhi is simply thrust on us, without any qualifications, achievements or skills/ drive to lead the country, no questions asked.
Listening to Tahirul Qadri sounds like he's the cleric who is going to bring everything for public at their doorstep, when I see Imran Khan speaking he looks to be the type of leader we needed after Quaid E Azam, when Nawaz Sharif addresses, I find him taking Pakistan to a real prospers side, when Kaira is interviewed, I think it was his party who sacrificed for democracy always and reading Musharraf is some kind of reading a "saviour of country" in most difficult of times even though I've observed all of above stated lying and cheating on public at some stage, sometimes I doubt that they are magician and they are driving me crazy (perhaps it's my immaturity to understand politics). Allah knows exactly what are they making of/from/for this holy land. Long Live Pakistan!
As overseas Pakistanis we watch every turn and tumble of Pakistani affairs with baited breath.
Frankly speaking we don't particularly give a hoot who occupies the seat of power but what we do definitely demand is that those who are given the consent and the privilege to occupy such positions avail themselves to robust, transparent and independent accountability of their promises
When the basis of their success(or failure) is based on the above principles we may then begin a journey of mature and sensible politics which is less plagued by worship of cult personalaties or the sale of the soul to the highest bidders which may be of Pakistani origin or those international powers who wish to exploit their personal interests at the expense of our national priorities
@Imran Qadri: Bro, all your examples, are when people are elected to positions, and generally without rigging allegations. And you can also see how much criticism Bush got when he used his power/contacts to get bush junior out of the draft. Just cause other countries do it, still doesn't make it right.
Please tell me if Maryam Nawaz was elected to any position, or even interviewed for her current role as head of the loan scheme? Or was just a royal decree from King Sharif enough?
How convenient . Really.
This analysis by Ayesha is a masterpiece. Congratulations. The writing on the wall is clear. The politics of agitation and confrontation of the ninties, which everyone thought was buried, has returned with a vengeance. No need to compare with one-off international events viz. Arab Spring and Ukraine. Our own dark political history is full of every type of bad example to learn from but our collective memory is too short. Unfortunately, once again the nation is staring at an abyss.
@Bob: Pseudo-intellectuals of PTI, like you, have your own definition of democracy when you simply troll a person dubbed as Taliban Khan and Master of U-Turns. Regarding family in politics, enlighten your self with the following facts: USA had Kennedys family in government, George Bush was VP and then became President of USA & then George W Bush also remained President for two full terms. Bill Clinton remained President for two full terms and Hillary Clinton is the likely Presidential candidate. In India; 5th generation of Nehru/Gandhi family in politics/government [Moti Lal Nehru > son Jawahar Lal Nehru > his daughter Indra Gandhi> her son Rajiv Gandhi> his wife Sonia Gandhi & now her son Rahul Gandhi leading the Congress] and currently in opposition. In Bangladesh; Sh Mujeeb was f6ounding Prime minister and now his daughter Sh Haseena Wajid is Prime minister of BD. Sri Lanka's Prime Minister's father was also a Prime Minister... World's established democracies don't have any problem but a country tainted by frequent coup d'etat/ Martial Laws wants to surpass even the world's largest democracies with it's own definition :)
Azadi and Inquilab marches and dharnas are a reflection of the common people's frustration with the prevailing system in the country. Those sitting in the parliament and talking about supremacy of the constitution are forces of the status quo and beneficiaries of the current system. Justice, opportunities and relief must be provided to the common person which successive governments have failed to do.
Ostensibly, undemocratic ways of incumbent regime have precipitated this precarious turn and it should be accepted. Among two protagonist of change, Qadri has emerged more visionary, impressive, sober and statesman, particularly in the backdrop of his ominous presentiment about massive electoral fraud last year and clamours of reconstitution of ECP , when all pro-status-quo parties were united against him. Had Imran and other champions of democracy heeded his loud warnings and resorted to electoral reforms Qadri ardently espoused and spelled out since his massive Minar e Pakistan gathering in December 2012, things would have been different now. Unfortunately, almost every columnist including AyeshaSiddiqa dismissed Qadri last year as a charlatan.
TK has lost his mind and has exposed himself completely. Any practical output in Pakhtunkhwa since their govt took over, beside the collapse of ADP and its return to FDP, given and used for other parts of the country. Probably ET won't put this comment
@sadia: Do you even know the writer ? Please educate yourself before you end up with absurd statements just like your leader. I agree with the article that these marches would give role to army in politics and this country would never get the democracy then. Horrible situation.
Desperate times call for desperate measures..........wishing for the status quo to remain is simply prolonging a certain death.
Democracy? do we know what it means? There is another news item that during a year NS & company has raised more then Rs. 1.78Trillion in debt. Is this democracy? What a poor performance & NS is buying BMW cars. What about us (common people), who will pay back this debt? Have we ever given a thought?
And everyone wants to save democracy, so that they can keep on molesting the nation!
Go King Khan......GO!
would this tyranny of almost 7 decades come to an end ..... how people like you can call this system a democracy? either u r brainless or do not know what democracy is ....... simply insane
@abdul j: I agree, however in India a sole individual like Arvind Kejriwal or even his party cannot bring down a government or coerce a deal with the ruling government. Arvind Kejriwal knows full well that the only way he can usurp power is by winning elections.
If Arvind Kejriwal does anything similar to what Imran Khan is currently doing, he knows that he will meet the ire of the people who have already given their mandate to someone else. Kejriwal's mentor Anna Hazare succeeded only because he is considered apolitical.
You arm chair columnists. Why dont you visit the azadi march at azadi square and see the change with your own eyes there!
Imran khan is Arvind Kejriwal of pakistan, who put ego infront of their country and end up in history books sooner or later. The damage to economy by IK is huge, just like Ak had bite the dust in indian elections , IK would loose badly if elwctioms r held now.
Dear Writer, Orange revolution (2005) in Ukraine, recently Thailand and Bangladesh in past are also examples where popular uprisings against elected representatives did not result in chaos. Pakistan cannot be compared to Egypt simply because we have a thriving civil society and democracy of sorts unlike Egypt where dictatorship ruled for 30 odd years stifling freedom of expression fermenting intolerance with underground Brotherhood being the only organized opposition. I also believe in upholding the constitution, protecting our country from falling apart but watching common people of Pakistan men, women and children walk up the streets in Islamabad and claim what is rightfully theirs, truly inspirational. We as a nation have made many blunders, I pray let this be something to remember otherwise all will be lost.
It sure is a sad day!
Fear Fear Fear...only inculcate Fear and nothing else....the country is NOT crashing...it is going through its essential evolutionary process. All adolescents who encounter the pimple outbreak think that their world would come down crashing and no one will love with, but they survive. Please, stop shouting havoc all the time. P.S. I know the chances for this to get publish are skim but my simplistic argument is only because your argument deserves no better. Also, I am not a PTI supporter.
Fair piece. Yeah it hurts. ..but it also hurt when elections were rigged.
The threats to democracy raised in your article may be correct or these may be not, based on prejudice with army, that is debatable . However, you should have also shed some light on the reasons which prompted these marches and brought the situation this far. Firstly, IK has been persistence with his complains regarding 2013 Election rigging. But, the government did not bother paying any heed to this. In fact, government took it very non-serious and did nothing. Perhaps, the announcement of Supreme Court commission, a month earlier would have avoided all this debacle. Secondly, Punjab government was responsible for killing of 14 PAT workers, the worst kind of state terrorism seen in the history of Pakistan. If such an incident would have taken place in any other democratic state, the chief executive would have resigned at that very moment. So, Shabaz Sharif should have also resigned and there would have been no march by PAT. Albeit situation is not looking good, but even now, announcement of Mid term election can save the system.