The PML-N’s Dilemma

PM must at least do something about one important aspect of the govt that is failing him: information and perception

In the age of information, it doesn’t matter who wins elections or wars — what matters more is whose story wins. The PML-N is reluctant to recognise this fact, even after the landslide victory in the 2013 elections. If anything, the lesson it learnt was the exact opposite: whatever the perception, elections are won by votes and numbers – not realising that elections may be won by votes but legitimised or de-legitimised by perception.

Similar is the perception of almost all the development work carried out by the PML-N government. Speaking in terms of sheer numbers, there has not been a government in the history of Pakistan that has kick-started more development work across Pakistan, forged close international alliances to initiate projects like the CPEC, refused involvement in the Yemen war, carried out the controversial but much needed Karachi operation, and acted against militants all over the country. Compare it with any era in Pakistan, especially that of the previous PPPP government and there is not a question that the current government has its head and heart in the right place and Pakistan is much better today in terms of both the economy and security than it was in 2013.

Yet, the PML-N government is struggling for legitimacy, let alone getting its fair share of credit. It’s puzzling to see how such a powerful government, with so much under its belt, has in the past two years gotten itself stuck in an awkward political and civil-military balance, in which it is reduced to a sandbag. For every policy, those against, will blame the PML-N and those in support, will credit the ‘other’ Sharif. Be it an average man on the street, or Pakistanis living abroad, the PML-N government is struggling to secure credit for its hard work.

The irony is that with an entire Ministry of Information, Pakistan Television Network (PTV), the PML-N’s communication wing and numerous other departments at its disposal, the mighty government, with a total of 166 seats in the parliament, vindicated by the Judicial Commission Report, has not been able to remove the stain of rigging or place itself as people friendly or pro-development. On the other hand, one tweet from the DG ISPR sets the entire national narrative. Never mind the military, a single call by Imran Khan to develop the Metro project in Peshawar somehow makes the project ‘justified’ despite years of criticism against the same project in Lahore. One stands to ask, why? Is it the incompetency, or inadaptability of the PML-N’s political leadership to the changing environment? A mix of both may be?

It may be hard love for the Prime Minister, but without base line reforms in his operations, and internal accountability of the cabinet ministers, he will remain troubled by political instability either in the form of Imran Khan or shadow forces that will continue to take advantage of the situation. Never mind the extensive governance reforms or flashy result-based monitoring systems to ensure performance of the government, the PM must at least do something about one important aspect of the government that is failing him and his entire political setup: information and perception.

For the sake of stability in Pakistan, and his own government, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should at least put a professional minister in the Information Ministry. Pervez Rashid, a brilliant man, whose integrity could not be questioned, has however, failed as an information minister – something that he may not even deny himself. Moreover, Muhammad Malick, sitting at one of the most resourceful positions as PTV Chairman, has been absent ever since his appointment, practically destroying what little was left of PTV and in the process, damaging the government. The PML-N’s communications team, on the other hand, is busy in social media wars with the PTI, believing the frequency of  PML-N ‘trends’ over PTI’s as an indicator of success. The truth is that social media, especially Facebook and Twitter, doesn’t change perception – it only reinforces the perception of your own voters.

Unless and until the PML-N doesn’t change its traditional style of governance and put professional people at the helms of information and communication, the CPEC and NAP alone won’t be able to bring about political stability. That strong lobby within the PML-N that thinks that it can carry on without adapting to the new environment, has already done enough damage to the party. Time for the PM to clean his house before nature intervenes.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2015.

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