(19th March 2013)
Pointless delay: Selecting interim set-ups
STRICTLY speaking, they are operating within the bounds of the constitution. But as our politicians try to pick a caretaker prime minister and chief ministers, they are only behaving in a way that undermines the democratic milestone within reach.
Having held on for five years, they could have led the country into its first uninterrupted change of government in a way that inspired voters` confidence and enthusiasm. Instead, the chaos and politicking of the last few days make them look like immature opportunists with no faith in their own kind.
One thing is quite clear: the preponderance of judges and bureaucrats among the nominees for caretaker prime minister indicate our politicians don`t think each other capable of credibility and impartiality. But even the process of selecting from among non-political names has become heavily politicised. The government revealed its choices very late in the game. Since then, the opposition and the ruling party have been publicly rejecting each other`s candidates rather than efficiently sorting out the issue behind closed doors, thereby increasing uncertainty among a population already living in perpetually volatile circumstances. The parliamentary-committee stage could be even worse; it has the potential to raisenew controversies about which opposition parties get to be on the committee. Thankfully there does seem to be an acknowledgement that the matter is best resolved before it goes to the Election Commission of Pakistan, a result that would demonstrate the complete inability of politicians to deal with the responsibilities that have come with the strengthening of the democratic system.
With the exception of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, matters are even worse at the provincial level, with little apparent movement towards an interim set-up in Punjab and Sindh. The less said about Balochistan the better; as of this writing the way forward there was entirely unclear, with lack of clarity even about who the leader of the opposition is and whether the chief minister enjoyed a majority when the assembly was dissolved. Making this more frustrating is the fact that, under a newly empowered ECP, the caretaker chief executives will be little more than administrative heads in office for two months. And that the decisions about selecting them for the centre and for most of the provinces are essentially in the hands of two people, the president and the FML-N chief. Put these two realities together, and the inability to settle the issue is beginning to border on the ridiculous.
Out of reach: Automobile costs
THE rising prices of locally assembled cars and the automakers` decision to focus their efforts on well-off customers is cause for concern. A report in Dawn has shown that the prices of locally assembled cars have risen by 70 to 80 per cent in most categories over the last five years. In addition, most assemblers have chosen to phase out their offerings in the 1000cc orless category, and have instead expanded their range in larger engine sizes and SUVs. This is problematic especially when one considers that in the last financial year, the auto industry posted record high profits. One assembler for example, posted an annual increase of 60 per cent in its after-tax profit, a stellar performance considering the times.
Granted the autoindustry took a hit in the first half of the present year, largely on account of the increase in the age limit of used cars from three to five years, and thereduction of 25 per cent in custom duties on hybrid vehicles. But the fall in sales spurred by the rush of used cars into the market is likely to prove transitory now that the decision on used cars has been revoked. The auto sector is likely to return to a path of high profitability in the second half of the financial year. Since the sector`s profits are built on heavy protections provided by the government at the cost of consumers it is a matter of public interest to determine whether or not the assemblers are upholding their end of the bargain. Going by the evidence rising prices, growing focus on larger, elite vehicles it appears that far from seeing themselves as investors with a stake in the public interest, the auto assemblers are simply making hay while the sun shines. The next government will need to find a way to rectify this by advancing the stalled matter of an auto sector policy.
Manifest brutality: Death of Lyari gangster
BEHIND the colourful names and daring exploits of the characters associated with the Lyari `gang war` there lies a dark reality which manifests itself through murder and mayhem. The grisly death of notorious gangster Arshad Pappu is perhaps a prime example of the sheer brutality with which criminals operate in Lyari one of Karachi`s most rundown neighbourhoods.
Pappu met an ignominious end on Sunday, with his body left on a junk heap. Reports indicate that the gangster`s body, along with that of his brother, was mutilated and burned. It is said Pappu meted out similar treatment to the body of a rival criminal`s father after kidnapping and killing him. The incident also indicates the helplessness of lawenforcement agencies when it comes to Lyari: police were prevented from recovering Pappu`s body, which was allegedly taken away by gangland rivals. This illustrates who really calls the shots inLyari. The death of Arshad Pappu was celebrated in parts of the neighbourhood with song, dance and distribution of sweetmeats.
By all accounts the gangster led a violent, crimefilled life and perhaps such an unsavoury end was the natural conclusion to such an existence. Yet the death and gruesome treatment of his body reflects the savagery criminals are capable of, and the state`s inability to crack down on the gangsters that have held Lyari hostage. The state`s actions in the area are reactionary: once in a while police and Rangers will storm into Lyari to conduct operations that produce few lasting results. Alleged political patronage of criminals further complicates matters. Until the state seriously addresses Lyari`s issues such as law and order, socioeconomic uplift and infrastructure development, criminals will continue to prey on the locality`s people and such atrocities will continue.