A nation lost in transition

Ali Ashraf Khan

While Pakistan seems to have been ‘lost in transition’ from a newly founded, under developed country into either an Islamic welfare state or a democracy during the last 65 years without much success in either direction life outside Pakistan has been going on and the world has changed a lot during those 65 years.

My foreign travels started first when I was a college student and since then I have not only traveled East and West and met many dignitaries in those countries like in China during Mao-Tse Tung’s lifetime when Chou en Lai was known for its human resource management and making wonders, one such was the re-construction of Silk Road by the Chinese and it was then that I happened to experience their hospitality extended to Prime Minister Bhutto in Friendship and Brotherhood Camps visit alongside KKH on the Pakistani side. A Barter trading syndicate for trade by road between Gilgit & Kashghar was also established by China and Pakistan in the seventies.

But a recent business trip to Hong Kong and China made me painfully aware of the fact that the center of gravity has shifted to the East while the Western world and its allies are getting close to another all time record great recession that might plunge the dollar regime into history. Today’s China is a world class country; to me even Europe looked to have been left far behind. Hong Kong is a Chinese exclave and has since developed into an economic giant, though until recently it was a British colony but the change after that is on the surface, business and prosperity is booming around and in my opinion after Tokyo Hong Kong is the second most expensive city for tourist.

The fact is that its closeness to China made it a convenient location for world businesses during the cold war period that did not want to or were not allowed to go directly to China. That is why despite its limited territory it has developed a thriving industry and business climate supported by first class infrastructure and communication lines.

An even larger economic wonder is China; within thirty years it has changed from a mainly peasant society to a thriving industrial nation. That development has come for a price, no doubt about that, but China today has the means and the confidence to face the challenges that are coming from globalization and Hong Kong is a true reflection of that myth.

My friend and business associate Shah also arrived in Hong Kong from Frankfurt the same day and next day we left for Shenzhen in China, Shenzhen and Guandou both are thriving business cities in mainland China and one thing that impressed me was all the Chinese people especially the present three generations are no less then citizen in any European country, workaholic, and they are all busy with their jobs of innovation, we were lucky to have with us two studios young ladies well versed with the art of business requirements, Katherine was our local representative, she impressed us with her business acumen and knowledge, she made everything possible in our short stay and one thing that impressed most was their straight forwardness we had booked orders for Jewelry without Nichol finish, but the whole sellers later when we had returned after confirming from the manufacturer that it can’t be produced by them told us openly, if they had shipped those with Nichol we would have suffered but this is their honesty in business.

Then we returned to Hong Kong to attend Fashion Access Exhibition, which is an exhibition of world class. Pakistani leather products were in demand but Consulate had failed as usual to provide basic information about the Pakistani participants. On my return to Karachi a leading business tycoon surprised me that he was among Pakistani participants and we could not meet there.

I was all the time scratching my head thinking about reasons for our failure, I recall my student days in Lahore, where students from many developed countries used to come for studies, we had foreign student hostels for them and even Girl students from Saudi Arabia in large number use to come for Medical degree, Iran & Turkey students were there in every branch of study, Malaysia, Jordan/Palestinian, Arabs and Sri Lankan were also there. Now all types of people from the West are coming to adventure in this very sensitive field concerning our nation’s future, if Education received due attention, which it has not during all this time, where would we stand today.

Whatever we had at the time of partition has been thrown to the winds. Infrastructure development with increase in Industrial productivity has been neglected, so has been energy production.

Ayub Khan era was known as an era of decade of reforms, when our country was progressing, which was not liked by the so called progressive elements who use to call East is Red and on coming into power with this slogan they soon changed their skin and Asia became Green for them and this appears to have been designed to push Pakistan into bondage, which we are now.

It is unfortunate that all the miseries that afflict Pakistan are manmade and our own contribution, we cannot blame others for our many failure, the Debacle of East Pakistan should have opened our eyes but alas!

The following four decades were marred with mediocrity, adhocracy leading to bankruptcy of leadership in every walk of life be it political, civil and military bureaucracy and business leadership, the dilemma is we debate our ideology and great scholars take pride in questioning our ideology, now talk everywhere goes that we are not a nation, one thing that other nations have protected the most for attaining self respect in the comity of nation.

With this assessment of our bright past one wonders what have we been doing all these years in last four decades? When we look back at our history it has always been a struggle for power among the different parts of the country and their ruling elites, whose only aim was to achieve power by hook or crook so a compromised leadership emerged on the screen to ruin the silver lining appearing on Pakistan’s horizon. Economy has been neglected most of the time. Interestingly, it was under military rule when our economy did a bit better as it was the case under Ayub Khan, when he had 5 year economic development plans. Alongside there was a 20 years perspective plan, and a country like Korea was one country that had borrowed our five year plans as an example of successful economic development. Where are they today and where are we? The following civilian governments seem to have regarded it as their first and foremost aim to undo whatever had been achieved.

That was the case under Z. A. Bhutto who nationalized upcoming industries and placed them under PPP stalwarts without any knowledge in business and management for their persona plunder. He also took care of the civil service where he destroyed the frame that the British had given to it and politicized it and introduced corruption. Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif were saddled two times each to work on the dotted lines of troika of power known as establishment.

Benazir IPP’s worked as last nail in our economic coffin, while Nawaz Sharif claimed largest mandate, coined a new terminology “Qaraz Uttaro Muluk Sanwaro, which was overwhelmingly supported but nobody knows where all those dollars went? He also called a national convention of business leaders on the very first day and formed over a dozen committees to introduce reforms to jump start the ailing economy, one committee was for Export revamping, where I was also a member and I have been protesting all through that period that not a single suggestion of this report was implemented.

The same was the fate of other committee reports. National interest was compromised with the personal interest of the rulers.
Then came General Musharraf after a coup, which had a built-in complex to obtain US support instead of that of the people of Pakistan, who are supposed to be the real fountain of power.
He proved spineless and submitted to US demands to become a frontline state in their proxy war on terror, Turkey refused to provide air bases on the strength of parliamentary resolution, in 2003-4 we fell victim on nuclear proliferation allegation and Dr. Qadeer Khan was badly humiliated on foreign desire, later even Benazir Bhutto agreed to provide access to Dr. Qadeer and for inspection of our nuclear assets that led to drafting of infamous NRO, which was scrapped by the Apex court but the damage has been done.

The same can be said about the recent PPP government that has undermined and made irrelevant whatever was left of former institutions like parliament, NAB, ministries, autonomous bodies and corporations and other institutions.

The decade from 1988 till 1999 is called by economic analysts ‘a lost decade’. And the era from 1999 to 2013 can be called the final ruin of the post-colonial national project of Pakistan. During this period the sovereignty and national interest of Pakistan was finally sold for money and weaponry to the US and Pakistan became a US proxy in the war in Afghanistan.

And when we are looking at the parties and candidates that are applying to run in the next elections one is at a loss to understand how they would do any good to the country. None of the parties has a program for economic development worth mentioning.

The need for National reconciliation and strengthening the solidarity in Pakistan without foreign intervention, article 62 and 63 have now become laughing stock for all and sundry, caretakers are nothing less than chair takers. The change the nation was aspiring to get is no where in sight.

Neither meaningful poverty alleviation nor new foreign policy on independent can substitute our slavery to the US with good-neighbourly relations with China, Iran and Russia. This kind of elections will bring no change and no democracy. Why can’t we learn this lesson finally after such a long time? God bless! Pakistan.


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Notwithstanding the prophecies and misconceived notions of the cynics that nothing will ever change in this land of the pure, the saner elements within the society and the bulk of the intelligentsia is of the considered view that the process of change for the better has already been prodded by the ever vigilant media despite its sporadic indiscretions and propensity to go into an overdrive in violation of the professional codes of conduct and internationally recognized media ethics.

I also feel that the freedom of expression and independent media is the best thing that has ever happened in this country. The culture of accountability and public scrutiny introduced by the media has certainly shaken and dismantled the foundations of the archaic and moth-eaten edifice of politics of graft and entitlement. It is no more possible for the practitioners of traditional politics and the old guard to keep things under wraps and continue indulging in their traditional pursuits with impunity.

In fact the independent media and pro-active judiciary represent a formidable combination in the fight against corruption, changing the traditional approaches to politics and setting in motion a culture of day to day accountability. The media unraveling and spotlighting the illegality of the actions of the executive and the wreck less corruption in the government organizations and SC making sure that no reported case of corruption and unconstitutional and illegal indiscretions goes un-noticed. Is it not a marked departure from the past and a change that the hapless masses have yearned ever since the inception of Pakistan? It certainly is. It arguably is a sequel to the awareness created by the media that hitherto silent majority has been shaken out of its slumber and is poised to challenge those who have taken this country for a ride over sixty five years of its existence.

It is no more possible for any government or government functionary to escape from the vigilant glare of the media and society for any indiscretion committed by them. The latest example of the role that media is playing in checking this phenomenon is the hype created over the statement of the care-taker interior minister in favour of Nawaz Sharif which led to ECP taking notice of it and writing to the Prime Minister about the matter. The care-taker Prime Minister took immediate notice of the matter, called the interior minister to explain his conduct and aptly reminded him that the role of the care-taker set up was to create a congenial atmosphere for the ECP to hold free and credible elections and not to indulge in any activity which could create an impression of partiality of the care-take government or any individual who was part of it.

In the wake of the protests of the political parties and defined role of the caretaker set-up that action was much desirable. I do not know what was the motivation of the interior minister in saying what he said but I do know for certain that the man did not do it on purpose and probably he lacks the skills and dexterity of choosing the right words and expressions to put across his views. He has the reputation of an honest and upright police officer and served in Balochistan for long. He is the right choice as interior ministers as he knows the intricacies of issues relating to law and order and security. It is hoped that he will be more discreet in future and concentrate more on the role that he has been entrusted with.

The ensuing elections will not only test the ability and commitment of the ECP to hold free and fair elections in the country but will also be a great challenge for the law enforcing agencies and security outfits in providing a secure environment to the voters to cast their vote and also protecting the political leaders who have security threats from the Taliban and other detractors of democracy, particularly the leaders of MQM, PPP and ANP against whom the former have vowed to act. The incidents of terrorism and target killing of the politicians have already started surfacing and the Taliban have accepted responsibility of carrying out those killings. As the elections draw near, the intensity and frequency of these incidents is likely to increase. Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and Balochistan are the most vulnerable provinces due to the prevailing circumstances where more and strict vigilance will be required.

The credibility of elections will depend on the ability of the care-taker set-up in assisting the ECP to hold elections in a fear-free environment that tempts the voters to go to the polling stations to exercise their right of franchise. The care-taker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso, during his recent visit to Balochistan rightly directed the provincial authorities and the law enforcing agencies to create a congenial atmosphere for elections in the province. The coming elections are significant from more than one aspect. They are billed as a turning point in the history of the country which will determine the future shape of the political landscape and integrity of the country. In the context of process of reconciliation in Balochistan they are perhaps the last opportunity to create conditions for resolving the issues that forced the people to go on the mountains and mount insurgency. Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Chief of BNP has already returned and announced the participation of his party in the elections. He has also advised the Baloch insurgents to come down from the mountains saying that guns could not resolve any issue. This change of heart by Mengal is a very positive development. However, he has also expressed some reservations about the sincerity and ability of the authorities to hold free and fair elections and demanded cessation of kidnappings and killings of the Baloch youth to make the election process credible. That indeed is a colossal challenge for the care-taker government, especially the interior minister who is well conversant with the situation in Balochistan.

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EXCEPT for some rollback of Taliban territorial gains, performance on immediate issues during 2008-2013 was largely poor even after accounting for the tough external environment and past legacies.

Immediate issues are obviously paramount. However, even worse than poor immediate performance is when the future appears equally bleak. Many people are too overwhelmed by present worries to worry about the future. But for those interested in evaluating both, the remaining question is about the impact the post-2008 democratic era had on future governance prospects.

History shows that national progress requires strong governance institutions but it cautions that such institutions develop gradually. The French Revolution is presented as a short cut to democracy’s leisurely, meandering gait. However, governance in post-revolution France did not improve immediately but decades later once democracy produced strong institutions.

Such institutions will mature and produce tangible results gradually in Pakistan too. Governance institutions include immediate service-delivery ministries and government enterprises. The performance of many such institutions actually deteriorated post-2008.

Governance institutions also include more strategic legislative and watchdog institutions — eg the judiciary and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) — some of which can gradually force improvements within service-delivery institutions. Fortunately, one sees positive signs here if one defines progress as not only achieving the ideal but also improving incrementally over the past.

Take the case of interim set-ups. The current set-up is not ideal. But earlier, presidents blatantly appointed interim prime ministers from favoured parties. So, Ghulam Ishaq Khan handpicked Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi in 1990 while Musharraf handpicked Mohammedmian Soomro. The current set-up, selected by the government, opposition and the ECP, is more neutral, so much so that it is almost invisible and the ECP appears to be running Pakistan.

Consequently, the parties that boycotted the 2008 elections, eg, the Baloch nationalists and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), are now participating. The current ECP’s performance itself is not ideal, but is an improvement over its predecessors.

Finally, the Supreme Court has been able to function more freely than ever before, despite repeatedly challenging the government, including firing its prime minister.

Contrast the PPPs resigned acceptance with Musharraf’s ferocious reaction twice to far smaller Supreme Court challenges. While the PPP did drag its feet before the Supreme Court, democratic pressures did not allow it to trample it with its feet like military dictators did.

People complain that the Supreme Court and the ECP have allowed major culprits to contest the 2013 elections. The counter argument is that while angry voters may demand instant, Taliban-style street justice without due process, institutions must follow constitutional provisions.

Pakistan’s constitution mandates (rightly) that, except for government defaulters and violators of ECP electoral guidelines, candidates can only be barred after court convictions, whether the charges relate to committing crimes or violating Islamic and Pakistani ideology.

Unfortunately, Pakistan’s justice system lacks the capacity to prosecute major crimes speedily. Thus, fake degrees are being largely targeted as these can be investigated quickly.

Given continued democracy, the Supreme Court and the ECP can eventually help strengthen the justice system so that major culprits get barred from future elections. However, even the present situation is an improvement over 2008 where Musharraf’s National Reconciliation Ordinance allowed even convicted persons to contest elections.

Another post-2008 positive has been the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) rapid rise. Parties can be evaluated based on their ideology, policy, management capacity, internal democracy and integrity.

Ideological differences bar me from supporting the PTI (and even other major parties). However, one must acknowledge the objectively verifiable fact that the PTI represents an improvement over existing major parties along the last three dimensions. Its rise undermines the argument that the current democratic trajectory will merely perpetuate corrupt politics.

Interestingly, the PTI floundered under Musharraf even though he was supposedly encouraging new politicians. But Musharraf actually supported status quo politicians in the PML-Q and Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal and persecuted the PPP and PML-N. Their persecution allowed the latter to present themselves as victims once Musharraf’s ‘miracles’ floundered by 2007, upending the PTI.

Thus, the PTI was the biggest loser under Musharraf. However, having governed unhindered but poorly for five years now, these parties cannot present themselves as victims. Consequently many people are eyeing alternatives.

So, while they are well short of the ideal, promising strategic institutional developments have occurred under post-2008 democracy.

How much stronger would governance have been today had Pakistan had unfettered democracy instead of four military dictators and the subtler manipulations of bureaucrat-presidents during the 1950s and 1990s? Perhaps, parties capable of solving immediate issues and possessing sounder ideologies may have emerged and be winning elections by now.

While the post-2008 improvements may seem inadequate to some, these 50 years produced less strategic institutional development than five years of even highly imperfect democracy.

Democracy’s beauty is that it forces tainted politicians to introduce greater institutionalisation than supposedly well-meaning dictators claiming to inculcate ‘genuine’ democracy. Dictators strengthen themselves and weaken institutions, not realising that the strong democracy that they promise emerges from the reverse.

However, democracy is an investment offering future pay-offs. As economists argue, investments involve foregoing some immediate consumption (performance). Thus, the correct criterion for judging democratic developments is not whether they improve immediate but future performance. History’s answer to that question is a resounding yes.

This does not mean that voters should ignore immediate performance. Electoral fates get largely determined by immediate performances. Moreover, the improvements highlighted above largely represent inexorable results of democratic development rather than deliberate incumbent intent. Thus, this article preaches persisting with democracy, not incumbents.

The writer is a political economist at the University of California, Berkeley.

murtazaniaz@yahoo.com

http://dawn.com/opinion/

Notwithstanding the long list of failings of political and military regimes, there were good points to brag about as well. It is unfortunate that the last coalition government had nothing to show and feel proud of. The period from March 2008 to March 16, 2013 will be remembered as the darkest periods of Pakistan’s history.

The last government is busy highlighting its so-called achievements through page-size ads in newspapers. It is however quiet on its loot and plunder which continued till its last day in power. As if five years of loot was insufficient to rob this poor nation, the outgoing looters passed laws authorizing the PM, Speaker National Assembly, Chairman Senate, Sindh Chief Minister and Speaker lifetime security and perks and privileges.

On the last day of its tenure, the outgoing government issued 70 CNG licenses; Speaker Fehmida approved 100% increase in benefits and allowances of all members of National Assembly; income of Speaker, Deputy Speaker, ministers and special assistants increased by 40%; entire staff of Ministry of Information given foreign postings; billions of rupees dished out and banks remained open to ensure transaction. It gives a glimpse of the lust and greed of parasitic rulers. Handing over Gawdar Port to China and going ahead with Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project are the only two initiatives for which this government can be given credit, but these came at the sunset of its five-year tenure. Onus of fruition of the two vital projects would rest on the shoulders of next government. These vitally important projects upon which the prosperity of the nation hinged should have been undertaken expeditiously sometime in 2008/09 instead of diverting state resources towards fighting war on terror. Had it been done, Pakistan would have avoided prolonged load shedding of gas and electricity and averted energy crisis and thus saved the industry from getting enfeebled. Industrialists would not have shifted to other countries, inflation and price hike would have remained within limits and unemployment situation wouldn’t have become so bleak. Even the value of Rupee would not have plunged so rapidly. GDP would not have crashed to an all time low 2.8% and budget deficit gone out of hand. So would have been the case of foreign exchange reserve which today stand at less than $ 7 billion. Macroeconomic indicators which remained in positive till end 2007 would have continued to remain positive and poverty level kept within limits. It in turn would have helped in curbing religious extremism and terrorism. Had the greedy legislators kept their greed in control and concentrated more on governance and adopted honest and austere living instead of indulging in mega scandals and extravaganza, Pakistan would not have lost Rs 8 billion daily in corruption. Thus economy would not have reached the brink of collapse. Since all those who mattered had no regard for the country and its people, they preferred only those schemes which gave kickbacks. They misused the profit earning state corporations to fill their pockets rather than fortifying the institutions. Bureaucracy connived with the ruling politicians in money making projects.

The PPP-ANP-MQM trio not tiring of speaking about the virtues of reconciliation could have washed its sins had it built Kalabagh dam after hammering out consensus. Rather, it put this vital project in a cold freezer at the very outset of its tenure and chose Rental Power Plant to make quick money and plunge the country into darkness. The champions of democracy hypocritically pretending to be in love with democracy inflicted such deadly blows to the democracy that the people have started hating democracy as well as the politicians.

Pakistan was worst affected by terrorism but the outgoing government failed to chalk out comprehensive counter terrorism policy. Neither the government nor the judiciary remained in step with the Army whenever it conducted highly challenging operations against the terrorists. As a consequence, when the Army completed its difficult tasks of attacking, capturing, consolidating, holding and maintaining peaceful and secured environments in the captured areas, the government remained in a state of limbo. It showed no desire to install civil administration and commence socio-politico-economic programs to address the grievances of the people and win their hearts and minds.

The Army had to perforce perform dual jobs of holding the area as well as carrying out rehabilitation, reconstruction and development works. Thousands of terrorists nabbed in the firefight were handed over to the police but were let off by the courts on account of insufficient evidence collected by the investigating agencies and also because of the lack of will of the judges on account of threats received from the militants. Consequently, the Army had to once again face the released terrorists. The Army also had to take on the extra burden of holding on to the indicted terrorists under trial for long duration because of indecision of courts. Likewise, the civilian intelligence and investigation agencies have left everything to ISI and MI whereas the internal security should be their baby and none else.

But for the poor governance, massive corruption, insensitivity of ruling regime and its subservience to Washington, neither the US could have spread its perverse influence in the society nor could the anti-state extremist groups play havoc. Breakdown of law and order in FATA, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Karachi, which has made the state fragile, facilitated entry of foreign agents to fish in troubled waters and deepen the chaos.

Frustration of the people became so acute that foreign based Tahirul Qadri managed to hold biggest rally in Lahore and then carry out largest long march and sit-in in Islamabad to force the government to negotiate with him. Although Imran’s Tsunami has lost its initial fervor and Qadri and Musharraf’s balloons have busted, but the political temperature has reached a boiling point and things have become utterly confusing because of security threats posed by TTP. Many doubt whether elections will be held on time and that too peacefully. Others say that even if elections are held, the same lot of crooks will again enter the corridors of power and the cycle of loot and plunder will recommence with fresh vigor. They are convinced that without electoral reforms and refurbishment of Election Commission (EC), the entry of undesirables cannot be blocked.

While the political system and democracy may be good, the handlers of the system are immoral and corrupt to the core. Unless the fraudsters, cheaters, tax dodgers, loan defaulters, profiteers, hoarders, law breakers, graft takers, fake degree holders, dual nationality holders and soul sellers are weeded out and replaced with fresh faces, no change can come in the decayed system. Had the EC ensured screening of candidates strictly in accordance with Articles 62 and 63 of the constitution, 95% of electable would have got disqualified in the preliminary round.

Great majority of urban youth has got disillusioned by the sham democracy and is yearning for a healthy change. The young ones are so charged up that they will refuse to accept the polling results if parasitic leaders re-enter the legislature. The blame will be put on the EC and the caretakers. The EC is already under intense pressure for not doing enough to stop pre-poll rigging and for not carrying out screening of candidates ruthlessly. While the EC has cleared almost all aspirants for unknown reasons, FBR, State Bank and FIA have failed to provide details of wrongdoings of the contestants to the EC. Undoubtedly the EC has disappointed the people in the pre-poll phase; one wishes the EC works as diligently and sternly as the higher judiciary to ensure fair and free polls on the polling day. If 11 May experiment fails, people will demand military takeover or democracy based on Sharia.

(The writer is a retired Brig and freelance columnist and a defense analyst)

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Faith in Democracy has been a major characteristic of Western political thought since Enlightenment. It was held that democracy is the best and moreover, the only valid system of governance and only people who have accepted the underlying values of democracy are modern, progressive and good. With globalization of the financial and other markets Western values were exported to the rest of the world keeping in mind that this was ‘progress’. In some cases like the former colonial societies in Africa and
South Asia including Pakistan parliamentary democracy was a colonial heritage and since decolonization those societies try to fill the empty democracy shell with matching content. In Pakistan as well as in other societies this has not been successful even after the passage of 66 years. And then there are those places like Afghanistan where the West has tried -unsuccessfully- to put democracy into place through war and manipulation. Export of democracy thus has been a main feature of western-driven
globalization together with economic and cultural imperialism as a tool to maintain the Western dominance over the rest of the world.

But this staunch believe in democracy has been undermined by the political realties in the developing countries like Pakistan. In Pakistan we have seen a constant deterioration of the political system that the British had put into place before leaving because only a very small minority of western educated people could understand its main features and even less people could embrace the underlying values of democracy such as respect for an impersonal and secular law and equality of men regardless of their economic or social position. Feudal lords and even many people without landholding living in cities have a feudal mindset which does not allow for equality. They believe in ‘good families’ and ‘poor’ family backgrounds and they keep separate crockery for the servants in their cupboards. Moreover, other than in the West where society has been going through a long process of secularization and individualization as a result of which western societies consist of secularized individuals in Asian and African countries these processes have never taken place and thus our societies are based on communities such s religious communities, ethnic communities, bradari and tribal affiliations that define our social fabric and basic value system. In our societies political affiliations are not defined by political ideologies but by allegiance to the social group to which we belong. That is why political parties in Pakistan are rather family enterprises than ideologically committed organizations.

Because of this basic underlying mismatch of democracy with our society democracy could not deliver. It worked worst in tribal societies like Balochistan and KPK/Fata and the former independent states of Swat and Dir. A weak and uncommitted to common good central government could not establish law and order and creditability in those areas. That is one of the reasons (among others) why we have a strong and growing demand for replacement of this type of political system called democracy by an Islamic state which seems to be a better choice and better match of the believes and aspirations of the people even the young generation as a recent report has found out.

This demand has been rejected by the west and western educated elites because they still believe in democracy bringing progress. It is therefore interesting and important to know that even in the West now this belief in democracy as the one and only political system leading to progress and prosperity has come under critique. With globalization progressing and the economic slowdown and financial crisis hitting many western economies and resulting in spending cut in educational systems among others Western scholars and scientists are looking for greener pastures in Asian countries where they would have refused to go just a couple of years ago. And so we find a growing number of western faculty teaching in oil-rich Arab Emirates and as well as in China. And it seems that this first-hand experience of a new culture and society in which they have lived is opening their eyes to new (for them) ideas and help them giving up old believes which they had taken for granted while in their Western homeland.

One such example was reported from a conference of economists that recently had taken place in Hongkong. A Canadian scholar Daniel A. Bell who has been teaching political philosophy in Singapore, Hongkong and lately in the Tsighua University in Beijing did explain what he learnt during his stay in East Asia in the Hongkong conference.

During his stay in East Asia he has come to know about the different value system of those societies based on Confucianism and that has changed his ideas in many regards fundamentally. In an interview he said “I’m no longer of the view that democracy in the form of one person, one vote is the best way of organizing political relations.

I now think that other ways of choosing rulers, such as a combination of examinations and recommendations, are more likely to secure quality rule.” This sounds very much like Allama Iqbals critique of democracy who said in one of his poems that democracy is counting the heads only even if the host of the head is uneducated or a crook. The substance of a man, his ability, moral standing and education or experience is neglected and not taken into account. Inspired by the teachings of Confucius Daniel Bell in his address in Hongkong has also criticized democracy for this and he has been advocating an alternative political system that chooses its ruling elite based on Confucian principles such as intellectual capacity and moral standing instead of universal franchise. He also expressed his opinion that this system -though far from a perfect way - is being promoted in the Communist Party of China already. With regard to elections he thinks that those are only useful on the local level where wrong decisions do less damage. One should think that he is rejected with such views in the West and might even be on the observation list of some intelligence agencies for anti-democratic views. But no, not at all; he has gained access with these views to prominent circles; he is writing columns in the “Financial Times” and the “Guardian” and is a sought-after speaker at the conference of the ‘Institute for New Economic Thinking’ financed by George Soros, which goes to prove that a new Dete’nt has come into force between powers that matter.

Another main critical points against democracy is its short time horizon. Any government has to produce “change” within four or five years - until the next elections which is much too short a time. This should make us think when we hear pledges from our aspiring politicians like Imran Khan that miseries that have been building up for decades or centuries like corruption, nepotism or even energy shortage will be put right within months or a couple of years. This is impossible and who is promising such things is a liar. But that doesn’t mean that change should not be attempted. It is high time for us in Pakistan to do away with our colonial heritage of ‘democracy’ that has never suited our society and has been used and abused by the feudal elite to perpetuate their hold to political power. Pakistan has become hostage in the hands of exploiters, recent experience of inducting caretaker in centre and province has been a shady deal between the power brokers in choosing their henchmen to bring their benefactors back into power without proper scrutiny of their credentials.

Tall claims are made by all and sundry but the fact is that every usurper has inducted amendments in 1973 constitution and Bhutto himself started the process. The party that claims the legacy of Bhutto also failed to thrash out all these amendments instead it inserted 18, 19 & 20th amendments that has led to making confusion more confounded. In the process of trying to please our former colonial rulers, western donors and the neo-colonialist US, we have ruined our own heritage and destroyed our own traditions. Though created in the name of Islam Pakistan has become a place where the very essence of Islam has been forgotten and it has become a menace rather than a relief for the Muslims. The world is changing and we have to change if we want to improve our lives and that of the society.

We remember till the 1960s we used to have the Imperial system of weights and measures, than it was replaced by the decimal system of weight and measures which is much easier and better system which is all over the world used except in the Commonwealth dominions. So hanging on to old ideas is bad. Just another election will not do; without doing a complete surgery that is due since 1971 we will not progress. The confusion is clearly visible in the media debates and the handling of Articles 62 & 63 by the RO,s on the ideology and rationale of creating Pakistan.

Today our biggest problem is foreign intervention in the domestic affairs and our complacency about it. The first thing that needs to be done is plug these holes from where they creep in, we have to be vigilant, and determined to face all the challenges that are there and the nation is prepared to sacrifice if an honest leadership emerges on the horizon of Pakistan for a better and prosperous future by standing on its own two feet and not on the crutches of IMF &US. God bless Pakistan.

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German for overview, because that is where I am right now. The past week has been hectic to say the least. The horrific Boston saga, the mortifying earthquake, the tragic bombing in Peshawar, and of course, for people here, the unthinkable apprehending of the ‘president’. There are times I wish I could be dispassionate in discussing events that are close to heart and just discuss them as they are, but unfortunately my origins take over.

The moment I landed, the last so many hours spent on a plane, I was informed that “your president” has been arrested. I mumbled, “He isn’t president” but needed to get connected to know what exactly had transpired. When I boarded the plane at Karachi breaking news was that Musharraf’s bail had been cancelled and orders to arrest had been issued. That to avoid being arrested, his handlers had rushed him out of court and to his farm house in Islamabad. The events immediately after were for me a blank.

So I was a little surprised that it wasn’t commiseration for the earthquake or the incident in Boston that my hosts addressed but Musharraf’s “arrest”. For one, I spent some time in the car explaining that he was no longer president, and hadn’t been for X number of years. People in rational countries do not believe leaders can be involved in multiple ‘crimes’ but I sense that is changing quickly.. Accusations confronting leaders these days encompass unbelievable alleged facts. There is plenty that doesn’t make sense on the Musharraf subject.

First and foremost is the fact that we had learned in the past five years that “democracy was the best revenge”. The arrests and harassment of political leadership was a thing of the past that had been shelved once and for all. President Zardari deserves full credit for this. It is a huge happening on the Pakistan scene. It seems that we are now being coerced to review this. Yes, not just Musharraf alone did unconstitutional things. All and sundry condoned, validated, sponsored and accepted all of what happened. The people distributed sweets. So whom are we going to take to task or trial and are we going to spend the next decade unraveling the past while conveniently forgetting we have to address the compelling needs of a nation of 180 million people.

This is what incompetent governments do in order to divert attention. It is unfortunate that despite not involving itself in the revenge scenario the last government was engulfed in events that I believe strongly did not allow it to function. When the constitutional head of government is destabilized and forced to spend a majority of his time in defense of the constitutional head of the State governance is halted. So, as incompetent as the last government may have been, its job was not made easier by events. The actions subverting it were prejudiced by pride regrettably. And I believe the same is happening now; again at the behest of the very same actors.

The prime question asked is, why did Musharraf return? Absurdly people here believe, as I am told he does, that he stands a chance to regain power. That is certainly not the case, for sure. Leaders are deluded especially after almost a decade of unchallenged power as in this case. The retinue enforces this delusion for personal benefits. Those close enough to convey reality are rebuffed. Let’s just sum it up quickly and leave it at that. The ‘commando’, as per training, or brainwashing if you prefer, returned to complete ‘Mission Impossible’. Let us pray that he remains unscathed.

When Boston hit breaking news, I was sitting with a Bostonian in Islamabad. I winced, especially when a few hours later it was stated that “a dark skinned” person was believed to be involved. Of course, as anyone of us, I dreaded what could have followed. Good fortune prevailed and ‘we’ were not involved. Whatever, it was grotesque. I am unable, at my age, to comprehend this lust for blood, this desire to maim and kill; this savagery that has overtaken the world. I can only assume that the unfortunate vastly outnumber the fortunate driving this incomprehensible rage.

The efficiency with which agencies have been able to identify and capture the culprits must be commended. It is this response that can deter horrendous events and provide the sense of security desperately needed the world over. You can’t blame agencies for being paranoid. It has become a way of life.

At home, having lost one important family member, the Bilour family was mercilessly targeted last week again. Multiple deaths of the innocent ensued. Fortunately the main target survived to continue his avowed battle against terror. The question, yet again, arises as to the ability of the terrorists to plan and execute repeatedly without detection and marks the inefficiency of our security apparatus.

Terrorism is senseless. Those perpetrating it are wile human beings. Each occurrence is deadlier and the machination of evil conjures weapons that defy normal minds. That these people co-exist in society and walk the streets with normal folk is evidence of how lethal they are and our vulnerability. While the world is unable to adequately protect itself, terrorists hide behind laws, constitutional rights and are given full protection by the very same. They even protest action. This is so ironical.

The line has to be drawn somewhere. Justice must be done and it has failed to respond in the required vein. Lip service will not do. When a murderer still lives years after committing the crime in broad daylight there has to be something wrong. When terrorists are not mercilessly quashed and operate with abandon. I believe it’s time for navel-gazing. This questionable high moral ground when everything stinks needs to be remedied.

As a people we have been desensitized. Death and mayhem have quickly assumed the proportions of a daily occurrence. People die and the media hollers. Within hours its passé and we ignore it. If it’s close to where we live, we make the duty call to verify that all are safe. Earthquakes, floods, bombings come and go – as distant as you can imagine. That is tragic.

There was so much fervor and energy in the response to the earthquake up north a few years ago. I was there on a short visit and so proud of those who had set up camps. People from all over the country, I met some who had probably never been north. It was hair-raising to hear the story from the lips of survivors; their gratitude for the rescuers. Soon it all died down. Moneys released for survivors never reached them, redeveloping the area has been abandoned and the sufferers continue suffering. Three years later flood victims in Sindh are still displaced. The media has abandoned them; they don’t make ‘breaking news’ any longer. Tragically, this is what will happen in the latest quake.

Statistics quoted in a recent article reveal the state of mind of those who stand to inherit and reap what we are sowing. It is a thorough condemnation of our failure. We need to hang our heads in shame rather than tout democracy or achievements when 32 per cent of the youth consider military rule a viable future and regrettably 38 per cent are even willing to consider Shari’a rule a possibility. The one positive: 61 per cent we are told are willing to vote next month. Let us pray that they vote with their conscience and defy political feudalism. That may eventually prove to be the possible answer in the process of revitalizing and restructuring Pakistan.

The writer can be contacted at: imranmhusain@gmail.com

- See more at: http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013....t4CKXtbb.dpuf

April 25, 2013
Mowahid Hussain Shah




Moral slump is a pervasive pre-election perception, as battle for the ballot boxes loom ahead.

The makeup of democracy comes with a big price. One manifestation of it is in the corridors of power, which are flooded with bogus credentials. What takes a young man or woman years of hard work to attain legitimately now can be obtained through a counterfeit mill, calling it fake degrees.

But even more serious is the absence of rule of law, the spectre of constant insecurity, lack of fair dealing, unavailability of equal opportunity, and arbitrary actions. Family-operated oligopolies masquerade as political parties.

All of the above are tantamount to the phenomenon of fake governance. It is difficult to build a structure when the rudiments of foundations and infrastructure are not there.

The energy crisis afflicting the nation should by all standards be considered unacceptable in the 21st century. Yet, the on and off syndrome of loadshedding, which is devastating to the national economy as well as to the minimum well being of the people, is being digested as the new normal.

Not surprising then is the emerging issue of counterfeit pledges. Tall promises are proliferating, along with the allure of instant solutions to deeply embedded complex problems. The race for power is running parallel with rampant inflation.

What is needed is the writ of state ensuring equal protection under law. What is not needed is more talk and more talk shows. The task of rulers is to inspire confidence in the public that tomorrow is going to be better. It is not to leave behind a legacy of energy-draining despondency.

Pakistan has always had plenty of leaders, but where it does lack is in its leadership. Hidden amidst the commotion is the growing monopoly of big media houses, carrying within it conflicts of interest and the appearance of impropriety.

Now these dominant media houses are beginning to encroach into executive territory, the implications of which will slowly unfold. It would be difficult now to quarantine big media’s overriding influence, which is seeping into spheres outside its domain.

Sometimes, the system corrupts the man. Sometimes, the man corrupts the system. Either way, the average citizenry suffers and governance erodes. The rule of the unqualified and inept has brought sorry results.

When there is no vetting for the top slot, one can imagine the consequences and its impact on the middle and the bottom, who are likely to take cues from the top. Recommendation then becomes the sole qualification. No wonder many organisations are dysfunctional, bloated as they are with non-performers. What were once ships of excellence have now been torpedoed by mediocrity.

In the field of sports, the decline of cricket, squash and hockey stand out. Similar, too, has been the case of academia. The same applies to diplomacy abroad where those sent often have neither the personality nor the mentality to deliver the goods. Without a sweeping overhaul and revamp of policy and personnel, it shall be more of the same.

Can the nation afford more of the same? Or has the addiction to nonsense on the airwaves numbed the senses?

The writer is an attorney-at-law and policy analyst based in Washington DC. He is the first Pakistani American member admitted to the US Supreme Court Bar.

http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-ne...inions/columns

Comparing us Pakistanis with people from rest of the world, or at least most of it, we are left in no doubt that we are a unique breed, and I do not mean it as a compliment. I think this clarification was absolutely essential otherwise the statement could be open to misinterpretation, because most of us hold ourselves in very high regard, blaming the rest of the world for conspiring to deprive us of world leadership, a position that rightfully belongs to us.

Also, with people around the world, one could tell the difference between an educated person and the one not quite so, but not with Pakistanis with whom the distinction is sometimes so blurred that you can’t really tell which is which. Discussion programmes on the television are a very good proof of that where the anchor-person often looks on helplessly and tries desperately to regain control of the programme. Recently, the Election Commission had to tell the assembly hopefuls, in the style of a school teacher asking brats to behave, not to make personal attacks on their rivals Surprisingly, in our case, the lesser-educated people are better-behaved because of not having the arrogance which the educated people feel their level of learning ‘entitles’ them to.

And the art of ridiculing others has acquired the status of national sport. And we enjoy exercising authority, and even the smallest level of authority that one might have is expanded and magnified to the maximum, and we seem to believe that the real use of authority lies in mis-using it, to the benefit of ourselves, our family members, associates and friends and to the detriment of others around us.

And we have the mind of a child, except that it does not grow with age, with the result that we maintain child-like simplicity and excitement all through our lives, frolicking like children, completely oblivious of multiple dangers lurking all around us which, if not attended to, could, God forbid, finish off Pakistan as we know it. With Iraq already devastated, Syria now in hand, Iran Pakistan are the next obvious targets but we do not seem to be too bothered.

We have got to realize that after the Iraq invasion, which proved very costly in terms of dollars and American lives, our enemies have developed an economical model which involves setting different groups within a country against each other, with minimal costs to the sponsors. This model, developed and tested in Iraq, is now being successfully employed in Syria. In our region also, they have already activated their programme. It is a matter of shame for us that our enemies, some of whom are disguised as friends, have a more effective network in our tribal areas which helps them choose targets for their drone strikes, or to launch attacks against Shia community, as also against us.
And we are corrupt, at least most of us are. And if not directly involved in financial corruption, those working in government or semi-government organizations do ‘steal’ time, by arriving late for work, leaving early and even disappearing during working hours.

And while not being able to perform our own task satisfactorily, we are too eager to interfere in other persons’ jurisdiction, firmly believing that anything that anyone can do, including experts in the field, I can do it better while, lacking even rudimentary knowledge of the subject.

And our systems are old and out-dated, which is mostly true, at least for institutions not in the private sector. Take for example the voting rights of overseas Pakistanis, very many of whom will clearly be dual-nationals. Every one agrees that Overseas Pakistanis, whose pulse beats with us, and who go out of their way to help us out in every hour of need, must be allowed to participate in the election process. Despite all this, we failed to evolve a proper system for the purpose all these years, and have suddenly woken up and want it done instantaneously and are not prepared to take no for an answer, despite serious warning of mishaps occurring in case the system is rushed through. In the rest of the world, if the institution holding prime responsibility for the job, the Election Commission of Pakistan, categorically stated that it is not in a position to include overseas Pakistanis in the forthcoming elections, then even while condemning it for inefficiency, others will accept it grudgingly, instead of trying to force the ECP to arrange voting facilities for overseas Pakistanis on the basis of claims made by other institutions with performance records that could not be termed as impeccable. Even while proclaiming this affection for overseas Pakistanis, we know when a dual-national Pakistani approached an institution, he ended up as a terribly disappointed person.

Recently, I read a report where an official claimed that thorough scrutiny of a candidate’s record could not be done as it would take time and interrupt the ‘smooth’ holding of elections. So, quite a few people with tainted past, who should not have been allowed anywhere near the polling both, have been cleared and are all set to participate in the elections. An investigative bureau’s official suggested that due to shortage of time, the real scrutiny of the candidates should be carried out after the elections. Now, if an institution dares not stop the candidate even during the pre-polling process, how could it be expected to challenge the person when he gets firmly entrenched in the assembly after winning the election?

Recently, we read a depressing report that the criminals who gang raped an 18-year-old girl at the Mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam have, after five years’ trial, been set free because of lack of evidence, rejecting identification by the victim and DNA evidence. First of all, the cases should not go on for years and secondly, the law of evidence and investigative processes should be updated to bring them in line with the twenty-first century. The way things are; the system suits and protects the criminals instead of redressing the grievances of the victims, which is quite shameful. On the other hand, there are accused persons who have spent long time in prisons awaiting judgment, with their period of detention already having exceeded the maximum punishment that they would have been given, if actually convicted on the charge they were on trial for.

With corruption, which had been our problem right from the early days of Pakistan, we now have another menace, extremism, which reared its ugly head a few decades back and has been increasing in intensity all these years, and has now grown into full-blown terrorism. The sane leaders of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa had warned against establishing Jihadi manufacturing factories to fight America’s war with Russia, but their advice was not heeded and now law and order situation in three out of the four provinces of Pakistan seems to be out of control.

The MQM had warned of Taliban arriving and establishing in Karachi but those who pass for leaders in our country ridiculed the warning. If the gravity of the situation was recognized and corrective action taken in time, situation would have been far better than what it is like now. Perhaps those in a decision-making position were too busy making money and placing their favourites in important positions and had no time for trivial matters like law and order situation which affects only the down-trodden masses, with their own security assured through private and official security personnel.

Our armed forces are doing what they can and have suffered substantial casualties in the process. However, their request to our civilian government to formulate a well-integrated anti-terrorism policy produced no results despite the government enjoying full five years in power.

I think it is time for those in authority to concentrate a bit less on whipping Pervez Musharraf and much more on the issues which are a matter of life and death for us, well, more of death than of life, as we see at present, at least in three provinces of Pakistan. We hear of an all-parties conference being called. However, it should not be treated just as a talking forum lasting a day or two but one that creates a permanent body which devices some interim and permanent measures for the solution of this problem, and gets the necessary legislation enacted in due course.

One obvious area is the improvement of investigation and prosecution procedures so that the criminals once arrested are given due punishment instead of most of them getting acquitted to resume their activities with greater confidence and vigour. We do need to update laws of evidence, and introduce measures for protection of witnesses. judges and prosecuting officials, and also to increase the strength of law enforcement and judicial officials which at present is nowhere near the required levels. We also need to give the law enforcement officials modern equipment and gadgets to enable them to deal with an increasingly sophisticated gangs of criminals, backed by resourceful enemy states which are now after us.

Musharraf needs to be tackled adequately but I think we need to spend the country’s time and resources on the real issues, instead of wasting all these on Musharraf-bashing, just for the fun of it. The down-trodden masses that never had it so bad as they are having now, are in no position to share the wretched sense of humour displayed by our higher ups.

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/category/40/

Persistent leadership crisis, frequent takeovers by military, tussle between secular and religious parties, antagonism between two mainstream parties, micro management of Pakistan’s policies by USA and its role in manipulating election and India’s unabated belligerence forced both civil and military regimes to remain India focused and to turn Pakistan into a security state. It in turn retarded economic and democratic growth.

National security and unresolved Kashmir dispute being of prime concern enabled the military to maintain a domineering position even when it was not in power. The civil government was restrained from crossing the red lines drawn by GHQ. This unwritten restriction motivated by national interests irked the civil leadership when in power. Sense of unease and irritation among the civil elite led to a cold war between the civil and the military. This controlled exasperation at times spoiled civil-military relations.

Failure of successive civil regimes coupled with security concerns forced or tempted the military to step in and rule for long years to cleanse the mess left behind by the civil government. The politicians in opposition after failing to bring down the ruling civil government coaxed and provoked the Army Chief to takeover, assuring him their full support in dethroning the elected government. They have traditionally distributed sweets on the fall of democratic government.

The military regimes did improve the economy, maintained semblance of order and speeded up development works because of relatively better governance and financial management, but impeded growth of democratic institutions.

As long as the military ruler ruled the country without acquiring the services of politicians, output remained at peak. In its bid to acquire legitimacy by giving a façade of democracy, each military ruler inducted the same lot of condemned politicians in his government. The mix whitewashed whatever achievements were made and brought bad name to the Army.

The judiciary legitimized the military rule under the doctrine of necessity. Forcible takeovers by Army chiefs were validated by the judiciary. Yahya was declared a usurper once he was no more in power and because of the 1971 debacle. The military dictators were allowed to suspend, abrogate and amend the constitution and issue Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO). The judges willingly took oath under PCO. Bureaucracy always molded its working in accordance with the wishes of the rulers and served them obediently. It has been hand-in-glove with corrupt political elite and has also been misused by the military.

Media was vastly expanded and liberated by Musharraf and it became a force to reckon with, but in the aftermath of sacking of Chief Justice Iftikhar on March 7, 2007, which triggered lawyer’s movement, the media became hostile. Secular journalists and pseudo intellectuals, mostly on payroll of foreign powers maintain aggressive stance against the Army as an institution, but feel pleased in promoting Indo-western themes. Besides negative role of own media, Indo-US-Jewish-western media has traditionally bad mouthed Pak Army.

PPP Jayalas joined by the liberals and secular elite as well as media continue to upbraid Gen Ziaul Haq mercilessly and unjustly hold him responsible for all the ills in the society. The PPP during its last rule not only declared ZA Bhutto’s hanging on April 4, 1979 as judicial murder, but also declared Zia’s rule illegal by passing a resolution in the parliament. Gen Zia in his 11 years rule added several feathers in his cap and raised the image of Pakistan in the world comity very high. However, PPP in its four stints gave nothing to the nation except false slogans.

The PML-N blames Gen Musharraf for inflicting a severe blow to the burgeoning democracy. It forgets that Nawaz Sharif had sacked Gen Karamat on flimsy grounds and bypassing Gen Ali Kuli Khan, appointed Musharraf as his successor. Instead of sacking him when he was in a weak position after Kargil conflict, he retired him when he was strong. Nawaz also forgets that Musharraf was fully supported by PML-Q led coalition consisting MQM, ANP and MMA from 2002 till end 2007. He was allowed to hold two portfolios of President and COAS. Even Imran Khan supported him till 2002. Benazir struck a secret a power sharing deal with Musharraf in July 2007 which enabled her and her cronies in exile to return home.

The secret deal was inked two months after the Charter of Democracy was signed by Benazir and Nawaz Sharif in which the foremost point of agreement was never to invite Army generals to takeover. But for infamous NRO issued by Musharraf, Benazir and others couldn’t have returned to Pakistan. PPP returned the favor by letting Musharraf win 2nd term on 6 October 2007, but once it gained power, it joined hands with PML-N to unseat him in August 2008 and allowed him to go in exile with full honor. Now when he returned to take part in elections, the PPP has joined hands with those wanting his trial under Article 6.

After seeing the poor governance and record breaking corruption of the last government, it has now been established that politicians and not Army are the biggest enemies of democracy. The Army leadership maintains that the Army seized power only when the country got derailed and each time the Army took over the reins it put the country back on the rails. The blame game continues even when the Army under Gen Kayani showed exceptional restraint and refused to takeover when huge calls were made repeatedly urging him to free the people from the clutches of parasitic rulers and save the country from getting ruined.

Reportedly, ATC Judge Kausar Abbas Zaidi who cancelled pre-arrest bail of Musharraf is brother of Capt retired Mansur Zaidi, who was court marshaled by Gen Musharraf. Mansur was caught running a security company in Islamabad in 2008 and supplying weapons to Blackwater. Another revelation that has come to light is that Judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui who cancelled Musharraf’s bail was a Mutahida Majlis Amal candidate in 2002 elections and a lawyer of Lal Masjid case. Supporters of Musharraf are saying that the judiciary has become vindictive and is bent upon punishing him and are egging on Gen Ashfaq Kayani to step forward and save ex Army chief from humiliation.

The last PPP regime managed to pull on with Gen Kayani since he lent full support to democracy and showed no Bonaparte’s tendencies. Finding him reliable he was given three-year extension to secure its five-year tenure. Notwithstanding several frictions which erupted from time to time on national security matters, a near breaking point reached after the memo scandal in 2011 took an ugly turn. The headlong clash averted due to PM Gilani’s retreat.

Gen Kayani has set a good precedence of keeping the military detached from politics and keeping it supportive of democracy. Had he intervened and sacked the PPP regime, there would have been huge rejoicing and Kayani would have been declared a hero. However, within six months situation would have reversed. The PPP would have regained sympathies of the people by acting as a political martyr and Kayani branded as a usurper and enemy of democracy. He did well to let them stew in their own juice and let the people to decide the true worth of politicians.

Hopefully this hands-off tradition will be maintained in future as well. Likewise, the politicians should also show greater sense of responsibility by not inviting the Army to takeover or maligning the Army as a habit to cover their own failings. Both the military and civil leadership should develop better understanding and try to improve civil-military relations and strengthen democratic institutions.

This can happen only when the politicians recognize their own failings and carryout self-correction and start behaving more maturely rather than continuing to parrot hackneyed themes and portraying military rulers in poor light and blaming them for every wrong that takes place.

Bureaucracy which has remained part of the problem also needs to mend its ways. Media can play a constructive role in harmonizing civil-military relations. Lastly, now that Musharraf has comeback at his own despite advice given to him by his advisers and Establishment, and is out of political race, justice demands that he should be given fair trial.

(The writer is a freelance columnist and a defence analyst)


http://www.thefrontierpost.com/category/40/

In a country that was the outcome of democratic procedure in 1946, the democracy itself has suffered most so far. Democracy takes its revenge when it suffers which nothing can stop provided its sufferings are minimized timely.
It’s like a functioning organ of a body that becomes cancerous and if not required remedial measures are taken timely, it kills the organ first and then the body. The United Pakistan did not remain united anymore after the election of 1970. It was the first of revenge of democracy in Pakistan by majority of economically and politically most exploited people of East Pakistan: Bengalis.

The first ever constitutional completion of five years by democracy, in Pakistan, is due to unprecedented developments and not to any divine intervention. These developments are the answers to the problems what PPP-led coalition government inherited from Musharraf’s politico-economically disastrous military rule.

Economically, the problems such as energy and mafias-made commodity shortages, near default economy with 21 billion US $ trade deficit, circular debt of almost 2 billion US, 25% inflation, sick stock exchange and structurally crumbling army due to its internal abnormal promotions and external increasing business related activities.

Politically, the PPP-led government inherited state made and self grown mafias and militants, enslaved Swat, detained judiciary, bruised Baluchistan, burning FATA, boiling Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, barricaded Islamabad, ready to explode Karachi and Quetta, hate spreading Madrassahs located everywhere especially in Punjab’s cities, dubious policy on terrorism, democracy-hating lethal mindset and worst of all an isolated and ostracized Pakistan.

The two mention-worthy things, which Musharraf did, could have brought about good changes. They were the district governments, and Kashmir policy of Musharraf’s last two years in uniform. The district government system lacked political participation and was anti-democratic, and hence failed and led to individualization of society. The Kashmir policy was discarded by the army, once Musharraf took off his uniform, to carry on its un-developmental expenditures in future governments.

The PPP-led government completed its term and deserves a big credit for that. Economically, ending the commodity shortages, taking stock exchange to new heights, reducing inflation to single digit of 8%, attracting all times high remittances of 13 billion US $ annually, giving provinces autonomy by removing concurrent list and a revolutionary financial award and reviving economy to that degree where it has become a kind of bubble that will not burst suddenly.

Politically, revitalizing the army by involving it in liberating Swat and Malakand division from the internal enemies, showing respect, though sometimes reluctantly, to super active judiciary, making media freer than it was ever before, succeeding in making anti-democracy lethal mindset less lethal, helping Afghanistan getting rid of Taliban, getting Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project going; and best of all leaving behind a Pakistan that is not isolated or ostracized.

The PPP-led government avoided introduction district governments system on party basis. If the PPP-led government had held the elections on party basis for this system, democracy would have led to differential developments leaving behind more poverty around and in urban Sindh and central Punjab. PPP-led government could not do it due to central Punjab and urban Sindh based political forces. Having district governments around is the shortest way to empower the masses, and to curb corrupt bureaucratic power, provided the bureaucracy is pro-democracy which it has never been.

However, democracy is stronger than it was ever before. Though the hawkish and hardened souls from central Punjab are still expecting the change through undemocratic means, such thinking is natural in a country whose history is full of coups and conspiracies. It will take two more elections for all of us to know about the worth and wonders of democracy.

PPP will again win in the election-2013 to form a coalition government with anti-Taliban democratic political forces in its leadership. Internally, PPP will have to face cash and capital hungry civil-military bureaucracy which doesn’t want most of revenue goes to people and provinces where it actually comes from.

Externally, Arabs and Americans are the enemies of open society and democracy in Pakistan. Arabs don’t want a predominantly Muslim Pakistan to be democratic truly. The tribal Arab kingdoms and fiefdoms want to promote tribalism to counter modernization, democracy, industrialization, and hence, an organized economy, in the region, especially after the wave of Arab Spring started in the recent history of Middle East. That’s why their politico-economic support to Pro-Taliban Initiative (PTI) and other pro-Taliban political and non-political forces of Punjab continues in Pakistan since 1970s.
The Americans want their meaningful presence in a land trade corridor that can connect strategically and economically two-thirds of the world. They are relying on the regional governments to facilitate their presence. They would do anything to achieve their objectives if resisted. They can again put Pakistan and India on an antagonistic course. When the Soviets left Afghanistan, Pakistan together with its friendly states from the Gulf took charge of the situation. The US afterwards supported the Jehad covertly. This is how the Taliban - the leaders of an organized and controlled militancy - emerged. Consequently, defiant and parallel militancy also emerged.

The warlords, the drug traffickers, the traders in arms and ammunition and extremists from different places formed their own militant organizations in the Pak-Afghan border areas. The dedicated Muslim activists funded by the rich Pakistani and Arab individuals, institutions and organizations also helped create militant groups inside Pakistan. This is how various Hizbs, Jaishes, Sipahs, Lashkars and ‘good’ Taliban emerged.

The controlled, defiant and parallel militancy devastated Afghanistan and Kashmir. The defiant and parallel militancy distressed China, India, UK, Russia and many Central Asian States. The militancy did not spare even its promoters. The Americans faced 9/11. Pakistan has been facing suicide attacks and bomb blasts on a daily basis.

The war on terror against the Afghan Taliban has already been won. Now the war is being fought largely against parallel and defiant groups. The war is not ending because at times these groups are protected by various states for situational compulsions or even to use them as strategic partners. Presently, there is coordination among almost all militant organizations. The ongoing war on terror is, thus, a complex war, a war that deals with its opponents as enemy and as friend - as the situation or strategy demands.

Pakistan’s oversized civil-military bureaucracy needs capital to sustain itself. It is expecting the Americans to be more generous. In case it remains capital-short, it will use all the resources, human and otherwise, that it has produced during the Afghan wars. The other way is that the future PPP government evolves a consensus among all stakeholders that failing to bridge the fiscal gap through indigenous resources will yield anarchy, and it will hurt all.

President Zardari is a determined person who is committed to the elimination of religious extremism. He has changed the direction of Pakistan. However, in a thorny journey to metamorphose Pakistan, the biggest resistance is coming from the civil-military bureaucracy, which has with the passage of time, become increasingly capital-greedy. The sooner we change the direction of the civil-military bureaucracy, the sooner Pakistan can change its history before Pakistan becomes a history itself.

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