Bad habits don’t die

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Bad habits don’t die

By Dr A Q Khan

It is part of human nature that, once a habit is ingrained, it sticks. He/she is very often even referred to by that habit. Sometimes even a whole nation or a tribe might have a propensity to a certain character trait and are then generalised by it, People from the West are often referred to as being exploiters of the less educated and the US and the UK are known for their aggressive and exploitive policies.

Lord Wellesley, Viceroy of India and later foreign secretary in the UK, introduced a system in the Indian Subcontinent by which Rajas and Nawabs were forced to maintain a unit of British soldiers in their states, the expenses of which were to be borne by the rulers. This was done under the pretence of British soldiers being there to protect the state, while in actual fact it was no less than an occupying force. The rulers had no choice but to accept this arrangement and it remained in place until Partition. This same cunning practice is still being used against Islamic Countries in the Middle East today.

I can still remember a story we read in school about a turtle and a scorpion. A turtle saw a scorpion on the bank of a lake, which was trying to get to the other side. The turtle offered to take the scorpion on his back. On the way the turtle heard a sound coming from his back and asked the scorpion what was happening. The scorpion replied that he could not help it, but it was his habit to sting. Well, replied the turtle, I also cannot help my habit of diving when my shell feels dry. With that he dived deep into the water, thus drowning the scorpion.

Our elites toe the American line and behave like foreign agents. Some have dual nationalities, some have a wife and children with a foreign nationality and there are US sympathisers (or outright agents) in almost every important state institution. When the discussion of an independent foreign policy comes up, they create a hue and cry as if the heavens are about to fall. The current inept and corrupt rulers have destroyed the country in every sense of the word. No institution has been left untouched.

They are as intoxicated with power as a drunkard is with liquor. In this state of intoxication a person loses all sense of realism and moderation and can’t think straight. In a similar manner, wealth often causes arrogance, callousness and even cruelty. Islam strictly forbids arrogance.

The influence of power is more corrupting than that of alcohol or drugs. A power- hungry person loses all sense of caring, decency, moderation or respect for others. Long ago Lord Acton aptly said: “All power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” We saw the downfall of Field Marshall Ayub, Gen Yahya, Mr Bhutto, Ms Benazir Bhutto, Mr Nawaz Sharif and Gen Musharraf. All were taken to task by the Almighty. Now it is the turn of the present arrogant, corrupt clique. They are currently hell bent upon taming or destroying the judiciary. A rubberstamp National Assembly passes anti-Constitution laws that are against public interest merely for the self-serving designs of the rulers, and then they accuse the judiciary of exceeding its powers when it protects the very spirit of the Constitution and the fundamental rights of the people. Abhorrent too is the behaviour of the selfish coalition partners who, totally ignoring ground realities, go all-out to blame the Supreme Court rather than limiting the mischievous behaviour of the rulers. The courts are doing only what they are supposed to do.

Had I had any say in the matter, I would have made amendments in the laws to give at least five years rigorous imprisonment and disqualification for life from public office for Contempt of Court. The present rulers are making a mockery of the judiciary in order to save their own ill-gotten wealth. The coalition partners should show some self-respect and dignity rather than being poodle to the leaders. Parliament is supreme only when it follows the Constitution and legislates laws that are in the national interest and not meant merely to protect the corrupt.

The democratic system that has been introduced in the subcontinent has not worked well in our country. It works only in countries where the people are educated, politically mature and conscious of the importance and the sanctity of their votes. In Pakistan, almost 80 percent of the votes are cast under the feudal system and those elected are anything but honest, competent, educated technocrats. They continuously shout about the supremacy of parliament, thus implying that their ignorance is superior to the learning and experience of highly educated judges.

Any resolutions passed by parliament, even by a two-thirds majority, are fit only for the dustbin if they are against national interests. The judiciary acts as a check to greedy, selfish, opportunistic legislation. It has the final say in safeguarding national integrity, respect, sovereignty and good governance. We have witnessed, and are still suffering from, the catastrophic results caused by spineless judges siding with dictators. The honourable judges should act swiftly and sternly against anyone ridiculing or insulting the courts.

At the moment the current rulers and their supporters are doing everything they can to trim the powers of the Supreme Court to protect the NRO beneficiaries. It is painful to see that many intellectuals have joined them and oppose the judiciary by trying to fool the public.

The judiciary is passing through a difficult time and they are being attacked from all sides. While claiming to respect the judiciary, its detractors disobey court orders and ridicule the courts. The nation stands behind its courts and expects fair decisions from them. They should avoid unnecessary delays in judgments (like in the case of Musharraf’s election in uniform), contempt cases should be tried on a priority basis and exemplary punishments meted out. They are not there to save a sham democracy but to provide justice to the people, to safeguard their fundamental rights and to protect the country and its citizens from mala fide laws and legislation. I can still remember how, only a few years ago, an American diplomat taunted that he could buy the whole assembly for a mere Rs3 billion and could get any law passed in favour of the US.

At the moment Nawaz Sharif is shouting himself hoarse saying that a wolf has come. But it is he who allowed that wolf into the country and fed and protected it. People have not forgotten that he is responsible for this mess by his whole-hearted support of the PPP. But then, all hypocrites, cheaters, etc., ultimately meet their end.

Source: Bad Habits don't die