Commenting
on the show cause notice issued to the incumbent PM in NRO case, a prominent
lawyer and human rights activist termed the decision “the beginning of an end
to the democratic process”. While she has a right to her opinion, in my view,
there is absolutely no threat to democracy through an unconstitutional act by
the military establishment but, surely, the federation is threatened by
inaptness, self-serving and ego-centric approach of the political elite,
perceived lack of neutrality on the part of Judiciary and rising extremism and
disillusionment among the masses. Are the stake holders oblivious of the
consequences of the prevailing madness or there is a method behind it, is a
question agitating each Pakistani’s mind.
To
start with the ruling elite; having failed in every
sphere of governance, destroying institutions and bringing the country to the
brink of economic disaster, they surely need ‘excuses and reasons’ for their
failures, besides pursuing political martyrdom before the next elections.
Stand-off with Judiciary is serving both these purposes.
As such, there is a method behind the on-going tussle with the Judiciary,
though self-serving at the peril of the masses as the PPP leadership knows that
writing the letter to the Swiss authorities would be of no consequence and they
may ultimately oblige before instalment of interim government.
To
the contrary, Judiciary has allowed it-self to be entrapped by the PPP
leadership. With each passing day, it is losing grounds against the PPP’s
onslaught through effective use of media. Lack of will on the part of Judiciary
to take on the PPP stalwarts who are blatantly portraying the CJ of being
biased against their party has started to take its toll. People at large are
loudly whispering as to why contempt proceedings have been initiated against
Malik Riaz but not against many others who are overtly involved in contempt of
the CJ. Arsalan Iftikhar’s case, and
it’s mishandling, has further tarnished Judiciary’s image which, despite
apparent aggressive posturing, is now clearly playing on the back foot.
Frustrated
and disillusioned by PPP’s miss-governance, it was natural for the nation to
pin high hopes in PTI and PML (N) for providing alternate leadership. Their
hopes, however, have been dashed because of the on-going tussle between the two
parties. It’s a shame to watch on TV the top leaders of both these parties
levelling allegations and counter-allegations against each other, presenting
spectre of self-serving pygmies. Both Imran Khan and NS know that ‘a divided
opposition is a dead opposition’, yet they are continuing to fight against each
other and one finds no method in their madness.
No
doubt, in the last few years, media has emerged as a major power centre to
reckon with. However, its pre-eminence has also become a vulnerability exposing
it to powerful predators vying to tame and fix the upright. Resultantly, the
recent infighting, graft charges and lack of objectivity on the part of certain
anchors is beginning to damage media’s credibility and lending it prone to
manipulation - a bad omen for the nation.
One
fails to understand the method, or lack of it, behind the madness of the masses
in general. They would curse and abuse a particular leader for five years but
vote for him in return for a trivial gain or due to family compulsion. This
phenomenon is exploited by the inapt politicians who fail to deliver after
reaching the corridors of power, yet are confident to be re-elected. Zardari’s
recent pronouncement that he would form the next governments in all the
provinces is a manifestation of this mind-set – the people willingly lent
themselves to be taken for a ride.
And
finally the military establishment whose image reached its lowest ebb in the
aftermath of 2nd May 2011 incident. Since then, the khakis’
leadership has played its cards well by reacting strongly to NATO’s attack on
Salala Post, making a point where required and displaying flexibility on
comparative non-issues. Resultantly, the military establishment has regained
relevance, both internally and vis-a-vis USA, which is once again inclined to
deal directly with its leadership. Zardari, politically smart as he is, has
been more than obliging in this regard.
As
for the USA, period up to year 2014 is extremely important due to planned
withdrawal of their forces from Afghanistan and its implications thereof. They
would surely prefer the present dispensation to continue, with or without
elections, as amongst our top political leadership, Zardari has the ‘political
acumen and sagacity’ to ‘understand’ their ‘requirements’ and oblige.
Thus,
irrespective of the damage the ongoing ‘madness’ is causing to the federation,
Zardari is gaining ascendency each passing day as his ‘methods’ are beginning
to yield results in the shape of diminishing Judiciary, divided opposition, a
tamed chunk of media and ‘satisfied’ military establishment. In the obtaining
internal environment and masses which remain prone to manipulation, we are
likely to have a PPP led coalition government with Zardari as our President in
the next term also. For how long this country can sustain such a dispensation,
is anybody’s guess.
For
my prediction to be proven wrong, the opposition must end its infighting and
get united, Judiciary must be seen as delivering prompt justice, the media must
break the shackles and regain its true independence for unbiased coverage and
the masses must make a commitment not to sell cheaply and get exploited in the
future. Can all this be achieved? I very much doubt.
