Pakistan:
The Way Forward
By Dr Nazir Khaja
Los Angeles, CA
nkhajamd@earthlink.net
As the government,
the army and the politicians of Pakistan engage
with each other in the present “Let’s
Make A Deal” scenario, ordinary people of
the country are left only to hope. They already
know that each of the characters in the drama
being enacted presently is suspect. It is like
all are watching one of the classic Greek tragedies
where one knows before conclusion that all the
characters are going to die! Not so in the play
that is unfolding in Pakistani politics.
Each of the party or character has great survivability
and is interested mainly in its own quest for
power under the professed label of national interest
and democracy. The people of Pakistan must now
say enough and declare that they would not stand
by while, yet again, the people and the ideas
that have all along been the part, if not the
root cause, of their problem are being repackaged
under the pretext of serving them and their democratic
aspirations. Old wine in new bottles as the expression
goes!
Elections are around the corner and will be contested
under the existing rules and conditions. The hope
is for fair and free elections. Under international
supervision this will be possible in all likelihood.
Can the people of Pakistan hope for a better future
through this exercise in the pursuit of democracy?
The people of Pakistan need and deserve new direction
and new ideas. These are not going to be forthcoming
with the present leadership setup. Yet in the
transition toward a representative government,
Pakistan and its people will have to endure this.
And despite the seeming odds against the possibility
of the same old leadership, which is contesting
this election, to offer new ideas and set a new
direction, they must remain hopeful.
Remaining hopeful in a passive manner, however,
will be detrimental to them and also to the greater
interest of Pakistan. Away from the polarization
along the dividing lines of province, party, and
personal politics and piety, they must agree to
forge a list of priorities for the future of Pakistan
based entirely on the core aspirations and values
on which the nation came into existence. Backed
by consensus, these can be put forward as a memorandum
of understanding between them and the leaders
of all parties and the establishment before the
elections. The newspapers and the electronic media
can help in posting a priority list and ask the
readers to shape, modify and sign on. This may
be easier said than done. Yet this is a part of
their commitment. Similarly an independent website
can be quickly launched for this purpose. What
will the wish list look like?
Here are some ideas that can be framed under the
short-term and long-term needs and priorities
of Pakistan.
• Constitutional and judicial reforms: It
is a fact that the constitution has remained a
source of empowerment for those who want to rule
rather than a document reflective of the hopes
and aspirations of the people of Pakistan. A clear
articulation of what sort of Islamic state Pakistan
must be safeguarding the rights of all its citizens
regardless of religion, ethnicity and gender.
• The judiciary whose role is to uphold
the constitution has been compromised at critical
moments in Pakistan’s history and also needs
to be brought to accountability through the process
of reforms.
• Party reforms: Ending dynastic politics
to institute grassroots empowerment and upward
mobility. Banning the “horse-trading”
and crossing-over party lines, which has plagued
politics in Pakistan.
• Land reforms to bring the feudal system
in alignment with the rule of democracy.
• Curtailing army’s power and making
it subservient to civil society.
• Control of religious extremism: Encouraging
and enhancing a value-based framework that leads
to the process of social transformation.
• Strengthening and expanding law-and-order
institutions. Uplifting the role of the police
and accountability institutions to establish transparency
and upholding the application of law for all citizens.
It goes without saying that the list is but a
shadow of the fundamental fissures that have kept
Pakistan from uniting as a nation. Enacting or
implementing any of these priorities will only
be possible if the proverbial fox is not guarding
the hen house!!
(Dr. Nazir Khaja is chairman, Islamic Information
Service, USA)
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