December 07, 2007

Kursi First

Flattery and back-biting are cardinal features of politicking in Pakistan, characterized by buttering those present and bad-mouthing the absent. Camouflaged by the smokescreen of non-stop praise and tattling is the unbridled pursuit of Paisa and Power. At its center is personality-worship at a level of idolatry. A false perception is created that the personality is so unique that, if it exits, there will be a deluge. Predictably, then, a pattern is fixed of people working overtime praising their own leaders while they pillory leaders of rival groups. There is little self-examination or self-accountability. Smug righteousness predominates. Self-delusion leads to self-denial. For example, pro-government circles have deceived themselves into believing that they are popular, despite mounting evidence to the contrary. For their part, so-called opposition elements have convinced themselves that they are the torchbearers of democracy when, in fact, their own autocratic mind-set has torpedoed representative democracy. There is talk of patriotism. Just talk. The damage done to the nation while wearing the garb of phony patriotism is self-evident. Patriots don’t plunder nor do they seek to perpetuate themselves in power till eternity. The core agenda remains ‘Kursi First’. Don't expect much from the current set of elites. Ineptness, inaction, and lack of upright behavior can be masked by noble-sounding rhetoric. To justify a lack of effort, they may exaggerate the magnitude of the task. When so much needs to be done, many seem willing to take action only if it enhances their already considerable privileges and social positions. Pakistan today, 60 years after its creation, stands at the crossroads of history. It has long enjoyed the benefits of its strategic placement. Most importantly, now it is entering into the zone of consequences – the consequences of its geo-political and domestic policies. The margin of error gradually has shrunk. Pakistan can no longer afford business as usual. Too often, over-clever schemes have a way of imploding. Thus far, the preponderance of cajolery and intrigue has obscured the compelling need for hard work and hard thinking. But the challenges now are readily transparent and require immediate redress. What is untenable cannot be sustainable. Sometimes nations advance under adversity. The examples of post-World War II Japan and Germany stand out. As German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said: “What does not destroy me makes me stronger.” There is an old Chinese saying that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. The first fundamental step that needs to be taken is a simple recognition that the Nation is on the wrong track.