Pakistan's Political Struggle
By Dr. Nazir Khaja
Los Angeles, CA
The high-stake political drama that Pakistan has been witnessing recently serves to highlight the weakness of its political system and its struggle for democracy.
Yousaf Raza Gilani has just been sworn-in as the new prime minister.Yet it is widely believed that very soon Asif Zardari, Benazir Bhutto's husband, will assume this position shortly after contestingand winning a seat for the National Assembly in a bye-election.
Despite the brand name loyalty of the masses to Bhutto's name it is a leap of faith for the majority of the people of Pakistan to put their trust in Zardari's hands. Even in his own party there are signs of tension, if not split.
His alliance with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who in the past had imprisoned him is only based on their mutual hatred for Musharraf and hardly on a consensus on Pakistan's priorities. So the people are wondering if Pakistan will find its way forward under the new alliance.
Most politicians in Pakistan are the illegitimate children of an illegal political system. Accumulation of political power and leadership in Pakistan has been mainly through a combination of one of several ways: Feudal connections, dynastic attachments, use of wealth and advantage. Nearly all politicians stand discredited in the eyes of the people of Pakistan. The poor turnout in recent elections is a reflection of this distrust and apathy.
Moving Pakistan forward will require a leadership having not only the credibility but also the necessary vision and commitment; these are not apparent in the present set of leaders, no matter which party.
Democracy is work-in-progress. Its avowed promise for the masses to be the masters of their own destiny can only be fulfilled if transparency, accountability and the rule of law are the guiding principles. Democracy cannot be brought down from on high but has to be nurtured as a grassroots effort from the ground- up. And it cannot be a genuine democracy if it is being constructed to serve the interest of anyone else but the will and desire of Pakistan's own people. This requires a gradual change in the local culture brought about with careful planning. A free press and an informed electorate are its prerequisites. Economic growth and building of strong and healthy institutions to deliver the fundamental needs of the people, such as education and health, are the critical needs of the people of Pakistan.
Pakistan is in the midst of fighting extremism and the Taleban insurgency. This is an enormous challenge in itself, which can only be met by a strong government. Along with this the civilian government has to address the needs of the common people. Food prices have been skyrocketing and there is a critical shortage of electricity. The list of priorities grows long when reform to ensure the protection of the rights of women and minorities are included.
It is clear that the architecture of Pakistan's decadent and corrupt political culture needs to be changed radically. A reform agenda is badly needed. As much as the violent extremists need to be rooted out of Pakistan's geographical landscape, the opportunists, the corrupt politicians, with no loyalty to any party or the nation also need to be weeded out. The primacy of constitutionally based civilian rule is possible only if feudalism is progressively dismantled, religion is confined to its appropriate role away from politics and the army learns to obey and respect the constitutional order.
All of this means that none should hold themselves above the law and the processes of transparency and accountably are firmly adhered to. Even the judiciary itself which during the past has acted against the interests of the nation on occasions and whose freedom is a necessity for the progress of democratic process must now hold itself to an even higher standard of transparency and accountability. Freedom of the judges should not translate into return of favor of those in power who still have cases registered against them.
The military seems to be retreating from the politics of Pakistan. The civilian leadership that is getting ready to form the new government must realize that unless they change their ways and show some integrity and commitment to serve the people of Pakistan, the army's retreat will only be tactical. Pakistan then will remain trapped in the cycle of failed or inept civilian governments set aside by military rule. The leadership cannot let the people of Pakistan down yet one more time.
Nazir.khaja@gmail.com
