It is distressing to see the claimants of moral high ground in politics falling to a low ebb when it comes to either saving their fiefdoms, or occupying offices of profit and power. This seems to be the case regarding the PML(N) claim for its designated member in the senate to be nominated as leader of the opposition.
When the current coterie of individuals was returned to various legislatures, particularly their leaders, one hoped that they would have learned both from their past experiences as well as their past conduct. One also hoped that they would have learned from the voluntary exile stretching to almost a decade and initiate politics based on sustainable principles. It appears that none of this has happened. Instead, we are witnessing a revisiting of the Bhurban, Swat and Changa Manga days where legislators were despatched en bloc to keep them away from the tempting offerings of the political adversaries. In exchange for saving their corrupt empires to perpetuity, the proponents of these tactics effectively corrupted the system and rendered it irrelevant for bringing about a positive change in the country. We are still reaping the dividends of these personality-centred and cult-promoting indulgences.
What is truly disconcerting is to see the rulers of Punjab having succeeded in bringing back the doctrine of ‘lotacracy’ in its worst form. In their desperation to kick the People’s Party out of the provincial government, PML(N) leadership manoeuvred the making of a dissident faction within the PML(Q) dubbed the ‘Unification Bloc’ that announced its support for the incumbent provincial government. The move was neither constitutional nor did it have any moral spattering. If those defecting from the parent party felt strongly about their views, the constitutional and moral course open to them was to have resigned from the parent party and contested the elections afresh from the platform of the group they wanted to align with. Instead, allegiance was changed midcourse without fulfilling the constitutional and moral requisites for a switch-over.
Having tasted blood, the hounds were on the prowl. The tentacles were laid bare again in the election of the leader of the opposition in the senate. Lacking the requisite numbers for the position, the PML(N) leadership resorted again to the familiar tactics of ‘lotacracy’. They being no saints themselves, it managed to entice ten senators away from their parent parties who conveniently dubbed themselves as the ‘Likeminded Group’ and the ‘Dissident Group’ and insisted that their votes be counted for the PML(N) candidate. The Chairman Senate did not agree and declared the opponent as elected to the coveted position. That enraged the PML(N) leadership and they announced a boycott of the senate and all its ancillary committees till their demand was met. That proves beyond a shadow of doubt that not only does the PML(N) leadership have an unconstitutional and immoral approach to matters that should be addressed strictly within the purview of the applicable parameters, but they also persist with a dictatorial mindset that has withstood and survived a decade of the luxury of a self-imposed exile chosen in preference to suffering the ravages of imprisonment.
As PML(N) remains busy baring its true colours, the PPP government and its principal functionaries are deeply engrossed in tricks of their own resulting in the loss of billions to the state exchequer. Each day brings new revelations of the manner in which this poor country has been denuded of its wealth to fill the coffers of individuals occupying high political and executive offices. Instead of encouraging and facilitating recourse to the annals of justice for those who are guilty, the government, including the office of the prime minister, has gone overboard in manoeuvring their escape from the clutches of law. Be it transferring an honest investigating officer or impeding provision of documents relevant to the case, be it using delaying tactics or unleashing damaging and misleading propaganda in the media, the government has used these tricks quite liberally and blatantly in utter defiance of the injunctions of law. The president has not lagged behind in showing his generosity in matters pertaining to corruption: he has exercised his exclusive powers to grant pardon to those who have been punished by the courts of the country.
Together, the leading political parties represented in the parliament and their underlings who have benefitted from the largesse offered by their senior partners to ensure their majority make a sordid lot. They have no principles and no shame. They indulge their lust generously and allow others a sip from the juices of corruption to buy their connivance. It is one big, fat lot that is out devouring like there is going to be no tomorrow. Today is it. Let the ravens hover over. Let the putrid smell envelop the contours of governance degenerating to its most vile. Let us embrace the unleashing of an ignominious plunge into the domain of violence and virulence. Let decency and culture be banished from our midst. Let there be no takers for the rule of law. Let there be mayhem and chaos that would ultimately benefit those who originally contributed to its emergence – the corrupt, the callous and the criminal elements within the society.
The recent spectacles of barbaric violence in Kharotabad and Karachi are reflections of the political elite having divorced the culture of decency and their attempts to interpret law only to their personal advantage. Like I wrote some time ago:
The parched wilderness / and the unending miles of desolation / soaked in the ravaging lust / unleashed by the cruel years / flattened surfaces / undulating contours / hiding indelible marks / of conquering marauders / and the icons of their savagery / wearing a face of majesty…
What we are witnessing around us is an unmistakable plunge into the domain of barbarity and chaos. If ever change is to be contemplated, it’ll have to begin with the complete elimination of leaders who see everything from behind the myopic gaze of self-interest and, for whom, law, decency and other such values hold no relevance.
The writer is a political analyst. He can be reached at [email protected]
