The art of the possible

…but only to a measure

We’re on the verge of a milestone in our country’s history. We’re about to have our first peaceful, constitutional transfer of power from one democratically elected government to the next. It is sad that this should happen more than six decades after the creation of the country but it is a milestone nonetheless. Even “first world” South Korea could stake a claim to this only as recently as 1998.

But what about the PML(Q) government’s term from 2002 to 2008? Surely that was a peaceful transition, barring some instances of violence in the ‘08 election process. True, but not many regard the elections of ‘02 to be fair. With the Punjab bureaucratic machinery running the League’s campaign, and with the spooks intimidating members of the other League to switch sides and even managing to eke out a dozen or so “patriots” from the PPP (tougher cookies any day of the week than the Leagues) it was clear the election was far from ideal.

So what all plays out before the elections is of paramount importance if we are to have the semblance of a fair election. Election day rigging can be called out. But the wide array weapons in the pre-poll rigging arsenal make countering the allegations a tough deal. Projection is reality. The elections must be seen to be fair. For that, the stakeholders must thrash out a consensus amongst themselves regarding a caretaker setup.

As has been reported in this paper, something of the sort is underway between the PPP and the PML(N). The problem, however, is that an understanding between these two parties alone is going to spawn allegation of oligarchy, especially by out-of-parliament parties like the PTI. But then again, what is the moral argument for taking the PTI on board and not, say, the Swabi Qaumi Mahaz? Where does one stop? A consensus on these issues will be tougher to eke from within a large number of parties and easier (only relatively) from a smaller number.

In this lies the trade-off. Practicality versus getting everyone (everyone) on board. Before making a call here, the major parties should realise that even if they do take the longer route, it would be next to impossible to keep everyone happy. Just imagine what the PPP and the ANP have to say about the MQM “sweep” of Karachi and parts of Hyderabad.

Beyond a particular inclusive point, the main parties have to bite the bullet, bear the inevitable allegations of collusion, and place a system for the caretaker setup.