At best, a mindless digression

By
Raoof Hasan
-
26
161

A whole generation of corrupt leaders may have to depart

The all-consuming spate of deceit unleashed by leaders of all hues and shades simply numbs the mind, this in the name of democracy, the country and the people.

Having barely come into power with a plethora of issues clamouring for immediate remedy, the prime minister has promptly taken off on an odyssey that would eventually pit institutions on a confrontational course. One had known of this favourite penchant of his during the last two stints in power, but one had also hoped that he would have worked on curbing the predilection. The emergence of the ‘killer instinct’ so early on after the crowning has taken even some of his supporters by surprise.

There is no denying the fact that the military interventions have stymied the growth of the country along multiple lines, but it is also true that there is no ‘political’ leadership that is not beholden to the very same military dictators for their creation and advancement: the Bhuttos, the Sharifs, the Chaudhrys, the Altaf Hussains, the Maulanas, the illiterate clergy and just about everyone else who conveniently dons the apparel of democracy when needed and takes it off when no longer required. Where were these leaders conceived? How did they end up playing the political roles that they eventually did?

Take the case of the incumbent prime minister – the much-acclaimed new voice on the block for democracy. There is no one among the ‘political leaders’ of the country who has benefitted more from the largesse of a dictator than him – that, too, from General Zia ul Haq who was, by far, the most demonic of all military interventionists who ruled Pakistan. Mian Nawaz Sharif and his clan were politically conceived in the lap of the one who introduced the jihadi, the militancy and the drug culture to Pakistan that has cost the country dearly in terms of monumental human and material loss as also a loss of place as a respect-worthy member of the international community.

From securing the denationalisation of his industry to becoming the finance minister and the chief minister of Punjab in the government of a military dictator with early pretensions to manoeuvre his way to the office of the prime minister, the history of his political journey is replete with gross instances of supping with the devil himself in a bid for personal advancement. The exponential expansion of their business empire during the times the Sharifs were in power using borrowed money from banks is incomparable in the annals of contemporary industry. There are multiple default cases still pending in courts of law. There is also an outstanding money-laundering case against the family with a tell-all confessional statement by the incumbent finance minister Ishaq Dar.

The controversial role that he played in the sacking of the Junejo government and his complicity with the intelligence agencies to topple the 1990 PPP government as has been duly established in the Supreme Court judgement in the Asghar Khan case that awaits implementation reflect his deep-set political opportunism. Then there is that notorious attack on the Supreme Court by the party hooligans to stop it from announcing a judgement that was perceived to be against the proclaimed political interests of the then incumbent prime minister. This was followed by a public effort to bribe the judiciary and a mutiny was also spurred against the sitting Chief Justice. Remember the notorious bag that was carried to Balochistan?

His known penchant for assuming unchallengeable powers resulted in the attempted enactment of the 15th amendment in the constitution that had to be aborted because of a revolt within the party. The move to institute a treason case against the former dictator can be construed as another bid to humiliate other institutions of the state and coerce them into total submission. Even in this effort to try the general, he is cleverly manipulating to save the former dictator’s one-time cronies who have now joined his servile bandwagon: the Zahid Hamids, the Amir Muqams, the Tariq Azims, the Sumaira Maliks and a host of others. That is why the case being prepared against the general relates to the proclamation of emergency on November 3 and not the original sin of imposing the martial law on October 12. The government neither has the legitimate authority nor the moral strength to carry such a case to fruition. The prime minister is likely to gradually lose the political support and would be a lonely person much sooner than he may realise.

Finding convenient and self-saving ways to move forward no longer offer a solution to the existential challenges that the country faces. It is time for all to come out clean, particularly the ones at the top. Serving the dictators when it serves one’s interests and rubbishing them when it does not would never make for leadership material. Instead, such attitude reveals a dangerous chink in character that would be gravely detrimental in a qualitative delivery of responsibilities as the head of the government.

As for the corrupt culture of democracy that has been systematically perpetuated in the country, the clandestine letter written to the Swiss authorities in the matter of the money-laundering cases against Asif Zardari says it all. After having agreed to comply with the SC injunction to write a letter to revive the government’s original position on the cases, the PPP concoction followed it with a secret letter to a law firm Fontanetassocies Geneva to ask the Swiss attorney general to confirm the position of the Pakistan government that the order of closing the money laundering cases against Asif Zardari vide letter written by Justice (Retd) Abdul Qayyum had attained finality and the cases could not be reopened under the Swiss law. This is a blatant case of criminal misdemeanour, naked fraud and much more. This is what Pakistani democracy has degenerated to be associated with.

Let’s also not forget that it is the judiciary that not only legitimised Gen. Musharraf’s illegal take-over, but also gave him carte blanche powers, stretching to three years, to amend the constitution as he pleased. This one act, by itself, is more demeaning than anything else that may have happened since. The issue is that some who were responsible for that debilitating edict may end up sitting on the bench that is constituted to try him.

The prospect of two aggrieved parties collaborating to initiate a treason case against a dictator may not serve the cause of justice. The guilty should be punished not by pursuing a process of selective justice. The time really has come for a genuinely independent and fully empowered Commission to be constituted to look into all acts of military interventions and political corruption and misdemeanours encompassing the role played by the instigators and the collaborators. The Commission should come out with a comprehensive report on the grave transgressions that have typified the Pakistani political scene as well as its guidelines on how to go about sorting the mess out. The Commission should spell out its choice from amongst two possible options: proceed further a la the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa to forge national harmony, or exercise the option of humiliating perceived demons which may open up unending prospects of rancour and hatred.

There is no easy cure to the lacerating wounds that have been caused through a system intrinsically ill-suited to the national psyche and temperament. By its very formulation, it is clinically corrupt and exploitative. There is a need to address the causes of the rampant malaise rather than caress the symptoms alone. The haemorrhaging is deep and incisive and the cure cannot be found in a selective infusion of antibiotics. It has to be an all-embracing and absolutely non-discriminatory solution. A whole generation of corrupt leaders may have to depart thus opening up the prospect of a meaningful recovery taking shape in the foreseeable future.

The writer is a political analyst. He can be reached at [email protected]

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26 COMMENTS

  1. Very balanced write up….the case should be taken up from 12 Oct 1999, which is more serious in nature than 3 Nov 2007….

  2. Sir, you have covered the history of Pakistani politics very well from 1980 onwards and the Shariff family has gained very well both economically and politically. They have been able to buy almost anything under the sky! It is a credit to their staying power or a disgrace to the intelligence of the ordinary voter that they are elected again and again!

    You propose an reconcillation commission! This will serve no purpose in Pakistan where revenge is a norm rather than an exception. The Truth and reconcillation commission is a non starter though the idea is appealing. The concept began in South Africa to listen to the ills and crimes committed under apartheid. No body was punished. It was a sort of catharsis. Apartheid is not practiced in Pakistan. Similar commissions took place in Rwanda but people were alse sentenced to long terms in prison–though the mandate of the missiom got muddled. I cannot imagine such event taking place in Pakistan. Most of the past and present top officials both in politics and military would end up behind the bars —a scenario only in imagination where uniform carries power be it the policeman or the military or the politician in his VIP car. The solution in Pakistan lies again in the hands of electorate and in it's inability to see beyond it's nose. We want instant solutions to difficult problems which cause more pain. Denial is acceptable compared to the pain of reality. The circus of Musharraf has started. Is it the crying need of the day? Imran has brought a breath of fresh air but like every thing in Pakistan it is fleeting. Someone has said in war there are no victors only varying degrees of defeat! This applies to politics in pakistan too. Let us face the real issues . Our PM feels so unsafe that he is holding on to two additional portfolios—defence and Foreign Affairs. Is there no competent person around? Pity the nation where no one is trusted to be honest! The aim is to serve the master not the nation!

  3. "..There is no one among the ‘political leaders’ of the country who has benefitted more from the largesse of a dictator than him – that, too, from General Zia ul Haq …"
    That was in 80s, people can change you know? After the personal humiliation and experiences since then, NS can be and is a different person.
    If a former partying alcoholic and drug user playboy like myself can become clean shaven mullah in just 90-days, why can't NS? LOL!

  4. Yeh Shaklein aur Chere badal ke aa jatey hei, Baal lugwa kei, ta ke in ko kohi teenda, ya gunja na kahey.Inh ki fitrat to nahien badal sakti. They should be held accountable for all the money that was taken away from Pakistan. How have they afforded to live abroad for so many years. Inh se aik aaik baal ka jasab leina chayei.. Woh waqt dour nahin. ZIA's BAKYAAT have to end. Why don't they take action against SIPAH and other such terrorist organizations specially when such organisations own such acts. Are we so week rulers. Why no action is being taken against all those who were involved in the killing of Mountaineers at the base camp and attack on Siri Lankan team in Lahore. How can we just sleep over things? Our International Cricket was effected what do you think would happen to our tourism.

    Mr. Rauf I don't think any Commission can resolve the issues. Commissions and Judicial remedy is delaying tactics. Justice delayed is justice denied. Common man will never get justice. Immediately, the illegal Presidents, those involved in coups and their coterie should also be penalized. Pension benefits should be forfeited and stopped with immediate effect and they be asked to refund all the money which they drew during an illegal reign to the Exchequer or face jail, imprisonment. Do you think our courts will have strength to do that. The tragedy is that such defaulters are drawing double pension and perks. From Civil Estimates and Defense Estimates and life long medical treatment abroad.

    See the example of Iranian former President. He drove back on a motor cycle. Hats off to Ahmadinejad. We have to have a national character and then men of character would emerge. How can you expect men of character from amongst CHORS, DAKUs OR LUTERAS and GHASIBS – QABZA GROUPS.

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