Supreme, but beware and be wary
“The will of the people will never be overruled again in the country,” thus spake the PM Nawaz Sharif on the 14th anniversary of the coup that had thrown him out of the same plush, nay palatial, prime ministerial compound. The irony was not lost on the cognoscenti: he was back at the same spot and in the same exalted position from which he had been booted out, while the boot had been denied the bail the same day and shall squirm some more for the freedom delayed. Coming from the same lips: “We, the chosen representatives of people, will strive hard to strengthen democracy, and to establish rule of law.” There is a hint of smugness in the statement, while the moment and the memory dictated some humility. But, to be fair, he is not alone in grandstanding. Another who had a second coming, and is now close to superannuation, Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry thundered: “Nobody could dare topple an elected government now or tame the judiciary… The lawyers’ movement had closed the doors on such an adventure”.
Noble sentiments, but, again an irony, the world of caution, couched in words that were deliberate and sensible came from an unlikely quarter: General Kayani. But then those who have trampled democracy under their boots perhaps are more familiar with the failings of the politicians, for it allows them the window of opportunity to wield their swagger stick. Analyzing it correctly to a tee, Kayani said: “Clash of institutions weakens the country”, while imploring to his successor: “It is essential that military command keep playing its role” to strengthen democracy, “but it would only be possible with enhancing mutual trust between the state institutions.” Implicit in the words is the message: every institution needs to stay within its constitutionally defined jurisdiction, without an attempt at overreach. And it involves more than just the government and the armed forces, for judiciary too has variously been seen to be overstretching itself – a fact that is now creating fissures between bench and bar, as is evident from the LHCBA moving the supreme judicial council.
An overconfident ZAB once said, he had ended Bonapartism from the army. Famous last words! So while the current prime minister may find reassurance in the echo of his own words – “The will of the people will never be overruled again” – he must stay advised that overconfidence would not do. In this day and age, nothing can strengthen democracy more than the people. And they would only come to the fore to save democracy and politicians from their nemesis if they are well served.