Qadri’s seasonal ritual

Politics of agitation and disruption

Politics in Pakistan is a unique brand on its own. One can find characters of the ideological type, like the Bhuttos, or those who come from influential families, like most of the PML-N. Then there are ethnic parties, along with those who want to cash in on the charismatic personalities of their leaders, or the ones who have been selling politics wrapped in religious bigotry and fanaticism. But there is one element that is quite unique to this part of the world: the one-off show, like Dr Tahir-ul Qadri. His brand of politics follows a seasonal pattern, and can at best be called disruptive.

Whatever the credentials of a politician, it is the ability to deliver that counts. Like TuQ, religious leaders abound in Pakistan; they have never been in power on their own, nor is there any likelihood of that. An overwhelming majority do not think they have solutions to offer. But TuQ is different. Much like in January this year, failing miserably though, he is again pledging ‘peaceful revolution’. This time his objections are three: the PML-N government is corrupt and following a policy of loot and plunder; that more than 50 per cent of lawmakers don’t pay taxes and thus lack the moral standing of manning the house, and that the system itself has turned into a ‘political dictatorship’. His rhetoric is not entirely true. The PML-N government has not been able to deliver on its many promises while the perception of corruption and steep inflation prevails. That politicians do not pay taxes is also true, and a shame. But the accusation that the system has been transformed into a political dictatorship is controversial at best. The system has its flaws but not to the extent TuQ would have us believe. Quacks of the sort can succeed if the governments are not responsive to people’s problems or political parties resort to fracas.

It is in fact characters like TuQ that are a threat to the political system. They want to see it derail and grab power in a non-political manner, much like the ‘other’ forces that have disrupted the system often previously. It is his, or any one’s right for that matter, to contest elections and lay a claim to power but to do so one has to first prove his worth and accept the system as it is. TuQ is no exception to this rule too.