Rout in Multan

There are lessons to be learnt

The grand finale at Multan has underscored a lot of home truths. That the PTI is gaining ground in the Sharifs’ traditional backyard is stating but the obvious.

The by-poll in which a turncoat backed by the PTI trounced the veteran Javed Hashmi, however, has also laid bare the duplicity and opportunism of the so-called party of change. In the end analysis, as politicians, the Khan and his stalwarts are no different from the rest of the lot.

Politics being entirely amoral, perhaps the end justifies the means. And of course in our feudal milieu enemies can be forgiven but not renegades.

Amir Dogar, a card holder jiayala, had contested the general election last year against the PTI nominated Javed Hashmi and lost. Nonetheless, in these by-elections, the erstwhile president of the PTI had to be taught a lesson for having the temerity to publicly allege that Khan was hobnobbing with the establishment to dislodge an elected government.

Whatever the truth in Hashmi’s allegations – which became wilder by the day – democracy has been strengthened by the outcome in Multan. In his own concession speech the vanquished candidate hit the nail on the head by stating that the way forward is only through elections.

The PTI, by actively participating in the by-poll – albeit by proxy – undermined its own stance against what it terms ad nauseum as a corrupt and flawed electoral system. The PTI chief cries hoarse every evening from the top of his container that his party was robbed of a victory through organised rigging

According to him the Sharifs, certain members of the election commission, and judiciary under former CJP Iftikhar Chaudhry, were in cahoots to rob him of the May 2013 general elections victory. The Khan, apart from campaigning for Sharif’s scalp, also wants the whole electoral system to be revamped.

It sounds almost surreal that the PTI participated in an election process it considers flawed by definition. It backed a candidate who is neither ‘sadiq’ nor ‘ameen’ (pious) by standards it has set for itself, for elections to an entity that it considers illegitimate and thereby refuses to sit in it

He questions the very legitimacy of the present national assembly and the provincial assemblies. Of course KPK (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), where the PTI rules, is considered an exception. He and other legislators belonging to his party have submitted their resignations to the respective speakers.

It is another matter that the PTI leadership is loath to allow its legislators to appear individually before the speaker to validate their resignations lest they change their mind. Ironically, Javed Hashmi was the only one who actually resigned from his seat and precipitated in the Multan by-election in the process.

It sounds almost surreal that the PTI participated in an election process it considers flawed by definition. It backed a candidate who is neither ‘sadiq’ nor ‘ameen’ (pious) by standards it has set for itself, for elections to an entity that it considers illegitimate and thereby refuses to sit in it.

But by making it a hotly contested by-election the PTI by default has proved the very validity of the process it considers deeply flawed. It is relatively easier to rig a by-poll by a sitting government. But despite allegations of interference by pro PTI television anchors, the process was considered by and large fair and free.

The by-poll reflected the result of the general election. The PTI had won the seat and has retained it. Had the PTI lost, it would have been another matter. Its leadership would have cried hoarse that the polls were rigged. Thank god for small mercies.

The by-poll also reaffirmed the complete rout of the PPP in the general elections in Punjab. Its candidate fared abysmally despite active support by former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.

It is apparent that despite the statesman like demeanour of its co-chairperson, Asif Ali Zardari, it remains a herculean task to resuscitate the party’s fortunes in the province. The obvious gainer and the biggest challenge for the ruling PML-N remains the PTI.

PTI has managed to spark the imagination of the young voter through its concerted campaign. Not only the urban elite the middle classes but also the rural poor are gravitating towards it.

Zardari recently took a swipe at Imran Khan that a 60 years old claims to represent the younger lot. But unfortunately for him, this is the bitter truth. At least the PTI firebrand chief is saying the right things, exposing the duplicity of our ruling elite in the process.

The elder Sharif seems oblivious to the happenings around him. Weekends in Lahore and frequent trips to Murree remain the norm for him. The kind of introspection that is needed is either lacking or not visible

It can be argued that Imran is like the proverbial bull in a china shop that might prove to be the Gorbachev of Pakistan in the end analysis by destroying the present system without replacing it with a cogent one. The ruling elite should hear Imran Khan’s message loud and clear.

There are unconfirmed reports in the media that a reshuffle and expansion in the federal cabinet is in the offing. But will it be enough to stem the rot? The malaise within the PML-N runs much deeper.

The Sharifs should ponder over the reasons behind their brand taking a nose dive only after little over a year in government. Swelling crowds that greet Imran at his public meetings and the ‘go Nawaz go’ chants that haunt them wherever they go should be worrisome for them.

According to a World Bank assessment, as a result of the turmoil during the current financial year, at least two percentage points will be shaved off the GDP. But still the growth rate will be higher than the previous years.

Hence, despite claims to the contrary, in terms of sheer figures our economic managers have not performed that badly. A record slump in international oil prices should also help the government in reviving the engine of growth.

Nonetheless, ground realities tell a different story. Burgeoning electricity bills, rising unemployment and general lack of consideration and apathy towards the poor is taking its toll.

A free and independent media, general awareness amongst the people about their rights and the relatively educated middle cases reasserting themselves have given rise to heightened expectations.

It is not the same Pakistan that Sharif ruled in 1999. Things have changed. But the rulers unfortunately are slow to react. Their arrogant and sanctimonious ruling mode persists despite the challenges.

Unfortunately, this attitude permeates from the top down to the bottom. The country is being run through a cabal of ministers and advisors, some of them family members. And most state institutions – being run on ad hoc basis by handpicked cronies – remain in decay.

The elder Sharif seems oblivious to the happenings around him. Weekends in Lahore and frequent trips to Murree remain the norm for him. The kind of introspection that is needed is either lacking or not visible.

Even the younger Sharif has ostensibly taken a back seat and looks a bit detached. Reportedly, even some federal ministers close to the elder Sharif give him short shrift.

Unless the PML-N leadership soon gets its act together it could be curtains for them. True, the government has the support of the opposition within the parliament and its relations with the military are somewhat on the mend. But it is fast losing its ability to rule effectively.