CJP means business
Now that the Supreme Court has given Punjab and Sindh one month to wrap up legal proceedings for local government elections, both provincial governments’ delaying tactics will have to come to an end. The Court’s suo motu on the issue dates back to April ’12, yet these two provinces’ political leadership has excused its way out of compliance. And it is interesting that a political elite allegedly fighting to safeguard democracy has deliberately resisted empowering the grass-root, which is the essence of representative politics.
Apparently, the old mindset still lingers in the echelons of power in Punjab and Sindh. Tactics at play betray political maneuvering aimed at consolidating both funds and influence. Once political workers emerge at the local level, while public scrutiny and oversight improves, is there any guarantee that the new bloc will continue to service the old guard? Will these new players, when they subsequently go for provincial and national assemblies, stay subservient to the leadership? And, unfortunately, this centralised mindset is not restricted to local government issues. Both PPP and PML-N continue with their all-in-the-family decision-making style – the latter even more so – despite increasing public dissatisfaction with dynastic politics. And both remain oblivious to crises of legitimacy in their respective backyards.
Therefore, the SC’s one-month deadline is crucial. It came when the Election Commission ruled out any progress till sometime next year, precisely because of the dilly-dallying from Punjab and Sindh. But the CJ means business, and it is hoped that the new CEC will also be firm. He must not disappoint, not the least because much haggling preceded his appointment, marked by the same kind of inefficiency that these provincial governments are displaying in local government elections. It is hoped there will be no more excuses and the political process will be allowed to take its natural course.
The " bribe & influence-peddling have replaced the system or one might say, it is what the system is ". Not any of the present political parties except PTI / PAT want to change, as it suites them. Conversely, why should they go into the rut of local election ? it does not suite them….so, what democracy are we talking about-day in day out ?
You may call Gen M with whatever name you may like, but at least he had courage to put local govt system in place. Seemingly, he seem to be more democrat than a dictator….
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