An interview with Dr Rasul Bakhsh Rais
Accountability needs systematic changes
Despite having survived a number of political hiccups and strained relations with the brass, Nawaz Sharif remains paralysed, betraying strains still bearing down on his premiership. Most analysts believe his problems are largely of his own making. The leadership’s focus revolves around other parties and their agendas rather than people’s welfare. Whatever projects the government does announce seem far removed from the needs of a big bulk of the population.
Those in power, meantime, seem more concerned with improving their own lots, as opposed to the people’s. They continue to place their families and fortunes abroad, safely lodged in Swiss banks or real estate in Europe and the Gulf. While running the country, the Old Guard still relies on the bureaucracy to do its bidding. And despite tall claims of reforming the institution, PML-N style governance has only contributed to the downfall of the civilian bureaucracy. When prized postings become the master’s grace, it is only natural for government servants – especially in an environment of open corruption – to flock around those at the helm.
In other matters, the Sharifs place the lavish excesses of friendly Gulf monarchs ahead of the interests of the people, and endangered birds. The foreign office continues to deny Arab princes’ hunting of the Houbara Bustard in Balochistan, even as the ‘guests’ blatantly violate international and local law.
A similar situation presents itself in the provinces, where governments in charge would rather direct blame for their shortcomings to others instead of finding ways and means of addressing persisting problems. In such circumstances, people are questioning the utility of democracy in their lives, especially since everyday problems like load shedding, corruption, inflation, etc, seemed more controlled in times of dictators.
To make sense of this situation, and the leaders’ priorities, DNA talked to Dr Rasul Bakhsh Rais, professor of political science at LUMS and a prominent political analyst.
Question: The way PML-N is running the centre, and PPP and PTI are doing in Sindh and KPK, do you think federal and provincial governments are capable of getting the country out of the present crisis?
Rasul Bakhsh Rais: I don’t see anything intrinsic happening except for projects that make some impression of development in the public’s views. I think that the rulers have no clear vision, direction or even emotional conviction to bring about a positive change in the lives of the people of Pakistan. They lack commitment to reform their decision-making; they lack the required vigour to get the country out of the multiple crises it faces today.
Strong will is needed to hold the corrupt accountable. While the leadership of two major traditional political parties is corrupt to the core, I believe that among new political forces, there is some hope
Soon after the general election of 2013, the nation was looking toward the new government for bringing in some drastic, structural changes to help jumpstart the system. But these rulers have failed to deliver. No structural change has been introduced. During the past two years, not a single entity has been privatised or denationalised.
We can’t see a visible departure from the past. The decision-making process is faulty; the political actors are same; their manipulation tactics are the same and they are using the bureaucratic machinery to meet the same ends – minting money for their own fat pockets and stashing those in secret accounts in foreign banks.
Q: Soon after the formation of the government, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar claimed to launch a movement to bring back stolen money parked in Swiss banks. However, now the government has gone back on its word. Do you see any light at the end of the tunnel?
RBR: As far as the stolen money is concerned, there is no commitment or even hope for the same. I think for the past few decades, especially since the democratic transition began in the late 1980s, the political leadership has been minting money, extorting the exchequer and transferring it to foreign bank accounts. Pakistan is more than a business place for these politicians who control the political parties. They create political cartels, form alliances to win the polls and make money. Without an effective accountability system in place, this loot and plunder of the taxpayers’ money can’t be stopped.
Q: In the past, military dictators have taken over in the name of accountability of corrupt politicians. But why did those dictators later introduce laws like National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) to legalise the plunder of those politicians. Now, who would hold these corrupt politicians accountable when even military rulers have failed to do so?
RBR: Accountability is a relative term and it can’t be ensured without putting in systematic changes. Strong will is needed to hold the corrupt accountable. While the leadership of two major traditional political parties is corrupt to the core, I believe that among new political forces, there is some hope.
I believe Imran Khan and his party – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) – hold the card to change the dynastic politics of Pakistan. Imran is the one where hopes are pinned and in my view, he can bring about a positive change in Pakistan. It is Imran Khan’s party that stands in this dysfunctional system and military interventions.
I think while the civil servants have been turned subservient to the ruling party leadership, and it is time for the superior judiciary, especially the Supreme Court, to hold the corrupt accountable
Q: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has recently made claims about reforming the bureaucracy. Do you see it happening in the near future?
RBR: Reforming the bureaucracy is a big ask; but it is mandatory to institutionalise the country’s bureaucratic structure. The leaders of two dynastic parties have introduced a culture of personal loyalty in the bureaucratic system rather than loyalty to the state and hence they have destroyed the autonomy of the serving civil servants.
The bureaucracy is the permanent government, which takes care of public interest. But now dynastic politicians have introduced a system of personal loyalty in the bureaucratic cadre, destroying the institution. They have encouraged civil servants to fall prey to their evil plans. As a result, honest bureaucrats are being marginalised. Hence the officers having impeccable integrity have been pushed out and those loyal to major political leaders are getting what they want.
Q: In absence of strong state institutions and the culture introduced in bureaucracy of personal loyalty, do you think any accountability of the ruling elite is possible?
RBR: I think while the civil servants have been turned subservient to the ruling party leadership, and it is time for the superior judiciary, especially the Supreme Court, to hold the corrupt accountable. Moreover, independent media also needs to play its role in unmasking the corrupt and the unnamed assets kept abroad.
Q: Pakistani politicians as a whole seem subservient to Gulf monarchies. Do you see a difference between major parties in this regard?
RBR: All the country’s politicians don’t have relations with the monarchs of Gulf states. However, the leaders of two parties – the PPP and PML-N –which believe in dynastic politics, have their assets abroad. But they can only get personal benefits as they are self-centred and corrupt.
Q: Do you see any political future for Bilawal Bhutto Zardari or Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who are being projected as future leaders in Pakistan?
RBR: Having conducted a detailed study of the political culture and public sentiment, allow me to say that traditional parties are finished in Pakistan as far as the views of future generations are concerned. The traditional parties face a strong challenge from new political realities.
Those politicians who have faith in dynastic politics have no role to play in the future. They are a part of a rotten political culture which is dying fast. Though in utter desperation, they are joining hands to maintain traditional and outdated political system in the country, but they can’t survive as youth hates them.
Yes, the rulers can stay in power through intimidating, threatening and harassing their opponents, but they can’t survive for long in the future political scenario of Pakistan.