Hope, democracy, human rights and women empowerment
27th December, 2007, was a dreadful day for the Bhutto family. Benazir Bhutto, who was nurtured by one of country’s charismatic leaders, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and his last kin, was mercilessly assassinated. It was also a low point in Pakistan’s history where the country got deprived of its veteran leader in a situation when military dictator Pervez Musharraf was on his way out and a strong leader was required to fill the vacuum. Indeed, it was a wretched epoch.
It would be unfair to say that she was known because of her father when in fact it was her own struggle against Zia-ul-Haq’s dictatorship which was exemplary. It would not be an exaggeration that she, with the help of her mother Nusrat Bhutto, protected Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) from demise after Z A Bhutto’s execution. Her services for PPP are as important as those of her her father’s. Z A Bhutto had created a political party for the common people (PPP) and Benazir Bhutto reinvigorated it despite Zia’s oppression against democrats in general and Bhutto family in particular.
She certainly made some political blunders as well. Her support for Afghan Taliban—earning her the title of Mother of Taliban—is an open secret. Due to her calamitous policies, Pakistan and Afghanistan are still paying a heavy price. A lot can be written on the repercussions of her policies but that is not the focus of this write-up.
Benazir’s Pakistan was how Jinnah wanted Pakistan to be. One can observe from her different interviews, writings and literature that she wanted a strong democratic Pakistan where civilian institutions had more autonomy, power was to be devolved and rights of common people were not to be curtailed and arguably, and this is her legacy. The best way to remember her or pay tribute to her would be by asking how much her successor Asif Ali Zardari and other stalwarts of PPP contributed to her legacy in the last eight years.
To briefly analyse the eight-year progress, let’s begin with institutional autonomy. PPP has always put forward 18th amendment in its defence whenever it is asked about its five-year performance. The 18th amendment was indeed a significant achievement as far as constitutional development is concerned, but it is just a few lines on a piece of paper until it is applied in earnest.
When the then Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was deposed by Pervez Musharaf, PPP showed full support for Lawyers’ Movement and vowed to restore the chief justice. However, what the party did for CJ’s restoration after coming into power in 2008 is another debate. Nevertheless, during its tenure, the PPP did not introduce any judicial reforms which could have strengthened judiciary despite knowing issues in our justice system.
Judicial reforms were and still are essential for the autonomy of justice system. Since reforms had never been in PPP’s agenda, as a result, military courts became sine qua non because our courts were unable to provide speedy justice. This move was overwhelmingly supported by PPP. Military courts may be productive for speedy justice but they are counterproductive in strengthening judicial system and its autonomy.
As far as the devolution of power is concerned, PPP is reluctant to transfer power to the local level. Delays and excuses in holding local elections in Sindh is enough to gauge its seriousness for devolution of power. Although, local elections have been conducted in Sindh but due to concentration of power at provincial level, now a city’s mayor needs permission from provincial government even for running an anti-litter drive.
Benazir was a proponent of human rights and she staunchly advocated for women empowerment. She broke all stereotypes in a society where women participation in politics and society was considered a taboo. Despite massive opposition from clergies and generals, she proved that a woman could lead the country. But what PPP has done for women empowerment after Benazir is quite ironic. In 2013 General Elections, the PPP, in alliance with other mainstream parties, barred women from voting in different districts of KP.
The draconian cybercrimes bill has been approved by National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology. The bill curtails basic human rights under the guise of criticism on security establishment, criticism on country’s friendly relations with foreign states and glory of Islam. The bill hasn’t come into force yet but consequences are already emerging. Recently, it was reported that Fahd Hussain’s column on UAE minister’s statement was blocked due to unknown reasons. In another account, Mir Ali Talpur and Muhammad Taqi were barred from writing for Daily Times due to their critical views on state’s policy. The bill is introduced and backed by PML-N and PPP cannot be blamed for it but it can be criticised over its silence on the bill.
Moreover, the Protection of Pakistan Bill was also supported by PPP. The bill allows shooting a person on mere suspicions. Furthermore, security forces can detain any person on suspicion for 90 days without arrest warrant. Arrested individuals cannot hire a prosecutor during these 90 days, according to the bill which is now an act. It is a clear violation of the fundamental right to hire legal counsel.
Currently, PPP’s top leadership is in self-exile. Asif Ali Zardari, fearing arrest over corruption charges, has flown to Dubai. Now, Chief Minister Sindh, Speaker Provincial Assembly, Provincial Information Minister and other ministers have to go Dubai to take instructions from him. On the other hand, despite many death threats Benazir came to Pakistan to live among people. Although she also lived in self-exile, it was due to dictators who pushed her to go in exile. On her return, her rally was attacked on 18 October but she did not leave Pakistan. She chose bravery over fear which is why every jiyala (PPP worker) felt connected to her.
What Zia and Musharraf were unable to do, Asif Ali Zardari did to PPP in eight years. The party’s current position—restricted to Sindh—is the outcome of his policies in post-Benazir scenario. The PPP leadership is dissociated with its workers, has lost support in Punjab, is surrounded by corruption scandals and has nothing to offer but bad governance.
PPP is beyond the slogans of roti, kapra aur makan and Pakistan Khapay. Leaders who stood for something are buried in Gari Khuda Baksh. They were the symbols of hope, democracy, human rights and women empowerment, but the party has to think now if it only wants to commemorate Bhuttos’ anniversaries every year or wants to take forward their legacies.
