Accountability is a responsibility, not an act of kindness
While those at the centre of the spectrum, with much suppressed greed, believe justice to be, in Plato’s words, “giving to every man his due”, those at the flanking regions define it to be “the interest of the stronger”
‘Once upon a time’ is usually and mostly the first phrase of all the fairy tales narrated to children. This tale, perhaps, might also be read to the forthcoming generations in the same manner and with the same opening phrase. But for now, the tale is being written.
It will recount the exemplary valour, the incessant commitment and the undaunted determination that were manifested by the once-upon-a-time’s ruling family, for its extolled members were held accountable. They were questioned about their assets, just like any other citizen of the polity. The money trail of the royal family of the democratic federation was probed, for the names of the honourable members had appeared in certain leaked documents, the name of which was mocked and rhymed with “Pajama” by the advocates and pleasers.
So what made it such a big deal? What makes this story worthy enough to be penned down? Believe me, it is no fairy tale because the latter gives a moral at the end and revolves around some basic principles.
The central idea behind all the associated debates and arguments we have been hearing on the television and reading in the newspapers since over a year cannot be understood without comprehending what Plato thought of the entire concept of democracy. To him, the diversity generated by the freedom granted by and under democratic rule was quite disruptive owing to two-fold reasons: the incapability and incompetence of common man to govern himself or choose a true governor, and the tyranny that would ultimately result from the demagogic advantage that the ruler is quite likely to take of his position. Talking of this prerogative, the democratically elected ruler can, and often does, resort to kerbing the rights of the middle social class in order to benefit the un-ambitious and indolent proletariat class because it is with the characteristics of the latter that he can closely associate. Answering the “how?” part is disturbingly bitter because it targets the very umbra of the problem – greed. Just like any other spectrum, this scale of social stratification also observes the highs and lows of greed, primarily aided by development of conscience, living conditions, and the subsequent willingness to abide by the rules.
While those at the centre of the spectrum, with much suppressed greed, believe justice to be, in Plato’s words, “giving to every man his due”, those at the flanking regions define it to be “the interest of the stronger”.
This idea of justice being the interest of the government and, ultimately, of the stronger because the government is supposed to be powerful in order to ensure implementation of rule of law is what has killed the system because once-upon-a-time’s statesmen were unable to identify three distinct pillars of the state. Distribution of sweetmeats by supporters of the ruling family after the announcement of the verdict by the Supreme Court of Pakistan was a clear vindication of how puzzled we are in understanding what the institution of judiciary is and what actually should be expected of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT).
The privilege that was feared by Plato to be enjoyed by democratic rulers was, therefore, nothing else but immunity from accountability. Governance sans accountability is what coined the idiom “Might is right”. Thus presenting yourself before the courts and letting the masses know about your estate is your duty that you signed up for by taking the oath and is certainly not a favour on the nation. The whole ruling family is morally bound to be subjected to investigation and interrogation just like any other Pakistani citizen no matter how innocent they turn out to be in the end and is definitely not a non-wajib debt paid off, because with privilege comes accountability.
Yet another perquisite is the woman card that is played either to break the glass ceiling or to gain an advantage in certain situations, or these being the only two outcomes perceivable to a common man. But the true power that this card harbours was demonstrated in the past week when the self-proclaimed ‘daughter of the nation’ was summoned to appear before the JIT. What makes her the most eminent daughter of this nation? Her belonging to the first family of Pakistan? Is this good enough to be a valid reason? And if the whole argument is revolving around her being just ‘a’ daughter of the nation then it is absolutely pertinent and immensely important to mention the names of several other honourable ladies produced by this land who deserve a higher degree of the same title.
Benazir Bhutto: The way she stood up against the dictator whose policies dragged Pakistan a hundred years back is what makes everyone her fan despite all political and ideological differences, if any.
Mukhtaran Mai: The lady of her own kind who did not give up after being victimised in the name of honour and who fought and actually won the war, becoming a ray of hope for every woman.
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy: Who knows how many faces has her Saving Face saved! And how many girls she has saved from being killed in the name of honour by making a wonder that A girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness was… moving the government to revisit its laws on honour killings is what this soil actually needed.
Malala Yousafzai: She is and will always remain to be Pakistan’s second Nobel Laureate and there is no denying this fact.
Henna Shahnawaz: A daughter and the only breadwinner of her family who was murdered by her ‘honourable’ cousin on charges of working for a non-governmental organisation, something deemed highly indecorous by our society. She factually is a representation of the many voices that are silenced and buried in the name of honour and greed.
And the list includes thousands of women who were and will be treated with the tastes of foeticide, infanticide, honour killing, acid attacks, human rights violation, and physical, mental and sexual abuse. They are the true daughters of this nation because this is the material our nation comprises.
The other real picture shows working women being harassed while travelling in public transport vehicles, working in offices, shopping in crowded markets and walking on busy roads. But they go home, cry their anger out, and go to work with same prompt zeal every single day. These are the real daughters of this nation. They do not hail from any royal or first family and not everyone knows their name or notices their presence. Yet they are working in their niches and running the wheel of this nation. And they are held accountable at every step and walk of their life by their family and this society. The income tax is deducted from their salaries before being transferred into their accounts and yet they are bound to submit income tax and wealth statements every year. This is what reflects the much required blend of accountability and functioning, and this is what the characteristics of the true daughters of this nation are.
In case anyone still feels like swiping the gender card through the minds of people constituting this nation then let’s play the religion card first. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), when approached by a group of men to forgive a woman thief named Fatima, vowed to punish his own daughter named Fatima (RA) had she been the thief. That is what answerability feels like.
Digging further into the stories of the past, Maryam, the mother of Jesus Christ, was interrogated about the baby she was holding on her arrival from Bethlehem despite her being a proclaimed symbol of chastity and purity. This is how acrid the sting of answerability is.
The only conclusion that could be derived in the end is acknowledging the precedence set by the first daughter by presenting herself before the JIT for interrogation and castigating the undue hype that was created by media and supporters of PML-N. There was nothing exceptional about it. After all, accountability is a prime responsibility, not an act of kindness beyond what is due.