Who will bring change?

Spoiler alert: it’s us

Be it his ever present swagger or learned personality, the conviction in his delivery or attempts to collide with the government head on; Dr Tahirul Qadri (TuQ) and his brand of change have managed to monopolise all conversational settings from lofty drawing rooms to shanty tea houses these past few weeks. Everyone had their eyes glued to the television as the events in Islamabad transpired. But now that the long march is over, let’s ask ourselves the question of what was achieved and scrutinise the role that our various political actors, including allies, opposition and non elected forces like the judiciary and army, had to play in yet another debacle in the lead up to the elections.

Regarding Imran Khan and his party, the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI)’s typical role of fencing real issues one can only be disappointed. The announcement that TuQ was demanding electoral reform should have been analysed by the party. It shows that whilst the party is gathering public support, it is yet to come to a common party stance and sadly gives the impression of being all over the place with their policies. PTI has been demanding change and promising it to the people. Change is definitely the need of the hour. But exactly how much has changed if one’s decisions are motivated by what everyone else is doing?

TuQ zeroed in on reform being required to uproot corruption and bring a government in place that is more representative of the people. Haven’t Imran Khan’s tsunami speeches been much about the same thing? He never lets an opportunity to make fun of the ruling coalition go by, why then did he play the role of political outlier in this scenario? It would be pertinent to mention that he also asked for President Zardari to tender his resignation when TuQ was in Islamabad. Additionally, he threatened his own march should his demands not be met. In the end, how can it escape anyone that he did endorse TuQ in a subtle way and TuQ went on ahead and commented on ‘attacking Parliament’. Is that not against everything Imran Khan has allegedly been fighting for these past 14 years?

Many commentators state that the reason for him not participating wholeheartedly with TuQ is the same as the reason for his party not contesting by-elections: fear that the tsunami will not be more than a cold splash. Then what does this make Imran Khan? A political spoiler? There is no room for making demands, such as the tendering of a resignation, if the PTI is committed to democracy. Realistic demands beget realistic results. Being a part of the democratic process brings greater change than sitting on the sidelines.

The MQM calls for change too and states its commitment to democracy and upholding the rule of law. It is amply clear that they enjoy a vast vote bank in Sindh. However, I have yet to understand the stance they took with regard to the long march. Only in this country would a coalition member attempt to join forces with a movement calling for the dissolution of the very coalition it is part of. Perhaps jumping on the change bandwagon was considered a good move by the MQM. Why then did they pull out? Fear of losing popularity by joining an unpopular movement? Or fear of being sidelined by taking on the very coalition it is a part of? Or a bit of both?

On a national level, PML-N’s role and commitment to democracy has been under fire in the aftermath of the Asgher Khan case. The party is continuing to accept back all those people who left the party in favour of Musharraf’s regime and martial law. Is this the ‘change’ they want? Does past behaviour not prove that these people’s commitment is to who is in power and not democracy? Provincially, the current laptop fiasco and Shahbaz Sharif’s empty promises to deliver on road and transport projects need also to be taken into account. Specifically, with reference to the long march, PML-N appears to have lost a lot of its street credibility. They have a new Canadian nemesis and are the only big party that did not want to make peace with him. Why? Do politicians stop being sensible once they foray with power?

The PPP handled the matter in the best way the situation could demand. They backtracked their resentment of Dr Qadri’s march in the light of reaching an amicable solution and in doing so offered respite to the thousands gathered in the cold. It should escape no one then that the PPP is committed to conducting the elections in a fair manner and is championing the cause of democracy and change.

The army’s role is very dubious. With Dr Qadri being labeled an ‘army man’ in some quarters, it can be assumed that the army is not ready to take a backseat and will continue to in some way be involved in the political landscape of this country.

As regards our “independent and free judiciary” didn’t they yet gain prove how politicised its superior ranks are when CJP Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary issued notice to the NAB Chairman to arrest PM Raja Ashraf in pursuance of ongoing investigations into the Rental Power Projects case? The fact that all this was done by the SC as the long march continued just a few streets away should not escape those enthusiasts labelling the judiciary as free and independent.

I’d like to ask: Is this a zero-sum game? If it is then TuQ won fame, President Zardari dealt with a critical crisis right before elections in a democratic and friendly manner while Imran Khan ended up losing credibility among some ranks. It can be safely said that PML-N lost the most as the manner in which they dealt with the whole long march situation should logically mean a colossal dent in their vote bank, especially in their own political fort of ‘Punjab’.

In the run up to elections, we need to remember that it is our vote that will take the cycle of transparent governance and democracy forward. As we cast our votes, let us be guided by logic, reason and the performance of associated political parties rather than by nepotistic allegiances. It is ‘we the people’ who are the real change bringers. It’s time we realised that.

The writer holds a Masters in

Finance and Entrepreneurship

and can be reached at [email protected]