An imperfect electoral exercise copied from western models our democracy has very little relevance to the local environment or the “genius of the people”. The “first past the post system” does not ascertain the real majority, the “run-off” measure does. Negating “proportional representation” bedevils good governance. PML (N) obtained 14.9 million votes in 2013, 32% of 46 million out of 86 who voted as opposed to PTI’s 7.7 (17%) and PPP’s 6.8 million (15%). PML (N) should have got 84, PTI 42 and PPP 37 seats respectively but PML (N) disproportionality got 53 seats more and PTI and PPP 13 and 6 less. Having a million votes more PTI got four seats less than PPP.
It would not have made much difference in govt formation by PML (N) but election rigging did take place despite ECP’s best efforts in 25-30 NA seats in the Punjab and about 30-35 in Sindh. The low rate of literacy provides opportunity for a high rate of malfeasance. Rigging is not confined to the illiterate, former Chairman PCB Zaka Ashraf best symbolized the corrupt practices of Zardari appointees, he massively rigged his own elections as Chairman. Thankfully Islamabad High Court (IHC) sent this man packing before he completed the total destruction of Pakistani cricket.
The public did not protest when Mian Nawaz Sharif was toppled by a military coup despite his “heavy” mandate. Securing a virtual whitewash in the Punjab with pockets of support in other provinces, he has made a remarkable comeback 14 years ago later. The PPP’s one-point agenda concentrated on corruption, by their misgovernance Zardari and party complicated a whole multitude of issues afflicting the nation viz energy shortages, security and terrorism, unemployment, education, health and poverty, etc. Voting with a vengeance against the PPP-led coalition, the people will expect marked improvement in their lives. The margin of victory allows PML (N) to initiate bold policy decisions with some ease, giving due priority to reforming the economy.
At the heart of the democratic process, accountability is lost once the winners step into the governance mode. Having violated ethical principles and compromised on election promises in the scramble for power, increasingly governments rely on corruption for survival. It has become socially acceptable now in Pakistan for the rulers to flaunt their illegally acquired wealth knowing that the gullible public will keep on believing their denials about corruption. Moreover they are brazen about not paying taxes, and if so, very little. Our guardian angels of truth and morality remain shy of implementing the NRO verdict, what stops them from asking the topmost public official in the country to declare his assets? With Zardari back being his “brother”, Mian Sahib’s benevolence will cost Pakistan US$ 60 million of Pakistan’s money in the Swiss case alone. Faced with retribution if they do not conform, senior government functionaries fall over themselves to ingratiate themselves with the political rulers by teaching them how to skirt around the laws of the land. A democracy without accountability is akin to dictatorship, a dictatorship that does not compromise on nepotism and corruption would logically be better than such a democracy.
National Accountability Bureau (NAB) needs to revive its potential. Appointment by Asif Zardari unfortunately compromised Adm (Retd) Fasih Bokhari’s credibility, the Malik Riaz connection did not help. The controversy was counter-productive to NAB’s effectiveness. His position was bound to become legally untenable, a respected friend he should have resigned in good grace before being forced to quit by SC diktat. His replacement as Chairman NAB must be someone of the integrity and stature of Tariq Khosa, an man of impeccable character and reputation!
Successive military regime may have messed up good, they did provide good governance for the most part. The citizens felt secure and safe, having much more freedom than in any democratic regimes. Democratic govt’s compromises invariably puts good governance on the backburner. Instead of wanting to be liked and loved, the ruler who intends to provide good governance must be tough and fair, being prepared to be hated by the elite because he has to step on their toes to give succour to the masses. With the elite commanding the media in all the countries of the world, the ruler must be also prepared to be temporarily disliked by the public in choosing good governance over populist measures. Some reforms may be unpopular (e.g. taxation, cutting energy subsidies, etc), therefore all stakeholders i.e. provincial governments, trade unions, business organizations, etc need to be taken on board.
Energy shortages symbolize Pakistan’s worsening economic situation. Over 20 hours of daily load shedding exacerbates the country’s economic woes, crippling industries across the country, more than the third of electricity is lost through line losses and theft. Industrial units closing down has cost the economy US$ 12 billion annually with tens of thousand of workers losing their jobs, massive unemployment driving the people into frustration. Protests are rising, at times they are violent. Foreign direct investment (FDI) has dried up because of the worsening law and order situation, new jobs are not being generated. The loss of revenues notwithstanding, the social and psychological toll spawned by persistent unemployment cannot be adequately expressed.
Mian Sahib’s initiative to negotiate with the Taliban is shared by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) but is extremely sensitive. The rule of law has deteriorated with militants, extremists and the lawless wreaking havoc at will. Negotiations will polarize Pakistani public opinion, how can we talk with people who have killed innocents by the thousands, beheaded our soldiers and bombed our mosques, who do not recognize the Constitution of Pakistan and see democracy as anti-Islamic? The Taliban and the other militants spreading death and destruction are nobody’s friends. Appeasement will be disastrous, doubts and concerns about their warped mindset must be removed and a consensus obtained. The unending cycle of violence can only be brought under control when terrorism is defeated by a duly formulated comprehensive policy. Neither PML (N) nor PTI should be taken in by Maulana Fazlur Rahman’s offer to mediate with the Taliban, their representatives refused to meet him in Doha very recently. A Counter-Terrorism Force (CTF) on the pattern of the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) must be set up, or the ANF beefed-up to become a CTF. Was drugs a greater threat than terrorism?
Without the participation of the people democracy is a farce, providing governance at the doorstep of the people at the “grass roots level” is vital for any civilized society. Functioning Local Bodies (LB) are the very basis of any democracy, they encourage self-participation, ownership, debate and involvement of local communities, stakeholders in the welfare and well being of a unified society. Notwithstanding their mandate at the macro-level, why do our elected representatives fear the people at the micro-level? All Provincial govts must immediately announce LB elections in 60-90 days.
A free market-oriented businessman, Mian Nawaz Sharif has a reputation for economic competence, he has the wherewithal to take Pakistan out of the economic quagmire Zardari and party have got us into. The tasks are gigantic, the challenges daunting and the hazards along the way numerous, is Mian Sahib upto providing the special leadership this country badly needs?
Courtesy: The News
