Time for change

[fatman17]

Time for change


Pakist*ani youth, & urbani*sation of Pakist*ani villag*e have caused the politi*cal wheel of Pakist*an’s histor*y to turn.

By Rasul Bakhsh Rais
Published: November 26, 2011

The writer is professor of political science at LUMS rasul.rais@tribune.com.pk

Change is one of the natural laws of politics but, like other laws of nature, there is nothing definite about it; its path, timing and scale are unpredictable. Political change, however, doesn’t come from the sky, or out of the blue, catching contestants in power plays, as in our society or even in the more stable, peaceful, democratic industrial societies.

In this respect, there have always been two camps; one with the status quo and the other that would like to change the ways of power, governance and groups that control power in society. Those associated with power in Pakistan, directly through public offices or, indirectly through bribes and patronage, argue that nothing will change in the land of the pure. In times of visible signs of change at the grassroots level, this pessimistic tone is deliberate, conscious and targeted towards defending the power of the major political parties. However, in regular times of stagnation and domination of traditional power cliques, this pessimism would not be out of place.

One thing that observers and analysts of Pakistani politics shouldn’t miss is that the country’s political scene is fast changing at a popular level. In my humble estimation, the popular base is fast slipping away from the two major political parties — the PPP and the PML-N. I am sure this view will be contested, and let it be, using the Marxian phrase: no one can hold back the wheel of history. In our case, it is turning faster than we expected — against the interests and desires of the two major parties.

What has caused the political wheel of Pakistan’s history to turn with such speed? Is it the absolute distrust of the leadership of the two major parties — one has declined to the lowest limit and the other is not where it expected itself to be, sliding down with every swing of the kaptaan — Imran Khan. Let us not talk about the Lahore rally and how it raised the hopes of the Pakistani nation and demystified the domination of the PML-N. For this party, in my view, that proved to be the beginning of its end, loss of self-confidence in its popular support and loss of hope in its future prospects among a good number of political families and figures with individual support in Punjab.

Let me confine myself to two signs of the beginning of great change in Pakistani politics. First is the Pakistani youth embracing the kaptaan as their leader to take Pakistan away from the dynastic party leaders. Pakistani youth today are very different from the youth of my generation that took to the streets against Ayub Khan. They are articulate and have better critical thinking skills. More importantly, they are becoming active in an age of dense social webs, mass communication and universal reach of electronic media. No other leader or party can claim such a popular appeal among Pakistani youth.


The second important sign of change is the urbanisation of the Pakistani village. This is a phenomenon that I have observed very closely in various parts of the country, more in Punjab than in other places. It is not just the spread of facilities but the popular aspirations for a better life, better education, better society and better governance that connect the rural population with the urban population.

These changes will make the next elections transformative, critical and catapult a new party, a new leader into the spotlight. Guess who that could be?

Published in The Express Tribune, November 27th, 2011.

 

[Omar1984]

Yes we need to get rid of PPP, PML-N, MQM, ANP who are happy with the status quo and killing this nation.

IMRAN KHAN IS THE ONLY HOPE FOR PAKISTAN

 

[jeypore]

sing the Marxian phrase: no one can hold back the wheel of history. In our case, it is turning faster than we expected — against the interests and desires of the two major parties.

It is funny that I was discussing Marxian views (based on Muslim countries) in other thread and here is a major Pakistanie publishing (without any link provided by Mr. Fatman) is posting Marxian quotes..

Thanks.......

 

[fatman17]

It is funny that I was discussing Marxian views (based on Muslim countries) in other thread and here is a major Pakistanie publishing (without any link provided by Mr. Fatman) is posting Marxian quotes..

Thanks.......

link is available at the start of the op-ed

 

[fatman17]

Corruption and runaway economy


Squandering of Pakistan's resources by Zardari government to win votes will add to nation's woes


By Farhan Bokhari, Special to Gulf News Published: 00:00 November 27, 2011


Asif Ali Zardari Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari may be keeping a brave face but he has clearly had a challenging week. It all began with the replacement of his chosen ambassador to Washington, caught in a controversy over the alleged use of the government's influence for inviting US pressure upon Pakistan's army. The week ended with yet another setback when Pakistan's Supreme Court rejected a plea by the ruling regime to review a major verdict that previously undid a blanket immunity given to politicians and key officials accused of corruption.

In the coming days and weeks, Zardari and his coterie of ruling politicians from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) are bound to be focused squarely on how best to extricate themselves from the fallout of these recent setbacks. Will it be a court battle or a diplomatic success that will help Pakistan's rulers steer themselves out of their predicament?

Indeed, that may be the question that Zardari and other members of the ruling coterie are asking themselves as they work to stabilise their own positions. Yet, even a half convincing answer to these questions bears little relevance to the monumental set of challenges that Pakistan faces today.

The country is already beginning to be immersed in an election cycle. Across Pakistan, key opposition parties have now begun preparations for gaining support of their constituents ahead of the next elections. In some respects, Pakistan has entered a risk phase in its history, not least due to the country's overall adverse security conditions and the danger of prominent politicians being targeted. As significant for the future of Pakistan is indeed the danger of Zardari's government becoming even more reckless than before in managing what clearly appears to be a runaway economy. Going through a year-long election cycle will essentially mean that an already wasteful government will likely become even less responsible than before. A speedier squandering of Pakistan's resources through populist measures to win votes for an increasingly unpopular ruling structure will only add further to the economic ruin.

Meanwhile, on the street, the challenges that Zardari appears to consider important enough to address immediately, have little relevance to the future of the country's population. For ordinary Pakistanis, there may be little interest in who gets sent to the US capital as Pakistan's ambassador, given that such a diplomatic posting will make no difference to the quality of lives across the country.

Deeper implications

And while there is widespread and growing hope for the ruling class to depart from the scene, a battle in the Supreme Court will become significant only when it is clear that Pakistan is about to be gifted with a long overdue uplift in its quality of government. This mood across Pakistan flows from widespread stories of corruption in high places that have frequently made the rounds in the past three years since Zardari and his lot from the PPP came to power after elections in 2008. While the government loses out on popular sentiment, Pakistan's dangerous weakening has deep-rooted implications, both for its internal stability and external challenges.

Yesterday, the Pakistani government ordered an immediate suspension of a truck supply facility given via Pakistan to western troops stationed in Afghanistan, after a western helicopter flew in to Pakistan's territory from Afghanistan, attacked a border post and by some accounts killed at least 24 Pakistani soldiers. In the coming days and weeks, it is possible that Pakistan will come around to removing the restrictions on the trucks after a face-saving solution is found. Tragically, this will be a repeat of a previous episode when a similar ban following a similar attack, was eventually lifted.

To make matters worse, though, Pakistan is hardly in a position to defend itself even when the country's physical sovereignty is infringed. The country's deep rooted dependence on the outside world, given its many internal contradictions and a continued failure to reform, has simply eroded its ability to stand up even where it has the legitimate right to do so.

For rulers like Zardari, any argument that blames the government for its failure to reform Pakistan and enable it to defend its legitimate rights, may simply be stretching the limits of legitimate debate. But then, can anyone expect better from the head of state in Pakistan whose ability to grasp the true meaning of reforms has proven to be so inadequate?


Farhan Bokhari is a Pakistan-based commentator who writes on political and economic matters.

 

[jeypore]

link is available at the start of the op-ed

yes!!!!!!!!! rasul.rais@tribune.com.pk.

That does make sense!!!!!!!!!

 

[jeypore]

Meanwhile, on the street, the challenges that Zardari appears to consider important enough to address immediately, have little relevance to the future of the country's population. For ordinary Pakistanis, there may be little interest in who gets sent to the US capital as Pakistan's ambassador, given that such a diplomatic posting will make no difference to the quality of lives across the country.

This is not making any sense, please explain.... Thanks.

 

[jeypore]

To make matters worse, though, Pakistan is hardly in a position to defend itself even when the country's physical sovereignty is infringed. The country's deep rooted dependence on the outside world, given its many internal contradictions and a continued failure to reform, has simply eroded its ability to stand up even where it has the legitimate right to do so.

Isn't this the problem at it source in the first place.............

 

[jeypore]

But then, can anyone expect better from the head of state in Pakistan whose ability to grasp the true meaning of reforms has proven to be so inadequate?

No..............

Because the adequate of the situations lies with the Pakistanie army house hold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!