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Where is Pakistan heading for?

jeypore

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Prof Farakh A Khan


US based International Republican Institute (IRI) is at it again. When IRI published its findings during last governments rule Musharraf dismissed the findings and kept on claiming that he was very popular among the ‘silent majority’. He also criticised the method of conducting the opinion polls not knowing that these were scientifically valid. Now the IRI has published its results of a survey conducted in October. The latest survey is not very flattering for the Peoples Party rule and especially Mr Zardari.

We do need to look at the performance of PPP since their sweep to power. For a start a battalion of ministers and advisors are eating at our finances. The Prime Minister we are told has already spent Rs 80 million on stints abroad when the country is financially haemorrhaging. Individually Mr Zardari and his assistant Mr Gillani have been in for severe criticism the way they have handled affairs of the country. From drone attacks in Fata to Mumbai attack there have been poor performances of the government. The American pressures have increased and now the Indian order to ‘do more’ has made the government wander in wilderness of diplomacy.

The UN Security Council committee slapped article 1267 effectively declaring the country as a home of international terrorists. Like the regular drone attacks in Fata it is claimed that 1267 was cleared by the Pakistani leadership under severe pressure. The government has refuted both allegations. The government policy is of capitulation with ‘honour’ to American and now Indian pressures.

Mr Zardari government inherited many poor policies of Musharraf including Justices Iftikhar Chaudhry and Dogar case. We have yet to sort out Fata, Swat, and Balochistan problem. The jihadi/welfare organisations in Punjab are too well entrenched to be tackled by this government. The jihadi mindset cannot be removed by force. We need to re-educate our people. The army still wields power and has to be kept in good humour amid tension with India. Then there was a global financial meltdown. Pakistan’s already fragile economy was going towards default.

We then had to beg the final and the only option IMF for a bailout. Some people tell me that IMF is a tough lender and would ensure good governance, which we badly need. Good governance should have been at the top of our agenda starting in 1947. So far no government in Pakistan has any idea as to how to get good governance in place. This is the core issue of Pakistan without which we can only move backwards. For the government in power, civilian and military, good governance is a contradiction of will to stay in power. The IMF loan shall be defaulted because of our inability to correct our existing bad governance.

In many countries decisions are made after through study of the problem by experts. For tricky issues such as the economy, health and education ‘think tanks’ are put in place. These ‘tanks’ comprise of finest brains of the country irrespective of their religion or political leanings. The findings of these ‘tanks’ help to educate the decision makers in the parliament. In Pakistan decisions of crucial nature are made on personal whims rather than through consultations. This has to change.

We inherited colonial palaces in the form of ‘government/governor houses’. We improved on the colonial policy and went on to make Prime Minster and President houses in Islamabad. The ongoing expenditure of these white palaces could easily run and feed thousands of schools all over Pakistan. We hear of five quick trips of the Prime Minister costing us Rs 80 million. Could the same diplomatic trips cost less or could be avoided altogether? We are not a rich country. We may be heading for bankruptcy.

Mr Zardari wrangled his way into the Presidency knowing that he was taking a leap into an abyss. Why did he choose to do so when he is endowed with ample personal wealth? Perhaps he was swayed by the power attached with the seat vacated by Gen Musharraf. With power at the top there are many pitfalls and demons shadowing the Presidency despite full powers. In his case I would not have advised him to grab the hot seat especially when he is not a general.

Zardari is now going to face repeal of 17th Amendment and Article 58-2-b. This he should not give up at any cost or he would only become a toothless replica of some other past presidents of Pakistan. If he still desperately wants to stick to power then Mr Zardari should make Gillani to resign and take his seat as the prime minister before he repeals the 17th Amendment. This is not a novel suggestion. We are used to standby prime ministers and chief ministers.

My advice to Mr Zardari is simple. Mr Zardari should go back to Dubai, manage his affairs at home where he is badly needed, and leave the running of the country to more capable hands. If he continues in office he shall surely destroy the PPP and perhaps the country.

One thing is clear to me. The army should not be given any position of power or decision making role. Never again! Howsoever bad the civilian government is, army rule is worse and every time it takes over the country is set back decades. Change of government is the prerogative of the people of Pakistan and not some judge or the any state organ.



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