Daily Times

Pakistan is at the unenviable crossroads where it has boxed itself in with grave crises on all sides, with no chance of escaping unscathed, particularly when our heads are buried in the sand, and sanity does not prevail. The result is more chaos and confusion. The painful effects of indecision are causing loss of innocent lives, the economy is haemorrhaging, and the rupee’s fall is adding to debt and insecurity about the future. Various much-needed reforms, such as in education, law enforcement and taxation, are being ignored. Governance is still sorely missing.

It seems that our leaders, both civilian and military, have become so adept at being economical with the truth that they have started to believe in their own untruths. Take the recent case of the ‘unanimous decisions’ made in the much-trumpeted All Parties Conference (APC) to hold unconditional talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Except for Imran Khan’s PTI, all other signatories have backed out of their earlier decision, while the prime minister (PM) looks double minded. Apparently, this is due to the recent Peshawar bombings. Everyone agrees that the bombings were horrible, an appalling act of savagery, which needed to be condemned. It seems nobody cared to take notice that the TTP have denied any involvement with these bombings. This raises two questions: firstly, who are really responsible for this pernicious carnage and what are their aims? Secondly, why have all the parties backed out of the talks when the TTP does not take any responsibility for these acts?

A spate of bombings soon after such a momentous meeting of minds at the APC certainly raises eyebrows and even a layperson in the street wonders: whodunit? Is it the CIA or one of our boys working on what they perceive as the larger picture, or could it be a TTP rogue offshoot? There have to be some talk-breakers around; this cannot be just a coincidence. Particularly, the bombing of a church could be to create a backlash from the NATO countries, further hardening the resolve of the west to derail any talks with the TTP and provide them the propaganda opportunity to malign the Taliban more.

Coming to the second question about our honourable parties running away with their tails between their legs, it seems they must have received a signal from somewhere or the other to back off in unison. This is not surprising in our dear country where politics is more a game of opportunism rather than adherence to some basic principles. We must also consider that the APC did not put a precondition to the effect that the TTP would have to end all aggression for the talks to begin. If that is a fact then why abandon peace efforts even before they have really begun? Moreover, in numerous cases in the world, wars have continued while talks have gone on. The one example that comes to mind is of the US and Vietnam, where talks went on for years and so did the war. There are more such instances. It would, therefore, not be wrong to conclude that the bombings were used as a cover to try and scuttle the talks. Unfortunately, the PM’s failure to take a firm stand has added to the confusion; sitting on the fence cannot be an option at all when the whole country is in flames. If the PM continues to suffer from the 1999 syndrome, and continuously looks over his shoulder, he will be an utter failure. Weakness is always exploited, while a display of firmness with maturity will always be respected. A good batsman will always hit a bad ball and defend a good one, and both are acts of a firm resolve.

Mr Nawaz Sharif is here for five years, unless he makes a royal mess of things; therefore, his longevity in the seat of power is, to a great extent, in his and his party’s hands. The beginning has not been good, and he must be aware that it is due to too many errors. Some of these are: an opportunity to provide at least some major economic policy departures, revenue collection measures and tax reforms was missed, and a depressingly bureaucratic budget was announced. This timid budget was again negotiated with the so-called business leaders — who, as usual, appear to be more involved in tax-dodging techniques — and further concessions were given! Since Wattoo’s hilarious budget almost 30 years ago, budgets have lost their sanctity, and each one of them is renegotiated. Where else in the world does such a comical exercise take place?

The PM’s speeches to the nation do not infuse confidence, as he does not display the dynamism or energy that would show he is on top of the numerous crises looming large.

The targeted operation in Karachi was executed ineptly. Once again, it was a lot of talk with a halfhearted, smoke-screened walk, which has netted mostly third tier miscreants, while all the big guys flew away. The operation is such a timid affair that the federal government had to rescind its decision to change the IGP within hours, as it was hurting the interests of the PPP. An MQM leader was let go after protests, with the statement that no evidence was available! Chaudhry Nisar announced that there would be a committee of persons from civil society to monitor the law enforcing agencies. The committee was not formed. Therefore, the judge and jury remain the same. Is this not a mockery? All those involved, right to the top, are indulging in hypocrisy. Within six months, if not earlier, Karachi will return to square one. If this is really the best that they can do, then it is quite clear that we are in for a torrid time. It seems that all concerned are not interested in a peaceful and active Karachi for their own reasons. So many are making money by the tons at Karachi’s expense, with the PPP, MQM mafias in the forefront. Those in Punjab who for long have carried deep prejudices against Karachi’s leading position, have, unfortunately, also conspired for chaos to prevail.

Now the PM has announced the formation of a special counterterrorism force in Punjab, where the problem of terrorism is minimal! Why not Karachi where it is needed most? The manner in which the fortress of Punjab is being created, with special security to provide confidence to investors, numerous industrial projects are being negotiated, education schemes being developed, there can be no doubt that the federal government serves the interests of the Punjab.

Everybody is rejoicing on Malala Yousafzai’s astounding success in the west. There is no doubt that Malala is an extraordinary girl in terms of maturity, courage, and intelligence, and she could become the leader this country needs. However, the way the west is using her for their own purposes is objectionable, but our government is least bothered or unaware. Has anybody thought why the west is interested in this girl’s safety when their drones have killed hundreds of schoolgoing girls in Pakistan, and thousands in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq? Has anybody asked that if the west is really so concerned about girls’ education, how many girl schools were opened and are running in Afghanistan after 14 years of occupation and what percentage of girls have been educated? Similiarly, in Iraq. The answer is insignificant. Mr Gordon Brown has suddenly taken centre stage as the champion of female education; his record as a supporter of women’s rights, while he was UK’s prime minister, is poor. Most women’s rights organisations in the UK are very critical of his role. Carol Anne Grayson, an anti-drone campaigner, human rights and gender justice activist, has this to say: “Sadly this intelligent, articulate, young woman has been picked up by a former prime minister who didn’t give a jot about equality when in power, a man criticised by female ministers for…placing women on the margins.”

Assad Baig, writing in the Huffington Post, says: “This is a story of a native girl saved by the white man…the Western world can feel good about itself as they save the native woman from the savage men of her home nation…brown child…shot for demanding education…knight in shining armour saves her. The actions of the West, the bombings, the occupations, the wars, all seem justified now, ‘See, we told you, this is why we intervene to save the natives’.”

It is apparent that the extraordinary interest in Malala in the west is for their own purposes and interests and it has very little to do with Malala, and, of course, it has absolutely nothing to do with Pakistan or Afghanistan. Nor did it have to do with Iraq or Libya or now Syria.

These western intentions are visible to the world; why can’t our government see them? What is our foreign ministry and its octogenarian advisors doing? Or that the bidding of our lords and masters in Washington and London has to be done? Surely, we did not elect the PML-N for such poor governance. Shape up or ship out.

The writer is a businessman and a former chairman of the National Textile Foundation. He can be reached at fsumar@cyber.net.pk