Daily Times

First a word about my piece published last week. Let me acknowledge an exception among the string of people appointed as heads of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the last one decade: Admiral (R) Fasih Bokhari. The fact that he was not allowed to complete his tenure and eased out prematurely makes for another bewildering story. Of that, another time!

It was John Locke who stated that “wherever law ends, tyranny begins”. Absolutely right, but it has been worse than that in this country. Instead of the law ending at some juncture, there has been virtually none of it to govern the lives and conduct of the powerful and the mighty.

The manner in which the burgeoning hope of accountability is being resisted from multiple quarters, and patent falsehoods and fabrications spread to camouflage a horde of alleged criminals from the prospect of answering for their vile actions, defies logic. The environment is further vitiated when a toxic dose of venom is added to the potion which is sprinkled around extensively. In the process, truth becomes a handy victim which is exiled from the domain of discussion.

Apparently, at stake are not just the political careers of a few. There is a likelihood of the entire edifice of despotic and oligarchic fiefdoms erected over decades, exploiting the noble name of democracy, to come crumbling down. But the pundits keep obfuscating, remaining engrossed in sorting out which came first: the egg or the chicken.

The tactic being guilefully employed by the beneficiary elite is to launch vicious attacks on the institutions which are entrusted with the task of conducting accountability so as to render them partisan and controversial. The current assault is directed against the judiciary, NAB and, by insinuation, the ones who are accused of controlling the pantomiming strings. To add further drama to the script, what is stated inside the courtroom is disdainfully and dishonestly enacted for the media outside. There is increasing desperation showing through all acts of this theatrical manifestation which, over time, has regressed to becoming a painful farce.

The concept of a democracy exploiting the hard work and commitment of a vast majority of people to advance the vested interests of a few is even more decadent and regressive than the concept of ‘controlled democracy’. It is so because it grows out of the act of dividing the society among the privileged and the non-privileged — the very thought being abhorrent to the inherent norms of democracy which cultivate unquestioned equality and equity among all sections, without distinction

The role of some institutions is the key to the divide which is being starkly drawn in the society. The media stands out as a key component of this ruthless game-plan. Instead of being the eyes and ears of the people to see and hear the truth, a bulk of it has been reduced to becoming complicit, standing alongside the alleged criminals in defending their corruption and myriad transgressions. There is hardly a voice of reason emanating from a plethora of commentators and broadcasters. They all appear to be mired in the viciousness which the maleficent actors have spread around and which they are benefitting immensely from in terms of ballooning institutional and personal bank balances.

A few exceptions appear distraught about the intentions of those who are conducting the accountability process, and those who are supporting it. They are also worried about the possibility that others, who have been equally guilty of indulging in corruption and misrule, and who are amongst those parroting the current selective initiative, may manage to escape the dragnet of justice as a reward for their help. If true, this will take the sting out of the whole process as well as render it untenable in becoming an acknowledged and sustainable instrument of accountability as part of an inherent mechanism to oversee the conduct of governments, institutions and individuals.

These worries are not without foundation. The concept of across-the-board accountability is integral to making the process legitimate. Even the slightest aberration in execution will render it controversial and provide a platform to those facing the axe to ride a wave of sympathy and win political mileage to influence the next visit to the hustings.

The emergence of a new political party just before the convening of the next general elections is another prospect which is increasingly coming under the scanner. Understandably, there is growing frustration within the political parties owing to the combative manner in which challenges are being tackled. Notwithstanding other factors, the new party will be looked upon with suspicion as the doing of the same forces which appear to be pulling the strings.

The concept of ‘controlled democracy’ is not tenable. It belongs to another century. We are living through different times and the gadgetry and tools available to the ordinary people, as also the trajectory of their hopes and dreams are not easily controllable.

We need a democracy which works without hindrance, but which also delivers at the grassroots level and is not tainted with the ugly spots of corruption and misrule. We need a democracy which has the right priorities and is sensitive to the needs of the fringe people to assist them to grow further to make some sense of their lives.

The lopsided priorities have widened the existing divide. Infrastructure may be important, but investment in education and health sectors is pivotal alongside providing opportunities to the deprived and the underprivileged to harness their capabilities to become a keg in the engine of national growth.

The concept of a democracy exploiting the hard work and commitment of a vast majority of people to advance the vested interests of a few is even more decadent and regressive than the concept of ‘controlled democracy’. It is so because it grows out of the act of dividing the society among the privileged and the non-privileged — the very thought being abhorrent to the inherent norms of democracy which cultivate unquestioned equality and equity among all sections, without distinction.

A lot has to change to make that possible, but none more so than the way we think of things around us. The focus should move from the self to others who need it more. The manipulators of the system have benefited from the sacrifices of its drivers who have had their futures blurred to advance the interests of the beneficiary elite. This has to end. The drivers have to become the leading stakeholders of the system.

Truth is the principal target of the confusion which is being consciously orchestrated. It has been blurred, badgered and banished from the domain of debate. This haze must disappear. Truth must prevail under the most daunting circumstances to help the poor and the downtrodden to assume positions of relevance. It should drive the system to begin delivering not to the benefit of a chosen few, but all those who are in need — the exploited and the faceless. They have been the real force behind the system. They should also become its principal beneficiaries.

From being a nation starved of the truth and deprived of honour, we should move to becoming the proponents of these core values to the world.

But, oh, the distance we need to traverse for being there! It changeth not until thou changeth thyself.

The writer is a political and security strategist, and heads the Regional Peace Institute — an Islamabad-based think tank. Email: raoofhasan@hotmail.com. Twitter: @RaoofHasan

Published in Daily Times, April 3^rd 2018.