Daily Times

The air has a flair of change in the southeast province of Pakistan. Pakistan People Party (PPP) has ruled Sindh for 11 years. The province witnessed an alarming yet gradual deterioration, which hardly mattered to the rulers. From the Aids epidemic to the transformation of the Karachi, the city of light, into a big garbage bin, nothing has struck at the foundation of the PPP government. The legacy of Bhutto, one of the greatest leaders the land has seen, faded away years ago, but PPP government in Sindh was still going strong and stubborn, till now.

Pakistan’s politics after defying all the logical explanation witnessed the vote of the no-confidence motion against Senate Chairman.

Even the wisest minds, who understood all the ripples and riddles of our political system, cannot give any logical explanation to this move.

After the fatal misfire by the opposition, it cursed the demon of floor crossing and horse-trading, the two terms, which lay the very foundation of democracy in Pakistan. Democracy in Pakistan is based on the uncompromising commitment to the party, in fact, to the leader. He/she is not only responsible for the people’s fortune, but he/she can solely take and impose party decisions. There is no room for difference of opinion, strong second and third-tier leadership, logic, and persuasion in this political system. Anyone daring to oppose implies that he/she has compromised his/her consciousness, which is in debt to the leader and the political party.

Freedom of opinion or difference of opinion simply has no room in our democracy because this political system is a decaying version of a monarchy. The ruling elite doesn’t have even remote connection with the ordinary Pakistani. They are worlds apart from the common man. Their self-interests and focus are all that matter to them and their dedicated followers.

The evolution of opinion from a fundamental human right to a commodity is long, haunting and tragic

In the past, opinion has been bought and sold as a commodity. From Ayub Khan’s victory against Fatima Jinnah to Zia’s strategy of divide and rule, Pakistan has witnessed different shades of horse-trading. Still, the use of this tool to gain power is not exclusive to the military rulers only. Asghar Khan Case and Changa Manga politics still bitter the thoughts of democracy advocates and lovers. Here an interesting question resonates in my mind, why and how did opinion become a commodity to trade, buy and sell?

The evolution of opinion from a fundamental human right to a commodity is long, haunting and tragic.

Stakeholders crying about the menace of floor-crossing have invested decades in keeping their followers venerable so that they can control them easily.

Furthermore, the political parties are formed to serve the ruling families and do not rest on any ideology. They lack visions, missions and goals. The party members have limited or no understanding of the party ideology or manifesto. There is a massive gap between the rulers and the party members, which limits any personal connection, inspiration and conviction. Expressing the opinion against the leader can cost them the party membership, humiliation, acquisition, and seat in the Parliament or Senate.

Therefore, the secret ballot was introduced to protect their individuality to a certain level.

The concept of electable in Pakistan politics is also very interesting. Their strength at their constituency is a prized asset, which can be bought or sold in the political market. Again, their interest remains in keeping the people of constituency poor and dependent. Therefore, it also serves no benefit to ordinary people. The senators, now being blamed for selling their loyalty in Senate misadventure, bought these senate seats for millions in the name of party funds.

Our democratic system is individual-focused. A dominant leader protects and provides. The second and third-tier leaders are weak and fear survival without strong leadership. The opposition parties are lacking that dynamic leadership, which is creating chaos in opposition lines.

In addition to that, there is an obvious divide in the PML (N) leadership, which is adding to the complexity of the situation. With his first job as a party leader, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has yet to explore his full potential during his job orientation, and the turmoil in Sindh is a witness to that.

Moreover, we have a nostalgic affiliation with the establishment. The concept and role of the establishment in Pakistani politics resemble Greek Mythology, which implied that human were mealy toys in the hands of accident Greek gods; holding only entertainment value. In the words of Shakespeare’s King Lear, “As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods; they kill us for their sport.”

It is believed and coined again and again that everything is done by a mysterious establishment, which exists everywhere and nowhere.

Pakistan has a history of challenges, which cost us 70000 precious lives in the past 15 years of war. In many ways, Pakistan army is the backbone of this country, which is also the fortress of Islam. On the other hand, here Army is to serve, save, and still be ridiculed for every happening in the political arena. The easiest way to get the limelight and designated support from the anti-Pakistan affiliation is to have a confrontation with this pivotal institution. Sadly it is considered a sign of bravery and being a fearless political warrior. Till now, the Army has shown grace, support, dignity, and consideration for the democratic system.

Things may not be as simple as it seems. The role of PPP is complicated and complex at the same time. Opinion in debt is contrary to all the democratic rules. The challenges of getting Brexit bill approved, or Mexico wall is the grace of democracy, but in Pakistan, it will be tagged as disloyalty to the party and humiliation to democracy. We have created a demon, which is hard to control now. There are reasons why anyone should opt to vote against Hasil Bizenjo, want to go against the opposition stances or to participate in the government change endeavour in Sindh, but it just doesn’t have any room in our political system. It’s time that we revisit our beliefs, perceptions and concepts of democracy. Vote and opinion are not commodities, which can be bought and sold in the democratic market. They are a responsibility and should be used as one. This type of corruption is slowly eating up the very foundation of this democratic system. Senate election or the government change in Sindh can be a victory of democracy or another story of betrayal for money, but if we fail to address and understand it now, we won’t have anyone to blame for the system collapse in the future.

The writer is authored of leadership and success; the missing link; emotional intelligence, a columnist, blogger, social worker, current affairs analyst