The recent rift between the federal and the Sindh governments is getting fierce. Conflicting opinions emerging from arrogantly conceived confusions are turning loud enough to intensely insane political emasculation of each other. Both are trying to behave like an immaculate reality though they are the victim of their own dilemmas of public perceptions. The federal government cannot hide its political immaturity, and insane and impulsively reactive responses to its political opponents. What a childish political polity is ruling the centre that is more reliant on the muscularity of the ‘big brothers’ – previously termed as the third empire’ in the days of dharna (sit-in) at D-Chowk in front of the parliament. The centre is insanely ignorant of the actuality that political scoring would not substitute the deliverance.
Mostly people that matters including many top experts believe that it is not the ignorance or inefficiency or the lack of resources but the political and financial vested interest of the federal government is behind the recent sharp spike of the spread of COVID-19 in Pakistan. Reluctance on taking firm decision is the worst form of chaos and confusion that has hampered even the timely well-founded decisions of the Sindh government. Unfortunately, the nation could not see any manifested decision of the federal government till today, either political, economic or a strategic one. Only cerebrated feature of the PTI’s federal government has been backing out of their own stances and statements – commonly known as U-turns. Non-performing and money eating development projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are the best reflection of (no) deliverance of the PTI government, and now the Buzdar regime in Punjab is adding more to it.
Reluctant decision-makers are blaming the Sindh government that was the first to take strict measures to avoid the spread of the virus from February 26 – the day of the emergence of first coronavirus case in Karachi. It is on record the Sindh chief minister has very sincerely suggested the federal government to launch strict screening of the inward travellers at the airport. Nothing was done until the hundreds of passengers exit the airports without any screening tests for coronavirus.
The federal government has already shown intentions to establish long pending secretariat of the Council of Common Interest
First strict lockdown was imposed by the Sindh government while the federal government is still religiously reluctant to ensure effective lockdown. Result is obvious. Markets are flooded with the bluntly brigading crowds of people. A survey revealed that as many as 80 per cent mosques are violating the SOPs defined and agreed in the command of President Dr Arif Alvi.
Nevertheless, it does not appear to be the matter of only political scoring on the management or the spread of COVID-19 between the centre and a province. The coronavirus confusion has set a miserably masterminded move to topple the provincial prerogative by flaring up the case of 18th Amendment of the constitution, apparently on the allegations of no deliverance in the social development such as education and health. The rift between Centre and the Sindh province would only lead to insane and irrational actions and reaction, resulting total loss of democratic values in the country.
On the other hand, concerns of the people and politicians are rising with every passing moment on the emerging controversy on the 18th Amendment, terming the statements of some politicians and ministers as undue fiddling with the unanimous national consensus. It would be like opening up the Pandora’s Box again just to undermine the provincial autonomy, merely on the allegations of under deliverance.
The federal government or some state institutions, whoever are behind the lobbying campaign against the 18th Amendment, should not insult the collective national agreement of all the political, religious and nationalists parties that were present than in the parliament. However, changes may be made to develop and improve the mechanisms of deliverance of social services and resources to the grassroots level and to strengthen the system of local governments.
The federal government has already shown intentions to establish long pending secretariat of the Council of Common Interest (CCI). Meanwhile, the government can also take some urgent steps to make Inter-provincial Coordination Committee and the relevant ministry active and effective to practically workout the real-time coordination and cooperation between the centre and the provinces.
The 18th Amendment was a historic decision of the parliament in April 2010 with the unanimous decision of all the parties present in both houses of the parliament. It should stay for the integrity and solidarity of the nation, and for the sake of citizens’ regime in the country instead of anyone else.
There is a dire need to promote federalism by strengthening the federating units to reach out to the grassroots. But, unfortunately, some non-political elements are intentionally trying to develop a chaotic move through the government that would flair up divide between the Centre and provinces. It seems that the state is not interested in the actual provincial autonomy given in the 18th Amendment. So, the rift on lockdown is being taken as a lame excuse to flare up the non-agenda between the Centre and a province that would affect the entire system.
The pro-state elements shall refrain from triggering the uncalled for conflict to avoid any further dent to the national integrity and solidarity. Instead, all stakeholders shall play their role in developing the mechanisms to work for the people up to grassroots. National cohesiveness is hard to achieve but necessary to emerge as a nation, and we sincerely need it rise beyond the pity interests.
The writer is an Islamabad-based policy advocacy, strategic communication and outreach expert. He can be reached [email protected]. He tweets @EmmayeSyed