Daily Times

Imran Khan Wins Vote Of Confidence, tells Hafeez sheikh to continue as finance minister; Urges ECP to take secret briefing from intelligence agencies to know as to how much money was used in recent senate election; says government has decided to bring electrolal reforms to ensure complete transparency in elections; seeks people’s support to save future generations from corrupt politicians. The current political Scenario in the country is worrisome as the government and the opposition are equally responsible for mud-slinging and blame game. Tensions are on the increase as politicking begins for senate chairman, deputy chairman polls. PDM rejects Imran Khan’s Victory in Vote of confidence from national assembly. PTI supporters, PML-N Leaders came to blows outside parliament house. TV footage shows PML-N Leaders being hit from behind; Shoe thrown at Ahsan Iqbal and Others. Unacceptable attitudes and behaviours of politicians and supporters from both sides are a bad omen for the country.

Remember, we could not speak for the hypocrite, a false pretender to virtue or piety, the one lacking propriety, morals and mortality. Hypocrite is a bad fish, a source of deceit and dysfunctionality. For hypocrite hold no brief, give no space. The people need quick thinking and faster pace. No wait and see confernting challenges countries face. Principles guiding good governance, nations need to brace. Principles are fine as long as concepts are defined. Established as a nation a country could not falter, fail or decline. It becomes more determined and self-reliant. To the people it becomes clear, what is the value of independence and sovereignty. Guarding the national interests, the country understands humanity, supremacy of law in the reality. True Leaders could deliver for their sincerity. Hypocrite is remote from reality.

The current confrontation and tensions between the government and the opposition suggest the need for looking at national affairs from the view point of the public interests and what the people want for a way forward

The disdainful story of elections, corruption and voters is not new. The powerful in Pakistan not only make mockery of laws, but also squander tax money for self-glory and aggrandisment. That unfortunately is our prevalent decadent political culture as well as acceptance of corruption as a way of life. The way forward is that political parties should be forced under law to file income tax returns disclosing contributions by members, donors and financiers. Once it is made mandatory, they would have no option but select for elections only those candidates having truthful tax declarations. The process of filtration within the parties is a necessary step towards transparent and fair elections as per Provisions of the constitutions.

Blaming the Election Commission of Pakistan for not tracking the secret ballot is against Article 226 of the constitution. If, according to Mr. Imran Khan, some PTI members were bought, he should put his own house in order sending their cases to ECP and NAB for disqualification and/or punishment under the Law. Corruption should not be allowed to become the order of the day. Criminals must be punished. The responsibility is that of political parties. It is vital for Prime Minister Imran khan to let go of people whose credibility has been tainted in any form whatever. Responsibility for this crucial task of screening has to be fixed. Imran has to straighten out party ranks, discipline his party and struggle to deliver where PTI has failed.

Strong political culture requires Knowledge, Courage, Smart, Government, Understanding self and others, Skills in co-operation, Co-ordination, Reconciliation, and adjusting conflicting of public policy. In a disparaging sense, a politician is a manager of party affairs or a mere manipulation of public sentiment for private gain.

Politics is part of political science dealing with policy making. It concerns itself with the agencies and instrumentalities which establish policy, including the Legislature and all but the purely administrative functions of the executive, together with the electorate, political parties, etc. It is also concerned with the results, which flow from this stage of government activity. Politics is primarily identified with public objectives and administration with method although there is a growing interpenetration between the two branches of political science.

The current confrontation and tensions between the government and the opposition suggest the need for looking at national affairs from the view point of the public interests and what the people want for a way forward. Keeping in view the challenges the country confronts, there is always a constitutional way to look ahead to overcome difficulties which are more often due to attitudes and behaviors of the government personal and the opposition that looks at things differently . This Socio-Psychological issue can be resolved if there is will to do. Reasonable strategy can bring situation back to normal in an environment of healthy conversation. Political issues have to be resolved politically through dialogue. In fact, what is required is strong political culture, sense of the need for respect for self and others. Working together makes a nation and creates an environment for democracy.

Every society must have a political system in order to allocate valued resources. There is need to examine the sources of power and authority in such systems; the four major types of government; political behavior, including voter apathy and women’s representation in government; Two basic models of power structure; war and peace; political activism, Specially on the internet; and campaign finance reform. There are three basic sources power with in any political system: force, influence, and authority. Max weber indentified three ideal types of Authority; Traditional, Rational-Legal, and charmistic. There are four basic types of government: Monarchy, Oligarchy, Dictatorship and Democracy. Political Participation makes government accountable to its citizens; women are still underrepresented in politics, but are becoming more successful at winning election to public office. In summary what we need to tackle is the problem of social integration.

The writer is former Director, National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) Government of Pakistan, a public policy expert, political analyst and an established author