With the coming elections, a new hope is blossoming throughout Pakistan. The new entrants queuing up for tickets are increasingly aggressive in their behaviour towards the incumbents. In some cases blows have been exchanged, and been broadcast by the ever present TV hounds. It does make for good entertainment, certainly better than the Indian soaps currently on offer.
The most interesting part is the action being taken by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in sentencing an ex-MNA to three years for submitting a fake degree. This single step has been welcomed by all, for it shows that the ECP is taking itself seriously. (Since these lines were written, Mr Dasti has been acquitted by the Lahore High Court Multan Bench, his punishment declared null and void, and he has been allowed to stand for elections — Ed). It is now to be seen whether the ECP can continue in this vein, or will the bar be lowered to allow the heavier weights to slip through. I have always maintained that the only problem in Pakistan is the non-observance of the law. In fact everyone considers themselves to be above the law. This results in a completely lawless society, as at every step the law is ignored. Whether banking or taxation, all laws are to be ignored, or avoided, creating a tax-free prosecution-free haven.
When Mahathir the then Prime Minister of Malaysia was asked by a Pakistani Minister the secret of Malaysia’s success, he stated, “Law — the obedience of the Law.” Just that.
We in Pakistan have removed all respect for the law, and obeying the law is out of the question. This is the reason that Imran is so vital to Pakistan for he will not flout the law, and will force all others to obey the law. This quality alone will save Pakistan, and is something without which no country can ever flourish. It is left to be seen if the interim government is strong enough to prevent any lawbreakers on their watch, and whether they can prosecute the lawmakers for producing fake degrees or non-payment of banking dues.
This is the opportunity to put Pakistan back on the rails.
This country has tremendous potential. Our wheat production is 25 million tons this year, which means we are self-sufficient in food with a surplus that could be exported. The psychological bonus for a country such as ours to be surplus in food puts Pakistan in a different light. It is our leadership that is flawed, and corruption is encouraged by the leadership to maintain its control on the taps of corruption, so that the state can be milked at will.
The leadership must be made aware that the public knows that it is the politicians that are the root cause of the corruption, and the beneficiaries thereof.
The taxation laws are much easier to implement. The entire nation would be supportive if any person is caught in the taxation net. It is human nature to envy those more blessed. The people would certainly welcome any such actions.
Qayyum Jatoi, a minister of the PPP government, famously said live on TV: “Corruption is my right,” and then repeated it in Urdu to ensure that his message carried, and establish that it was not a slip of the tongue. This remark alone should debar him from any political position ever.
With the awareness brought about by TV, the people are excited that their vote does matter, and they are determined to exercise it judiciously.
I am worried that the exhortation to their voters may lead to a huge disappointment to the followers of those who lose, and the result may not be acceptable to the people. With the high stakes in play, the losers may not accept the result. This can result in anarchy, with no winner.
With a distracted army and Imran already refusing to take oath from Zardari, the danger zone has been entered.
Gen Kayani has already shown his leanings in the past five years. The validity of these elections is unravelling before our very eyes. This validity was endorsed by the US and UK governments, leaving us at the mercy of a corrupt government. The army is responsible to protect us from the enemy whether outside Pakistan or inside. Surely the alarm bells must have been ringing in the GHQ by the free fall in the economy? I cannot believe that GHQ is completely insulated from Pakistan, for the economy affects everyone whether inside the GHQ bubble or outside.
The writer is a freelance columnist