To own up, but only in words, is the new trend in Pakistani politics. The most oft-repeated sentence is “Hum mantay hein” (We admit). The Asghar Khan case is termed as historic in terms of bringing to light dark and mysterious areas we all knew existed but were never able to prove in 16 years. The fact that it has involved confessions from two generals is even more surprising as the army in Pakistan is supposed to be an institution that is above reproach. That it took 16 years to reach a decisive stage is also remarkable but that after 16 years the culprits have been duly charged is also unique. This itself is some assurance that change may be on its way. However, the major trend even in today’s muddy political scene is to deny and refute till the culprit is caught and once caught, confess, but this confession does not lead to remorse and a resolve of not repeating the mistake but a simple insolence of attitude that dares to do more of the same. The Asghar Khan case is a classic example of how proven crimes can be dismissed as routine. While it is proven beyond doubt that the 1990 elections were rigged in favour of the Islamic Jamhoori Ittehad, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is still insistent that Mian Nawaz Sharif had nothing to do with it. This is being said despite the fact that he was the major beneficiary as he was endowed with the top post after his party’s victory in the election. The PML-N’s stance on this issue varies from complete denial to a complete counter-allegation. As the media gets hotter on this issue, another narrative is being adopted: yes, the elections in 1990 were rigged but so were the elections in 1992 and thereon. This is the philosophy that stipulates two wrongs make one right. There are many people from both the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the PML-N who have blatantly admitted that all elections are rigged and thus, there is little you can do about it. With this ‘openness’ in admitting that all is fair in war and elections, the trend for confessions has become more fashionable. While for years most political parties have claimed that intra-party elections are a very democratic practice and the notion that only a Sharif family member or a Zardari clan associate can hold higher offices in the parties, all of a sudden they have changed the stance on that issue as well. While the PML-N still insists that they invite open competition on all party positions but nobody applies and thus they are elected unopposed, the PPP people are saying with great confidence that there is no need for party elections as only the Bhutto brand can get them votes. This is a reflection of two dangerous trends. One is the belief that being honest about dishonesty is enough. Therefore, we have the generals confessing on rigging elections. There are many who feel that their confessions are so unprecedented and laudable that they are absolved of punishment. Others feel that any punishment would defame the institution. Similar sentiments run in other parties as well as they reluctantly admit to wrongdoing but then do nothing about it. There is the case of the bakery victims where the real culprit, the CM’s daughter, went scot-free and after initial denials, the CM did accept that his son-in-law was involved and had him arrested when media turned on the heat. However, in less than 24 hours he was set free as no charges could be proved against him. The PML-N, of course, played the hero on media by saying how noble it was of the CM that he admitted to his family’s involvement. But the result was the same even in this case; a token arrest and the criminal goes free for lack of evidence. That is exactly the second trend. Even when the charges are made, the case becomes redundant as there is lack of evidence or the witnesses disappear or are threatened to the extent that they withdraw their evidence. In either case, the accountability process becomes meaningless and justice irrelevant. The danger of not having proper governance in these procedures and governments both in the centre and in the provinces busy in saving their skins either through manipulation of bills or ordinances or going on reactive development sprees, is that the process of a harmonised nation state becomes that of an individualised stateless state. With the apex government expressing its inability to head and solve any institutional matters, the unifying leadership is missing. Therefore, the sad confrontation of the army and the judiciary is a reflection where the isolation and pursuit of individual objectives is causing miscommunication and misunderstanding between the two most respected and important institutions of the country. A key leadership quality is integrating diverse ideas and people and managing conflict. However, the leadership in government seems to be following the old and obsolete philosophy of divide and rule. Even their own coalition partners are not ready to work with them. This has led to a culture of mistrust, uncertainty and disintegration. Balochistan and Sindh have so many conflicts that they are already a case of non-ownership by any party. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is already at the mercy of terrorists and Punjab’s priorities are obscured by a maze of flyovers and roads being built all over Lahore, seemingly without any purpose or direction. The contrast between how a mature democracy with rules operates and an immature democracy without the rule of law operates was visible in the way two countries and their politicians approached elections. While Obama and Romney were talking issues, politicians in Pakistan feel that loud and louder personal attacks on the opposition wins the voter. Many would say that the comparison with the US is unfair. However, we have seen other countries younger than ours changing and adopting better practices around the world. Thus it is time for our politicians to learn a few things from countries that have moved up. The time for loud claims, abusive allegations and blatant confessions is over and the time for talking about public issues, working out feasible road maps and delivering on performance is here. The writer is a leadership coach, columnist and a former information secretary of the PTI, Punjab and can be reached at andleeb.abbas1@gmail.com