Daily Times

What goes around comes around. This law of nature is quoted frequently but followed infrequently. The tendency of human nature to selectively use these laws is the first proof of how interpretation of most such clichés are conveniently reserved for others and how for most leaders power, position and resources are synonymous with being beyond reproach. The recent hysteria by the government is almost a carbon copy of the outraged response of the PPP a few months ago. In fact, it is a predictable chain reaction where loud claims of sanctity of institutions and law enforcers are vociferously demanded, requested and then pushed back as soon as their demands are directed towards the ones who demanded. It started with the MQM and their constant SOS for army interference and operations in Karachi. Finally, when the Rangers began the operations and hundreds of MQM people were arrested it turned into a tirade of warnings and threats by their leadership to lay off them. All this while the PPP supported the Rangers’ operation and commended the visible difference in the law and order situation. The MQM’ s main line of defence was that since the PPP was not being targeted it was a discriminatory operation.

The PPP, on the other hand, did not find the operation either discriminatory or the Rangers going beyond their jurisdiction till the Dr Asim saga unfolded. Then, as Altaf Hussain had threatened the army, Asif Zardari came out in full force. He screamed and hurled threats at the Rangers and army, and warned them of dire consequences. Regardless of this outrage, the near and dear ones of Mr Zardari were targeted for abusing their offices to create an easy environment for terrorists. As a result, Mr Zardari flew out to Dubai and is now following Altaf Hussain’s footsteps to decree judgment on Pakistani politics from long distance. Ironically, the MQM that was so upset with the Rangers for targeting them now has become a supporter for extending the authority of Rangers. The PPP in turn is now howling about how Punjab has not come under the noose of these operations and why it is being targeted.

Finally, the ball enters Punjab’s court as the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) tries to dig up the buried hatchet on the decades’ old cases against the main leaders of the PML-N. Thus, it is the PML-N’s turn to balk. However, it has a twofold problem. Unlike the MQM and PPP, it cannot claim that it is being targeted and discriminated against as other parties are also undergoing this treatment, and, secondly, it cannot scream murder at the armed forces as its relationship with them is already under scrutiny. What are they left with except to beat down NAB and try to scare the daylights out of it by warning it not to take on the very people who appointed them to this job? That is what their style of government is and that is why governance is almost non-existent. Outrage expressed by each leader, be it Altaf Hussain, Asif Zardari or Nawaz Sharif, at being questioned on any wrongdoing of theirs or their workers or near ones is an example of how set their minds are on their ultimate power to decide for themselves and others.

The sad casualty of this attitude is the dubious perception about democracy in the country. All parties are constantly taking refuge in being the saviours of democracy and condemning the army and Rangers’ interference as non-democratic. On the other hand, their open threats to institutions are anything but democratic. More evidence to their autocratic attitude is in the current Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) survey about democratic norms in the political parties. It is not a coincidence that the least democratic parties are the PMLN, PPP and MQM. The PML-N is the lowest in the rank with a 31 percent score and the PPP is hardly better at 36 percent. It is but natural that if these parties do not practice democracy within their ranks how can they be expected to practice democracy within the country?

The recent uproar about NAB’s undue interference in the working of the government is intriguing to say the least. The Prime Minister (PM), the Chief Minister (CM), the information minister and the home minister all have come out with severe warnings to NAB. This tirade is very similar to the tirade by the MQM and PPP against the army but for the PPP focus is on NAB. However, it is evident that their own chosen man, NAB’s head, has dared to go against their wishes because perhaps there is a more powerful force asking them to do their job, which they had not done in the last few years. The PM led this threat attack by warning “I have brought the matter to the notice of the NAB chairman a couple of times. He should take notice. Otherwise, the government will take legal action in this regard.” As the Orange Train Project has come under scrutiny, the CM Punjab also issued a warning to NAB: “The government desires effective accountability procedure, however, it will not allow any department to influence projects having national importance.”

The egos of the high and mighty are going through a boomerang cycle. With this autocratic mindset it is difficult for them to accept disobedience. Their tested tried formula of threatening or buying subservience is not too effective at the present juncture. The PPP tried threatening the army and the general into warding off Dr Asim’s case but that did not work. In recent times, Asif Zardari has become all praise for the same general and has supported an extension of his term. Similarly, the PML-N first tried to offer the same lure to the general who firmly refuted the rumour by dismissing this option. It was only after the failure of offering posts to ward off opposition that the PML-N had no option but to go full throttle after NAB.

When ego trips are based on power and position any lessening of these two creates high insecurities and desperation. However, too many egos create an ego war where everyone gets hit and hurt. The present fall-out between the PPP and PML-N may prove mutually damaging and that is why, if they need to survive, they will have to start ‘acting’ like the saviours of democracy against anti-democratic forces. However, their present dilemma is that if the general is not even interested in an extension whom to make the anti-democratic villain? That is why the present daggers drawn situation between the two parties has reached a temporary impasse. Whether this remains a permanent or temporary state depends on how all encompassing and non-discriminatory the present drive of accountability turns out to be.

The writer is a columnist and analyst, and can be reached at andleeb.abbas1@gmail.com