It was the day to remember those who laid down their lives for us. Nevertheless the headlines were: “No PPP PM will write Swiss letter,” Prime Minister Gilani. “Sharifs are robbers,” Interior Minister Rehman Malik. “Malik is a swindler,” Leader of the Opposition, Chaudary Nisar.
This is what our lawmakers were busy with. These are front-page news in Daily Times, Monday, April 30. There is also significant news about the Youm-e-Shuhada on page 3, but the telling story in this one is contained in the lines, “People will pay tribute to the armed forces and its agencies that rendered sacrifices in fighting terrorism. Due to lack of effective legislation regarding perpetrators of terrorism, over 1,000 hardcore terrorists have been acquitted by courts. If special laws are not made, courts may continue to ask agencies for substantial evidence against terrorists…” It also says that the UK, India and Sri Lanka have strengthened laws against terrorism.
Almost a year ago, in one of the major English daily newspapers on July 10, there was another headline saying: “90 pc district courts staff corrupt: CJ”.
What do you make of it all?
This is the socio-political environment that we are living in. The first headline quoted is a symbol of the absolute ‘defiance’ of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) executive head. He also predicts identical behaviour by all subsequent prime ministers belonging to his party. Such a defiant attitude will probably earn him a few ‘suspect’ credentials of loyalty to the party (particularly to Mr Zardari) and consolidate his vote bank by becoming a symbol of defiance and courage. PM Gilani does not mind being convicted by the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan. He can sell the lack of credibility of the SC in the background of the Bhutto conviction, which indeed was a judicial murder. Therefore, he knows that an anti-court stance will be popular with the PPP supporters.
The other two headlines are examples of shameless mudslinging between the two major political parties. The PML-N, as a ‘friendly’ opposition always takes the lead in protests, and then ensures that the issue fizzles out and the status quo is maintained by ‘noora kushti’ (shadow boxing). This has been the PML-N strategy all along.
The real issue here is that the attention of our lawmakers is on matters that do not matter to the public. It is lawmaking that is required, not bickering. Most important is the issue of extremism and terrorism. Consider the 1,000 confirmed terrorists caught and freed. They must have been caught at a huge expense in money and human skill, and the sacrifice of over 30,000 lives. However, the existing courts cannot do justice because of the limitations of ineffective laws and corruption-infected procedures in the lower courts.
Terrorists can now go, kill some more civilians and stay free unless they provide an affidavit with witnesses to state: ‘We are terrorists and killers and need to be dealt with according to the law, so please hang us.’ Sounds ridiculous, but that is the real situation. Oppression, the Kalashnikov culture and terror are free to spread because no evidence is coming to the courts. Witnesses are no fools; they have their own lives and those of their families to take care of, rather than being mysteriously killed after appearing as witnesses.
The law needs to change but our lawmakers are too busy. The lawmakers, some of whom have fake degrees, and who do not require any educational qualifications now, try to make the most of the opportunity of being in power. Indeed, they need to make money, cover expenses of their previous election, make enough for at least one more election and of course, they need to take care of their family, biradari (clan), and the police station of their constituency! Indeed, if they have money for an adequate number of gun-bearing guards, then the law and order situation is no more their concern because they already feel safe.
The major burden of responsibility is on the shoulders of the PM. He has many legal mechanisms to take care of the rest of his tenure, and even longer, if he chooses to follow an alternate course. However unlikely it may be, we should expect some moments of honest introspection by the PM and the allied political parties. Their actions, so far, are only a living proof of the saying ‘power corrupts’ and our representatives are making sure that this saying is proved right. Why does the PM not want to write the letter? What if he does? The president may be acquitted.
If the PM decides to rally his party and his coalition partners to pass adequate laws to apprehend and bring extremists and terrorists to justice, he may be able to improve the law and order situation. Lawmaking is what members of the National Assembly are chosen for Sir! Please make laws that protect the lives and property of this nation and your voters. Peace is also the key to economic development.
The writer is a culture and media management specialist, a researcher, director and author