Pakistani News

Pakistan was created with the power of peoples vote. It will survive on that basis. We have witnessed that many military dictators tried to grab and hold to power but they had to leave after people’s pressure.

It is tragic that elements required in a healthy and flourishing democracy are not present in Pakistan. Among other education, freedom of press, tolerance, freedom of expression and organized political culture based on Democratic Party structure are few unavoidable needs.

Unfortunately no political party in Pakistan has a political program to legitimate its being. All of them base their political strategy either on slogans or upon old feudal structure.

Pakistan People’s Party can claim that roti kapra our makan (bread clothing and shelter) is its manifesto and its whole party is based on concept of social justice. Those who have witnessed Party’s pioneer Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s rise and fall from power can tell that this was mere a slogan for him. He used it with political shrewdness. Most of his left oriented socialist associates who joined Bhutto in 1967 left him soon. In the elections for second term in 1977 feudal and tribal leaders were his best allies and stalwarts. Benazir Bhutto got rid of all old political friends of her father who she called “uncles” when she took over party in early 80ies. “Roti kapra our makan” was still party’s main slogan but PPP under Benazir was hardly any political organization to do anything good for people. Instead it became base for Benazir’s camp to come into power. This is tragic that most prominent name in Pakistan’s recent political history spent most of her time to get in agreement with powerful military leaders to gain power. She was prime minister of Pakistan from 1988-91 and 1993-96.

Nawaz Sharif was picked up from his industrialist family by dictator General Zia-ul-Haq. He was liked by late dictator for his religious and conservative background and upbringing. He was nourished by military intelligence and was promoted to political power first as chief minister of Punjab (1985 & 1990) then prime minister of Pakistan (1990 & 1997).

Zia used Islam as political slogan but Sharif did not follow the path. His whole political strategy was based on anti Bhutto outbursts. He has gained a solid political base in Punjab but his party never had any concrete political program. During late years of his exile he signed a political document with Benazir Bhutto. That was meant to consolidate struggle for democratic Pakistan. That purpose was set aside once PPP came to power after elections of 2008. His anti Bhutto slogan has given him political power and bastion but it hardly has helped to build a healthy political culture the country.

Another prominent political power of Pakistan is MQM. It started its journey as Muhajir Qaumi Movement (1984) but later changed its name to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (1997) as party wanted to become national. Its founding leader Altaf Hussain has lived in London since 1992 and has also adopted British nationality. He runs Party from his head quarters in London. MQM has contributed with pleasant changes in Pakistani politics. It has encouraged educated, young and lower middle class people to rise to higher ranks and take political offices. Its political influence and following is limited to Karachi and Hyderabad where most of Urdu speaking migrants from India are settled.

Unfortunately background of its creation is not clean. MQM was encouraged to flourish by ruling establishment because it wanted to get rid of political blackmail of right wing Jamaate Islami. Jamaat was unavoidable political power due to its following in Karachi. MQM snatched voters from Jamaat. Despite the changes Altaf Hussain introduced party has not succeeded to command deserved political respect or become a national political organization. MQM still is been run as movement and has not turned itself into a political party. Its latest political brawl with PPP government shows that aspect. This movement has also been facing charges that it uses mafia like methods to keep its following. It has strong associates with in media. Media organizations avoid getting into open conflict with MQM. Party is also very sensitive about its leader who is popularly called Altaf Bhai. Among party workers Altaf Hussain holds status of saint or avatar. That is not a positive thing for healthy and vibrant political structure to build.

Pakistan is marred with dynastic political culture. PPP and PML (N) are run by family dynasties. It is too early to say same about MQM.

Poverty, feudal system, tribal influence, powerful establishment are other factors that have contained positive democratic culture in Pakistan. Apart from these facts it is beyond any doubt that Pakistani people are democratic minded. They have always struggled against military rulers and got rid of them for democracy to take over. It is still to be seen if Pakistani political leaders can also show such unwavering faith in democratic process. Question is if they will seize to look towards other forces than peoples vote? Will they acknowledge that criticism is legitimate of a democratic process but so is right of a winning party to rule for a certain period of time? Will they stop call for fresh elections soon after opposing political party or alliance comes to power? Can they stop blaming each others as traitors once they are not in alliance and as brothers when political benefit is attained?

Young democracies need painful time and energy to get on track. There is no democratic nation in the world that has not been through this journey. It is vital that all political forces understand this and help people of Pakistan get through these challenging times. In Pakistan democracy is a dream but also a need. Democracy can get this country stronger and prosperous. People of Pakistan genuinely expect their leaders to acknowledge that truth.
By - Syed Mujahid Ali, Editor: Karwan.no