Pakistan Today By Abdul Salam Dadabhoy

Democracy is the best revenge said Mr. Asif Ali Zardari or someone else few years back. In satirical terms he meant to take a jibe, or mock at off and on military takeovers in Pakistan, but in literal sense and in social and economic terms, it really is the best revenge, at least with the people of Pakistan. Of the 68 years or so of its existence, Pakistan has been ruled for good twenty six years or slightly more, by military dictators, which by all standards were far better periods for this country and its’ people. Pakistan today has an exploding population of above 200 million people, with literacy rate below 15 % and poverty level at such alarming low, that the common citizen is pushed to the wall, to be least pushed about who rules and more pushed about employment, electricity, gas, inflation, law, order, safety and security, which have been anything but satisfactory during democracy and civilian governments. Some may consider it as an advocacy, or endorsement, of a military takeover in the future, specially keeping in perspective the ongoing confrontation between different institutions and agencies, but this statement is nothing of the sort. As a matter of fact, although military rulers have comparatively governed well and better than their civilian counterparts in the past, but have failed in bringing permanent changes in the system, for its’ flawless continuation in the times to come, after they departed. Result has been continuous and systematic break down and deterioration, after progress each time, as was witnessed during Bhutto era after General Ayub, followed by Benazir - Nawaz rules after General Zia and again Zardari – Nawaz governments after General Musharraf. Questions are: 1) What are the courts doing? 2) Where are institutions heading to? 3) How to tackle corruption, nepotism and bad governance? 4) How to put Pakistan back on track? 5) Does the military always have to take over? 6) If not, who will tackle these issues? The answers to the above questions, for some may lay in different suggestions and varied suppositions, but one thing which no one would differ and disagree with is, that Pakistan being blessed with much and in abundance needs honesty more than it needs genius. The second thing which these politicians and the judiciary do not understand is that their perks and privileges exist with the existence of this country and therefore their first common enemy should not be the Pakistan Army, as they express and display in words and in actions, but in fact their prime enemy are the forces and sources, who wish to see a crippled and fragmented Pakistan. The third thing which the armed forces need to understand and work on is that they alone cannot be responsible and depended upon to handle everything that happens in Pakistan from floods to earth quakes and from relief and rescue to security and defense operations. Even the blind see and the deaf hear that there is no dependable and reliable institution in this country other than the armed forces. Army is busy against terrorists, politicians are busy in economic terrorism, courts are letting terrorists go scot free, institutions are at logger heads with each other, organizations of national importance one after the other are on the verge of collapse, people are suffering and any pointation or criticism aimed at the courts, or the civilian leadership, or the institutions, is considered as a threat to democracy. The actual way out from this imbroglio lays in the promotion and placement of an honest civilian set up by the armed forces and the only choice left is Pakistan Tehreek Insaf. PPP and PMLN both have had many turns in power. Not only have they looted and made billions of dollars, but jointly through the Charter of Democracy have gotten rid of the only constitutional check and balance system that existed. So much money has been made by both these parties and its’ leaders that any one creating hurdle in their way, is bought, maimed or killed. Imran Khan's honesty and popularity cannot be disputed or denied. Pakistan Tehreek Insaf is a nationally accepted and established party. If they get a chance, PTI like they are doing in the Khyber Pakhtun Khwa will do its’ best to establish systems, depoliticize the Police, improve institutions and governance, bring back the looted wealth, make key and senior postings on merit and above all give an opportunity to the armed forces, to focus with all the time and energy at their command, towards internal and external security. This one right decision, in the right direction, can put Pakistan back on track towards peace and progress and prosperity. ‘Similia Similibus Curator’, which in Latin means ‘Like Cures Like’, which in this situation implies that instead of taking reins of power in their own hands, an honest civilian set up should be promoted, positioned and allowed to actually tackle head on and deal with a rotten civilian system, without Pakistan Army taking the pain or blame of adventurism, extra constitutional measures and de-railing democracy. A very golden opportunity was let go during the 126 days D – Chowk Dharna (sit in). Such opportunities appear and develop seldom.

Abdul Salam Dadabhoy.
17 July 2015.

by webmaster@insaf.pk (tkiadmin)