Charter of Dacoity & No Action Plan By Abdul Salam Dadabhoy

Charter of democracy can rightfully be termed as a charter of dacoity. ‘’You save my back, I save yours, lets’ take turns, lets’ share the booty’’, attitude by and between the signatory parties to the Charter Of Democracy has lead this country to an impasse. With hopes of the people which get shattered with every passing day and no concrete results appearing regarding punishment to, or accountability of any accused, one is forced to believe that the gains achieved by Zarb e Azb are not supported and backed by the civilian set up. As a result the national action plan has been reduced to a no action plan. A hostage situation it seems, because if anyone is probed or questioned, regarding the billions amassed through corruption, immediately democracy and democrats are posed to be under threat and an impression is created, that the system is about to get derailed.

With these tactics, it seems as if a military takeover is being invited by the politicians to become political martyrs thereafter. ‘’Take it or leave it, we'll have it our way or no way,’’ is the signal apparently being sent by the government to the military establishment. It is not only the Inter Services Public Relations which has invited the attention of the government on governance, it is also the Honorable Chief Justice of Pakistan, who has twice in one week criticized and warned the government to mend its way. Military takeover is not a solution to the problems at hand. But that does not mean, that the whole country may be allowed to go down the drain, just because of the conveniences and interpretations our politicians have regarding the constitution and democracy. Within the ambit of constitutional frame work, there are and must be possibilities of an exit strategy. One of such possibilities may be a referendum, which may give the public a right to express, if they are satisfied or dissatisfied with the current regime. If the public is dissatisfied and opts for change, for which elections (local bodies or otherwise), have not proved to be a way out, due to the ways and means of rigging and election science and engineering, our political parties (except Pakistan Tehreek Insaf) have mastered, then change must come. An interim set up may over see electoral reforms and replace heads of various institutions, which are on the verge of bankruptcy and collapse. A new set up in national accountability is desperately needed too.

Honestly speaking courts fall under the jurisdiction of the justice division. How can any sane person expect accountability and other courts to independently adjudicate upon cases related to the Chief Executive and his near and dear ones? Formation and appointment of members of Joint investigation teams regarding Model Town murders and other scams like Nandipur power plant etc and their respective findings are ample proof, that those in power cannot be investigated and prosecuted fairly and freely. Armed forces have done their part. Terrorist networks have been hit and crippled. They will regroup and re-grow if aiders, abettors and sympathizers are not taken to task. Military courts are sitting idle as the government is yet to be serious in sending cases to them. Thousands of hard core elements are languishing in jails. Evidential system, judicial procedures, delays and other flaws compel the civil courts to put criminals back on the streets. The whole purpose of Zarb e Azb and sacrifices rendered in the process may go in vain.

Pakistan Peoples’ Party, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Awami National Party, Jamaat Islami and Jamiat Ulema Islam Fazal are all full of faces, which have been in power off and on for the last 3 decades. If there is a criterion, or threshold for judging deliverance, they have simply not delivered. Questions to be asked of them are:

1) What have the National Assembly and Senate done for the common man?
2) Why are loans, unemployment and inflation on the rise?
3) What achievements or reforms have taken place in the last 8 years in the judicial, education, health and public welfare sectors?
4) Do roads, metros and bridges fill up empty stomachs?
5) Why are state institutions in losses when rulers and their entities are running into massive profits?
6) How and why have Pakistan’s loans and debts swelled up so much?

Is it not ironical that these political leaders have more assets abroad than in Pakistan? Is it not unfair that in this damn democracy no emphasis was ever given to education which is why an uneducated populace is managed and exploited like a herd of animals rather than humans? Is it not unjust that heads of major political parties have their headquarters in Dubai and London from where they operate people as puppets? Is it not illogical that our prime minister has spent more time in foreign visits than in Islamabad? Is it not unethical that cabinet meetings of the Sindh government are held in Dubai?

Kind attention of patriots and of those whose stakes, loyalty and roots are in and with Pakistan is drawn to the fact, that we have now reached a stage that the people cannot afford to be any more miserable, suppressed and fooled. Time is of much importance because operations against anti - state elements began late. More waste of time and energies may be a source of irreparable losses.

 

The writer is a Director of the Dadabhoy Group, he is an ardent writer / blogger and has served as Vice Chairman of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry.

by webmaster@insaf.pk (tkiadmin)