While the old General seems to have made his way back in to the headlines, it often occurs to me how the Pakistani political set-up (read: circus) is run a lot like a badly-made soap-opera that’s been running for the last twenty-odd years, or ever since I’ve been aware of the country’s political consciousness. This is mediocre entertainment for bored housewives with a mundane but overly dramatic dialogue where characters vie for power and dominance over each other against a backdrop of envy and pride. The unsophisticated characters keep shuffling around, almost randomly, sometimes they die, sometimes they come back to life and occasionally, they’re immortalised in the mythology of the show itself. There are dramatic twists and intriguing turns, leaving you anxious at the point of suspense, but nothing really changes.
Pakistani politics isn’t that different really, even if you go by a layperson’s explanation of how the system works. If you talk to a rickshaw driver, or a chai walla, or whomever the contemporary news media defines as ‘the man on the street,’ they’ll tell you pretty much the same thing: that the system is corrupt, the political elite consists of crooks, every thing’s a charade or a masquerade enacted just to dupe the citizens. All that is knowledge exists in the public realm and you don’t really have to be a scholar in politics, or fall back on some of these intricately-crafted conspiracy theories to really know that. But in saying that “everyone” knows something, it is reduced to that ‘two-bit kind of common-sense, old-wife’s-tale’ kind of wisdom. But should such a perception of political reality really be shrugged off so casually?
Recent developments, like countless others in Pakistan – which usually turn into media spectacles overnight – have almost always blatantly showed the utter hypocrisy of the so-called “democratic” Islamic or whatever system that we have going in this fair republic of ours. Almost every other analysis piece on Pakistan talks about the repetitive dictatorship-democracy transition cycle the country’s been stuck in for the past few decades. Sometimes, it reminds me of “Matrix Reloaded,” where the same events reach the same conclusion every single time. Sometimes its like déjà vu , sometimes its more like ‘I toldya so.’ It’s quite apparent that the nation only has two major alternatives for a system of government:
a) a democratically elected government, or
b) a military-industrial conglomerate regime.
Both those alternatives seem to run their course to reach the same conclusion each time.
Grand systemic contradictions aside, if we just zoom into one of these systems, lets say the “democratic” system we’ve had running for the past few years, and have tried out before in the past, we begin to see a pattern of repetitive contradictions. What I mean is, it’s always the same people coming into power, growing corrupt, turning megalomaniac and authoritative, being ousted by the same old people on the other side of the fence, who grab onto power and do the same mindless rituals again. Also,we should note that both the parties manage to accumulate ridiculous amounts of capital, both political and economic during their respective tenures. It’s almost like, ‘you bat an innings, I’ll bowl an innings, and then we switch…’
To an outside observer of the country these massive shifts from military rule to democracy and vice-versa might seem very complex to break down. Usually it’s a highly-organised emancipatory force that ousts a dictator to bring about something that better emulates the people’s rule. And even when the people do get to decide who gets to take the helm, its usually a decision reduced to merely choosing between the lesser of the evils.
But my question is, why are there only “evils” to pick from? Why can’t our buffet assortment be more diverse so as to encompass things other than the Sharif Brothers’ nihari, and the Bhutto-Zardari souffle? And if that doesn’t tickle the taste buds maybe the diners would be enticed by the stale smell of ex-dictators (leftovers from last week)?
At the end of the ’90s who would have even dared to suggest that the man in the president’s chair today would ever have a chance at it? But perhaps it was easier to foretell Mr. Musharraf’s reentry into a life of politics. Usually people aren’t so kind to dictators. Dictators don’t walk out with their head still attached to their shoulders (they’d be lucky if they walked), but those are bloody revolutions, not festive emergencies followed by euphoric elections, facilitated by ‘deals’ all cut and dry. It’s always the same story, instead of fighting our battles, we’ve become used to watching our battles being fought for us on television.
The word on the street always goes like, so-and-so is coming back to power, or so-and-so is returning to politics. Why are they coming back into power? Rarely do people who get fired from a job for utter incompetence get rehired in the same company at a higher level. If we keep bringing the same people back and giving them second and third chances, and then start giving their sons and their daughters, nephews etc. chances as well, then nothing will ever change, everything would revolve in the same place at the same mundane pace.
Asif Akhtar is interested in critical social discourse as well as the expressive facets of reactive art and is one of the schizophrenic narrators of a graphic novel. He blogs at http://e-scape-artist.blogspot.com/, can be found on Facebook and tweets at http://twitter.com/e_scape_artist. Akhtar is currently writing from New York City where he studies politics at the New School for Social Research.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily represent the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Why Pakistan has the misfortune in selecting leaders to govern either from the Shareef or the Bhutoo’s ? Why Pakistan does not have the luck to pick men of calibers as diverse as Chareles de Gaulle or Abraham Lincon or Pundit Nehru? But why stop raising questions here for a quick and easy answers. What made those leaders distinguish? They enjoy the distinction not just because they possessed higher ideas of their countries quick to admonish the citizens for thinking in unworthy ways or succumbing to cynicism. They were distinguished because they possessed a sense of history with clarity. This clarity meant harboring no illusions. In other words, such a governing class fit to rule a republic is not a matter of accident or luck. This elite class is a deliberate creation. It could be said that there is no civilization without aristocracy.
unfortunatly this country will continue to be entraped in the vicious circle of power hungry clique of feudals,politicians and of course ,the power wielders i,e generals.unless people come forward ,this game of musical chairs will continue,atleast in foreseable future.may ALLAH save our country
amazingly written! Kudos!
The irony of our country is that to get into politics money and corruption are the pre-requisites. Even if some honest and passionate person wants to step forward, the system is so strong to reject such people in the initial stages. Moreover, the election system is also not fair which has been exposed by the media many time yet nothing has been done to make it fair.
Good observation Asif. And like Verda says, “what’s worse is the people incharge are highly inept at what they do.”
For democracy to work people have to be actively involved. After all, people are the sovereign in a democratic set up. If people think their responsibility ends with the casting of the vote, elected representatives won’t fulfill their duties to promote the larger interest of the nation. It will be like an owner
who hires a manager to run his business and leave him free to do whatever he likes. Soon he will be burdened with huge losses. People have to intervene periodically to hold their representatives accountable
and not wait 5 years for the next election. Nothing frightens politicians more than the angry voters.
Despite the complaints about corruption, nepotism and incompetence, there hasn’t been a single large demonstration demanding an end to these practices.
History shows people can make huge difference. People power in Philippine, South Korea and Indonesia
brought positive changes. Lawyers’ movement in Pakistan itself toppled a powerful dictator. Follow France’s example-organize and get in the streets to demand good governance with social and economic justice.
only way out i set the prorities right. but who will do that? author is more of a writer. and rest of the pakistanis have their own sectorial priorities.
Asif, depends on what the focus of our nation is? Ultimately replacing elders with younger generation is not solution.
So vote for somwone new…I’ve been listening to Imran Khan, he makes a lot of sense. At least I know if he is elected, there wont be any corruption cases on him…vote for him.
Better yet, convince 10 of your friends and family to vote for him, and ask them to convince 10 of thier friends and so on….
No offense but do you the fact that he supported Musharraf and his referendum? He was in league with that dictator for 5 years and when not made president decided to start criticizing him. He is quite a flip flop in politics. He should stick to his charity work which he is good at. Does he make sense when he says we should talk to the taliban? Also does he want us to go back to the medival times? He is a media personality and nothing else.
Pakistan should be governed now by younger generation.
But the repeat circle may end one day with a sharp knife of new politicians, which are youth. But more than the points mentioned in the article, I worry that no one in the youth (almost every one) do not wants to go into the politics (here iam talking about literate youth). There should be courses on politics in the universities and colleges.
Democratic Systems are based on independent operations of three branches of Government: Executive, legislative and Judiciary. If any one of these three branches do not remain in balance and respect the independence of each other the system does not operate properly. Pakistan’s democratic system from its very early history has suffered from its military which became too strong and over powered both the executive and legislative branches while the Judiciary branch was too weak to stand against the military to uphold and enforce the rule of law. Pakistan went through series of military dictatorships followed by restoration of democracy and this cycle repeated itself few times known to all Pakistanis while Judiciary remained ineffective and a rubber stamp to whoever was in the power. This was the result of the failure of the democratic system of Government in Pakistan. Unfortunately Pakistan never got a chance to develop its democratic form of government and its institutions as India did. Indian population and democratic institution developed slowly but for a prolonged duration from 1947 up to date and this long period provided the necessary time to its people to become familiar with the democratic process and allow its institutions to evolve uninterrupted. Pakistan, though fell behind due to its history, will require time to nourish its democratic institution, allow its population to become familiar with the democratic process. Change takes time, it cannot happen just by adopting a democratic constitution since it has to allow time for institutions to develop and people to get familiar and experienced with the whole process. We need to be patient and allow time to let the democracy flourish in Pakistan.
i have gone through all this and regret to point out that nobody could properly diagnose the ill ,Pakistani politics has been afflicted with! to me the political system of this unfortunate country has never been allowed to go on in a normal and natural way.every time when military interfered in political process,whatever it was ,they brought in their yes men. In this way the present day lot and even before them have made this system corrupt and unaffordable for normal and genuine politicians. As of now, politics in Pakistan has become a lucrative industry i,e any investor or his front man invests more, he expects more profit in the shape of massive corruption which is going on in full gear even today. Now it is very difficult to weed out corrupt lot of politicians for at least another 20 years provided electoral process is not hampered again and again. Let me make it clear that future of this country depends only and only on unhindered and natural political process. Only then genuine leadership of this country will INSHALLAH emerge!!!!
Rizvi, We have not got democracy we have elected dictatorship! In the presence of the present lot of politicians it will be another 100 years of ‘merry go round’.
Many Indians blamed the first Indian Prime Minister Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru with the same title of dictatorship also. No system works perfectly right from its inception. It is like learning to ride bicycle, you have to take your few falls before you learn it but if you cannot take the initial frustration then you will never learn how to ride bicycle. However, if your Dad takes your bicycle away, each time you fall, and locks it up for years to prevent you from learning it the hard way you will never be able to ride a bicycle. It is after all your choice?
I hope Pakistanis make the right choice!!!!!
Hats off to your excellent and lucid analysis!
The so called ‘democracy’ in Pakistan is a charade. Yes, there was election but and people chose the same old characters who failed in the past. Why? Because of money and power of the landlords, industrialists and rich elite. Who are the MNA’s MPA’s? sardars’ Maliks’ Mians’ Pirs. and so on some with ‘fake’ documents like degrees. These ‘vaderas’ have chamchas around them. In my opinion the top is worse than the dictators(though I don’t like them either). Dictators are disciplined people because of their career but the politicians are utterly undisciplined. It reminds me of a story. A friend of mine happened to be the president of a Pakistani bank during BB’s tenure as PM. Some ppp members wanted a large loan without collaterals. My friend refused the loan. Within 24 hours he was suspended and had to wait for the change in Government for him to be reinstated. Can the system change? Yes it can by 1. mass education. 2. Land reforms in order to eliminate feudal lords.3 Elimination of dynastic political parties. 4 Transparent and fair intra political elections 5. Personal wealth by the candidates should not be allowed to be used for the election. Political parties should raise funds in an accountable and transparent manner. Wealthy donors to the parties should not stand for elections. These are some of the ideas that cann bring about changes.
“dictators are disciplined..”,
Come on
It’s not rocket science – how about voting for something new?
It’s akin to keeping George Bush Jr. in office for 50 yrs —- time to FIX IT!
For all the argument and differences,one thing is certain-democracy is better than a military setup. What You fail to mention is the fact that no democratic setup completed its term. Salvation of pakistan lies in democracy.
Good summary – but re-read your own last paragraph – this is the reason why our so called democracy is worse than our so called dictatorship. A pakistani dictator can be removed by the people but a pakistani politician cannot be.
If you don’t like our political choices so much, why not run yourself? or convince others whom you think would do a good job to run. The problem is that we choose to complain as oppose to run ourselves. That’s the crux of the issue and those that do make it, aren’t the shiny beacons of light that we expect. Rather hypocritically I might add.
As long as we keep rotating them in, the system continues. Our choices will continue to be limited, and Pakistani’s seem to alright with those choices.
Wow! .. I was merely observing a social pattern, but could your response have been any more typical?
Your optimism is endearing though, in that you consider one’s decision to “run” for office immediately makes one a political option.
I’m wondering if you think this trend of political-apathy at large is mostly culturally driven or do you consider power have a role to play here?
I think cultural background seems to have something to do with this. At least Pakistanis came out to the streets to oust Mush. I doubt that there would ever be such conviction for change in India. There is something fatalistic about the culture in both our countries that causes us to accept status quo.
Sad state of affairs. As long as you know someone in high places you have it made in Pakistani Politics; and what’s worse is the people incharge are highly inept at what they do. We continue to live in this perpetual rut solely because the entire nation surprisingly forgets everything so easily. Gold fish memory coupled with sheep mentality equals nothing but the vicious cycle we’re ‘destined’ to repeat time and again.
Good job Asif =)
so true theres a political dynasty which is in rule since the establishment of Pakistan…we need to search,trust,go for new people,new faces….had enough of the old players who are busy playing same old silly games!