NOVANEWS
By Sajjad Shaukat
No doubt, favorite system of governance in the Western countries is democracy. By using
their legitimate right of vote, people participate in political process, and elect their own
representatives to govern them. Thus, they give mandate by authorizing the elected members
to hold public offices and make legitimate decisions to run the affairs of state. And, the elected
representatives remain accountable for their actions, while, the system of electoral democracy
also empowers the voters to take away the powers of the elected members, if they fall short of
popular aspirations—good governance, solution of public problems and so on.
In case of Pakistan’s version of democracy, it has the same system of representatives according
to the constitution, but the elected representatives grossly violate the public mandate for
obtaining their selfish and materialistic gains. Regrettably, voters, after having elected their
representatives, virtually become subjects of powerful elite who tend to shatter all hopes of
voters by neglecting their social problems, financial difficulties and psychological distress.
Promises made during election campaign are quickly forgotten, while perks of public offices
are fully enjoyed. Irony of the fate is that same elite group gets elected over and over again and
election campaigns are held as rituals. Unfortunately, voters, due to their extreme poverty and
poignant standing lack social influence and political power, becoming trading pawns in the hands
of politicians who regard elections as windows of business opening to plunder national wealth
through all possible means of corruption whose result is poor governance.
Most of the elected representatives in National Assembly and Senate hardly make any
worthwhile contribution, as they remain absent during active sessions of the parliament.
Therefore, sessions of the lower and upper houses are adjourned due to lack of quorum, and
the process of essentially required legislation remains blank and weary. Resultantly, the voters’
aspirations turn into hopeless ordeal, dejection and despondency.
It is notable that various mal-practices such as horse-trading, nepotism, bribery, illegal
obligations and other forms of corruption are very common among our politicians. In fact, the
elite group of elected members uses powers of their public offices to advance their personal
interests including engagement in politics of THANA and KUCHHERY (Police and Court),
earnestly seeking allotment of development and discretion funds and timely steps of sycophancy
to please the top party leaders. Poor educational background makes them inactive and soundless
during debate sessions to approve or reject key issues, requiring parliamentary endorsement.
They also remain oblivious of world politics and philosophical aspirations of great leaders like
Nelson Mandela. Thus, they promote their personal interests, and show total callousness towards
torment of their voters.
Undoubtedly, in Pakistan, corruption is a significant obstacle for good governance, supremacy
of law, and rational use of authority to run the affairs of state and to maintain public cohesion
and national harmony. Unfortunately, corrupt practices and misuse of public office lead to
general frustration, opening windows of protest with sense of dissent, disapproval and conflict
against the governing authority. The environment of agitation and demonstrations carry seeds
of large scale disturbances, creating law and order situation, social disorder and political chaos,
culminating in poor governance. In a real democratic system, hence, wise rulers undertake
tangible measures to fight corruption with a view to improve governance and maintain order.
It is our misfortune that rampant corruption in the country has infected the entire edifice
of national institutions, while the rule of law appears to have been totally disregarded.
Consequently few parasites devouringly consume best of resources, while the poor majority
remains repressed and victimized under hard economic conditions.
The elite leadership despite having been empowered by the masses through a democratic process
has developed vicious aversion, disgusting dislike, malicious vindictiveness and insensitivity
against general public, they actually represent.
Political leadership is busy in power grabbing process, while the poor suffer under hard
environment where healthy food, clean drinking water, respectable shelter, justice, education and
health care facilities are totally non-existent.
In this regard, the ordeal of poor in Pakistan can well be anticipated by prevailing un-
employment, poor living and health conditions, price hike, social injustice, contempt for merit,
promoting cronyism, and poor law and order situation in the country.
Regrettably, the concerned ministers remain busy in settling scores against their political rivals,
using floor of parliament and media channels. Most of their time and effort is spent on preparing
fierce speeches to level fresh tirades of accusations and counter allegations.
The poor voters remain bewildered as protesting groups, PAT and PTI make noises in sit-ins,
at Islamabad, pointing out corruption of subsequent rulers of the PPP and the present ones of
the PML (N), as to what they have done under the cover of democracy. While ruling elite and
their associates in opposition benches of the parliament have termed the protests as unlawful,
unconstitutional and undemocratic.
Besides, political leaders enraged outbursts, filled with allegations and counter accusations.
Some of them, especially of the PPP and PML (N) have shamefully tried their best to drag the
Armed Forces into political turmoil. They have brazenly accused Pak Army and country’s prime
intelligence agency, ISI (without any evidence) for orchestrating the prevailing political impasse
which was created by the politicians themselves.
On the other side, through various statements, DG of ISPR Maj-Gen. Asim Bajwa repeatedly
said, “Pakistan Army supports democracy and constitution.” He elaborated, “The army chief
in his address on Youm-i-Shuhuda (Martyrs’ Day) clearly said that the army believes in
continuation and democracy.”
However, these parliamentarians and leaders have disregarded the commitment and sacrifices,
being offered by the Armed Forces in the operation Zarb-e-Azb and flood relief operation. All
the patriot citizens of Pakistan know that for the last few months, Pakistan’s Armed Forces are
successfully obtaining their objectives in North Waziristan Agency (NWA) through this military
operation against the terrorists who had challenged the writ of the state, and had frightened the
entire nation by their terror-acts. The Armed Forces are also engaged in rescue-operations in
the flood-affected areas. Besides, Pak Army has also been coping with subversive activities in
Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and other parts of the country including tribal areas in wake
of India’s war-like diplomacy and cross-border infiltration from Afghanistan’s side.
In fact, under the cover of democracy and constitution, some politicians of the government
and the opposition parties who want to protect their nefarious designs are targeting the Armed
Forces. Thus, they are diverting the attention of the general masses from those articles of the
constitution, which are mentioned in the ‘Principles of Policy.’ These articles clearly mention
that people would provide with justice, gap between the rich and the poor would be reduced,
and poverty would be eradicated in the country. However, our politicians and the subsequent
governments of the industrialists and feudlords failed in delivering good governance to the
people in accordance with the constitution. They have only deceived the public mandate in the
pretext of democracy which has been named as a ‘corrupt democracy’ in Pakistan.
No doubt, Pak Army is supportive of democracy and is committed to protect the constitution of
Pakistan. But, leveling derogatory allegations against Army is a serious crime, and it must not
be allowed to recur under any circumstances. Army as an institution cannot be made a punching
bag—subjected to public debate.
Now, the right hour has come that the political leadership must conduct introspective analysis of
their style of governance, and must develop a desire to fight the menace of corruption through
accountability and transparency. The aim should be to put the house in order.
As already mentioned that rule of law seems non-existent, while merit is totally disregarded.
Cronyism and nepotism are fast-spreading, setting unethical precedence and bringing bad name
to governance. The public perceptions are getting stronger that poor governance is due to corrupt
practices and misuse of public office. The same needs to be addressed on priority. So, leadership
must prepare a strategy to address the problems of general masses and stop fighting for acquiring
more power, and practicing corruption.
Particularly, our own media must project corruption as a threat to good governance which must
be fought through transparent and accountable practices.
Nonetheless, rampant corruption in Pakistan is posing a very serious threat to the state as well
the true democracy. It has become a significant obstacle towards development, and adversely
impacting the good governance and rule of law, culminating in poor governance.
Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants,
Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations
