Pakistan: A mysterious $ 1.5 billion

Naeem Tahir

If the murderers of 60,000 Pakistanis, including army men, who do not accept the Constitution of Pakistan, can be embraced, then anything can happen

$ 1.5 billion! What for? This amount arrived into the so-called ‘Pakistan Development Fund’ from Saudi Arabia as a gesture of friendship for Nawaz Sharif (NS) and Pakistan. It may not be substantial for a whole country, but significant it is. I grew up at a time when hundreds and thousands mattered. Then lakhs (hundred thousands) became the numbers of conversation, and then crores (ten millions). Such amounts became out of reach for many. Now there are multiples of millions and billions! Therefore persons like me are surprised and would like to know, “Why this generosity?”

Many people noticed, murmured, and the defenders of NS softly explained that there was ‘no wrongdoing’. Ok, it may be ‘no wrongdoing’ is their opinion and not everyone might agree. Why can’t government functionaries come clean and clearly state the purpose of this largesse? So far more questions have risen as compared to those answered. Is it a discretionary fund for NS to be used as and when he considers the expenditure for ‘Pakistani development’? Is this ‘development’ to be on the Saudi pattern where there is no ‘constitutional system’ or equal rights or opportunities, and total religio-political hegemony? Or is it an takeoff from the Chinese ‘one-country-two-systems’ experiment in Hong Kong? If applied here, could it be Pakistan and FATA? This speculation, combined with the prime minister’s special bonding with the Taliban, has sent jitters through people. If the murderers of 60,000 Pakistanis, including army men, who do not accept the Constitution of Pakistan, can be embraced, then anything can happen. Is this $ 1.5 billion gift meant to firm up this bond? Or is it being used to create a permanent region of Saudi influence? Or is it that the US is backing off from direct involvement and Saudi money is taking over the role of keeping the ‘third world’ permanently oppressed, using deep rooted religio-political manipulation? Even darker thoughts are circulating. Is this fund meant to ensure, and consolidate, the large majority in the National Assembly? Please recall that NS had a two-third majority some years back. Let there be no facetiousness about the vital role of fund flows during elections. These funds change a lot of minds and loyalties. Indeed, NS is a businessman and knows where to invest profitably.

Consider the power of money, the media, and ‘democracy’ all concentrated in one hand, plus the support of religio-political, danda-bardar (baton-carrying) street forces. What else do you want? In the words of the historian Toynbee, “It is absolute power”, and therefore an open door for absolute corruption. Or is this fund a beginning to keep away from closer relations with Iran? Or could it be covert support for those messing up Syria to promote Salafiism made in Saudi Arabia? Or is it meant for an ‘Arab Spring’ made in the US for Pakistan?

All these speculations and concerns must be proved wrong and I hope that the responsible quarters that are well wishers of Mian Sahib will help in clearing the mist. The people of Pakistan would love to hear that this fund is meant to get Pakistan Railways back on the tracks. That this fund is meant to develop the gas pipeline with Iran and ensure that the stoves in our homes are kept burning. That this fund will supplement the purchase of electricity from neighbours like India, Iran or China to light Pakistani cities, towns, streets and villages. That this fund is going to be utilised for clean water, medicines, education, etc. Any such assurance by the Prime Minister of Pakistan would be music to the ears of the people of this country.

I have personally found Nawaz Sharif to be a well meaning and simple person, since the time he was introduced to me in the Punjab Governor House as the new Finance Minister by the late General Jillani, then Governor Punjab. I found his brother Shahbaz Sharif even more effectively well meaning. I believe that a good friend is one who alerts his friends against possible mistake or damage even at the risk of earning their displeasure. It is in this spirit that I would wish the prime minister to be cautious about the temptations of absolute power and the brainwashing assertions of some power-mongers around him. Nawaz Sharif has been given the rare opportunity to build this country.

He should do so by making a modern, progressive and competent nation, not a confused religio-political backward entity suffering from the dormant cancer of Salafiism. He would be remembered well if he moves towards reconciliation and its politics in a split society. He must rise above his personal pain, leave God Almighty to do justice instead of settling personal vendettas, and finally become a leader who is inclusive rather than exclusive. He must welcome the progressive elements of the country and get over his anti-Musharraf stance. He cannot make people believe that he is letting justice take its course. Musharraf did a lot of good for this country and must be respected. Leaders held in adoration by the nation and in the international community are assets for Pakistan and must be held in high esteem even if opinions differ. It may be hard to attain the stature of men like Nelson Mandela but taking steps in the direction he showed will take one towards being a better, a greater person. So our leaders must come clean. Clear the mysterious purposes of ‘funding’ from sources that raise eyebrows and end making statements with little credibility. Could Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif lead the way?