The country celebrates its 68th Independence Day today with dazzling fireworks, singing competitions and a lot of other activities that are traditionally associated with celebrations known for this most significant day in the history of the country. Unfortunately, however, never before in its history has the Pakistani nation encountered such a seemingly grim Independence Day as today. Consider: The country is in ferment as its people nervously and fearfully await the outcome of this big day because our politicians have landed this nation in a situation in which further progress seems to be impossible: a blind alley, dead-end street. Needless to say, the situation that has evolved over the past many weeks, or months, has not happened by chance, unintentionally, or unexpectedly. The incumbent government of Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf of Opposition leader Imran Khan are equally responsible for this dangerous pass in the history of the country.
The Prime Minister's last-ditch effort through which he sought to defuse the ongoing crisis that came as inadequate as a remedy and not in time to be effective for PTI chief Imran Khan has profoundly deepened the political turmoil in the country. More than half of the country is on lockdown where people are facing restricted access instituted as security measures. That the country's economy is going south is a naked fact that has translated itself into the recent stock slide or loss of 4.6 percent by Karachi Stock Exchange and a serious setback to the country's Eurobond prospects owing to growing political instability in the country. Moreover, dark clouds hover over scheduled IMF talks. Not only has the current upheaval adversely affected industrial output, exporters are finding it impossible to ship their consignments because of severe restrictions imposed by the government on the movements of people and vehicles.
Various parts of Punjab, the largest province of the country, and the federal capital present pictures of areas that have been virtually placed under curfew, a regulation requiring certain or all people to leave the streets and be at home at a prescribed hour. According to an analyst, the intensity of security measures indicates as if, God forbid, the country has been attacked by our traditional rival, India. The situation shows that the present government's ineptness is grossly characterised by its narrow worldview because it has failed to articulate a timely response to the situation by looking at a bigger picture of the region. Aren't the country's policymakers aware of the happenings in the Middle East, Afghanistan and a likely reset in India-West and India-China relations following the election of Narendra Modi of BJP? Don't these developments underscore the need for greater political stability and improvement in the economy and the resolution of issues, particularly the simmering government-PTI conflict, in the shortest possible time?
While the government of Punjab and, the interior ministry that is in-charge of federal capital's security, can be plausibly blamed for reacting disproportionately to perceived and real threats to law and order in their respective domains, Dr Tahirul Qadri's activists in particular have immensely contributed to the present woeful situation through their overt and covert threats of bloodshed on Independence Day in order to deliver for the nation a "Green Revolution".
Although, Imran still seeks to remove the incumbent government through constitutional means, he has been increasingly relying on street power rather than the floor of Parliament. He too is now talking of a "revolution" - an objective that he seeks to achieve through his "Azadi March". Unfortunately, however, both of them have little understanding of real meaning of "revolution" as according to Chairman Mao, "A revolution is not a dinner party.... A revolution is an insurrection, an act of violence by which one class overthrows another". They must not therefore lose sight of the fact that neither Pakistan is Egypt; nor Nawaz Sharif is 'Hosni Mubarak of Pakistan'. Drawing parallels between these two countries and leaders manifests a profound lack of understanding of politics in the Middle East.
Imran Khan, undoubtedly a charismatic leader, is often found excessively quoting from the founder of this country, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, with a view to substantiating his arguments against the incumbent government. How ironic, however, it is that he is not aware of what the Quaid said in relation to similar situations. Addressing a public meeting in Dhaka (then Dacca), on March 21, 1948, the Quaid said: "It is in your hands to put the Government in power or remove the Government from power, but you must not do it by mob methods. You have the power; you must try and understand the machinery. Constitutionally, it is in your hands to upset one Government and put another Government in power if you are dissatisfied to such an extent".
Last but not least, since our culture encourages us to fit the norm and the present situation underscores the need for greater political stability, the PTI chief must rescind his approach through which he seeks a change in existing system in a way which causes immense problems to people and endangers the future of nascent democracy in the country. Insofar as the incumbent PM - a poor student of history - is concerned, he is warned against making waves because if he continues to make too much waves, he may not last long.
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Pakistan: After 67 years, what is the meaning of Independence Day?
The country celebrates its 68th Independence Day today with dazzling fireworks, singing competitions and a lot of other activities that are traditionally associated with celebrations known for this most significant day in the history of the country. Unfortunately, however, never before in its history has the Pakistani nation encountered such a seemingly grim Independence Day as today. Consider: The country is in ferment as its people nervously and fearfully await the outcome of this big day because our politicians have landed this nation in a situation in which further progress seems to be impossible: a blind alley, dead-end street. Needless to say, the situation that has evolved over the past many weeks, or months, has not happened by chance, unintentionally, or unexpectedly. The incumbent government of Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf of Opposition leader Imran Khan are equally responsible for this dangerous pass in the history of the country.
The Prime Minister's last-ditch effort through which he sought to defuse the ongoing crisis that came as inadequate as a remedy and not in time to be effective for PTI chief Imran Khan has profoundly deepened the political turmoil in the country. More than half of the country is on lockdown where people are facing restricted access instituted as security measures. That the country's economy is going south is a naked fact that has translated itself into the recent stock slide or loss of 4.6 percent by Karachi Stock Exchange and a serious setback to the country's Eurobond prospects owing to growing political instability in the country. Moreover, dark clouds hover over scheduled IMF talks. Not only has the current upheaval adversely affected industrial output, exporters are finding it impossible to ship their consignments because of severe restrictions imposed by the government on the movements of people and vehicles.
Various parts of Punjab, the largest province of the country, and the federal capital present pictures of areas that have been virtually placed under curfew, a regulation requiring certain or all people to leave the streets and be at home at a prescribed hour. According to an analyst, the intensity of security measures indicates as if, God forbid, the country has been attacked by our traditional rival, India. The situation shows that the present government's ineptness is grossly characterised by its narrow worldview because it has failed to articulate a timely response to the situation by looking at a bigger picture of the region. Aren't the country's policymakers aware of the happenings in the Middle East, Afghanistan and a likely reset in India-West and India-China relations following the election of Narendra Modi of BJP? Don't these developments underscore the need for greater political stability and improvement in the economy and the resolution of issues, particularly the simmering government-PTI conflict, in the shortest possible time?
While the government of Punjab and, the interior ministry that is in-charge of federal capital's security, can be plausibly blamed for reacting disproportionately to perceived and real threats to law and order in their respective domains, Dr Tahirul Qadri's activists in particular have immensely contributed to the present woeful situation through their overt and covert threats of bloodshed on Independence Day in order to deliver for the nation a "Green Revolution".
Although, Imran still seeks to remove the incumbent government through constitutional means, he has been increasingly relying on street power rather than the floor of Parliament. He too is now talking of a "revolution" - an objective that he seeks to achieve through his "Azadi March". Unfortunately, however, both of them have little understanding of real meaning of "revolution" as according to Chairman Mao, "A revolution is not a dinner party.... A revolution is an insurrection, an act of violence by which one class overthrows another". They must not therefore lose sight of the fact that neither Pakistan is Egypt; nor Nawaz Sharif is 'Hosni Mubarak of Pakistan'. Drawing parallels between these two countries and leaders manifests a profound lack of understanding of politics in the Middle East.
Imran Khan, undoubtedly a charismatic leader, is often found excessively quoting from the founder of this country, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, with a view to substantiating his arguments against the incumbent government. How ironic, however, it is that he is not aware of what the Quaid said in relation to similar situations. Addressing a public meeting in Dhaka (then Dacca), on March 21, 1948, the Quaid said: "It is in your hands to put the Government in power or remove the Government from power, but you must not do it by mob methods. You have the power; you must try and understand the machinery. Constitutionally, it is in your hands to upset one Government and put another Government in power if you are dissatisfied to such an extent".
Last but not least, since our culture encourages us to fit the norm and the present situation underscores the need for greater political stability, the PTI chief must rescind his approach through which he seeks a change in existing system in a way which causes immense problems to people and endangers the future of nascent democracy in the country. Insofar as the incumbent PM - a poor student of history - is concerned, he is warned against making waves because if he continues to make too much waves, he may not last long.
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