Nothing will change in the land of pure

Asif Haroon Raja

All governments have fallen disgracefully because of poor governance, corruption and lack of moral fibre. These factors have had devastating impact and have bankrupted the nation, brought misery to people and disgrace to rulers. The country instead of progressing retrogressed in all fields. Still, no succeeding government learnt any lesson and opted to follow the path of self-destruction. Unscrupulous rulers have become so addicted to vices of corruption, power and pelf that their greed for wealth has become insatiable. Novel ways are devised how to loot national wealth and how to get away with it. Devoid of vision and scruples, they go to any extent to enrich their personal coffers and to prolong their stay in power. Their greed can be gauged from a recent incident wherein a sitting lady MPA purchased jewellery worth Rs. 80,000 on a stolen credit card and when caught red handed shamefacedly pleaded not guilty. She was rightfully shown the door and ousted from PML-N.

Notwithstanding that PPP is the largest political party with roots in all provinces, its leadership revolving around Bhutto family, has continued to rule the party without carrying out in-house elections. Bhutto charisma is so strong that the party preferred to stay leaderless for over 8 years under weak and pliant Makhdoom Amin Fahim when Benazir opted for self-imposed exile to save her skin from accountability. Magnetism of Bhuttoism prevails even after her death although it has began to erode. Erosion in electoral power of PPP is mostly in Punjab but its vote bank in rural Sindh remains intact. Whenever pushed against the wall, PPP leaders from Sindh play up the Sindh card. 

PPP government is sloganeering to make parliament supreme. On ground, it is weak and dysfunctional since it is filled up with inept and merrymaking parliamentarians little interested in their work but more interested in indulging in corrupt and illegal practices. Instead of opposition making noise, it is Jamaat-e-Islami and Tehrik-e-Insaf or media which is exposing misdeeds of rulers. In the face of mounting criticism over mega scandals of corruption, instead of checkmating the downslide through better governance and honest practices, party stalwarts blame the critics for indulging in mud slinging and term it as a conspiracy to remove democratically elected president.

Nepotism and cronyism are in fashion while merit has been pushed down the drain. Incompetent and corrupt persons loyal to president are heading important govt and semi-govt departments. Jayalas are stuffed into public organisations, already going through financial crisis, turning them into liabilities. Stories of mega corruption scandals are making headlines. Chairman Steel Mill has been sacked on charges of massive corruption and causing a huge loss to the nation. Plan has been chalked out to buy 14 rental power projects worth Rs. 200 billion ($3.1 billion) to overcome energy crisis. Saner elements are raising their voice against shady deal being not only dicey but also very expensive. They suggest opting for old independent power projects (IPPs) (Rs 11.26 per kw hour, or new IPPs (Rs 11.77), both being viable and cost effective. The govt is however bent upon acquiring rent-a-power business (Rs 14.65) since it promises huge commissions. Kowtowing and servility to USA continues.  

As a consequence to demonstrated poor performance of ruling class, rot has permeated down to lowest layer of society. Corruption is eating into the vitals of the nation like termites. Whatever gains made are devoured by the ravenous rulers and their acquaintances. Reduced to a carcass, Pakistan is living on oxygen provided by IMF. The situation becomes all the more pathetic when leading lights of PPP instead of correcting the wrongs stubbornly defend their inanities and contemptuously brush aside barrage of complaints as propaganda to defame PPP. They argue that such poisonous vibes are not new for the party since it has always been subjected to vilification campaign whenever in power. They hide their inefficiency and corrupt practices by blaming past rulers but refuse to put Gen Musharraf on trial.

Given their mindset, incorrigible rulers follow the beaten track which had sunk them in pool of ignominy. Least cared about endgame, they are busy digging their graves with own hands but in the process are also inflicting fatal blows to the economy, dignity and respect of the nation. They are satisfied that more and more loans are pouring in to meet day to day needs but are least bothered about ramifications of debt burden which has choked Pakistan and made it cash strapped. Of $5.2 billion pledged by Friends of Pakistan in Tokyo on 17 April, against expected receipt of $2 billion by end 2009, very little amount has flowed in. One reason of non-realisation of their pledges is trust deficit. Aid givers are somehow sceptical that large portion of given amount meant for dislocated people of Malakand Division would be pilfered by Zardari led team. Their scepticism is based on reputation earned by Zardari and ruling ministers during 18 months rule.

The judiciary and military are putting in strenuous efforts to restore the image and credibility of two vital institutions badly tarnished by detractors. While chief justice Iftikhar has issued a comprehensive and well-meaning judicial policy and taken practical steps to cleanse the judiciary of numerous ailments, Gen Kayani has led the army from the front, motivated it and reversed the trend of army bashing to acclamation. The army has rendered huge sacrifices and produced tangible results in shortest possible time to bring about this healthy change. One wonders what is stopping Zardari from taking people friendly steps and winning hearts of people. With so much of muck heaped on him, what prevents him from puncturing circulating rumours against him through well-measured damage control exercise? 

Recent survey indicated graph of Gilani soaring and that of Zardari tumbling. Minus one formula which till recent was taken very lightly has suddenly acquired significance. The ruling PPP has become so concerned about the circulating rumour that information minister Qamar Zaman Qaira had to give a statement that orchestrated campaign has been unleashed by detractors of PPP to defame the leadership of the party and that minus Zardari formula was unacceptable.

There is no denying the fact that allegations levelled against ruling regime are not without a substance. Nothing will change in the land of pure as long as 10% voracious well-heeled class keep sucking the blood of 170 millions to upkeep their royal lifestyle and gullible masses keep re-electing the most depraved from among so-called cream of the crop. It is also a fact that Gen Kayani is constantly being nudged to step in and stem the rot. This practice is an old one. During the ten-year unenviable democratic era in 1990s, Gen Beg, Gen Asif, Gen Kakar and Gen Karamat were cajoled by disgruntled politicians, bureaucrats and senior retired army officers to save the country from ruination but none obliged and stayed apolitical. Gen Musharraf staged a coup against a heavy mandate regime at a time when the democratic era after years of bungling had begun to deliver.

Yearning for democracy free of military patronage began to mount from 2005 onwards and peaked after March 2007 when people got disillusioned with one-man rule. After getting rid of military dictator and rejoicing rebirth of democracy, disenchantment set in within six months of democratic rule and by now bitterness has intensified. Irrespective of blundering of politicians, the army would not get induced and would let democracy to run its course. If Kayani is not trigger happy army chief, one of his successors may not be that cool and patient. He might get provoked to once again administer ten-year military dosage to pull the country out of the mess created by politicians and provide temporary reprieve. The cycle will go on till such time the politicians mend their ways and put self behind national interests.