Sunday 30 October 2011
Sunday 16 October 2011
Sunday 9 October 2011
Of holy cows and unholy alliances
The three musketeers are back together in the government. Or would you rather I call them idiots? Indeed, the rising anti-government discourse – and the explosion of anti-Zardari rhetoric from right-wingers – and among some conservatives, is well deserved. However, will this hysteria secure optimum result for the myriad problems confronting the country? Sadly, simplistic attacks on President Zardari and his government’s initiatives – or lack of – are an insult to the audience. Rather than engaging ourselves in substantive analysis and policy critique, we have all become easy prey for mindless debate.
Yes, President Zardari is smart. He plays well. He has his coalition partners exactly where he wants them. With him. The PML-Q – an uneasy alliance partner that was cleverly placed to replace the unpredictable MQM – is now a more permanent member of the PPP ‘coalition club’. But rules apply: the member must strengthen the ruling government in parliament and a seat-adjustment promise for the next elections.
In return the auspicious ‘PPP club’ must ensure Moonis Elahi’s freedom and make true on their promise of carving out lucrative ministries for the member’s greedy lot. Meanwhile, for the MQM, the membership fees has considerably been reduced while the fine has been paid by the PPP club itself: a state ministry or two, a ‘certain’ someone to be implicated and kept in custody (preferably forever) and of course, a large (read: largest) share in Karachi.
Analysts dismissed the PML-Q’s resignations act as nothing more than “political posturing”, while the MQM hoped people would buy their ever sellable mantra: of “rejoining the government in the national interest” of the country. For those who were hedging their bets on whether the MQM would make a comeback – the party has quit the coalition at least five times before – were richer Wednesday night. “Let us forget the past,” said Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad in a joint press conference moments after the news of MQM’s return dominated the airwaves. Yes, Mr Governor. Let us look beyond the target killings, which left hundreds of people dead and forget that there ever existed a man called Zulfikar Mirza. Let’s forge ahead on a path that was laid out in blood a short while ago. Let’s welcome another round of an unholy alliance.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court, in its verdict on Karachi implicates all political parties – the PPP, MQM, ANP, Sunni Tehrik and Jamat-e-Islami – of their involvement in criminal activities. They have been asked to expel all criminal elements from their parties’ rank and file. Other than making a few observations and recommendations, it seems that the Supreme Court has thrown the ball back into the government’s court.
Speaking of alliances, guess who the new kid on the block has allied with recently? Imran Khan’s new man: former governor of Punjab and ex-president of the PML-Q, Mian Mohammad Azhar. Are you rejoicing yet? Well, Khan obviously was ecstatic and made sure that his voice carried twice as far as he stood outside his house in Model Town, Lahore. “We will rid the country of corrupt politicians,” said Khan. Too bad that Khan’s recent disciple has been himself implicated in vote rigging scandals. But Azhar is a small drop in the big ocean where vote rigging is a right especially reserved for the security establishment. With their support, and Khan’s hypocrisy, the votes will be forthcoming.
Who cares if Imran Khan wears a liberal face for the rest of the world while he assumes a conservative demeanour for Pakistan? The fact that Khan campaigned for Musharraf’s referendum in 2002, and doesn’t seem to understand the basics of democracy is a moot point. Our naïve countrymen will still fall for his ghairatmand exterior, voting in a candidate known more for his exploits than his team spirit. Howzzat, Mr Khan? The people who flock to see Khan perform in rallies and support his sit-ins have little idea that running a country is far more complex than steering a cricket team towards victory. A fixed match, Mr Khan, is not fair play.
Our country’s higher-ups have strange bed-fellows to say the least. From the Haqqani’s “non-militant” wing to other terrorist and sectarian groups, one wonders how such alliances can bode well for the country, and simultaneously cause harm to external powers. However, with increasing sympathy for one side, another side is being alienated: the US. With threats to halt all aid to Pakistan and a tough exterior to boot, the Americans are asking for some straight answers. As is this nation, which has been silenced with a resolution that was generated at the All Parties Conference. And just when we were trying to understand our own failings, the lights went out. Literally. Herculean power breakdowns and gas shortage plunged this nation into another form of disarray, providing the opposition with a much welcome opening.
The friendly opposition decided to go for an image makeover. Violent protests and accusatory remarks became the order of the day. What started out as attacks on offices and grid stations of Pepco and Lesco developed into a fiery war of words between the ruling government and the PML-N. One spoke of inept attitude of the ruling elite for regular wage earners, while the other accused the first of not being able to rid Punjab of dengue.
Those who vowed to safeguard democracy now took to the streets to dismiss Zardari. That will help us overcome our power shortage for sure. The government is ignorant on how to avert the crisis for good, but it doesn’t seem like the opposition has a plan either. Nor did those who walked the extra mile behind Chaudhry Nisar. A principled stance always comes second to show of strength. The party that has recently been attacked by right-wingers on their friendly policy with India stance, now walked together towards the presidency.
Lastly, what is beginning to cause me great concern is our collective hysteria in response to the government’s lack of enterprise. Would our people be better or worse off under the agenda of directionless violent protests? I ask you.
Yes, President Zardari is smart. He plays well. He has his coalition partners exactly where he wants them. With him. The PML-Q – an uneasy alliance partner that was cleverly placed to replace the unpredictable MQM – is now a more permanent member of the PPP ‘coalition club’. But rules apply: the member must strengthen the ruling government in parliament and a seat-adjustment promise for the next elections.
In return the auspicious ‘PPP club’ must ensure Moonis Elahi’s freedom and make true on their promise of carving out lucrative ministries for the member’s greedy lot. Meanwhile, for the MQM, the membership fees has considerably been reduced while the fine has been paid by the PPP club itself: a state ministry or two, a ‘certain’ someone to be implicated and kept in custody (preferably forever) and of course, a large (read: largest) share in Karachi.
Analysts dismissed the PML-Q’s resignations act as nothing more than “political posturing”, while the MQM hoped people would buy their ever sellable mantra: of “rejoining the government in the national interest” of the country. For those who were hedging their bets on whether the MQM would make a comeback – the party has quit the coalition at least five times before – were richer Wednesday night. “Let us forget the past,” said Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad in a joint press conference moments after the news of MQM’s return dominated the airwaves. Yes, Mr Governor. Let us look beyond the target killings, which left hundreds of people dead and forget that there ever existed a man called Zulfikar Mirza. Let’s forge ahead on a path that was laid out in blood a short while ago. Let’s welcome another round of an unholy alliance.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court, in its verdict on Karachi implicates all political parties – the PPP, MQM, ANP, Sunni Tehrik and Jamat-e-Islami – of their involvement in criminal activities. They have been asked to expel all criminal elements from their parties’ rank and file. Other than making a few observations and recommendations, it seems that the Supreme Court has thrown the ball back into the government’s court.
Speaking of alliances, guess who the new kid on the block has allied with recently? Imran Khan’s new man: former governor of Punjab and ex-president of the PML-Q, Mian Mohammad Azhar. Are you rejoicing yet? Well, Khan obviously was ecstatic and made sure that his voice carried twice as far as he stood outside his house in Model Town, Lahore. “We will rid the country of corrupt politicians,” said Khan. Too bad that Khan’s recent disciple has been himself implicated in vote rigging scandals. But Azhar is a small drop in the big ocean where vote rigging is a right especially reserved for the security establishment. With their support, and Khan’s hypocrisy, the votes will be forthcoming.
Who cares if Imran Khan wears a liberal face for the rest of the world while he assumes a conservative demeanour for Pakistan? The fact that Khan campaigned for Musharraf’s referendum in 2002, and doesn’t seem to understand the basics of democracy is a moot point. Our naïve countrymen will still fall for his ghairatmand exterior, voting in a candidate known more for his exploits than his team spirit. Howzzat, Mr Khan? The people who flock to see Khan perform in rallies and support his sit-ins have little idea that running a country is far more complex than steering a cricket team towards victory. A fixed match, Mr Khan, is not fair play.
Our country’s higher-ups have strange bed-fellows to say the least. From the Haqqani’s “non-militant” wing to other terrorist and sectarian groups, one wonders how such alliances can bode well for the country, and simultaneously cause harm to external powers. However, with increasing sympathy for one side, another side is being alienated: the US. With threats to halt all aid to Pakistan and a tough exterior to boot, the Americans are asking for some straight answers. As is this nation, which has been silenced with a resolution that was generated at the All Parties Conference. And just when we were trying to understand our own failings, the lights went out. Literally. Herculean power breakdowns and gas shortage plunged this nation into another form of disarray, providing the opposition with a much welcome opening.
The friendly opposition decided to go for an image makeover. Violent protests and accusatory remarks became the order of the day. What started out as attacks on offices and grid stations of Pepco and Lesco developed into a fiery war of words between the ruling government and the PML-N. One spoke of inept attitude of the ruling elite for regular wage earners, while the other accused the first of not being able to rid Punjab of dengue.
Those who vowed to safeguard democracy now took to the streets to dismiss Zardari. That will help us overcome our power shortage for sure. The government is ignorant on how to avert the crisis for good, but it doesn’t seem like the opposition has a plan either. Nor did those who walked the extra mile behind Chaudhry Nisar. A principled stance always comes second to show of strength. The party that has recently been attacked by right-wingers on their friendly policy with India stance, now walked together towards the presidency.
Lastly, what is beginning to cause me great concern is our collective hysteria in response to the government’s lack of enterprise. Would our people be better or worse off under the agenda of directionless violent protests? I ask you.
Sunday 2 October 2011
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