On these erudite pages, and elsewhere, there has been much ado about the fact that now the ruling coalition should split in response to the great betrayals perpetrated by Asif Ali Zardari. In classic machismo laden bravado, the honorific narratives have been urging Nawaz Sharif and his party to take the bold step and stick to their “principled” stand. What is interesting about these exhortations is the brazen rendering of political discourse in black or white terms.
Many a former ambassador, the recent cohort to jump into the fray of political activism, has found a great post-retirement vocation. Once the plush tenures are over and all that could be extracted from the holy state cow, now is the time to speak the truth and condemn military dictatorships. Convenient and most opportune! This low-risk strategy is paying its dividends: a great whitewashing of all that they were a party to, and all that they let happen in front of their red-taped offices. The ex-servicemen whose record is even more dismal are even more vociferous in their advocacy for a democratic Pakistan.
Therefore, the confused citizens with a shred of historical sense are simply bewildered. Gen Chishti, the key player in toppling Zulfikar Ali Bhutto‘s government and unleashing of eleven years of mediaeval darkness, talking about resistance to army rule. Surely, the realisation took three decades of lasting damages and fissures within the body politic. Another retired Army chief, Gen Beg, is also at the forefront. His vitriole cannot hide the years when he actively sabotaged the democratic process, admitted before the Supreme Court that he had “advised” a bench not to restore Junejo‘s government; and disbursed astronomical sums of money to undermine civilian government raised through another shady character heading a dubious financial institution.
And let us not forget Air Marshal Asghar Khan, who urged Gen Zia to hang Bhutto at Kohala Bridge and that Army intervention was legitimate in national interest. His well-meaning son, the bright Omar Asghar Khan (may his soul rest in peace), joined Musharraf and heralded the dawn of a new era with the last army takeover. Inconvenient: Mea Culpa?
Since Pakistan’s inception the politicians, not the best to begin with, were, portrayed as the evil characters. The first decade of democracy 1947-58 witnessed SEVEN prime ministers with an overarching establishment fiddling and rocking the boat each time. So politicos were given a bad name and ousted in 1958 for nearly twelve years. We know well what happened during 1970-77 and eventually the 1977 coup, led from the front by Gen Chishty, depicted Bhutto as the worst thing to have happened to Pakistan. In the process, half the country was lost and institutions sabotaged even before they could take root.
The most recent decade of democratic rule 1988-99 was yet again marked by similar games of power, betrayal, military interference culminating in martial rule that is still refusing to go away. Among others, the key lesson of this decade was the willingness of the political elites to play the game, rules of which were set by power centres. They were hostage to their own limitations and the instruments of the state represented by opportunities for corruption as well as the witch-hunting organisations that ostensibly conducted accountability.
Prior to the mobilisation of the middle classes and the new components of an expanded bourgeoisie, something unique had taken place through the Charter of Democracy. This document was a Herculean achievement by the major political players, if we were to exclude the tonga parties, that is still alive and no party has backed out of it.
This is momentous. A coalition, that too of former adversaries, will not be an easy process to manage. It will stumble, falter and swirl; and it should. Political maturity is neither gained through pompous declarations nor pious accords. It is the experience of governance and the ability of conflict-resolution and problem-solving that makes coalitions work. The Indian case is the closest to our context. In the last two decades the Indian political class has learnt the art of managing coalitions and even now this is far from a smooth ride.
The current hysteria against the villainous nature of Zardari and his real and imagined misdeeds is nothing but a desperate call for the old order – of the 1950s, 1970s and 1990s – to return in full force. Like the polarised polity of Bangladesh, where the army had to intervene in January 2007, to “save” the country from chaos?
The old order has beneficiaries: political underlings who can switch and become pegs in the power game; retired bureaucrats who can pledge loyalty for favours; journalists who can broker power and gains, and so on. This time it is difficult: who to demolish as a “security-risk” and whom to term as a born-again Jinnah. And, above all, a vigilante media, a highly charged civil society led by the lawyers cannot be appeased or tricked into these little games.
One can detect some measure of frustration, almost a panic, as to why Nawaz Sharif has not condemned Zardari and called him a chor. And why has Zardari not lashed out against the Sharifs for their inflexibility on the judges’ issue. It is a separate matter that the way a 100-days reign of this government has been judged is not even remotely akin to assessments of Musharraf‘s eight years.
Yes, the PML-N has signed off on the increase in the total number of judges to twenty-nine. Yes, it is reluctantly ready to accept PCO judges. This is pragmatism of governance as opposed to the fiery materials for political rhetoric and high posturing. We simply cannot allow the ruling parties to part their ways and demonstrate to the future authoritarian figure that politicians are incapable of governance and they “fight amongst each other.”
Political sagacity and vision require that lumberdar-behaviour, Mullahist puritanism and sloganeering must give way to a calibrated means of dispute resolution. In case the constitutional package is the only way out for the PPP, then coalition partners and advocacy groups must focus on that. I have yet to read a single informed critique of the package that is inherently transformational and holds the potential to undo mis-governance of the past. Instead, the voices that want the coalition to break away reject the package with the one-liner that it is meant to sidetrack judges’ issue. Was this impasse and tribal behaviour worth eight years of democratic struggle, the death of Benazir Bhutto and sacrifices of people who died in the lawyers’ movement? The answer, plainly, is in the negative.
Mian Nawaz Sharif is a changed man. His steadfast commitment to the renewal of the truncated democratic process has been exemplary. Zardari has already tasted the bitter pills of politics, jail, media trials and miscarriage of justice. Who would know better than them that their split will only benefit their tormentors? And if they don’t know that, then God save us all.
The coalition must not splinter. In fact, the challenges require shared governance, collective experience for many years to come. Those advocating Sharif‘s exit are serving no one’s cause.
The coalition has to stay. Let us not revive the beleaguered forces on the retreat.
-Raza also edits Pak Tea House and Lahore Nama
A version of this post also appeared the daily news here.
The first photograph there is not too complimentary for either. They look like two “chaudhries” walking in after a large meal ;-)
By the way, I think already saw this in a newspaper. I would suggest not reprinting material that is already elsewhere without anything new to it on this site.
This coalition is the coalition of the opportunists, by the opportunists, and for the opportunists… Lacking any genuine sincerity and statesmanship, it perhaps is not going to last…
This circus has a brain-dead captive audience who for lack of any direction and hope have to endure the entire show.. Only God knows for how long.
Thoughtful post. Thanks.
If it splits, it’ll also be part of the democratic process and should not be confused with another failure of democracy in Pakistan.
BTW aren’t we all tired of writers and politicians pointing out the past short comings of folks who are at least trying to do the right thing today? If there were no second or third chances, this world would not be what it is today.
Pakistan a pole-free n-power !!
Its great time Musharraf & coalition should work on it.
@Every thing has its time, here, USA Elections
will have final impact on the coalition to “splinter”
or “splatter” or even just phussssssssssssssssss.
Unki abroo ka isharah, ap jisey ik ada samjhey,
Niglah-jata nehien, Khauff say, atka howa thook inka
Rafay Kashmiri
In case you are interested in facts. During the days of Bhuttos Federal Security Forces, where political opponents where thrown in the Lahore fort, tear gassed, beaten and shot at. In the height of the fear unleashed on subdued opponents Asghar Khan challenged Bhutto’s oppression and during his political campaign at a public meeting at Kohala stated that Bhutto should be hanged for being responsible for the breakup of the country. This speech, a fiery political one was meant to give people courage to face a much feared Bhutto. This speech was made at the height of Bhutto’s rule and not during Zia’s time ( you state in your article that he asked Zia to hang Bhutto). Further more Asghar Khan never invited the Army to take over but did write an open letter to the armed forces to obey only lawful commands stating that shooting unarmed civilians as the army had done was not lawful. Asghar Khan may I inform you was under arrest for 5 years during Ziaulhaq’s rule and later struggled alongside the PPP as part of the MRD and the PDA for the restoration of democracy. Please do not bracket him with the Beg’s and the Chisti’s.
As for his son, Omar Asghar Khan joining Musharaf in 1999 you did not state that he resigned only after one and a half years, only to be found dead under mysterious circumstances. Don’t you think that was a heavy price to pay for believing initially like 160 million others that Musharaf ‘s intentions were good. It is a pity that writers such as you do not take your obligations seriously enough to research before you comment and present what begins to look like writings that are merely pt together to prove a point. Which in this case seems was to discredit the ex servicemen blindly and to paint them all with the same brush.
There are many heroes amongst them much larger than life certainly a lot larger than Musharraf whose writ they have questioned.
This is the most disappointing post I have read on Pakistaniat. Nawaz Sharif is a changed man ? When were you born, yesterday ? Both NS and AZ are opportunists who are in this together. They should have resolved the issue and moved on by now. NS is only harping on the judges issue because this is the only issue they have.
And this is coming from an avid anti Musharraf person.
Making and breaking of coellissions is also a part of the democratic process under a parliamentary system. Coellissions break, new alliances are put together, elections are held and new governments are formed. So even if the coellission does not last very long, it should not be seen as a doom for democracy.
What actually undermines democracy is the absence of institutions. If there is a clash between the coellission partners, what mechanisms are there to move forward without derailing democracy? If new elections are held, will they be credible? What is being done to make the election commission independent? If political victimization in the name of accountability is a concern, what is being done to create an independent NAB and judiciary?
More later.
Unfortunately, our politicians have been guilty of dragging the military into politics. In fact, it has not been unusual to see the opposition leaders going to the GHQ to plead for removal of the civilian governments they opposed. Many of them have actively supported and cooperated with the military generals in their unconstitutional actions. ZA Bhutto was a creature of Ayub Khan’s military regime. In fact, it was ZA Bhutto, who established the ISI political cell and heavily rigged the elections, as revealed by Gen Hamid Gul. Then JI and others such as Nawaz Sharif actively supported Zia in his illegal actions to overthrow and execute ZA Bhutto. Nawaz Sharif’s election as PM was also engineered by the ISI as confirmed by Gen Aslam Beg. So, both our political leaders and the generals have a checkered history.
I hope the writer of this post is correct in his conclusion that Zardari and Sharif have changed as a result of their past experiences and they are now willing to let democracy evolve and work to serve the people. Now they have to prove it.
A rather silly post. Why should’nt the coalition splinter. A coalition is political, when the politics of it is not needed it should splinter. That does not threaten democrac at all.
Actuall if this coalition becomes permanent then that will mean one-party rule (or one-colaition rule) and democracies need strong oppositions.
“I have yet to read a single informed critique of the package that is inherently transformational and holds the potential to undo mis-governance of the past.”
No, it does not hold any such potential. I guess you have not even read that constitutional package. The PPP is providing all the opportunities to the mullah, and the Retired or the retarded generals to bad mouth the government. PPP would not bring any issue in the Assembly thus making it difficult for people to support the coalition.
This coalition is not helping democracy in Pakistan. It is helping the army. Only some deluded still believe that the PPP is trying to establish democracy.
“It is a separate matter that the way a 100-days reign of this government has been judged is not even remotely akin to assessments of Musharraf
Coalition Must Not Be Splinter.What is Democracy We have seen various Types of Democracy.Democracy in Muslim League in the time of Quide,Liaquat and all in the name of decipline and respect we were always away from our beloved leaders.Than always workers and people who give their lives were kept away in the name of security of dignitories.there is no Democracy .At present in the name of democracy politicians and their supporters enter collect/Loot National Wealth and go away or thrown out so others to come to take their share >Remains
The coalition is not an end in itself. It is a means to establish and sustain democracy and rule of law. It should respect the expressed will of the people. If it is unable or unwilling to perform this function, it should not only splinter, it should be actively destroyed.
If unsavoury characters like former army men, and former bureaucrats and henchmen and beneficiaries of dictatorial regimes support a noble cause, how does it make the cause questionable? The movement that started on 9th of March 2007 was not started by these people. It would not stop if these people withdrew their support. They are irrelevant.
In fact the movement was not started by the political parties either. They are the beneficiaries of the movement, not the founders. They have been given a mandate by the people to implement these changes. This mandate is not indefinite. It can be taken away.
The current impasse is not due a conflict of interest in the coalition. It is Zardari vs PPP, rather than PPP vs PMLN. Zardari is too compromised because of his cases and his wish to preserve the NRO. The difference with Nawaz Sharif is that he has read the mood of the people much better over the last one year, as compared to PPP leadership.
Please also see:
I Love Polo
http://www.justicedeniedpk.com/post/2008/07/04/I-Love-Polo.aspx
Mr. 100%
http://www.justicedeniedpk.com/post/2008/04/10/Zardari-Wants-10025.aspx
This post made me laugh like hell !!!. You really believe that it is a coalition ? (DIL MAIN MERE HA DARD-E-DISCO)
You mean that Mr. Zardari is a capable politician, oh no !!! he has been always Mr. 10% and will remain so. Every one remembers that Zardari was operating a money laundering “ADDA” while his wife Benazir Bhutto was the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Right now Zardari is making foolish moves and even the sharpest politician is unable to calculate what Zardari is upto. Zardari had no political sagacity and lacks generous political education. KHUDA JAB DETA HA TO CHAT PHAAR KAR DETA HA wala hisab ha.
I personally think that its the last election which People’s party has won. Never to be in power again with Zardari as co-chairman and Bilawal as Chairman. What a father son combination to run a party which used to be the blood line of Pakistan. Instead of staying in the country Mr. Zardari runs to Dubai every other day. Every one knows why.
Sharif brothers unfortunately lack political sagacity too. Nawaz Sharif is a GOOF, undoubtedly, but Shahbaz Sharif has the sense and mind to be a good politician.
This coalition is just a matter of days because People’s party and PML(N) have never been political lovers in the past. If Zardari has remained in jail for 10 years its because of fake allegations and cases registered by Nawaz Sharif Government and by Mr. Farooq Leghari. Can Zardari forget the worst he faced because of Sharif Brothers. Ofcourse not!!
Sharif’s have no choice but to compromise and keep clinging to the government because they don’t want to go back to “TUMBUKTO” again. SO !!!
Musharaf knows that till this coalition remains he has nothing to worry. Judges issue !!! nothing happened, where’s that Murree agreement ?
People’s party increased the number of judges both the serving and waiting to serve judges, and PML(N) voted in favor of the judges appointed by musharaf and serving right now. Who won ? Musharaf. (think) and Zardari.
The present Local Governments are not letting the assemblies to do any thing. Nazim of Karachi is openly criticizing the Chief Minister (Sindh) and the Lahore Nazim Mian Amir has so deep roots that no MNA or MPA can do any developmental work in his/her constituency. Mian Shahbaz Sharif is striving hard to gain control of the Punjab province but the People’s Party Governor Salman Taseer and the city nazim Lahore and other big cities are foiling all his attempts.
Lets hope that Sharif’s can do some thing to strengthen the faltering economy of Pakistan BUT you can not expect any this from People’s Party.
“In case the constitutional package is the only way out for the PPP, then coalition partners and advocacy groups must focus on that. I have yet to read a single informed critique of the package that is inherently transformational and holds the potential to undo mis-governance of the past. Instead, the voices that want the coalition to break away reject the package with the one-liner that it is meant to sidetrack judges
Continuation of policies that are in pakistan’s interest means just that!
Just because we don’t like zadari doesn’t mean the govt has to be brought down.
PPP must complete its term…and remove all doubts forever.
Dear Rumi Sb,
You have written, “And let us not forget Air Marshal Asghar Khan, who urged Gen Zia to hang Bhutto at Kohala Bridge and that Army intervention was legitimate in national interest.”
A little bit of historical research by you would have made you realize that Air Marshal Asghar Khan did no such thing. In a public rally, during the height of Bhutto’s political suppression, he made a statement in which he said, ‘I will hang Bhutto at Kohala Bridge.’ The motivation behind this statement was to get the fear of Bhutto out of people. It worked, as after that statement, the PNA movement gained momentom and people began demonstating against Bhutto.
Air Marshal Asghar Khan never asked Zia to take over or hang Bhutto. If you are reffering to the letter he wrote to the services officers, then I would ask you to actually read the letter. He has published it in his latest book published by the OUP and explained in detail his motivation behind writitng that letter. It was in response to a newspaper story he had read while in Kot Lakpat prison. A major had shot an innocent civilian who had showed him the ‘V’ sign. He was referring to such criminal activities of law enforcement and security officers and which is why he gave the example of the Nuremberg trials and his own. He had simply asked them to only follow lawful commands and disregard unlawful commands.
He went on to oppose Zia and his government and was in prison and under house arrest for 6 years.
I hope that you correct this error that you have made.