Adil Najam
Speaking of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani’s upcoming trip to USA and meeting with President George Bush a politically astute and well-connected friend in Pakistan said, “Its going to be a meeting of two lame ducks. George Bush is a lame duck because his tenure is about to end, and Yousuf Raza Gillani is a lame duck because his tenure never really started!”
For those who wish to see real democracy in Pakistan such comments instill a certain sadness. Yet, as a recent The News editorial highlighted, there is an increasing, palpable, and disturbing concern amongst Pakistanis about exactly who, if anyone, in in control of the government in Pakistan.
We thought maybe we should put exactly that question to our readers in this ATP Poll: Who do you think calls the shots? Who is really in-charge of Pakistan’s government today?
Of course, one could make this broader and more abstract by adding the Allah, Umreeka or Army responses. But our interest right now is on the daily governance of the country and who is calling the shots there.We woudl appreciate if the responses and comments also focus on that.
Re. reply of Ikram sb I must admit that I got carried away by my emotions for my country, which I should not have. But this doesn’t change the fact towards which I pointed out. And that is that the poll is missing the most important player in our political mix. That’s why the results are fundamentally non-representative of the ground reality. However I also strongly agree with Mr Ikram that US is not to blame for successfully implementing their strategies on countries like Pakistan which they consider a threat to their national security. In fact US foreign machinery be it Pentagon or CIA or their Foreign Secretariat etc etc, they deserve praise for achieving the interest of their people. Majority of problems in Pakistan are our own. My point claiming the US to be the biggest player was an effort to make people realize that we as a nation are accepting the fact that we are governed not by our own but by those invisible hands for whom our lives are no more important than the disposable cups for taking their tea. Our people can have little regard for expressions like “greater good” or even “revolution for restoring justice” but try telling them that you are no longer sovereign or that one of our neighbours is goingvto launch an attack on us & see how they react or rather revolt. If u want corruption and nepotism to vanish make them realise what they are losing on the front of their sovereignity! These people can’t be conquered !
Pakistani politicians and military men are smarter than Pakistan public gives them credit for. They have figured out the goldern principle of not having any one in charge. That way no one can gets blamed while all of them can plunder any which way they can.
The at of comments on this post is really quite low. Apart from venting frustration there is very little thought or analysis in the comments. Why? All I see here are lots of anger and slogans and excuses and cheap cynicism. An intelligent question has been put to us and we go off on a rant.
There is clearly chaos in government be it is clearly bad for citizens. I think there are two major causes of this. First, bad relations bw president and ruling party. Second, lack of confidence and stability within ruling party after BB death. Without one or both of those structural flaws fixed we will remain in limbo. The real question is, what is the social economic and political cost of limbo?
sy
It is really a stage play, and all in the list (except “No One”, of course) have a role. The script is written, and the play directed, by the US, which is hardly surprising. As they say, he who pays the piper gets to call the tune. The only thing unclear is whether AZ or General Pakistan has the lead role in the play.
An alternate view could be that a general depression (a la vacuum at the center) in the politics and governance of Pakistan is causing the air to rush in from all surrounding directions. Even Karzai gets to put in his two cents threats. The situation couldn’t be more pathetic.
“hae jurm-e za’eefi ki sazaa marg-e mafajaat”
– Adil Bhai- No need to fret and don’t worry.
But why have you forsaken Mian SAhib.
His position is envious- Running with the hare and hunting with the hound -So is everybody. As the Three Muskiteers wouldn’t say.
All for One and None for All.
No pun intended. It is simply the apathetic public at large who wants to implement their law on you but break the traffic rules themselves.
You remember, the oft condemned NRO did not come out today or two months back, in fact it was there since about October/November, so how come it has become so much maligned or is it that we are just person specific and not what the NRO entails.
In my view the NRO just answers your question and the poll, only nobody could have imagined that it would be the ” middle man” in contention.
Given the Republican Institute poll this published month, you must reset or repicture your poll.
Actually, this poll is giving me/us no choice.
Sincerely
Naseer