An ardent governor who was not aware of his parameters

ISLAMABAD: An otherwise amicable figure, the just resigned Punjab Governor, Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar, hardly ever bothered to read the Constitution to stay abreast of his powers that did not exist in the prevailing parliamentary democracy, writes Tariq Butt.
The gubernatorial office was just figurehead, which acts only on the recommendations and advice of the provincial government or as desired by its boss, the president of Pakistan. A governor has no powers whatsoever to exercise.
This was never realised by Chaudhry Sarwar, who kept acting as if he was an elected leader.Even while handing down his resignation, he expressed nice words about Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. But what he said about the general state of affairs was nothing but a charge sheet, which the detractors of Sharif brothers usually cherish to read and repeat for umpteen times.
Chaudhry Sarwar was a nonentity as far as Pakistan’s politics was concerned when he was picked up from nowhere by the Sharif duo for the slot of the governor. Despite being a nobody in Pakistan’s political arena, he was an influential figure in Britain and had earned his status because of sheer hard work and dedication. However, in that very country where he spent over three decades, every office holder starting from the Queen to the prime minister or any other functionary says and acts only what he or she is allowed under the law. Nobody there can’t even think going beyond the legal domain and parameters.
He has every right to say whatever he likes. But most of what he stated at his presser clearly reflected that he was unaware of his constitutional authority. He had no mandate to independently initiate any policies that he believed would ameliorate the lot of the deserving millions. It is the elected government that has the public support and vote to do all what he assumed upon himself. He was just a handpicked appointee and representative of the president. His status in the province was absolutely similar to that of the president in the federation.
However, Chaudhry Sarwar took the right decision to call it a day otherwise he was going to be asked to go home. It was apparently not possible for the prime minister to keep him any longer after he indicted the government on Tuesday. “It’s the diplomatic failure of Pakistan that US President Barack Obama visited India and signed all-important civil nuclear deal with it that included some condition even against American and international laws,” he stated.
Since his nomination as the governor, Chaudhry Sarwar presented himself uneasy soul, unsatisfied with the job he had to perform. He gave a clear impression that he wanted to do a lot but was handicapped. He always considered himself under-utilised. He never reconciled to the fact that he was just to sign and approve what was sent to him under the Constitution and law by the provincial government. But he remained quiet and kept giving vent to his views in a manner that was not received well by the Sharif brothers.
During the fiasco created by Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri on his return from Canada in June last, the government did not like the role played by the governor as he seemed more close to what the PAT leader said and did rather than expounding the government’s point of view before the PAT leader. The fact that he was the only one acceptable to Dr Qadri to end that crisis also raised eyebrows in official circles.
What are the options available to Chaudhry Sarwar in the political field? In the tricky and complex politics of Pakistan, it is quite impossible to act alone and single-handed and create some impact. Therefore, he has to associate himself with some political party to realise his dreams. He has the choice of affiliating with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), PAT or some other political party.
“I can serve Pakistan better out of office,” he said. But this would be doable only if he joins a political party worth the name. “I want to continue to help Pakistan in creating such a society where progress can be ensured for all the masses. It’s time to wake up. Out-of-school children, lack of access to clean water, threats to minorities are issues plaguing Pakistan,” he said listing a laudable agenda and vowed to campaign aggressively for local elections. To do all this, he will require a political platform.Chaudhry Sarwar’s decision to ‘live and die in Pakistan’ is positive. It means that he has burnt his boats as far as Britain is concerned.