Side-effect

One has already used this space to mention the success of the democratic process in the country and the praiseworthiness of the members of parliament on passing the eighteenth amendment to the Constitution by consensus. Besides, the new NFC Award which was agreed upon by all federating units some weeks ago is limited, but definitely a step in the right direction, and not just eyewash as was suggested by some critics. We are striving hard to become civilised as a nation and the democratic process and constitutional rule have started strengthening institutions of the state over the past few months.

I am one of those who would like to see a new constitution of the republic, but in due course of time. It can't happen overnight. Like some others, my only issues with the 18th Amendment for the moment are with the assertion that disqualifies all competent and noble non-Muslim Pakistanis from becoming prime minister and the abolition of the clause that made it mandatory for political parties to hold elections in their ranks. The heated debates that reach our living rooms, which are hosted mostly by half-literate television anchors and televangelists or the exchange of harsh words and slurs between political opponents on various occasions in public, do not bother me beyond a certain point. If you are not too cynical, the prevalent differences in opinion among different stakeholders on the independence of the judiciary, the appointment of judges and so on are also a healthy sign for a nation grappling to resolve its basic issues.

The PPP deserves praise for contributing substantially to furthering the bourgeois democratic process and strengthening the supremacy of parliament. It is also the other parties, particularly the major ones like the PML-N, the ANP and the PML-Q, which deserve similar praise, even if not of the same proportion. However, an independent observer can easily see a lobby of analysts, opinion leaders and journalists out there which cannot find a singular thing to appreciate in the whole process of democratic rule and is committed to blaming the president and his aides for everything that goes wrong under the sun. There is criticism of the government which is ill-founded but there is a lot of it which is absolutely correct. This is the beauty of the democratic process that we, as citizens, claim the rights enshrined in the Constitution and ask for those rights which are either not realised yet or are usurped by powers that be. Through this very process, we may ask for a new constitution as well. The process must continue and those of us who are concerned about long-term prosperity and true freedom of the country must carry on their struggle for bringing fundamental changes to the structure of the state and the fabric of society.

But unfortunately, some friends from the PPP become so defensive that they equate democracy in the country with the rule of the PPP. Therefore, you must refrain from uttering a word about the lack of governance, inefficiency, corruption and absence of vision for development. The PPP of today no more represents those masses who continue to vote it in. Political forces from the new-left have to take the next step in making Pakistan a just and progressive state. If they fail, we would see another picture of twelve aristocratic men, one wealthy woman and two men from the affluent middle-class flanking a filthy rich president signing the 19th Amendment. Important, but the most they could do.



The writer is a poet and advises national and international institutions on governance and public policy issues. Email: harris @spopk.org