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Friday March 29, 2024

A progressive Pakistan

By Samia Shah
March 23, 2020

The recent statement of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto regarding turning Pakistan into a progressive state is very heartening. The PPP chairman visited Lahore recently holding meetings with progressive thinkers, intellectuals and activists. He expressed a desire to make Pakistan a progressive country where dissent is not stifled but appreciated and where the demands of the people are given a patient hearing.

Unlike several other mainstream Pakistani politicians, Bilawal has been vocal on a number of issues that really matter for the people. He has been consistent in his opposition to exploiting religion as a tool for achieving political objectives. His stance on the women's march was also appreciated by many in the country. Political parties, including the PML-N, demonstrated traditional cowardice by adopting a criminal silence on this crucial issue.

The PPP chairman has also thrown support behind the movement questioning the anti-workers policies of the government and the sale of state entities. His principled stance on privatisation can help the party win the support of the working class that used to be one of the important components of the party. There seems to be a political vacuum in the country and it is hard to find any political party talk about the issues that affect the lives of millions. If the PPP decides to speak on issues like inflation, unemployment, housing and privatisation, there is a strong possibility that it will win the support of ordinary Pakistanis.

Bilawal is not the only one dreaming of a progressive Pakistan. The dream of a progressive Pakistan is as old as the creation of this country. The founder of the nation Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a man of enlightened ideas. He wanted an inclusive state where people of all faiths and religions could coexist and enjoy equal rights but unfortunately after his death, the country was hijacked by right-wing religious elements whose policies pushed Pakistani society towards polarisation and intolerance.

It will be historically incorrect to lay all blame on right-wing elements for the present grim situation that we are going through. In fact Bilawal’s grandfather Z A Bhutto also adopted repressive policies that weakened the progressive elements of society. He sidelined every progressive element that could have been helpful in case of a political crisis. His appeasement of the religious right turned out to be the most lethal weapon of the fanatics who used religious slogans to discredit him.

What is done cannot be undone but Bilawal must remember that good speeches and a wish to turn Pakistan into a progressive state will not work. People are tired of political rhetoric. They are not ready to believe in the promises of politicians. Whatever little hope that they may have had in politics, has already been dashed to dust by the rise of Imran Khan who has acted diametrically opposite to what he said before coming into power.

The PPP is not a party that is waiting to gain power. It is already in power in the second most populous province of the country. People want to see a real change on the ground before they can repose their trust in politicians again. The PPP has a nice opportunity to woo the masses. It can do so by turning Sindh into a bastion of good governance and ridding the province of rampant corruption.

The party of Bhutto would also have to democratize itself and for that Bilawal would have to activate the central committee of the organization. The monopoly of the family over the party would also have to be abolished if the current chairman of the party really wants to revive it. Instead of doling out party offices to close relatives or other traditional politicians, such positions should be opened to all party workers. No office-bearer should be unelected.

The government has failed to control hepatitis while the provision of pure drinking water is still a dream not only in several parts of the interior Sindh but working class areas of Karachi as well. Education has also been ignored in the province.

The province has also been accused of putting in place the colonial style of commissionerate system where local bodies representatives do not have any powers. This system also encourages the police to suppress the people with impunity. One fails to understand why this colonial police system and district administration is not replaced with a more democratic one. One of the ways to improve party performance is to set a timetable for providing clean drinking water to all residents of Sindh, raising literacy to 100 percent and ridding the province of lethal diseases like hepatitis.

The provision of decent housing to the underprivileged should also be a top priority and the party must try to achieve it before the next general elections. The party chairman should set up a public secretariat where he should directly meet common people to get first-hand knowledge of their problem.

The party should keep an eye on the assets of elected representatives probing any unusual increase in their wealth. What the PPP needs to understand is: a progressive Pakistan can only become a reality when the majority of the people have witnessed a qualitative change in their living standard. The party should bring such change in Sindh first where millions are still living in extreme poverty besides facing feudal and police excesses. A Sindh that is rid of poverty, illiteracy, gender inequality and rampant corruption could serve as a beacon of hope. The PPP can present good governance in the province as the role model for the entire country.

The writer is a freelance journalist.

Email: samiashah0605@gmail.com