The great losses of Pakistan’s political failures

The 13-party ruling coalition of Pakistan and the opposition’s consistent confrontation has seriously damaged the performance of the present setup, as a result of which people’s problems are multiplying by the day and the institutions that are supposed to address them have failed in their duties. This has also brutally tarnished the image of the parliament, which otherwise is regarded as the mother of all institutions.

The senseless confrontation between the two sides may hardly find a parallel anywhere in the world, and still more deplorable is the fact that neither side is ready to accept their mistakes nor willing to step back in the larger national interest.

Due to the 24-hour mudslinging by the leaders of the nation, people have started losing hope and whispers abound by some that the possibility of martial law cannot be ruled out. 

Parliament has failed to perform the functions it is under obligation to carry out. Consequently, everything from policy to the economy has spiralled out of the government’s control. And even in the distant future, there seems little hope for things to get better. From these failures, great and irredeemable losses have emerged. 

On the economy, it seems control now practically rests with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Inflation is out of control, and the common man feels crushed. The situation will get worse no doubt, when next year’s budget is announced during the next few months. The government will have to impose more taxes to honor its commitments with the IMF.

Already, the country’s sovereignty has been compromised, as the government has accepted humiliating conditionalities, unbecoming of a sovereign state. Even Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has admitted this fact, but can’t do anything to remedy the situation.

Lately, the IMF has told the government that it will provide the money under its package as long as other countries take the lead and honor their financial commitments to Pakistan. This may result in a delay in the much-awaited staff-level agreement with the global lender.

The only thing on everybody’s minds in the corridors of power, is more power. What we are witnessing is the collective failure of the bicameral parliament of Pakistan, of 80-plus ministers, advisers, and special assistants of the prime minister.

Ashraf Mumtaz

The government has no alternative except to surrender to the IMF’s dictates. Foreign exchange reserves have already dropped to something like $4 billion, which can cater only to a month’s import requirements.

Had the government and opposition spared time to discuss and find solutions to the economic situation, circumstances could have been different to some extent. But the only thing on everybody’s mind in the corridors of power, is more power.

What we are witnessing is the collective failure of the bicameral parliament of Pakistan, of 80-plus ministers, advisers, and special assistants of the prime minister.

As a result, close to a million Pakistanis have left the country in search of jobs abroad, while highly educated people have to work in jobs much below their qualifications. 

The impact of this brain drain will be felt in times ahead, when capable people for various jobs will not be available at home. But the cash-starved government which is in dire need of foreign exchange can’t stop this process. Overseas Pakistanis are the only major ray of hope for remittances. 

The confrontation has also adversely affected the working and mindset of the bureaucracy. Instead of giving priority to merit, bureaucrats have become adept in pleasing their seniors, which is an easy way to reach the upper ladders of their careers.

Without any exaggeration, this approach will fully destroy the system of administration and professionalism of what is regarded the cream of society.

Perhaps the worst long-term damage to the polity, is that of culture. Since leaders openly address their political opponents in derogatory ways, their followers-- many of them youth-- are also doing the same. The etiquette of conversation, and the beauty of a debate are remnants of the past. 

The decline in the situation can be assessed from a recent interview of the ruling party’s interior minister, Rana Sanaullah. 

who said that if the party’s survival is threatened, the party would go to ‘any extent’ to deal with it. 

In this dangerous statement, lies a hint of the shape of things to come.

— The writer is a senior and veteran journalist with a career spanning 40 years with major national and international newspapers.