The immediate question that must be agitating in the minds of the political analysts and others will be the tactical retreat and the (quid pro quo), if any, between the Opposition parties and the Establishment. Obviously, securing support of wide spectrum in the Parliament in favour of the bill relating to the extension of terms of Services Chiefs may not be the one-sided affair. It may be beyond comprehension within the parameters of common sense to presume that the Opposition extended their support ‘unconditional’ as declared by Khawaja Asif at the floor of the House.
The President of the PML-N Shahbaz Sharif, however, in media talk in London on last Saturday, asserted that the Opposition parties faithfully complied with the Supreme Court’s order. Rana Sanaullah was categorical of party’s unabated and unequivocal commitment to the civilian supremacy whereas it’s another leader Ghulam Dastgir hinted towards the degree of pressure on the leadership to support the bill pertaining to the extension of Services Chiefs. The argument being given by the Opposition parties indeed carried the weight that the prime minister had been empowered to grant extension to the Services Chiefs implying the proposed bill would not curtail the dimensions of civilian supremacy by any stretch of imagination. The Opposition support, therefore, was not the lose lose game as being understood at wider scale.
However, the existence of equally compelling reasons on both sides amply suggests some give and take behind the closed doors. The Army Chief seemingly wanted the extension with consensus to gather maximum legitimacy, and the Opposition arguably wanted the edge of the accountability be sufficiently muted to evade the political victimisation that had been wretchedly underway since this government came to power. The physical manifestations, according to the news and views, lend credence to the existence of trading off because of the ‘season of bails’ and also the latest amendments in the NAB law through the Presidential Ordinance.
The political analysts were critical of the major parties in particular projecting at the top of their voice implying that power still flew through the barrel of gun in Pakistan. The Hobbesian principle of ‘might is right’ in the state of nature was relevant in this country and its undertakers exercise it with impunity. The magnificent delusion of civilian supremacy though attained meaningful finality during the decade long continuity of the democracy in the country and therefore its disinterring was believed in the realm of improbability. They use to boast of holding the flag of the civilian supremacy high above with the resolution not to lower it down come what may.
But, the chips apparently have regretfully fallen where they may especially during the latest legislative process in the Parliament pertaining to the extension of the terms of service of the incumbent Services Chiefs. The parliamentarians, according to general view, seamlessly thronged towards the benches to put their seal of approval without the slightest hesitation or the second thought. They were obviously under the instructions from their bosses to do as they were told without the margin of mistake even inadvertently. The JI and JUI-F and other regional parties of Balochistan were the exceptions including couple of independent MNAs. PPP tried to inject the element of parliamentary dignity in the widely known preordained legislation, but it was judged too late. The whole legislative exercise seemingly had caused exasperation right across causing enormous ache in the hearts of all and sundry. The redeeming feature of this realization was that the people clearly wanted the parliamentarians to play their role worthy of them compatible to the civilian supremacy.
This time around all analysts may be finding difficulty in choosing the theme to write on as the politics in the country has seemingly taken the nosedive to the oblivion. The major political parties’ perceived kowtowing during the law enactment process pertaining to the extension of Services Chiefs had left nothing to the cognitive process in the face of wanton undermining of the democratic fundamentals, its precedents and normal practices of parliamentary politics. The hype created by the Supreme Court’s order suspending the notification of the Army Chief’s extension was expected earth-shattering parliamentary debates in the Parliament to make law. But the dead silence of the lawmakers throughout without the voice of dissent was a rude shock to the people and the sanctity of the Parliament. For some time, the political horizon of the country would remain eclipsed with sense of loss and forlorn hopes among the people engulfed in feelings of humiliation.
The deafening silence, according to observers, of the lawmakers throughout the process strengthened the impression that they were given no option by the Establishment but to endorse the bill with no question asked in view of the sensitivity of the subject having security overtones. PPP did try to include certain amendments in the bill proposing parliamentary role in the extension of Services Chiefs but later on withdrew as other parties were ready to pass the law as it was tabled by the treasury benches. While speaking on this subject law minister argued the inclusion of the PPP amendments would require amendment in the constitution that might delay the legislation along with other inherent complications as collateral. On this explanation, the PPP also decided to follow the course of the other Opposition party, PML-N, that earlier declared ‘unconditional support.’
The perception of bullying has been flying thick and high right across the country, media and civil society, explicitly suggesting that the Opposition parties did not have the heart to go against the Establishment and therefore decided to get along wisely in its attempt to neutralize it even at the altar popular sentiments. The pragmatism seemingly forced the Opposition parties to deal with one political opponent instead of formidable two at the same time. It might be tactically justified to raise the white flag signifying reconciliation to find pathways out of the political labyrinth. Certainly, the political capital of the Opposition parties might have plummeted for the time being due to their sudden change of epoch making stance.
Undoubtedly, the leaders of the Opposition parties have been facing the political victimisation of the incumbent government. Their prominent leaders have been put in jail on specious grounds. They have been facing the allegations in the court of law contrary to General Musharraf who had been hiding in a foreign country not to face the consequences of his wrong doings. However, the Opposition will have to face the people and convince them that their giving in was the most suitable strategy under the circumstances. Undoubtedly, the people are angry. The parties’ rank and file is also reportedly agitated who have to be comforted to keep them in the fold. This may pose a Herculean challenge for the leadership that must prove its statesmanship with requisite foresight and prudence to keep them under the party flag. After all, compromises and tactical retreat constitute essential part of the art of possible in politics of which politicians of substance should be quite adept at.
There is no doubt that the political victimisation of the political opponents under the so-called accountability had incapacitated their ability to mobilize the public opinion to upstage the government while their top leaders were behind bars. The open secret support of the state institutions had ensured the lease of life of the incumbent government that was otherwise quite vulnerable due to its poor performance in almost all walks of national life with increasingly feeble economy. The sufferings of the people have been multiplied and the future outlook is going to be more miserable as per the forecast of the national and international organisations including the Asian Development Bank (ADP). The State Bank of Pakistan’s recent quarterly report on the economy of the country projects the same dismal picture.
Both the major Opposition parties had suffered the wrath of the incumbent government badly at the hands of NAB’s discriminatory accountability that had assumed the well-entrenched perception of political victimisation of the worst kind that was not even experienced by the political opponents during the watch of ferocious military dictators. The reports of frustration among the hardliners in the parties’ folds are coming out arguing that after going through the rigors of detention for the sake of principle it might not be a worthwhile proposition.
After witnessing senseless and dystopian politics of this government better sense must prevail. Now is the dire need to get united and overcome the challenges facing the country? It is hoped that the incumbent government may realize the veracity of the parliamentary politics, and the Parliament to get the country out of the vicious cycle of problems. The Army Chiefs extension may also prove as source of stability that is desperately required in view of the emerging geo-political situation in the region and beyond.
The adventurous design of India over Azad Kashmir as unfolded by the new Indian Army chief last Saturday must open the eyes of all. The situation in the Middle East after the assassination of the Iranian General is fluid that has given extremely dangerous twist to the region posing imminent threat to the peace of the region and beyond. The civilian leadership of all shades cannot afford any laxity in the interest of Pakistan, democracy and the federation. Opposition’s apparent acquiescence may prove as the final straw to break the back of the adversaries of the constitution, federation and democracy both within and without.
muhammadshaheedi@yahoo.com
