Lead, follow or get out of the way

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Circumstances are difficult, the road treacherous and the leadership inept. While this mantra has been mentioned many times in the past but bears repeating today. So for the uninitiated, here it is again - circumstances are difficult, the road treacherous and the leadership inept!

In the first corner of this boxing circus is the PDM. A hotchpotch of political parties devoid of ideology, bereft of compassion for the electorate and with only the hunger for power binding them together. The PML(N) – the bigger component of this cabal – leading from the front (pun intended) by making sure that the constitution serves as their personal hand maiden. It is astounding how a party that ransacked the Supreme Court in the past and is now trying to do the same with the constitution, claims to be the defender of the rule of law! The PPP – trying to distance itself from the government but still also wanting to remain part of it – seems to have forgotten that their biggest claim to fame is the birth of a functioning constitution in Pakistan! The same constitution that is under fire from all sides today. Then comes the JUI(F) – forever the secret weapon of the brokers of influence – hell bent on keeping any kind of relevancy in play and picking up any morsel of power that comes with it. However, let it not be said that they don’t agree on anything. For all of them, constitution mandated elections are out of the question and their quest to stop Imran Khan – by hook or by crook – supreme!

Now to the second corner – where the PTI stands alone – initially thinking it had outplayed the PDM by dissolving the provincial assemblies in KPK and Punjab. Subsequently realising that there is no honour among thieves when it comes to following the law! For the PTI as well, it has its own demons to slay. Not unlike the PDM, it counts amongst it ranks politicians who have frequently changed affiliations with every changing political landscape. How can true change be possible if party personnel are beneficiary of the existing system? How railing against the status-quo will work when change is less profitable to the also-rans of PTI’s senior hierarchy? How can laws be changed and enforced if they are hamstrung from within? Points to ponder for the man in charge! Speaking of whom, Imran Khan’s self-belief is quite admirable only not when it goes into the realm of arrogance. Every now and then, his periodic sermons become an occasion for berating all and sundry and taking up absolute positions. No wonder the general consensus – rightly or wrongly – is that even Imran Khan is after power at all costs. Nevertheless, gradually he has seemed to learn and is toning down his rhetoric but perhaps needs to do a bit more to generate consensus and then help the nation forward. Another cloud hanging over the PTI is the bogie of the 2018 elections. It is an open secret that they received help from prominent quarters to get into power but ask PTI stalwarts this question and they go into tangents at best or remain mum at worst! Maybe an acknowledgement of the fact will go miles in showcasing the maturity of the party.

The third corner is taken up by a judiciary in turmoil. The fault-lines in the Supreme Court have been exposed spectacularly for all to see! Rulings upon rulings challenging and contradicting each other have become par for the course. Instead of efficient dispensation of justice – especially that to the common people – the apex court has resorted to play to the political galleries. Recent opinion is that the divide is wholly ideological. That is naive thinking – considering the timing of these behaviours, the difference seems completely political. If not then why the endeavour to clip the Chief Justice’s powers comes across as a pincer movement between the PDM government and a horde of judges in the Supreme Court? Why judgements that have nothing to do with suo motu powers speak mostly about it but not about the case in hand? Why bench compositions – particularly on hearings of national importance – showcase the presence of only some judges and not others? The truth is that the judicial conclave should not be beyond constructive reproach so that it holds itself to higher and apolitical standards.

The last corner is taken up by the establishment. Their power being challenged but not eroded to any extent. Authors of the past two hybrid regimes, both setups seemingly ready to be relegated to the dust bin of history! While the powers that be have a lot on their plate already, it seems that they still believe they can help with more especially because they don’t trust the political and judicial leadership of the day. Considering the preceding paragraphs, it is not easy to ignore this point of view! Nonetheless, the time is nigh when refrain from moulding events too much will become an ever-growing call and the policy will need to shift towards support not interfere instead of affect at any cost! This would be a tight-rope feat if ever there was one because in conducive climes the whole system would have gone down the tube.

It all boils down to this: the circus continues, no one able to consistently lead, follow or even get out of the way! The whole scenario leaving the great masses of people at the mercy of uncontrollable events, dwindling finances, unsafe environments, and bleak prospects. An unenviable position at best!

Published in Daily Times under Opinion