We have become a country of crisis. We have crisis at all levels of our political, social and economic strata. The unfortunate aspect of the problem is not that we have ever increasing and ever mounting crisis one after another that belie solution and threaten peace and stability of our society. It is the absence of will to take them head-on.

Or it is the obsequiousness of our leadership to the vested interests that has incapacitated it entirely to accept the challenge to bring some relief to the populace. Under inexplicable duress our political leadership seems rather siding with the exploitative, racketeering and swindling fraudsters who have made people’s lives miserable day by day.

One wonders why our men in charge take so much time to decide upon matters requiring urgent decisions? Why should they make promises if at the very outset they have no intentions to honour? Whereas, even a layman understands that once trust is gone it is very difficult to recover it. Lost grounds can be regained but not the trust.A political party requires a generation to build upon people’s 
trust.

The PPP has done so through great sacrifices in men and material and its devout workers called ‘Jiyalas’ have dedication and devotion to party principles because of its inspiring and self sacrificing leadership in Bhuttos who have met unnatural death only to translate the dreams of the poor of this country into reality, and only because they stood for certain principles; the principles they were never wiling to compromise; and never did they try to realise them through unfair means. Anyone who understands Pakistan politics can never fail to appreciate the daring, towering and self-sacrificing leadership of the biggest political party in present day Pakistan.

But is it enough for the PPP to remain contented with what they used to be and should not further their political capital by emulating the examples of its erstwhile leaders? Should not the party shun its petty differences with all political forces and take them on board to help sail the country through the turbulent waters successfully? Onus of responsibility lies on the PPP because it is in the driving seat at the centre. More so because its Co-chairman is also serving as the president of Pakistan.

The PPP singularly is indebted to Pakistan to steer it from its present malaise. It has all the support it needs from all political quarters. Further to that the so-called establishment, numbed due to the pressure from the masses, is predisposed towards keeping hands off distance from politics: president’s flabbergasting destabilisation claims notwithstanding.

It has four parties coalition plus an opposition that so far, despite millions of temptations from vested quarters to destabilise the government, has acted gingerly on political issues so that it never becomes a party responsible in bringing down the PPP lead government: quite a lucky shot for the government even if it is taken on face value; still a deeper readings of the opposition’s stance does not make it so malignant for politics.

Time and again Nawaz Sharief has said in unequivocal terms that PML (N) will fight against all forces that will destabilise the present political dispensation. But there have always been guarded observations along with such assurances from him hinting at the darker side of Pakistan politics: PPP’s self-destructing behaviour.

The newest threat to the system is not from the opposition; it is from the coalition partner. The sudden flare up of accusations and counter accusations in Karachi and MQM’s total no-confidence in the ability of the provincial government to maintain law and order in Karachi and MQM’s calling upon the army and the rangers to take over Karachi is not something that should be taken lightly.

Blood has been spilling in Karachi since Ashura day. The focus of blood letting has shifted to Lyari and the vested interests are giving it political twist. Quite visible is the conspiracy to pit the MQM against the PPP to destabilise the economic hub of Pakistan. At the time of economic crisis that has no precedence in country’s chequered economic history this is not unlike striking at the very heart of Pakistan.

An act of violence tantamount to an act of sedition and requires matching response from state machinery. Is the response appropriate, timely and judicious?

Rehman Malik has faced severe criticism from his colleagues in the party such as Nawab Yousuf Talpur, Abdul Qadir Patel and Sher Mohammad Baloch. They have condemned the police and Rangers operation in Lyari.

They also walked out of the house in protest against alleged police brutalities in Lyari and for not taking them into confidence over talks held by him with the MQM. Nawab Talpur is concerned that due to the operation the PPP might be losing grounds in Lyari which was once its stronghold. What relation does the PPP have with the gangsters of Lyari who according to Rehman Malik are responsible for the violence in the city?

The leadership of the PPP at the highest level needs to take a principled stand that whoever breaks the law of the land, disrespects human life, damages public and private property, creates a law and order situation, indulges in corruption and similar other social evils, he/she much be brought to book impartially.

However, the person who is responsible for maintaining the law and order at provincial level in Sindh has questionable credentials as regards the solidarity, integrity and stability of the country. Seditious thoughts and claims are not political issues, they are national concerns.

President Zardari, sometimes, is done more disservice by his own friends and comrades than his enemies. Seditious and nonsensical speech of Dr Zulfiqar Mirza at Rattodero on the occasion of second death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto speaks volumes about the dearth of wisdom he has. What’s intriguing is the amount of confidence Mr Zardari and the PPP still undeservedly repose in him.

Dr. Mirza by speaking against the integrity of the country has lost the confidence of the nation. It is, therefore, required of the President to take cognizance of his unpardonable seditious act. In all circumstances, howsoever tragic they may be, Pakistan requires of its ministers to be more loyal to the country than to any political dynasty. We all are dispensable for Pakistan and our country remains indispensable to us.

Information

One wonders why our men in charge take so much time to decide upon matters  requiring urgent decisions? Why should they make promises if at the very outset they have no intentions to honour? Whereas, even a layman understands that once trust is gone it is very difficult to recover it. Lost grounds can be regained but not the trust.A political party requires a generation to build upon people’s trust. 

First appeared in Pakistan Observer on  January 23, 2010.