Pakistan’s democracy – apparently takes a step forward after Shahid Khaqan Abbassi, a veteran politician and loyal to ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, as the nineteenth premier of the country but dark clouds of uncertainty and chaos still hovering around, as country’s parliamentary system is constantly under threat from hidden forces in and outside the boundaries.
Though current set-up of ruling Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) will considerably complete their constitutional term of five years the party has not fully absorbed the jolt after country’s Supreme Court verdict about their leader’s disqualification, accordingly, the review petition filed and equally accepted by the apex court.
Nawaz Sharif was third-time democratically elected prime minister of the country, but first the presidential constitutional sword of [article] 58(2)b, then sword itself and now double edged sword beheaded the head of government and same happened with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader, late Benazir Bhutto during 90’s and afterwards.
It’s not entirely a coincidence that Nawaz Sharif [PML-N] was all right, when he was in political rivalry with late Benazir Bhutto [PPP] but became evil when enters in agreement to save parliamentary democracy from aggressors. In reality, after back-to-back soft coups against both [Nawaz and Benazir late] and unfortunately with involvement of both, The final military coup of 1999, set [ostensibly] the last example, not only for Nawaz Sharif but also for late Benazir Bhutto to join hands to strengthen democratic parliamentary system and block the way of military interventions.
Charter of Democracy (CoD) and then?
Pakistan was historically under the international radar and when-ever started progressing, something happens that hamper its social, political and economic growth. History suggests that every internal change or crisis has links abroad but in association with actors at home.
In a country, where three military dictators engulfed half of the nation’s entire life and judiciary, as an imperative pillar of the state, has never paid heed to the military coup’s rather taken oath under un-constitutional measures like provisional constitutional orders (pco’s), validated the dictators, endorsed them and only punished politicians under a notorious notion of “Nazriaa Zaroorat” (Ideology of necessity).
It was on May 14th, 2006 – when the charter of democracy (CoD) signed between both main stream political parties PML-N and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), a document for political co-existence, flourishing democratic norms, strengthening parliamentary system, rule of law, civilian supremacy and end military interventions in a country. CoD was for the end of mockery of constitution, marginalization of civil society, growing poverty, unemployment and inequality, vilification campaign against the representatives of the people, in particular, and the civilians in general, the victimization of the political leaders/workers and their media trials under draconian laws in the name of accountability, in order to divide and eliminate the leader/representative political parties.
Both political leaders were in exile and self-exile but at that time intend to an economically sustainable, socially progressive, politically democratic and pluralist, federally cooperative, ideologically tolerant, internationally respectable and regionally peaceful Pakistan.
This was the high time, when country was ruled by the third military dictator General (retired) Pervez Musharraf and soon after CoD, a political struggle started against dictatorial regime and got more pace, initially, due to judicial turmoil by removing then chief justice Iftekhar Muhammad Chaudhary and afterwards because of imposing 3rd November 2007, emergency.
Meanwhile, this CoD factor was a lynch-pin for many in and outside the country. Many quarters have shown concerns that both Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto (late) were under constant threat of life because the division of political parties and elimination of political leaders/representatives were on the cards.
It was a very difficult time for PPP, first because of their own alleged acts of nepotism, corruption, misconduct, using political influence in purely state’s matter and then real power center’s undue interference in political process but after the sacrifice of one prime minister, PPP government managed to get their five year’s term completed [apparently same like current PML-N tenure].
As a result of 2013 elections, Nawaz Sharif assumed third-time premiership and started driving the country through extremely difficult circumstances. The PML-N leader has made some blunders during his tenure but the combination of external and internal factors lead him to a point, where, he got deprived of being a head of country’s democratic government. It’s unfortunate that PML-N government’s head was kicked-off but, it’s another fact that despite court continuous relaxation for providing credible evidence of their innocence, Sharif family has never provided anything in their own favour, what was the reason behind, whether they intend to become political martyr or in reality they don’t have anything? But, the debate that Nawaz Sharif was outwardly disqualified but in reality removed or ousted in very suspicious circumstances; was somewhat true in a sense that several other prime ministers had faced the same fate including former and the first-ever female premier Benazir Bhutto late.
Once, late Benazir categorically said, “Corrupt people make such charges against elected leaders to defame parliament and to defame politicians.” She further elaborated that, “I wanted to know, I have presented an accountability bill, the president didn’t like my accountability bill because I said everybody must be tried. Yes, she literally means everybody and further added, “[Everybody means] the president, the bureaucrats, the judges, the businessmen, the private citizens, he said [president replied] how can you tried judges, I [Benazir late] said, why? – A prime minister can only be removed by the vote of no confidence [with majority] if two judges can remove a prime minister, why can others not remove. I [Benazir late] said, if you [president] don’t like the bill, I’m prepared to change it, I’ll give-up my personal immunity but [then she categorically responded] I will not give-up the immunity of future prime ministers, because prime ministers cannot be held hostage by traps time and again”.
At that time, Nawaz Sharif was in main stream politics but playing in the power corridors without thinking that what Benazir Bhutto was referring to, was a reality and that he would face the music afterward, but he lost the opportunity.
What’s next in Pakistan?
It’s not much difficult to understand that after Nawaz Sharif’s ouster, many projects within CPEC including power sector, infrastructure, industrial and others will suffer a setback in the long-term perspective. Though after road show, Nawaz Sharif announced a campaign against court’s decision and situation might create political turmoil but many have opinion that his party [PML-N] under severe pressure, fissure is emerging and many senior leaders are against Nawaz Sharif’s hard stance and not on the same page, so Sharif’s campaign will not make much difference.
Next general elections 2018 are at door step and apparently, all developments lead to the same, even the by-elections in NA-120 Lahore III would also be a litmus test for ruling PML-N and PTI because the influential authorities are taking it much vital and experts are of the view that NA-120 will decide next course of 2018 action. Political wizards draw a red-line that PML-N ranks experiencing major dent in the party after Nawaz Sharif especially among senior leadership, final results of NA-120 will also create some difference while some other political parties will see some unforeseen changes within their ranks as well.
It’s an ultimate try to fragment PML-N, add some winning horses in PTI, PML-Q, All Pakistan Muslim League [APML – a former dictator converted politician Gen. (r) Pervez Musharraf’s party]. This will ultimately flourish mostly PTI, PPP is also trying to do the same but on its own, Punjab’s ground will be the ultimate battle field.
Power corridors are trying their level best to revive Muthahidha Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which ultimately give tough time to PTI and its alliance, while Awami National Party (ANP) will only find their grounds with PPP or might be PML-N. Balochistan is also experiencing turmoil because of security situation and political uncertainty, the mix response is expected from the province with some share for PPP, PML-N, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (Pk-MAP), Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman’s Jamat-ul-Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) and National Awami Party (NAP) while Jamhuri Watan Party (JWP) and other hardline nationalists still looks in isolation.
It’s a general observation that next 2018, elections would be in an environment of political chaos and most probably to achieve the goals, independents will have more weightage as they have first emerged victorious in large number in 2013.
Democracy; the only way out?
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy and position of Regional Rapport.
