PPP moot disappointing, MQM in G-B & Punjab
Salahuddin Haider
Asif Zardari chaired a PPP central executive meeting in Islamabad
earlier this week, but the session, convened after an unusually long
period of three month held high expectations. Poor and the rich alike,
have been feeling uncomfortable, restless in fact, because of the bad
governance. A government taking over after a popular mandate, tried to
hide for the first six to eight months behind excuses of inheriting
insurmountable problems from an autocratic regime, finally discovered
that its own apathy to come to grips with the issues, facing the
country, gradually became its liability.
Instead of generating sympathy or support for itself, it has begun to be
blamed for incompetence and despondency. Tall promises of reforming the
system, designed to meet the aspirations of the nation, making
parliament the bulwark of strength, streamlining the administration,
capable of delivering, proved elusive, vanishing into thin air as time
flew. A colossal disappointment overtook a nation, groaning already
under multitude of problems. That the government instead of rescuing the
countrymen from the malaise they faced, and bringing them relief or
instilling confidence in them, remained rudderless till date. That it
lost credibility, saw its support wane and disappear sooner than
anticipated, was indeed tragic. It can lead to a dangerous situation,
and may spell disaster in the end. In our particular case a golden
opportunity to rebuild the country on sounder lines, was allowed to go
astray because of lack of vision and blurred comprehension. The policy
planning committee of any political party, especially those blessed with
popular base, enjoys an enviable position, possesses unambiguous
perception, is endowed with ability and authority to visualize and
assess a situation coolly and come out with rationale solutions for
people’s grievances. In the case of PPP, its central executive, had
during Bhutto’s days, guided the nation on the path of progress,
provided it with opportunities to stand upright in the comity of
nations. A country, broken into half, suffering the humility of defeat
in military conflagration, was restored its dignity in no time because
of a visionary leadership with selfless, incorrigible background. Today
the situation is entirely different. Vision, perceptions, and sense of
urgency to tackle the problems, each one of much more severer in, and if
there is a concern at some level, it is not visible. No clear cut
policies on vital issues has been forthcoming during one and a half
years the PPP has been in power. Precious time has been lost. Ministers,
prime minister, chief ministers, governors, all tiers of the political
set up, seem dormant. They need to activate themselves, work round the
clock, and if need be take lessons from the MQM, the party which broke
new grounds, introduced lower and middle classes into national level
politics and administrative cadres to bring about a revolution in the
system. It worked scientifically, has specialized committees, busy round
the clock in studying issues and formulating solutions.
It won one seat, but allegations for electoral fraud, perhaps deprived
it on seqat number LA-3, from where the MQM claimed to have won. It was
also leading in LA-15 during progressive counting. The party seems angry
and protested over alleged fraud. Whatever the truth, the MQM flag is
now flying in northern areas, at the farthest tip of the country. It
already has two seats in the Azad Kashmir assembly, and now planning a
convention in the Punjab . From the way it has been conducting itself,
days are not far off when it will show an effective presence in the
Punjab also. PML breakaway faction of Saleem Saifullah, Humayun Akhtar,
and Khurshid Kasuri, all were praise of the of MQM working after a visit
to its headquarters 90 in Azizabad of Karachi. MQM has been working
ceaselessly for being a national presence, and may soon see itself
heralding in NWFP and Balochistan. One cay with lot of confidence that
it will achieve its target.
A brief, non-script announcement at the end of the PPP central committee
meeting spoke of Zardari’s desire to counter the negative propaganda
about his person. He seemed determined to fight it out, no matter how
strong and vituperative is the criticism against his reputation and
integrity. Good. He certainly should fight it out. That is his
inalienable right to defend himself. He summoned information secretaries
from district and divisions to brief the about the modus operandi for
taking on those critical of his authority or policies or personality.
Definitely, no dispute on that. But the announcement from Farhatullah
Babar gave the impression that instead of discussing the important
issues of sugar, and power crisis, soaring prices, and depleting
resources, hampering development, the meeting was called to protect Mr
Zardari from the onslaught which has been on since last two months
against him and some of his close colleagues. Does that mean that the
party is more concerned about its leadership and being in power rather
than in addressing the problems of the people?
One thing it must remember, which is history’s lesson—the fate of a
politician and political parties rests heavily on the willingness of the
masses to see them in saddle. . The PPP should concentrate more on
delivering rather than on looking after their salaries and perks and
privileges as parliamentarians or ministers etc. An economy drive
proposal to cut down on ministers petrol bills and reduce the perks and
allowance of parliamentarians in the wake of economic crisis, has failed
to materialize. Will the prime minister give it practical shape and
satisfy the people that parliamentarians and government functionaries
too are concerned about the peoples’ miseries and ready to share their
grief and sorrow? Let us hope he does. |
