Rizwan Ghani
DUE to political standoff between government and opposition, there are growing calls for grand dialogue. A segment of media is talking about a scenario in which PM would dissolve assemblies rather than sitting with politicians who are trying to save their corruption. A handful of politicians are directly challenging state and its institutions amidst uncertainty on our borders and foreign policy front. All this is very stressful for a public embattling pandemic, unemployment and high cost of living. Call for dialogue is welcome news for the opposition. It means its policy of protests has paid off and there will be no accountability. The corrupt cabinet members will also acclaim it and get away with their spoils. The government will get to complete its term as a reward. Almost all unelected SAPMs/Advisors will re-emerge as Senators rendering judgments useless. It is a usual script which will produce almost same results in which elite will win at the cost of public and country. But the problem is old politics of grand dialogue will not end country’s challenges. With the entry of coronavirus vaccine, the world is all set for post pandemic world. Middle East is resetting its alliances. Our border situations have changed. Old solutions cannot address aspirations of our public, improve our economy and protect our national interests. We need to address public issues so that grand dialogue can yield desired results. If it is held in Parliament, it will strengthen democracy. Accountability should be part of its agenda. The system of check and balance has to be implemented to end corruption and bring accountability. It should be transparent, across the board and ruthless. The opposition will have to follow the writ of the state because politicians are not above the law. By cleaning his cabinet, PM can lead by example and force opposition to do the same. But the action has to be quick otherwise the window of reconciliation will be shut.
Next, economy should be linked to public and jobs. Reportedly, in 2020 more 50M people suffered hunger including 17 million plus children in America. In the UK, more than 7 million children are suffering malnutrition. Their wages are stagnant for the last five decades. Privatization has further corroded democracy. Not only outsourcing failed citizens, it makes states less responsive and less accountable. A review of economic model should be part of the dialogue. There can’t be strong democracy without linking education to ground realities. The “Sarsabz Pakistan” Teray Saath 3-minute plus advertisement is a good guide for political cooperation to tailor our teaching and training to build our industry, SMEs, jobs, increase per acre yield, value addition in agriculture and its allied sectors, improve living standards, irrigation reservoirs, exports and food security. Our current education policy in its current is wasting time of 62% of our population linked to agriculture sector and public resources. Then consensus is needed on the energy policy to address energy shortages, IPPs, circular debt, high cost of electricity and gas, dams, clean air, fuel and transport. Biden gave 9 point clean energy plan including 10 million jobs and won the election. We need a good plan keeping in view our needs to implement international plan in proportion to our carbon footprint and needs. This government has taken some steps like dams, Billion Tree projects but with opposition on board it can have a long-term comprehensive energy policy. After that it is railway and health. We need to develop our railway in line with China. They should make policies to provide quality healthcare to the public at district and tehsil levels and end rampant corruption in health sector. Reportedly, private hospitals are conducting unnecessary major surgeries charge millions of rupees. Laws should be made to end such crimes including overcharging, smuggling, counterfeit medicine, exploitation of medical students and health-care staff.
The politicians and political parties should improve law and order through police reforms, judicial independence, making 120,000 courts and empowering state and its institutions. There can be no progress in improving public safety without police accountability and increase in number of courts. There are many countries in the world having billions of dollars exports including Mexico but are suffering due to gangs, mafias and cartels. A clear foreign policy should also be part of the discussion. The main drivers of national foreign policies across the world are economy, trade and commerce. We should devise policies to make Pakistan and its people strong. Every effort should be made to have good relations with our neighbours, in the region and global powers. The world should acknowledge our positive role in Asia, ME and international peace missions. Pakistan should engage on friendly terms with India and ME. War or disengagement is not a solution to such complex problems. The only way to have successful grand dialogue is to include all these points in the agenda. The government and opposition can easily work together in all areas except accountability. Since they are directly related to public so political parties will have to show progress. In this way democracy will be able to fulfil its fundamental role of protecting the weak against strong. It will translate into strong democracy, economy and foreign policy.
—The writer is senior political analyst based in Islamabad.
