Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Kakar must be credited for his clear headed approach to national issues and putting across his point of view in a candid manner, qualities that have increased his popularity during the last few months. The statements and remarks delivered by him during this period reflect his grip on important issues facing the nation and what should be done to address them satisfactorily. He persisted with this approach in an interaction with students of the Beaconhouse National University in Lahore on Tuesday where he talked about the need for reforms in the judicial system, relationship of the parties and leaders with national institutions, nascent democracy, killing of innocent people in the name of political, ethnic and religious divide, tax evasion and Gaza situation.
There can be no two opinions that the judiciary has to share the blame for the mess the country is finding itself in these days. One is constrained to subscribe to the growing impression that a majority of judges deliver verdicts not on the basis of the law and the Constitution but their whimsical interpretations and considerations other than merits of the cases. Luckily, there is also realization about this situation among the top leadership of the judiciary as the incumbent Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa is making concerted and sincere efforts to rectify wrongs and blunders of the past but much deserves on whether or not his successors would continue with this widely appreciated policy as Qazi has a limited time at his disposal and he can only make a beginning towards the goal of a dignified and truly independent judiciary. As for criticism of the national institutions, the Prime Minister rightly pointed out that institutions have been “used and admired” for personal benefits. All institutions including judiciary, armed forces and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) are complimented when their decisions and actions are considered favourable and criticized when seen unfavourable. In case of a supportive environment, the idea of ‘one’ or ‘same page’ is touted but hue and cry is raised when someone else replaces a political party on the same page. It is also unfortunate that despite passage of 76 years, democracy is still at the nascent stage in the country mainly because of the follies of the politicians and political parties, absence of rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution, tattered judiciary and highly polarized society. In notion, all parties claim to be champions of democracy but Parliament has never been given the status and credibility it deserves, PMs and cabinet members hardly bother to attend sessions of Parliament regularly, quorum remains a chronic problem and policy issues are seldom discussed on the floor of Parliament.
The caretaker Prime Minister rightly took pride in achieving tax targets during the last three months adding that both democratic and authoritarian governments have failed in tax collection, with tax evasion exceeding Rs10 trillion and the formal economy accounting for only 20%. If caretakers, who are there for a transitory period, can collect record tax during a month, why can’t regular governments who get opportunity to run the country an extended tenure? There is no doubt that the elected governments hesitate to take steps that could estrange their relationship with some segment of the society but the long-term interests of the country cannot be ignored for political expediency. The PM also had a clear view on the issue of terrorism and killing of innocent people in the name of political, ethnic and religious divide. As the PM was speaking, six young barbers hailing from Punjab were slaughtered in North Waziristan in an incident of sinister violence that seeks to capitalize on ethnic fault-lines in the area.
Those engaged in gruesome activities deserve no mercy and it is the responsibility of each and every citizen to extend a helping hand to the government and law-enforcing agencies in eliminating such elements. Mr. Kakar also has a clear stand on the ongoing conflict in Gaza where over twenty-two thousand Palestinians have been killed by Israel. Pakistan was, perhaps, the only Muslim country that banned New Year celebrations to express solidarity with people of Gaza and a right message has gone to oppressed Palestinians.
