IT was the political awakening of Muslims in Bengal which resulted in creation of Muslim League at Dacca under presidentship of Nawab Viaqar-ul-Mulk on 30 December 1906, followed by adoption of its Constitution at Karachi on 29-30 December 1907, presided by Adamji Peerbhai. The first meeting of AIML was held at Aligarh presided by Mian (Justice) Shah Din of Lahore and first formal annual session at Amritsar under presidentship of Ali Imam on 30-31 December 1908. Pakistan today is engulfed with a crisis, which demands from citizens to stand up and question politicians seeking their votes, to give a plan to salvage the economy, widen tax net and address the problems of masses. Every successive government, since 1956, including the three major political parties (PPP, PTI, PML-N), that have been at helm, patronized and facilitated special interest groups in evasion of direct taxation and instead resort to indirect taxes.
There is a sizable group of people who believe that because of continuous derailment of political process and gerrymandering through political engineering, politics has become void of ethics and an arena for self-serving individuals. There is definitely some substance in these apprehensions, given the role of a few individuals who have used this platform to promote their commercial interests. Political dynasties have emerged and individuals get a berth on political arena, because of accident of birth, irrespective of his/her capabilities or experience in politics. It is also a fact that ethics and commitment which motivated politicians, who were pioneers of our freedom struggle, led by the likes of MAJ and Allama Iqbal is no longer visible amongst most of our politicians. It was under the dynamic leadership of MAJ which motivated masses to support AIML for creation of a modern democratic welfare state.
People had faith in his commitment to provide security, equal rights and opportunities for all. They found in him a leader who could secure them from exploitation and harassment by Hindutva-dominated right wing Hindu Supremacist and their bias for other faiths. The pioneers of our freedom movement stressed upon importance of adopting a constitution at the earliest, to break shackles of being a dominion of their former colonial rulers. Unfortunately, remnants of the Colonial Raj, in the form of civil and uniformed bureaucracy trained by the Raj to serve the interests of British Empire, continued to pursue policies and directives of their colonial masters. They wanted Pakistan to become a buffer state, willing to perform errands in the Cold War intrigues, which was predominant agenda of a few superpowers from 50s to early 70s. To achieve this agenda, it suited these superpowers to derail democratic process and install tin pot dictators at helm, who offer them one-window facility.
The shameful role of Raj trained bureaucracy, which we inherited, in the malicious character assassination of Madr-e-Millat Fatima Jinnah is testimony if any is needed. Their role in facilitating rigged elections and not proceeding as per laws to investigate controversial circumstances of her sudden death is unforgiveable. All those involved in derailment of Jinnah’s vision of a modern democratic welfare state, benefitted from their collusion to serve their foreign masters. Principles and ethics of governance such as Conflict of Interest were sacrificed at altar of greed. An elected government, with a parliament, becomes an obstacle in the pursuit of such foreign agendas. Today Pakistan suffers because we collectively and individually betrayed Jinnah’s vision.
Insatiable greed of a few became a hindrance in development of a strong and independent sovereign state. Resources for development of human resources, by investing in offering quality subsidized education on merit, was diverted for benefit of the elite. Education and Health, which are both obligatory responsibility of the State have been outsourced to private sector which has reduced it to a business venture. Education today has become so expensive, that it is no longer within reach of large majority, including few with God-gifted talents. Pakistan stands deprived of rare breed of geniuses, who are an asset for any nation.
The involvement of big businesses in politics has further eroded importance of morals and ethics in the political arena. Politics has become a gateway to achieve benefits for the elite, at the expense of large majority, living in utter deprivation. Indirect taxation has burdened the poor and the elite equally. In such a situation, the onus is now on the electorate, to standup and demand from politicians, seeking their votes, about plans they have for alleviating their miseries. Citizens of Pakistan must make it clear to political parties that the status quo can no longer be sustained. As long as the electorate is willing to be taken for a ride with lofty promises or exploitation in the name of religion, sect, ethnicity etc there is no hope for resolving issues confronted by the majority living on one meal a day. People need to seek solutions for plans to alleviate their sufferings and security of their lives and property.
All citizens must be equal before the law and justice should be assured as a matter of a right, given by the Constitution. Until the State collects enough revenues through direct taxation from all those who earn enough, there can be no hope for recovery. Any individual who has held important posts, or aspires to hold them, should not have split loyalties. Dual nationals should have no role in running affairs of the state or holding sensitive assignments. Those who have held powerful posts, both elected or paid, must not be allowed to abandon this country after retirement, as has been happening. It compromises national security and state sovereignty more than any other foreign interference. Such individuals willing to pledge their oath of loyalty to another country, just to seek immigration status, even at the cost of renouncing their loyalty to Pakistan cannot be trusted. Loyalty to faith and country is a singular commitment and cannot be dual.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Lahore.
Email: [email protected]
views expressed are writer’s own.
