Sikandar Noorani
THERE is no dearth of leaders in political arena of Pakistan and each one of them claims to be a genius of world class. Despite having leaders in abundance the country is facing a dilemma in adopting a unified path to deal with pandemic! Covid-19 is the centre point of most of the discussions now-a-days. A few of the most developed countries including the US, UK, France, Italy and Spain could not initiate timely measures to avert the deadly impact of COVID-19. More than 248 thousand humans out of 3.52 million infected have died. This query still needs authentic reply that whether huge death toll is actually attributable to pandemic or the total figure includes demise of those serious patients as well who were denied treatment by hospitals in a state of extreme panic. Social media is flooded with rumours, intriguing conspiracy theories and unauthentic information. All such stuff has shaken the public confidence in Pakistani society.
Rusty governance system run by inefficient bureaucracy is further multiplying the ill- effects of pandemic. Though good traits of professional honesty and fear of God have not absolutely vanished from society however correct implementation of state policies and desired level of public welfare is largely missing. When the world understood the importance of strict lockdown after losing thousands of precious lives, we took that decision with maximum possible delay and hesitation. Differences over lockdown are still prevailing between Sindh Government and the Centre. Exchange of harsh comments and barrage of allegations have once again proved that political rivalries matter more than any other thing to our ruling elite. Lockdown announced by federal government came after Sindh Government took lead on this aspect. PM still thinks that lockdown, being elite driven agenda, is not a suitable step. It is surprising that a lockdown is being implemented all over the country against the wishes of PM .
While observing a lockdown, Sindh Government is suggesting almost on a daily basis to the Federal Government that more strictness should be added to the ongoing practice. Common citizen is confused that why Sindh is urging Centre for tighter measures while 18th Constitutional amendment provides all requisite powers to provincial governments. It really becomes difficult to figure out that who are in favour of lockdown and who all are opposing it? In such a state of confusion, a few genius minds have introduced fancy term of ‘Smart Lockdown’. Either Strict or Smart, a lockdown can never be made a success without collective display of responsibility from all segments of society. It is a bitter fact that gradually the lockdown has started melting down. Right from the outset, traders’ unions wanted a relaxation for market opening. Some unpleasant incidents of collective violation of lockdown had to be dealt by police in Karachi. It is now obvious that a right combination of lockdown and relief measures is missing at national level.
This disunity is entirely attributed to traditional habit of baseless political rivalry among ill-trained and unwise stalwarts of major parties. In the times of pandemic crisis, ruling elite have once again disappointed the nation through its failure in building consensus for public safety. Some well-intended good measures, like cash disbursement to needy masses, have been trivialized by political opponents through undue criticism. Involvement of cabinet members in verbal cannonade is a true reflection of our rusty and hypocritical political culture. Even Supreme Court has to take the notice of rapidly deteriorating state of governance at federal and provincial levels. Though, timely provision of aid by iron brother China, in the form of medical equipment and expertise, has significantly enhanced our response capacity in battle against invisible foe; however, a lot of improvement is still needed in our governance quarters.
Leadership of PTI and PPP, being rulers of Centre and Sindh respectively, should strictly stop their armies of advisors, ministers and party appointment holders from indulging in verbal cannonade. War-like situation has hardly left any space for non-productive baseless politics of verbosity and blame game. Immaturity seen its vertex when a federal cabinet member, as usual, stirred controversy over Ramadan moon sighting issue almost a week prior to the beginning of holy month. Meaningfully, he diverted his baseless criticism on moon sighting practice towards those serious minded senior religious scholars who were being engaged for consultation over prayer gatherings by provincial and federal governments.
An immature episode was created near previous Ramadan as well by the same minister over issue of moon sighting. Such habitual attention seekers, visibly active in PTI, PPP and PML-N, are spoiling the efforts against pandemic. Country needs unity and best display of collective wisdom from all quarters of society. Situation at eastern and western borders is precarious. Alarming rise in Indian cease-fire violations at LoC and inhuman atrocities in occupied Kashmir coupled with a visible surge in terrorist attempts in (erstwhile) FATA belt demands serious deliberation. Political leadership especially Federal Government should leave no stone unturned in building the national consensus in this time of crisis.
—The writer is a free lancer who often contributes in national newspapers.
