Imminent futility of LB elections
In 1959, after having oscillated long amid hotchpotch of democratic and constitutional ideas, Pakistan finally, embarked upon its democratic odyssey with introduction of local bodies’ governance, based upon basic democracies.
Its elected members were called Basic Democrats and their total strength was 80,000 in both wings of Pakistan: East Pakistan and West Pakistan.
The system saw its obituary unceremoniously with demise of President Ayub Khan’s rule in 1969 at being still at infancy stage for reasons of conceptual as well as functional flaws.
Besides, social ills also took the toll. Though, afterwards, in patches, local bodies system continued in one form or the other, however, never made significant strides worth its conceptual merit except once.
It was under devolution plan by General Pervez Musharraf from 2002 to 2007 where it showed some vibrancy and efficacy, however, whatever gains it made, were also swept away during the horrendous decade which followed under duo of Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif.
Notwithstanding their misleading claims, the country slipped from one low to another in quick succession.
The downswing was not only limited to one area or two rather, it was all pervasive and all-encompassing in reach and effect ie constitutionally, morally, politically, institutionally, economically and socially.
They left the country virtually ungovernable which was not easy to govern earlier also. Imran Khan seems to be an ardent proponent of devolution of powers.
His initiative of direct election of Mayors and Nazims has the potential to be a catalyst to up-bring a capable future leadership from mass level for the country, however, conducive conditions are starkly absent for the proposition to germinate healthily in order to become a solid tree, capable of fruition for long run.
At present, conditions are rough, bumpy and treacherous than ever. The LB elections are no exception.
These are a farce, a mockery and a fraud perpetrated upon electorate as any other elections.
Even mainstream political parties are opposed to its real essence, being deeply absorbed in dynastic politics and self-perpetuation.
The majority of aspirant candidates are part and parcel of this dealership. They exude no difference in content, being drawn from the same clan.
They are greedy and grasping and expecting a good from this lot is tantamount to day-dreaming.
It is just like asking a wolf to scratch its back.The electorate which cast votes in LB elections are impoverished, bereaved and captive of illusion and impatience for reasons of their own.
Their choice is subjective and middle class/civil society which is the harbinger of the change, generally chooses to opt out for variety of reasons thus, at the outset, these elections fall by the wayside.
Given conditions, even a positive stretch of imagination fails to provide a hope for the better because we have vultures and parasites in hundreds, guised with representative feathers and addition of even more than this number to their strength, could only heighten our woes and prolong the agony immeasurably.
The obtaining environment is unlikely to change for LB system marred with past abortions for multiple reasons which were far less in gravity and magnitude.
Now they have assumed a new and sharper edge.Imran Khan claimed that he has introduced a LB system which is existing in successful democracies of the world and in Pakistan, democracy is far being called a success rather, it is close to be called a failure.
This makes it an incongruent start up.Take the example of 18th Constitutional Amendment which also has the conceptual merit but practically has become a migraine for the Federation, being incongruous to the time and circumstances.
We have moved from bad to worst at Mach two and its reversal ought to be at a snail pace because construction is always a more difficult and time consuming undertaking than causing a demolition.
We have rotted from top as a fish rots from the top.How we could expect saner persons at grass-roots level when we have thugs at top in abundance hence, a course correction prudently needs to commence from top.
First we need to straighten the top to the workable extent before LB system is put into operation because though it is the first tier of democratic dispensation but it could only be nurtured sustainably to its logical maturity by the top tier.
It is similar to what a leader does for institutions making.He makes institutions and then these institutions make leaders accountable.
Likewise, top leadership has to make LB system strong and viable first then thereafter, it would breed top leadership from grass-roots level.
For this, first top needs to get overhauled.It has to change and change is always hard to come by as also being experienced by present regime.
It is being resisted on every step by the vested interests thus, taking time to find its feet.Secondly, a change comes incrementally because if one tries to change everything in one go then nothing changes.
The LB government also in place means attempting everything from top to bottom in one sweep.
Though it is a constitutional obligation and thus, understandably becomes a preoccupation of higher Judiciary but when the house is on fire, a few things are salvaged first.
Arguably, Pakistan needs to undertake some urgent works at priority before putting LB system into practice for its own sake.
The priority list includes political maturity, public awakening, economic uplift, moral rearmament and social restructuring to some viable extent to get the train moving satisfactorily.
— The writer, a retired Lt Col, is a senior columnist based in Islamabad.
