Rizwan Ghani
THE current standoff in the country is akin to Pink Tide Movement of 2000s in 14 Latin American democracies. Public voted in favour of independent progressive policies to end decades of inequality. Our politicians should understand there were no winners in the tide. Many countries were destroyed and their leaders died in exile. The result of current standoff could be equally bad unless sense prevails. Pakistan should exit from its predatory relationships to serve public, end foreign interference and become independent. The media calls for reconciliation are a sign of hope. Our major political parties have strong manifestoes. They can meet aspirations of the people and protect interests of the state. PPP’s roti, kapra aur makan is a complete solution. PML (N) is pro-business and PTI stands for accountability. The parties have bright future if they can get rid of corruption. It is equally assuring that our judiciary and establishment are supporting democracy and as long as they stay independent there is hope for the country.
What should be the new charter of democracy? Keeping in view different slogans, what should Pakistan do to end internal strife? Should it stand with China, America or become independent and have excellent relations with all? In terms of China, a careful look will show that Beijing supports globalization and continuation of existing policies. It continues to recognize the international setups like the UN, HR, WTO, WB, IMF and WHO. China’s BRI program is based on international sharing and cooperation for the benefit of the public than private businesses. Xi’s repeated benefits of multilateralism in his SCO address. He said that history proves benefits of good-neighbourly friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation. He called for the countries to support and cooperate with each other on Covid-19 epidemic. But he also warned that people across the world have a stronger yearning for a better life and the trend toward peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit is unstoppable. It makes China distinct from the US and the EU but there are concerns about its policies in Africa.
America is a trading country and it follows America first policy. FATF is continuation of Monroe Doctrine to protect its commercial interests. Dollar diplomacy, state banks and SEC are foreign policy tools to “outsource” bribes for ruling elite to plunder public funds. Safe havens are international warehouses for dirty money. Privatization, briefcase mafia, dual nationals and Murdoch media are its accessories of Pan-Americanism. US law allows regime change and recognizes dictators. The untouchable status of Pakistan’s police, business elite including textile, sugar, import and multinationals are but Banana Wars tactics. The Quad military agreement is Truman’s Hemispheric Defence Doctrine which Sen Fulbright in his Congress speech summarized as protecting “free world” regimes against “communism” no matter how repressive and corrupt. Pakistan situation on Afghanistan is copy of Argentina’s fate in Falkland War. UK was supported despite Argentina help against Nicaragua (Op Charley). But it collapsed hemispheric alliance because it violated trust between the US and the Latin American leaders who stayed away from Coalition of the Willing in 2001 (TIAR) while our corrupt leaders embraced it.
On Economic front, Mexico refusal to pay the interest of its debt precipitated Latin American debt crisis which led to shift from the import substitution industrialization policies to export oriented industrialization. Latin America had learnt its lessons and stayed away from Washington economic model. ALCA, ALBA and Bolivia’s nationalization programs were created to oppose ideology of globalization. Latin America used IMF, WB and WTO to improve its economy. Our economic team is stealing from public to fill coffers of their foreign masters and our PM is shamelessly congratulating them. By 2010, a conservative wave of right-wing political phenomenon had emerged in America as a reaction to corruption due to weakening of judiciary and establishment under pink tide of democracy. In America, Obama’s failure to act against Wall Street corruption triggered financial crisis resulting in political, economic and socio-cultural revolt against capitalism, multinationals and globalization. It brought populist Trump to power in America and rest of the world including India, Brazil and Pakistan. It has resulted in more powers to police to suppress dissent, media bans and weakened democracy.
Europe and EU are two different things. Europe is against EU hegemony. The smaller EU members are against big four due unemployment, weaker economies, higher taxes and lack of accountability for corruption. Under successive Tory governments, UK is now dirty money centre, unemployed and indebted. Judiciary and establishment are hollowed to avoid accountability. It shows that politicians merit 30% power with remaining shared by judiciary and establishment so that they can be held accountable under system of check and balance. Pakistan has to make a choice at the time of increasing international conflicts. It should have excellent relations with China, America, Europe and their blocks including India and Germany but should stay independent. The manifestoes of our political parties are very progressive and they can carry the country through any challenge in 21st century. Pakistan should also protect its interests ruthlessly. It is now responsibility of politicians, political parties and other democratic institutions to get rid of corruption so that government can serve the public and get its due share in the international arena.
—The writer is senior political analyst based in Islamabad.