Muhammad Usman
THE importance of national unity in epoch of a novel and all pervasive calamity as of Coronavirus could not be overemphasized. Its need is exceptional. If media screens are seen, it seems starkly absent. Instead, one sees squabbling/feuds between Centre and Sindh governments. They have locked horns publically from top to bottom. The complete lockdown in the country, was demand of whole opposition particularly, Sindh government which ultimately made it a main plank of its strategy to combat Coronavirus in the province. Imran Khan called it an elitist mentality, devoid of regard for most impoverished people for their own sake. These people are worst hit by such shutdown. Quickly hunger envelopes their households. Even he accused Opposition in an oblique reference that they want more damage in the country to milk political benefits. In far harsher tone, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari lashed out at Centre for disrupting unity in fight against Coronavirus. He accused it of sabotaging efforts of Sindh Government than supporting it to fight the pandemic. He also alleged that Imran Khan has struck naught against corona attack because of his indecisiveness, incompetency and inaction while asking him to quit if he cannot cope with challenges. This constructs an ugly setting for a direly needed unity however, in actual, situation is not poised so perilous and scary when seen in a different perspective. In a recent Gallup Survey, a vast majority of respondents, felt confident that government is handling Corona crisis well.
Apart from this, there is also no hue and cry about strategy of government to deal with it rather, economic stimulus package, distribution of financial assistance under Ehasas Program and reopening of businesses by government are being well received by the people. These expressions of confidence and satisfaction do not only endorse actions of government but also manifest a sense of correspondence and unity among people and the government. Resultantly, there is no air of anxiety in the country however, it does not absolve people of keeping a watch over efforts afoot by ruling elite/their lackeys to stoke fear of disunity and polarization on one way or the other. As usual Imran Khan is the whipping horse for polarizing the atmosphere for reasons of vanity and void of political acumen and art of statecraft. The onus of building consensus rests with the man who heads the country and Imran Khan has squandered the opportunity despite offers of cooperation by the opposition parties. The problem is notion of accountability struck deep in his head, taking primacy over everything even national demand at critical juncture as of fight against Coronavirus’s mounting threat. Instead of calling emergent all parties conference to evolve inclusive roadmap, he has written off whole Parliament in one sweep by not calling its session on the subject. Net outcome is divide, bickering and divergence in policies. This could prove fatal to the country. It is better if he could shun his antipathy towards opposition and piece together a united front against threat of coronavirus, looming large on the horizon. The reconciliation is the key. Ostensibly, this is an amiable, altruistic and practical approach but there is more to it what meets the eyes. Since last few years, ruling elite has run from pillar to post to find escape from accountability and regain its lost grounds in politics for another round of loot and plunder. In their endeavours, they could succeed only marginally.
Taking Coronavirus, a God sent opportunity, they are out once again full-fledged to knife their way to achieve their ends. The Sindh Government armed with 18th Amendment is coming in very handy to pressurize Imran khan but as expected, he has refused to budge. Being a leader of change, he could ill afford it to acquire a veneer of their support and then wait when they undercut him. As a nation, we could also ill afford to grant them what they want. From 1988 to 1999 under them, nation suffered a colossal national decline. From 2008 to 2018, it was a total national disaster which left national sovereignty plunged in the hands of world financial institutions. Imran Khan had to talk with IMF before announcing stimulus economic package even during present pressing times. It is a pity for a nation of 220 million people and a nuclear power but it has to sink so low because of them. They have sold their souls to devil with no sign of reclaiming it whatsoever. A change is a must. Another reason which is cited in favour of opposition parties is that after all, they have allegiance of a sizeable number of electorates. They need to be listened. It is true that they could take their votes for variety of reasons but in reality they abhor them. They stand alienated. Without them, people are united and stand behind government of Imran Khan however, Sindh Government under their belt, is causing problems. It is pursuing a policy of strict lockdown but allegedly only in Karachi to disrupt the country, being economic hub of the country. Probably, it prompted Imran Khan to say that some people want more damage in the country nevertheless, nation cannot buy their superficial support at the price which they are asking. It needs to explore other avenues. One passes through Supreme Court to get rid of detrimental shackles of 18th Amendment. A tributary joins river. At the moment, Sindh is a tributary.
— The writer, a retired Lt Col, is freelance columnist based in Islamabad.
