It is a coincidence that whenever dictatorship has ended in Pakistan, Pakistan People’s Party has assumed power in a democratic system through the ballot. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto did so following the resignation of General Yahya Khan, Benazir Bhutto following General Zia ul Haq’s disappearance from the scene in flames and Yousaf Raza Gillani following General Musharraf’s resignation amidst impeachment proceedings against him. It is a pity that all the dictators, save General Zia who died in the plane incident, none have been tried for breaching their constitutional duty to prevent a recurrence. Even more worrying is the fact that this time the PPP, which has strived to reduce the powers of the President’s office which has been used by dictators to exercise excessive powers contrary to the parliamentary form of the government, has sidelined the issue of repealing these powers after the February elections and even wanted to increase them through a constitutional provision. In the past, Zardari had promised to get rid of all excessive powers in his maiden address to the parliament but has unfortunately not directed PPP to move such a bill and has instead issued the first major controversial order using his powers.
The reluctance of PPP to reduce the powers is because its co-chairman, President Asif Ali Zardari stepped into President Musharraf’s shoes, thereby politicizing an office which in the ordinary course is supposed to be impartial since powers such as the emergency proclamation and Governor’s rule are available to the office holder and which have to be used as a last resort and not a purpose other than what it is intended for. It is being alleged today that it has been used to change the elected mandate of a province and President Zardari has brought credence to this allegation by announced that the next government in Punjab would be PPP-led..
Today, Governor’s rule has been enforced in Punjab through the emergency proclamation under Article 234 and the PML(N) led government has been rendered impotent, at least for the time being. Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer had predicted that the PPP would soon rule the province and soon thereafter Sharif brothers were declared ineligible by the Supreme Court of Pakistan the Governor rule was imposed. Surely, the verdict did not deprive the PML(N) of its ability to form the government and the purpose behind the Governor’s rule is self-speaking. The crucial event which led Zardari to press the button was the announcement by Nawaz Sharif that he would fully support the lawyers’ long march and ‘dharna’.
The months leading up to the imposition of the Governor’s rule are also important. Salmaan Taseer had been continuously sending letters to the Punjab Government and the President, expressing the inability of the Punjab Government to carry out the governance in accordance with the Constitution, without providing any logical and legal reasons. The PML(N) was thus not caught off guard however it had failed to neutralize this attempt and only until the very last minute contacts were established with the leaders of the PML(Q), who look intent to form the next government in the province with the PPP in the province.
Today, Pakistan stands on the brink of a showdown between the old arch rivals and already much protest and damage to property has taken place by angered PML(N) supporters as well as miscreants who seek to benefit from such agitations. The PML (N) has declared an all-out war and refused to talk to President Zardari. Although Prime Minister Gillani has regretted the decision of the Supreme Court and also pointed out that the review of the decision was still an option, perhaps it is too late for reconciliation on the issue and the Sharifs feel disillusioned, cheated and humiliated. It is hoped that efforts by parties like ANP and JUI(F) towards reconciliation bears fruit otherwise the future is not very bright for the country and the lawyers’ movement headed by the popular Pakistan Muslim League (N) as well as the movement of the PML(N) for restoration of democratic rule in Punjab will create mayhem in national politics as well as shake the powerhouse in Islamabad.
At the onset of movements, it is difficult to predict its success. At the next stage and beyond however, it cannot be stated for sure whether the outcome would be achieved or may perhaps be the same as envisaged by the movement leaders. When the PNA started a movement for fresh elections during Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s tenure, on the basis of allegations of rigging, nobody, including the slain premier knew that the agitation and mass protest in favour of fresh elections would eventually result in his judicial execution by a military dictator and a prolonged period of barbaric martial law would follow and fundamental and democratic rights would be taken away by Zia ul Haq. The Pakistan Peoples Party must ensure that being in power; it must discharge its responsibility for fulfilling its promises and returning the province of Punjab towards democratic rule and it must do so quickly. It must not follow in the footsteps of its founder Z A Bhutto and like him, take the desired steps towards reconciliation too late and sow the seeds of confrontation and another movement. For failure to do so will not only hurt its own interest, but of us all as Pakistanis.
The reluctance of PPP to reduce the powers is because its co-chairman, President Asif Ali Zardari stepped into President Musharraf’s shoes, thereby politicizing an office which in the ordinary course is supposed to be impartial since powers such as the emergency proclamation and Governor’s rule are available to the office holder and which have to be used as a last resort and not a purpose other than what it is intended for. It is being alleged today that it has been used to change the elected mandate of a province and President Zardari has brought credence to this allegation by announced that the next government in Punjab would be PPP-led..
Today, Governor’s rule has been enforced in Punjab through the emergency proclamation under Article 234 and the PML(N) led government has been rendered impotent, at least for the time being. Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer had predicted that the PPP would soon rule the province and soon thereafter Sharif brothers were declared ineligible by the Supreme Court of Pakistan the Governor rule was imposed. Surely, the verdict did not deprive the PML(N) of its ability to form the government and the purpose behind the Governor’s rule is self-speaking. The crucial event which led Zardari to press the button was the announcement by Nawaz Sharif that he would fully support the lawyers’ long march and ‘dharna’.
The months leading up to the imposition of the Governor’s rule are also important. Salmaan Taseer had been continuously sending letters to the Punjab Government and the President, expressing the inability of the Punjab Government to carry out the governance in accordance with the Constitution, without providing any logical and legal reasons. The PML(N) was thus not caught off guard however it had failed to neutralize this attempt and only until the very last minute contacts were established with the leaders of the PML(Q), who look intent to form the next government in the province with the PPP in the province.
Today, Pakistan stands on the brink of a showdown between the old arch rivals and already much protest and damage to property has taken place by angered PML(N) supporters as well as miscreants who seek to benefit from such agitations. The PML (N) has declared an all-out war and refused to talk to President Zardari. Although Prime Minister Gillani has regretted the decision of the Supreme Court and also pointed out that the review of the decision was still an option, perhaps it is too late for reconciliation on the issue and the Sharifs feel disillusioned, cheated and humiliated. It is hoped that efforts by parties like ANP and JUI(F) towards reconciliation bears fruit otherwise the future is not very bright for the country and the lawyers’ movement headed by the popular Pakistan Muslim League (N) as well as the movement of the PML(N) for restoration of democratic rule in Punjab will create mayhem in national politics as well as shake the powerhouse in Islamabad.
At the onset of movements, it is difficult to predict its success. At the next stage and beyond however, it cannot be stated for sure whether the outcome would be achieved or may perhaps be the same as envisaged by the movement leaders. When the PNA started a movement for fresh elections during Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s tenure, on the basis of allegations of rigging, nobody, including the slain premier knew that the agitation and mass protest in favour of fresh elections would eventually result in his judicial execution by a military dictator and a prolonged period of barbaric martial law would follow and fundamental and democratic rights would be taken away by Zia ul Haq. The Pakistan Peoples Party must ensure that being in power; it must discharge its responsibility for fulfilling its promises and returning the province of Punjab towards democratic rule and it must do so quickly. It must not follow in the footsteps of its founder Z A Bhutto and like him, take the desired steps towards reconciliation too late and sow the seeds of confrontation and another movement. For failure to do so will not only hurt its own interest, but of us all as Pakistanis.
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