Action against Corruption

By

Sattar Rind

‘Politics of the 90s’ is a popular phrase for the people of Pakistan who had observed their country’s activities throughout that decade. It could be characterised as the politics of conflict and confrontation between the Pakistan Peoples Party, PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz Sharif‘s group, PMLN.

In fact, it was a battle between two departed men, one of which was Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the other General Zia.

Benazir Bhutto was representing both her father’s politics and the Liberal Democrats, while Nawaz Sharif was the brain child of General Zia, therefore the conservatives, militants, pro Islamic ideologist and Army establishment were with him.

This confrontation ran deep and even to the extent that Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden tried to get Benazir removed as the female Prime Minister of an Islamic country, extending financial Support to Nawaz Sharif to bribe the PPP National Assembly Members in getting a No Confidence motion to succeed.

Even one of the terrorists, Ramzi Yousif tried to kill Benazir Bhutto, Yousif the first who ever tried to destroy one of the World Trade Centre towers in 1993, many years before 9/11.

This confrontation ultimately defamed politicians and made them weak in relation to the establishment.

General Musharraf’s coup on October 12, 1999 became a breakthrough point for both parties in the sense that they were then ready to sign a Charter of Democracy, a future plan for politics in Pakistan. Both parties agreed that they would not get support from the establishment in gaining power.

Practically however, such an agreement did not work in its true intended spirit, although it was encouraging enough not to repeat what had happened in the decade of the 90s.

Benazir Bhutto came back to power in Pakistan under the deal of National Reconciliation Ordinance, NRO General Musharraf, the deal having also provided the same opportunity to Nawaz Sharif.

In 2007 however Benazir Bhutto was assassinated and, under the new leadership of her Husband Asif Ali Zardari (AAZ), won the 2008 election for the PPP establishing a federal government in the process.

Both parties somehow managed to out General Musharraf from the presidential house and AAZ became president of Pakistan.

Though it was an outstanding achievement for AAZ, it turned out to be a far greater setback for the PPP as his tenure broke all records of corruption and bad governance in the history of Pakistan.

However, AAZ successfully completed his five year tenure that was also a record for the PPP in their history.

AAZ opted for a way whereby the PPP would never confront the establishment, in addition to being determined to get rid of the workers of Benazir Bhutto, or at the very least demoralise them, considered by him to be trouble makers. He cut himself off from the masses and changed the party structure giving more weight to feudal lords and those dependable to him.

In the 2013 election the PPP lost its national stature and crumbled to the Sindh province. The PMLN won the election and Nawaz Sharif became a third time Prime Minister, it being assumed that he also decided to adopt the same method as AAZ employed.

With the change of government the Chief of Army Staff changed also with General Raheel Sharif taking charge. He is reportedly different in nature and is not ready to tolerate the law and order issues of the country and, to some extent, those of corruption and terrorism also.

Besides, the National Action Plan has given him more powers to intervene in national related issues. Somehow he has paid attention to the worst law and order situation of Karachi, where kidnapping for ransom, target killing and abduction was at a distinct level.

They have also started to tackle corruption and have arrested corrupt politicians. In connection to this, law enforcing agencies have arrested a front man of AAZ, the ex-Minister for Petroleum, Oil and Gas Dr Asim Hussain.

On his arrest PPP leaders began to protest and the opposition leader threatened the Government that there would be a war if they arrested AAZ. Thus, AAZ is not in Pakistan, whereas Dr Asim Hussain’s arrest is seen as an attack on the Sindh.

AAZ has himself issued a statement that for the first time lashes out against Nawaz Sharif that he was going to revert to the 90’s politics again in Pakistan. Everyone knows the fact that Nawaz Sharif himself would not be happy about the arresting of politicians on corruption charges as he himself is not neat and clean nor is any one of his party leaders.

The question therefore is why did Asif Ali Zardari give such a statement? Many observers interpreted his statement out of context and quelled a very defaming action. He would not afford any kind of confrontation with the Army as no one will support him, nor would Nawaz Sharif dare to as the public will never support him.

The public are fed up with politicians. They only wish that such action may not be compromised and should extend at a national level. On the other hand General Raheel Sharif is popular due to such actions.

Politicians have proven themselves as fraudulent and corrupt people. They therefore have to face their own wrong doings.

Sattar Rind

Sattar Rind lives in Sindh, Pakistan. and is an Author with four books to his credit. three poetry and one on politics. As a Columnist he has written for a number of newspapers and magazines since 1991. Sattar can be contacted at the following email address: [email protected]