Building political bonhomie

Democracy, due to its flexibility, prowess to absorb political shocks and ability to unshackle the productive energies of a nation is universally regarded as the best system of governance. The maxim that the worst form of democracy is better than a benign dictatorship is, perhaps, the best explanation for democracy's preference over any other system of governance.
However, for democracy to succeed, it is imperative for the political entities to build an atmosphere of political bonhomie that allows free and unhindered debate on issues of national importance as well as respect for different political viewpoints, while maintaining their separate identities. Any departure from this course can prove disastrous not only for the political outfits, but also for democracy itself. We in Pakistan saw the unpalatable consequences of the intense political polarisation during the nineties that unfortunately descended into politics of vendetta and consequently encouraged the non-democratic forces to derail democracy and push the country towards the edge of a precipice.
With the restoration of democracy after February 2008 elections in the backdrop of an understanding reached between the two major political parties to put the past behind them and cooperate with each other in strengthening democracy in the country, hopes for a new beginning and laying the foundation of a culture of political tolerance and accommodation were rekindled.
The PPP, which emerged as the single largest party in the national elections and formed a coalition government at the Centre, with the help of other political parties made it sure that the economic, political and security challenges bequeathed by the dictatorial regime were faced collectively. The policy of reconciliation and consensus adopted by the PPP leadership, despite minor political hic-ups, has done wonders. The adoption of the 18th Amendment through an arduous, painstaking and determined effort with the co-operation of all the entities represented in the parliament, is an unprecedented achievement and speaks volumes about the sagacity of the PPP leadership in choreographing this monumental strategy. The adoption of 7th NFC award is also an equally epoch making initiative that settled the festering bickering among the provinces and the federation over the distribution of financial resources from the federal divisible pool.
The successive regimes failed to evolve a viable and equitable formula to settle the issue. They probably lacked the political will and determination to resolve the problem. It was for the first time that that all the provinces had their views accommodated and all showed complete satisfaction over the outcome. That would not have been possible without the political will shown by the PPP government and its resolve to take on board all the stakeholders.
Another very constructive and thoroughly democratic stance of the government has been its tolerance of criticism by its opponents and the media and staying unprovoked. It has shown a remarkable perseverance and grace in the face of an extremely hostile media and remains the biggest champion of media freedom. It has taken pains to accommodate the views of all the political forces, particularly its coalition partners and exhibited unswerving appreciation of their commitment in promoting democratic causes. Although it has not been a smooth sailing for the government in view of the complexity of the challenges confronted by the country, but there is no doubt that it has introduced a new political culture in the country; a culture of reconciliation and accommodation of the opposing political views. The continuation of PPP-MQM and PPP-PML (N) coalition governments in Sindh and Punjab respectively despite difficulties in maintaining the partnerships going, owes greatly to the policy of reconciliation of PPP.
Even during the recent political developments occurring in the wake of the JUI (F) decision to pull out of the coalition at the Centre and MQM's move to withdraw from the federal cabinet and the likelihood of the precipitation of the political crisis, the PPP leaders have kept their cool and persisted with their policy of reconciliation. President Zardari himself has taken the initiative to call MQM chief Altaf Hussain and also gone to Karachi to hold parleys with the MQM leaders to address their grievance. The indications are that the outcome will be positive. Similarly, the government has also made relentless efforts and continues to do so to bring Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman's JUI back into the coalition at the Centre.
People of Pakistan are certainly perturbed over the new political developments, which have the potential to destabilise the system. It is, therefore, incumbent upon all the political forces to show political maturity and not to allow the return of the politics of the nineties. The political parties are entitled to have their differences on the policy issues, but those differences should not descend into the realm of personal confrontations and degrading mud-slinging matches as witnessed between the PML (N) and MQM of late.
The JUI (F) and MQM may have legitimate grievances, but they should not take extreme steps that could harm the system itself. If they believe in democracy and want it to flourish in the country, they need to remain engaged with the government and settle their difference through dialogue. The government has always listened and accommodated them and there is no reason to believe that the causes for the recent estrangement cannot be removed through the same spirit.
The PML (N) is a second biggest political party in the country and has a big stake in the continuation of the democratic process. There are no two opinions about the fact that the PPP and PML (N) notwithstanding their political differences on matters pertaining to governance and other challenges, have worked together on crucial national issues such as 18th Amendment and the NFC award. One would like and wish them to maintain that working relationship in the national interest. That can be done by respecting each other's mandate and not creating hurdles in the way of the government completing its tenure. The political parties need to curb their propensity to destabilising sitting governments.
The people are the final arbiters on the performance of a government and to decide its fait in the coming elections. That is the only way the democracy can take roots in this country. It is indeed a big challenge for the political leaders and they must come up to the expectations of the people. Their inability to cast off the hang over of the politics of the nineties will only benefit the non-democratic who are always waiting in the wings to make their move.