In Pakistan's fifty-six year history, the country has been ruled for more than 35 years either by the military or the bureaucracy. The struggle for ascendancy among the politicians had started in its initial years of democracy. It is sad that they forgot all about what they had promised to the people prior to the creation of the country and began to vanquish their rivals in politics.
First of all, this struggle began between Liaquat Ali Khan and Mumtaz Daultana. Later, it turned into a conflict over the competing interests of East Bengal and Punjab. In 1954, the bureaucracy had assumed control of the country under Ghulam Mohammad and then under Iskander Mirza. In 1958, the turn of Pakistani generals began. Until December 1971, Pakistan remained in the powerful grip of its military leaders, aided and abetted throughout by the bureaucracy.
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was himself a creation of martial law. Until 1950, he was trying desperately to become elected, as a member of the Sindh provincial assembly, but the odds appeared to be against him. It was only on account of the favour of Islander Mirza and later of Ayub Khan that he had emerged on the national political scene.
During the 12 years of Zia, Pakistan once more came under the firm grip of an army general that relied upon the bureaucracy to maintain his rule. Even the bureaucracy led by Ghulam Ishaq Khan was reluctant to yield power to Benazir Bhutto. Nawaz Sharif, like Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, was also a creation of martial law. In other words, it can be said that the Pakistani military junta makes or spoils the politicians.
It allows its generals great latitudes in governing Pakistan while it does not let the politicians complete even their first term not to speak the other term.
Uptill now the generals, the bureaucracy, and the timid self-serving politicians have largely been the main cause of the disintegration of the system. Though inheriting an imperial colonial system of administration, the bureaucracy has never compromised over its staunch attitude of giving an Islamic system to a country that was obtained in the name of Islam; it has always tried to guard its prerogatives and has consistently hoarded the colonial legacy.
It has understood its own system of administration quite inferior to that of an imperial one, and that is the reason it has actively aided and abetted every dictatorial ruler probably in the belief that autocratic rule serves only to further the interests of the civil service. The blame for the sorry state of the country after more than half a century of its existence weighs heavily upon them.
Over the years the politicians have much to answer for as well. Buried in politics of self-interest, the greater national interest appears to have largely escaped them. Instead of paying heeds to the national issues, they have concentrated on personalities, and provincialism. Many of them have enriched themselves at throwaway rates and obtaining bank loans without any intention of repayment.
Historically a large proportion of politicians belongs to rural landed families, popularly known as 'the feudal'. These people, being products of district rivalries, are more interested in enhancing or preserving their local power bases rather than seeking any improvements in the national welfare. Consequently, they have eagerly supported whoever happened to be in power rapidly changing loyalties whenever the need was felt. In their devotion to power they have rendered little or no service to the country.
Throughout the history of Pakistan, one saw the Pakistani generals play no specific role in guarding the integrity and solidarity of the country. The mishap of East Pakistan occurred in Gen. Yahya days, and the blame thereof was palmed off on a politician. India captured Siachin when it was the government of General Zia-ul-Haq; and more importantly the Kargal war (it is alleged) was fought without the permission of the then prime minister. In return for it, he had to lose his government.
In spite of the country having constitution, the Military junta introduces martial law regulations, ordinances and also promulgates the Executive Bodies (Disqualification) Order (EBDO) in order to get rid of such politicians that might be elected to whom it has been coming to snatch power.
Moreover, the generals issue Legal Framework Orders (LFOs) so that they could rule over the country without let or hindrance, while they are not ready to yield full power to the elected prime ministers. They allow such politicians to go out of the country to whose governments they topple by levelling scores of charges. They hand over the power to those persons who do not feel any qualms of conscience in bowing their heads before them and also take pride in carrying out their orders within moments. But when they no sooner begin to drain the cup of humiliation in complying with their wishes, then they are forced to resign or their governments are dismantled like the houses of sand.
Sadly speaking, the generals rule over the country for many years by issuing martial law regulations and ordinances. And when they find no justification in prolonging their rule, at that time they think about holding party-less elections and withdraw martial law in return for having got 8th Amendment passed at the hands of the politicians like Junejo and Jamali. The politicians do it so that the generals should not feel any uncertainty. In addition to this, they hold referendum to keep themselves elected as presidents for further staying on in power. When the government is dissolved in a country like Bangladesh, its commander-in-chief himself does not take the control of the administration of the country in his hands but its chief justice does so. But in Pakistan, the boot is on the other leg. No sooner is a government dismissed in Pakistan, than its army chief forthwith takes its administration in his hands.
The Pakistani business community has, no doubt, progressed by leaps and bounds at the cost of its poor society. Where other hidden hands have looted it mercilessly, this community too did not let slip any opportunity in reducing it to mere a state of pauperism. It is a fact that no personality other than Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto prior to his induction of Prime Minister of Pakistan thought over to bring the running wheel of Pakistan's economy to a standstill by nationalising almost all private peoples' big industries, banks, insurance companies, educational institutions, etc. etc.
Last, but not the least, comes the role of our senior judiciary. Ever since Chief Justice Munir's voluntary capitulation to the government in 1954, the purpose of the existence of the judiciary has not only been defeated but its image has also been tarnished very much. It has since then rarely displayed the independence in its functioning that is very vital for a society in having a complete social justice. Constant government meddling in the selection and promotion of superior court judges has undermined the very fabric of this most important institution of the country.
No society can make rapid progress unless and until its laws are based on the principles of justice. When the politicians give constitution to their country, they try to make the laws free of parochialisms and loopholes. It is admitted that the laws are made to treat all the people of a society fairly but it has not happened so. Take the case of our country as to where justice is not done to the people in real letter and spirit. Pakistani society has been coming to be the victims of frustration and injustices since long. Here, someone gets death without asking for it, but he does not obtain justice, no matter what may happen. For how long will the judiciary of Pakistan go about on the crutches of the Law of Contempt and use the law enforcement forces as a kind of an umbrella for its protection from the general public?
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