The ongoing flood is, no doubt, a disaster of gigantic proportions, but one from which, with Allah's blessings and selfless hard work by thousands of ordinary people, we will recover in time and maybe become better Muslims and better citizens than before.
But another disaster looms whose consequences could include dismemberment of this great country, which came into being with the avowed purpose of enabling Muslims to live their personal, social and collective life within and in line with the framework laid down by the Holy Qur'aan and Sunnah. There is now a concerted effort by various individuals and groups to cut Pakistan free from its idealogical moorings and to convert it over time into a secular state.
Not unbridled democracy! During hearing of several petitions, challenging certain clauses of the 18th Amendment last week, the CJP remarked "if the powers of parliament with regard to introducing amendments in the Constitution are not limited, the country will turn into a secular state in the coming days." The reasons why the CJP, presiding over a 17-member larger bench of the Supreme Court, thought it necessary to give this warning, are not far to seek.
The Objectives Resolution in the preamble to the Constitution lays down the following firm guideline for our legislation: "Whereas sovereignty over the entire Universe belongs to Almighty Allah alone and the authority to be exercised by the people of Pakistan within the limits prescribed by Him is a sacred trust."
This simply means that the power of the parliament to legislate is not unbridled and cannot cross the boundary set by Islam. For instance, our Parliament cannot legislate adultery between consenting adults to be permissible under the law as most Western nations have done. During the same hearing, Justice Ramday observed. "The Western parliaments declared homosexuality and same sex marriages lawful. Can we contract such marriage? The powers of our parliament are not limitless,"
Eligibility criteria for elective office There is now more and more talk by some political leaders affirming brazenly that their party is a secular entity, ignoring the oath they undertake when contesting elections to protect and abide by the Constitution. Similarly, under attack and ridicule is the "Qualification for membership of the Parliament and provincial assemblies," which is part of our election rules. Now what does this regulation say?
Simply that a person who is, among other obvious conditions pertaining to age and nationality, is of good character and is not commonly known as one who violates Islamic injunctions, has adequate knowledge of Islamic teachings and practices, obligatory duties prescribed by Islam as well as abstains from major sin, is sagacious, righteous and non-profligate, honest and ameen, has not been convicted for a crime involving moral turpitude or for giving false evidence, and has not, after establishment of Pakistan, worked against the integrity of the country or opposed the ideology of Pakistan, can contest the elections and become a member of the Parliament or a provincial assembly".
Some pertinent questions A female member of Parliament was heard remarking during a talk show that we all do these things (ie violate Islamic injuctions, make false promises, do not fulfil the conditions of honest behaviour and Amanat and so on) and if the eligibility condition is strictly applied, the Parliament halls will be empty. We agree wholeheartedly. That explains in part why Pakistan, a potentially rich country, has remained a poor, illiterate country without a credible system of imparting justice even after six decades of independence.
Others have remarked that only angels can conform to the conditions mentioned. Thus there seems to be no will among many of our present leaders to let the country be governed by people with an unblemished character and conduct record. This is hardly surprising.
If you run down the list of our political leaders and ask the following questions about them it will show a very dismal picture:
-- Does he enjoy a good reputation?
-- Is his declared income credible?
-- Does his lifestyle reflect the declared income?
-- What taxes has he paid over the years?
-- Has he not introduced or helped introduce government regulations for personal benefit?
-- Has he not indulged in lying on several occasions?
-- Has he not made false promises knowingly?
It is only when we seriously ask these searching questions about our candidates for elective offices and deal with their candidature accordingly that we can hope to become a truly independent, proud and prosperous nation with fairplay and justice for all. Otherwise: we might as well forget the idea! It may be asked what use is the Objectives Resolution and what use are the conditioalities in the election rules, since despite their existence we have remained an increasingly corrupt, unjust and backward country. Well, in our opinion, as long as these injunctions and conditions exist intact, there is at least a possibility that we may one day decide to conform to them in word and deed. But if we cut the country adrift from its ideological moorings, from its very raison d'etre, we can be sure that the country will disintegrate. The ties that hold it together, however loosely, owe themselves to the parts of the Constitution which bind us to the purpose for which Pakistan was created.
Karachi's own flood of murders!While a big part of the country is devastated by floods, with tens of millions suffering hunger, thirst, disease, lack of shelter, loss of earnings, reduction to destitute status and, in most cases without much hope of recovery in a reasonable timeframe, Karachi continues to live with and suffer its own flood of non-stop killings. We are now used to seeing daily reports of two riders on a motor cycle - expert sharpshooters - hitting their "target" - more often than not a street vendor or tea-stall owner - and getting away with ease without a trace, free to commit more of the same the very next day.
There is no dearth of announcements by our rulers that they have "taken notice" and that targeted killings would not be allowed and that the killers would not escape capture and punishment. The security chief of the Sindh province, the interior minister, the Prime Minister and the President all "take notice" and, having done that wait for the next spate of killings to boldly unleash fresh "taken notice" salvos. The killers are presumably quivering with fear! All ringing declarations that weapons in Karachi would be checked to see, which are licensed and which are not, have come to nothing. The declarations are repeated parrot like after each spate of killings.
Ironically after the recent "notice" by the President and the Prime Minister and formation of a committee of political parties - coalition partners in the government of Sindh - the killings have not taken a brief break as before, but have continued with daily reports of around half a dozen killings.
Another solemn resolve by the Sindh government to move seriously forward in ending encroachments - another cause of unrest - has also been stalled like most of it its other "action plans". It is difficult to imagine a more inefficient government even by current Pakistani standards.
A new potential hazard The floods have added a new dimension, a potential hazard to the situation. A large number of those suffering loss of home and livelihood are moving to big cities in large numbers. There is little hope that their own destroyed homes and the devastated infrastructure would be rebuilt soon to enable them to return. Also, many may decide to stay back permanently in cities like Karachi and Lahore finding employment and a place to live in the mega cities. This is their right as citizens of Pakistan. The result could be a big strain on the cities' resources and could also lead to disturbances. If the situation is not handled by the provincial government in a judicious manner under a well thought out policy, with all stakeholders on board, another cause of disorder would be added to the already disturbed city.
TailpieceGenerals to act against corrupt politicians! In a bizarre development, as we go to press, Altaf Hussain, the MQM supremo, has asked "patriotic generals" to take action against corrupt politicians. This would amount to asking the military to take over both judicial and executive functions as well! One wonders if it was an off-the-cuff remark or a thought through proposal. It adds more uncertainty to an already confused situation. We hope a clarification would come soon.
(owajid@yahoo.com)