Much ado about nothing
THE nation once again finds itself embroiled in controversy, this time with the Miss Universe-Pakistan beauty pageant recently held in the Maldives. An event which is essentially aimed at celebrating empowerment and beauty has been turned into a focal point of criticism, occupying more space in public discourse than necessary. Although Erica Robin from Karachi has been lauded by many for winning, the contest itself has invited outrage on social media by some of the more conservative voices demanding to know how it is the young woman can be seen to represent the country in such a contest and how the government has sanctioned the event. There was even news of the prime minister asking the Foreign Office to look into the matter since a Dubai-based firm is the organiser.
In a nation grappling with economic hardship, social injustice and educational disparities, among other significant concerns, the extent of the uproar seems misplaced. While ethical contemplation of events is necessary, it is high time we learned to distinguish between matters of actual import and controversies that are relatively inconsequential. The pageant stands as a platform for young Pakistani women to boldly articulate their dreams and showcases their capabilities, beauty and grace, elements that should be fostered rather than censured. The voices raised against the participation by Pakistani women in such events would do better to highlight what must be done to tackle the monumental challenges staring us right in the face rather than engage in debates over events that hold little sway over our collective future. Let us not allow this hue and cry to eclipse the core issues that are begging our attention. The alarm bells must ring louder to denounce poverty, illiteracy, gender inequality and health crises. We advocate for a shift in focus, for energy put into solution-driven dialogue that encourages action rather than such frivolous reactionary discourse.
Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2023
Cost-of-living crisis
WITH the caretaker government dropping a massive ‘petrol bomb’ on the people on Friday, the biting pain of Pakistan’s cost-of-living crisis is about to get worse. Factoring in the latest increase in petrol and diesel rates, the cost of both fuels has gone up by over Rs58 and Rs55, respectively, over the last month. The knock-on effect fuel prices have on the entire economy is well-documented. Already the populace has been hammered with high electricity bills, and the fuel price shock is set to trigger higher costs of goods and services. Meanwhile, wages remain stagnant — or worse, as many businesses have wound up or suspended production, resulting in lay-offs and higher unemployment. In such a grim scenario, few people will agree with the caretaker finance minister’s observation that there are “signs of economic recovery”. For the average Pakistani, there is nothing but economic pain, with more on the way, as the finance minister also hinted at a hike in gas rates.
For many middle-class households, savings are steadily being wiped out, both as the rupee’s value plummets and people dip into whatever emergency reserves they have to meet skyrocketing costs. For the working masses, putting food on the table and providing the barest of necessities has become nearly impossible. What is the way out of this economic dystopia? Various answers, provided by some of the sharpest minds in economics, have been discussed, but does the state have the wherewithal to implement these? As always, the people have been left to fend for themselves, as a cruel, distant elite basically tells them to grin and bear it. One immediate solution can be opting for public transportation to save on fuel costs. But while this may be doable in Punjab’s large cities, which have worked on modern transportation systems, this solution is not applicable in Sindh, particularly Karachi, where just over 1,000 public and private buses run, whereas around 15,000 are needed. Perhaps private bus apps should try and re-enter the market to give commuters more options, while people should also opt for carpooling. But these are mostly band-aid solutions. What is needed is an economic recovery plan that emphasises the citizens’ welfare and financial well-being. And this can only be delivered by a democratically elected government with an ear to the ground, and answerable to the people.
Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2023
Last judgement
WHEN amendments were being made last year to the National Accountability Ordinance — that dreaded and flawed law that has been the bane of so many public representatives — this publication had opposed the manner in which the changes had been legislated.
Capitalising on the absence of the country’s largest political party from parliament, the PDM government had, in connivance with the friendly opposition in the National Assembly, given its leaders blanket relief by gutting the accountability laws under which they were being tried.
To be clear, this paper had long agreed with the general consensus that Pakistan’s accountability laws had been in dire need of reform. It had, however, opposed the self-serving manner in which the ‘reforms’ were eventually executed.
To most, it had been clear that the PDM government was only concerned with ‘fixing’ the law to benefit certain political leaders and had little interest in improving the country’s accountability regime.
But should this have necessitated what has been seen as yet another intervention by the Supreme Court in parliament’s business? To contextualise, is retired chief justice Umar Ata Bandial’s last judgement, striking down many of the amendments made to the National Accountability Ordinance, justified?
There are some who believe so, especially as they see the amendments as having been imposed by an ‘illegitimate’ legislature and which effectively dismantled the country’s entire accountability apparatus for the sake of narrow interests.
It may be recalled that this publication, too, had warned the PDM government last year that reforming the accountability laws necessitated the creation of a new, improved system of checks and balances, which the decision-makers of the time had conveniently overlooked.
Perhaps, had such a system been introduced, the court would not have resorted to the option of resurrecting the original NAB law and, with it, the charges that our political leaders had been seeking to flee. But this is a separate debate.
Turning back to the question, it is difficult not to agree with the dissenting judge in this case, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, in that the court overstepped its jurisdiction to arrive at its judgement. “What parliament has done, parliament can undo,” Justice Shah pointed out in his dissenting note.
It must be recalled that it was the PTI’s decision to quit parliament that allowed these amendments to pass unhindered. By the same token, it ought to have taken it upon itself as a responsibility to have the offending amendments repealed via the same forum.
Instead, former prime minister Imran Khan once again relied on the Supreme Court to achieve what he could not, and the court once again delivered where it, perhaps, should not have. Status quo ante serves no one, and NAB is once again in a position to revive its old ways.
Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2023