Wheeling & dealing
Whenever general elections draw close, the nation’s ‘electables’ and ‘influentials’ begin a frantic search for political platforms which they can attach themselves to, to ensure they get a share of power. And often the invisible hands that play an oversized role in managing Pakistan’s politics are at work ‘guiding’ these political nomads towards what are likely to be winning tickets.
Though no schedule for the polls has been announced, these activities have begun in Balochistan, as well as in Karachi and south Punjab, as electables size up their prospects, and the establishment continues its efforts to mould outcomes.
In Balochistan, an unlikely candidate in the shape of former chief minister Aslam Raisani recently joined the JUI-F, even though the Baloch sardar has little in common with the ideology of Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s party. Earlier, other Baloch notables also joined the JUI-F. Meanwhile, a number of provincial lawmakers of BAP, which runs Balochistan, have jumped ship and joined the PPP under Asif Zardari’s watchful eye. BAP itself is believed to be an artificial construct, created in 2018 by the powers that be to rule Balochistan.
Over in Karachi, efforts continue under the Sindh governor’s tutelage to unite the different factions of the MQM, namely Bahadurabad, PSP and the Farooq Sattar group, though the pro-Altaf London faction is likely to be left out of this formula. The wheeling and dealing in Karachi is also believed to have the blessings of the gentlemen in Rawalpindi.
In south Punjab, electables are reportedly waiting for a signal from higher powers to make their move.
The fact that political engineering continues was highlighted recently by Imran Khan, when the PTI leader made specific mention of the BAP and MQM developments.
It appears that promises made by the former army chief to withdraw the military from politics have not been fulfilled. To assume that the establishment would totally withdraw from the political game it has dominated for decades was naïve, but there should at least be some effort to disengage and let civilian politicians sort out matters. Yet it is also sadly true that many politicians themselves are to blame for looking to GHQ for ‘guidance.’
In Balochistan’s case, the establishment’s involvement has retarded political evolution in the province, adding to the people’s alienation with the state. The electables that are herded together to run Balochistan have repeatedly failed to solve the province’s myriad problems, leaving the common voter disillusioned with the system.
Only by allowing the organic growth of the political system in Balochistan can stability come to this troubled province, and the healing process begin in earnest. This also rings true for Karachi and the rest of Pakistan. Instead of manufacturing alliances, let all stakeholders — primarily the political class and the military — work to strengthen grassroots democracy.
Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2023
Irresponsible words
ISHAQ Dar’s clarification that the government doesn’t plan to seize foreign currency stocks held with the commercial banks should put paid to widespread speculations that he ever intended to ‘freeze’ private citizens’ dollar accounts as he had done in the wake of US sanctions following Pakistan’s nuclear tests in 1998. The finance minister’s remarks came days after his statement that Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves stood at $10bn — a much higher number than the central bank’s reserves of $4.5bn — as ‘dollars held by the banks also belonged to the country’. That had fuelled rumours that the declining SBP forex reserves may force the government to confiscate private foreign currency accounts to avert a default. He assured the public that nothing of the sort would happen. Elaborating, he rightly said it was a practice to include in the national foreign exchange reserves the foreign exchange held both with the central banks and the commercial banks, and give a breakdown.
Speaking at a press conference alongside the prime minister, Mr Dar said his statement was ‘twisted by those who had destroyed the country’s economy in the last four years’. There is every possibility of the opposition giving his remarks a spin that would undermine the government. But the nation’s growing dollar crunch and disappearance of foreign currency from the market has led many to empty their accounts in the recent weeks. That the minister’s irresponsible statement was enough to fuel panic even without the opposition twisting his words cannot be ignored, especially considering his track record. The freezing of the private foreign currency accounts during his first tenure as finance minister was a blunder that left public confidence severely shaken. Even if he doesn’t plan to freeze private dollar accounts, Mr Dar’s obsession with a strong rupee and management of the exchange rate at the cost of the country’s IMF programme is exacting a steep price. When he said at the presser that the next tranche from the IMF has been delayed due to the differences over revenue collection, it was but a half-truth. His management of the foreign exchange market that has created a wide gap between the interbank and open market dollar rates is an even bigger issue. It is time Mr Dar learnt to unlearn what he has believed until now. And he should stop making irresponsible public statements.
Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2023
Our children
MUCH has been made of the billions of dollars in donor pledges recently secured by our government during the International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan held in Geneva. It is regrettable, however, that compared to the attention the event received, there seems to be very little concern for the people it was actually held for. Consider, for example, a recent news report citing a United Nations Children’s Fund warning that up to 4m children are still living in great peril next to contaminated and stagnant floodwater that, months later, refuses to drain out from some of the districts that were worst-affected by last year’s terrible monsoon. Unicef also says that the incidence of acute respiratory infections has skyrocketed in the flood-stricken areas, while the number of children identified as suffering from severe, acute malnutrition has nearly doubled between July and December as compared to 2021. Unicef estimates that about 1.5m children are in need of life-saving nutrition interventions.
Unicef’s country representative believes that “Nearly 10m girls and boys are still in need of immediate, life-saving support and are heading into a bitter winter without adequate shelter. Severe acute malnutrition, respiratory and waterborne diseases, coupled with the cold, are putting millions of young lives at risk”. These are our own children that are being talked about. We should not wait for international donors to make good on their pledges to take action for their welfare. With cold waves forecast for many flood-affected regions in the coming days, steps should be taken on an emergency basis to protect at-risk children from at least the worst of the weather. Unicef needs about $110m dollars more to ensure life-saving support to women and children affected by the floods. The country should find that money on a priority basis. Nothing can be more important than ensuring that our youngest are at least protected from illness and hunger after they have had their lives uprooted.
Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2023