By Qamar Bashir
As the political landscape unfolds, the challenges of forming a government in the center become starkly apparent. PML(N) faces the dilemma of compromising its principles by aligning with PPP, leading to its refusal to accept the premiership.
Similarly, PPP shows reluctance in vying for the top position. Despite PTI’s claim to over 170 seats, reduced to 93 amid allegations of rigging, it finds itself sidelined, allegedly due to the establishment's hostility towards Chairman PTI.
This unprecedented situation sees no party willing to seize power at the center,
focusing instead on provincial governance. Both PML(N) and PPP hesitate to lead
due to political uncertainty and economic challenges. While concerns about
inflation, balance of payments, and trade persist, the elephant in the room—that is,
the underlying political instability—casts a long shadow over the nation's future.
The call of nationwide protest against alleged massive and rampant rigging across
the country, by a formidable alliance of PTI, JUI, JI, and GDA, has added another
thick layer to the already complex and highly unstable political scenario.
At this critical juncture, the public statement from Commissioner Rawalpindi
Division, Liaqat Ali Chatta, added yet another layer of turmoil to the country's
already unstable political landscape.
His shocking admission of forcing subordinate officers and staff to engage in
large-scale election rigging during the 2024 elections in Rawalpindi division sent
shockwaves throughout the nation. Chatta revealed how he allegedly aided thirteen
candidates by unlawfully securing their victories, even resorting to adding 50,000
forged votes and declaring rightful winners as losers with a lead of 70,000 votes.
Driven by his troubled conscience, nights of restless sleep compelled him to step
forward and publicly confess to his role in the mass rigging.
This revelation marks the fourth resignation in as many months by individuals who
dared to defy the oppressive might of the state. Their courage to stand up for
justice and truth, despite the personal sacrifices of their careers, privileges, and
prestige, highlights a deeper struggle against the looming threat of economic,
financial, and political collapse. Each resignation serves as a testament to the
enduring battle for integrity and accountability in a nation teetering on the brink of
crisis.
The recent spate of resignations, including those of two Supreme Court judges, one
Lahore High Court judge, and now a top bureaucrat like the Commissioner of
Rawalpindi Division, has plunged the nation into turmoil. In a startling press
statement, the Commissioner admitted to committing heinous crimes that
destabilized the country, likening it to a betrayal of one's own nation. He revealed
how many of his subordinates, despite their reluctance, were coerced into
participating in these nefarious activities.
The glaring question that arises is why the perpetrators who pressured him into
these actions remain untouched while he bears the brunt of the consequences. It
prompts deep reflection on the motivations, compulsions, and thought processes of
those masterminding such despicable acts. What drives them to manipulate
elections, undermine democracy, and strip the people of Pakistan of their rightful
voice and power? These are questions that demand answers and shed light on the
darker underbelly of our political system.
There are four power bases which could have leverage, means and weapons to
force the entire administration of the country to allegedly do disservice to the
country to the extent of jeopardizing the very soul of the county and pushing the
country to the brink of internal chaos, economic and financial collapse and political
instability. These four bases of power are : the Interim government, Election
Commission of Pakistan, PML(N) and the establishment.
The blame for the alleged rampant, audacious, and shameless acts of election
rigging, which have robbed a political party of its rightful mandate and undermined
the sanctity of votes, falls squarely on the interim government, bearing
approximately 90% of the responsibility. Under the constitution and the law of the
land, the entire bureaucracy, whether civilian or military, is subordinate to the
interim government, granting it significant leverage over civil servants. The
interim government possesses the authority to transfer, sideline, or suspend civil
servants, thereby depriving them of their duties and benefits. They can subject
them to inquiries, suspension, or even dismissal from service. Yet, despite these
intimidations, the interim government does not yield enough power to coerce civil
servants into unwillingly committing such egregious acts of betrayal against the
nation. strike at the very heart of democracy and undermine the collective will of
250 million people.
In the intricate web of power dynamics during elections, the Election Commission
emerges as the second force or institution with some semblance of authority over
District Returning Officers (DROs). However, having been ingrained within the
civil bureaucracy for over three decades, I can attest with absolute certainty that
the Election Commission, despite its perceived power, lacked the influence or clout
to compel the civil administration—the most potent institution within the civilian
sector—to perpetrate such a heinous and outrageously shameless act of election
rigging.
The third potential force in this intricate power play could indeed be PML(N),
envisioned as the assured victor poised to govern both at the center and in Punjab.
Drawing from personal experience, I've witnessed the subtle alignment of the
bureaucracy with the prospective government, offering support overtly or covertly.
PML(N), renowned for its skill in fostering enduring loyalties within the civil
bureaucracy, holds the capacity to reward its supporters once in power. However,
despite these influences, they are insufficient to coerce or compel the civil
bureaucracy into perpetrating such a heinous crime, one that has dangerously
edged the country toward civil strife.
The other potential force at play in this intricate power play is the establishment,
known for its history of acting independently, disregarding civilian command and
control and rendering them immaterial, toothless, and inconsequential. Allegedly,
the establishment has asserted its dominance over the civilian government,
parliament, and judiciary, making it clear that their power extends only within the
confines of civil domains and holds no sway over the establishment's decisions and
actions. They have effectively communicated that the application of the
constitution and the law of the land ceases to operate once within the limits of
cantonment. Furthermore, they have asserted that all pillars of the state and civilian
institutions are subordinate to them, allowing civilian institutions to act only within
the limits set by the establishment.
Allegedly, in the weak and fragile democracies, the establishment wields its
control through a combination of lethal force and superior kinetic means,
surpassing those possessed by civilian security agencies. They leverage their
dominance by setting aside legal constraints and act with impunity. In weak
democracies, where public awareness and collective will are lacking, civilians lack
the means to enforce their authority over the armed forces. This imbalance enables
the establishment to flout oaths, disregard the constitution, and perpetrate acts of
violence against civilians unchecked. This stands in stark contrast to established
democracies, where collective empowerment enables civilians to enforce civilian
control over the armed forces and security agencies, ensuring adherence to legal
frameworks and protection of civil liberties.
The establishment exercises its leverage over civilian administration through sheer
force and intimidation, exploiting its impunity to employ a range of unlawful
tactics. Including but not limited to intimidation, harassment, abductions, and
character assassinations with impunity. These tactics extend beyond the target to
their families, subjected to humiliation, threats, and physical, emotional, and
mental torture until they capitulate. Mr. Chatta's cunning acknowledgment of
responsibility, shifting blame away from the armed forces, underscores this reality,
highlighting the lengths to which individuals are coerced to conform to
orchestrated agendas.
The first counter and rubbish the statement of Chatta was the spokesperson of
Punjab government who declared Chatta as lunatic, insane, driven by his vicious
desire to create political space after his retirement. The second was Maryam
Orangzeb who termed him a part of a large conspiracy against the nation and
demanded a deep down check on him to unearth the actual vicious purpose of his
malicious assertion. Third in line was none other than the Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court in his unofficial and informal and unprecedented media statement
that said that it is easy to blame but difficult to prove. PTI, JI and JUI termed it
vindication of their claims of massive rigging in the elections which turned many
loser winners and vice versa.
PTI's call for an independent inquiry to uncover the truth and restore their stolen
seats raises a crucial question: Who will lead this investigation? Will it be
conducted by police officers, FIA or IB teams, a JIT, or the judiciary? However, in
all these scenarios, the members of the inquiry body are either civil servants or
judges, all ultimately subordinate to the incumbent government and the superior
judiciary. This raises concerns that the inquiry report may lack substance or truth,
as it could be influenced to favor certain interests.
Hence, it is crucial for the interim government to either incorporate representatives
from all contesting political parties into the inquiry committee or enlist the
assistance of independent international experts. This strategy is vital to guarantee a
transparent and unbiased investigation that can hold accountable those responsible
for betraying the trust of Pakistan's 250 million citizens. By restoring the true
mandate and rightfully awarding victory to the deserving candidates, we can pave
the way for sustainable political, economic, and financial stability in the country.
