Daily Times Editorial Dec 25, 2012

Tahirul Qadri’s agenda Dr Tahirul Qadri has burst on the national scene after a long absence from the country with a huge rally at Minar-e-Pakistan, Lahore. The slogan on which the multi-million media campaign leading up to the equally if not even more expensive rally, claimed to have been paid for exclusively by the Doctor’s supporters, was based, and which formed the essential theme of Dr Qadri’s address, is: Siyasat Nahin, Riasat Bachao (Save the State, not Politics). What exactly this slogan means, what are its implications for the polity, and what might be Qadri’s agenda have attracted comment in the media. Most analysts and the variegated leadership of the political class seem to converge on the conclusion that in essence the demand put forward by Qadri to implement various Articles of the constitution before holding elections is an unrealistic and ill-timed initiative that can only lead to a postponement of the elections round the corner if seriously taken up. The notable exceptions are the MQM, which sent a top leadership delegation to the rally, congratulated Qadri on his ‘success’ and regaled the public with Altaf Hussain’s statement from London that he backed Qadri’s stance. Imran Khan too has, in contrast with his own party’s leaders, exhibited a soft corner for Qadri, saying the good doctor has taken up the PTI’s agenda against corruption. Of course Qadri is convinced that there is nothing wrong in delaying the elections, which the constitution too allows beyond the stipulated 90 days. Qadri has also issued an ultimatum to the government to do as he says otherwise a four million march of his followers and supporters will descend on Islamabad after January 14. While Dr Qadri has gone to some lengths to reject any suggestion that he is being instigated or supported by any secret agency or the establishment, most observers are suspicious of the closeness of Dr Qadri’s ostensible agenda and the rumoured toying by the establishment with the idea of postponing if not cancelling the elections in favour of a selected interim setup of uncertain duration (the Bangladeshi model modified to our peculiar circumstances?). Needless to say, based on our history, such an adventure would be an unmitigated disaster. On terrorism, Dr Qadri calls the jihadi extremists and suicide bombers making life hell for the people “sons of the soil”, whom he will support as far as drone strikes are concerned but not to the extent of terrorist actions. When a long absent religious cleric with political ambitions suddenly re-emerges from the woodwork, one is within one’s rights to ask what has prompted this rebirth. Dr Qadri’s track record is hardly inspiring. His political party, the Pakistan Awami Tehreek failed to make any dent in the 1997 elections despite an alliance with the then Benazir-led PPP. In 1999, he openly supported Musharraf’s coup, garnering a parliamentary seat in the rigged elections of 2002 into the bargain, which raises questions about his current posturing vis-à-vis opposing military takeovers and dictatorship. Many of the Articles of the constitution he wants implemented before any elections are a legacy of the Ziaul Haq dictatorship, which the post-2008 elections parliament has been unable to do away with despite the 18th Amendment. The interim setup Dr Qadri wants to oversee the elections should either be composed of, or at least have representation from the judiciary and army. Now if that is not opening the door to an extra-constitutional intervention/setup, it would be difficult to imagine anything more obvious. As to the impact of this or any future marches or rallies Dr Qadri may decide to stage, it remains to be seen. Most politicians seem sceptical of the purpose and thrust of Dr Qadri’s campaign. Whether they consider him (and his possible supporters in the establishment) as a sufficient threat to accelerate their efforts to agree a consensus caretaker prime minister and setup also remains to be seen. If Manzoor Wattoo is to be believed, that consensus is tantalisingly close. The political forces inside and outside parliament are agreed that a free, fair, transparent election that would see the peaceful transition from an elected government serving out its full term for the first time in Pakistan’s history to another elected government would be an event of momentous proportions in helping democracy to grow firmer roots and open the door to a better future. The critics of our present day democracy of all shades and hues have yet to come up with a better idea.