New Delhi, Nov. 9 -- The imposition of emergency and Governor's rule in the Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has evoked sharp reactions in Pakistan. A leading columnist, Zahid Hussain, in a hard-hitting write-up, has come down heavily on the establishment over this promulgation. In his column, he criticised the hasty act in which both Houses of Parliament approved, within hours and by a two-thirds majority, the decision to remove an elected provincial government and impose a state of emergency and Governor's rule, with no substantive debate.
The columnist elaborates that it was obvious the decision had already been taken elsewhere, and that a Parliament of debatable legitimacy was, as usual, expected to attest it.
Meanwhile, the prominent English newspaper Dawn says that over the past two years, Parliament has passed the 26th and 27th Amendments, effectively destroying the essence of a Constitution that rests on the independence of the judiciary. That was perhaps the most shameful moment in Pakistani parliamentary history, when ministers were shown the draft only hours before the session, and members were handed it on the floor of the House before it was passed in undue haste, Dawn said.
This ineffectiveness of the country's highest legislative body reflects the sorry plight of democracy against the backdrop of increasing authoritarianism.
Significantly, the question is also being asked whether one can recall a foreign or national security policy being debated in Parliament, or even in its committees. One wonders whether such policies are discussed and approved by the cabinet at all. The main reason the government has given for its action in KP is that the provincial government was unwilling to cooperate in counterterrorism (CT) operations in the province worst hit by the resurgence of terror-linked violence. However, this argument does not hold water.
Pakistan's media also castigates the government over Balochistan, another strategically located province that has been bleeding for over 25 years amid rising separatist violence. Consequently, the country has now lost control of large parts of the province, with an unrepresentative provincial government at the helm. Yet, neither the cabinet nor Parliament has any say in such a grave national security matter. While the ousted provincial government is being held responsible for the worsening situation in KP, who is responsible for the state of affairs in Balochistan? The reality is that the policy on Balochistan lies outside the domain of the present civilian set-up. This query is relevant and has clearly put the government on the back foot.
Reactions in Pakistan also suggest apprehensions that emergency rule in KP could be the first step towards extending it to the entire country. One objective of emergency rule is perhaps to clear the ground for the resetting of administrative units, an extremely volatile issue for some of the coalition parties, particularly the Pakistan People's Party (PPP). The Sindh Assembly has already voted against administrative changes. Still, with the question of legitimacy hanging over its head, it would be extremely difficult for Parliament to resist a measure that could further consolidate authoritarian rule in the country.
Most importantly, the columnist, Zahid Hussain, further reckons that the shadow of authoritarianism looms over the country as a Parliament with a dubious mandate has already surrendered whatever little power it had left. The collapse of a system built on a mandate seen as stolen seems imminent, with its patrons possibly planning a new set-up. It would be a further regressive step, taking an already unstable state down a perilous path.
Here, the views of an eminent media personality and the newspaper have been circulating in knowledgeable circles in Pakistan. Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif may choose not to heed the warnings, which are now loud and clear. This ostrich-like attitude may prove costly in the not-so-distant future. To neutralise the continuing terror threats adversely affecting Pakistan's security interests, the country would do well to revamp its counterterrorism architecture, overhaul its intelligence set-up and engage terrorist leadership in talks to address the menace. If Pakistan can attempt to mediate in the US-Iran war, it could also deal with threats emanating from within by talking to the actors involved. They will be in real trouble if other regions, including KP, witness yet another turbulent Balochistan-like situation in the not-so-distant future.
Thus, the draconian measure of imposing emergency rule is unlikely to help but may eventually lead to the resurfacing of a despotic regime reminiscent of the days of Field Marshal Ayub Khan, General Yahya Khan, General Zia-ul-Haq and General Pervez Musharraf. Can Pakistan afford this when its economy is in dire straits and multiple internal troubles remain beyond control?
Views expressed are personal. The writer is a retired IPS officer, Adviser NatStrat
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.