How Deceptive the Faces are!

Col (r) Ikram Ullah Khan

Politics is a craft practiced by the crafty. What we are practicing today under the garb of democracy in this land of the pure (Pakistan) is nothing but deception. Our politicians with their dissembling appearance and incoherent utterances are preaching democracy in a country where falsehood, hypocrisy, tyranny and injustice reign supreme pushing the truth, honesty and fairplay to the background. They are artful enough to make the naïve masses believe that they are the actual deliverer from the miseries under which the public is groaning.

When I say politics is a craft practiced by the crafty, it reminds me of an old fable where a father and his son who were new entrants in politics and were suffering from fits of politico, divulge their inner side and betray their true character through a dialogue. The father says to his son: Look my son! We are politicians and should behave like a politician. The son asks his father staring at him in a bit bewilderment. Father! Is there any thing special with political behaviour? The father says with a lot of swagger in his tone: Yes my son! We have to practice deception with exquisite ingenuity as politics is a craft and a politician needs to be crafty. Elucidating his views further he says: A politician must know how to win by craft and deception what he cannot gain by force. This fable, perhaps, fits well in today’s political scenario.

The mock battle going on between the ruling elite and the friendly opposition for the last four years has turned into a war of attrition. Both the sides seem to have dug in their heels deep and have intensified their efforts to subdue each other with their jingoes from both sides having taken over the command. Emotions are running wild and sanity has taken a back seat.

Sensing his political isolation, PML (N) top leadership, who was adamant not to compromise on principles and not inclined to entertain any member of PML (Q) as well as PML (Q) like-minded, has softened his rigid stance and has decided to receive them with open arms except those who declined to atone for their past slips and refused to work under the tutelage of Nawaz Sharif. Those who were considered as remnants of Musharraf till very recently, and therefore, not even worth to talk to, have suddenly become Nawaz Sharif’s darlings. Politics of revenge has become his Achilles heels, thereby accentuating his personal vendetta against Musharraf. Sense and sensibility is perhaps, a rare commodity with PML (N) leadership.

On the other hand, the ruling elite have kept all the options open. But the sad part of the story is that after reaching the corridors of power with the enticing slogan of Roti, Kaprha ore Makaan, they have literally snatched away all the three, thereby exposing their true faces. Zardari knows the art of playing the cards well and with the help of his coalition partners, is actively engaged in efforts to counter the centrifugal forces. Gilani has no independent existence and is dancing to Zardari’s tune to amuse the party jyallas.

PTI, as an emerging third political force with its so-called tsunami is a hotchpotch of renegades. Imran Khan talks of revolution but he fails to appreciate that revolution cannot be brought by assembling split personalities together. He never gets tired of talking against NRO, and if seen in the broader context, he is right also. But what he very conveniently glosses over is his own unwritten NRO with MQM. Ever since he has embarked upon the mass mobilization campaign, he has thought it prudent to keep his lips tight vis-à-vis MQM leadership against whom he was very vocal hardly a year ago. Who can forget his impetuous move against Altaf Bhai when he rushed to London to register cases against him? Now he seems to have buried the hatchet with his sworn enemy. A clandestine and unwritten NRO!

Moulana Fazl ur Rehman, a shrewd politician with ample flexibility, knows how to milk the cow. He has done his specialization in pulse feeling. His political history tells that he has never been a loser.

MQM is primarily a king maker party. The top party leadership has done his PhD in political gimmick. It does not believe in sitting in the opposition benches. It feels comfortable in supporting the party that comes to power. At the same time, it makes its importance felt whenever required through minatory expressions and strike calls.

ANP is lost in a dream world and has still not been able to come out of it. For the first time in the history of Pakistan, it has reached the corridors of power. It believes in the famous saying attributed to the Mughal Emperor Babar: “Babar ba aish Kosh k aalam dobaara neist”

The Chaudhries of Gujrat are masters in operating from behind the screen. They believe in having the cards up their sleeves and never put them on the table until they are sure they would win.

To sum up: The most unfortunate part of our political history is the lack of understanding that politics is not a zero-sum game when taken in the national context. A true, genuine and honest political leader must rise above petty personal gains and keep the supreme national interest on top as the existence and image of the country takes precedence over everything else. -- Col (r) Ikram Ullah Khan, Abbottabad 08 May 2012.

Comment 1

We appreciate the great contribution of the writer regarding the prevailing situation of the Pakistan's political parties and their deceptive appearances. But the one and the most kernel issue which has been leftover by the writer i.e. regarding the creditability of contributions by the Khakis. They are grimly involved while making, breaking, shaping and fabrication of the political parties of this land. Therefore, little tincture on this behalf was required, if so, then we expect that you must give tingeing as on "Khaki in the politics of the land of Pure. -- Ashrafuddin (Barenis), Presently Peshawar, 11 May 2011

Comment 2

I would like to appreciate the analytical comments of Colonel Sahib in the context of political scenario prevailing in the country. I fully agree to the critical opinion of the writer. Unfortunately, none of our political leaders has a neat and clean track record. Please let me allow to add some words:
1. ANP has encashed the nationalist slogan of pakhtonistan and gained the everlasting terrorism in K.P. The illusion of US dollars has faded the vision of its leaders. Obviously, the generation of Pakhtun will reap what has been sown by the predecessors.
2. The PPP leadership has not left anything for the coming generation. The current regime of Mr. Zardari is determined to suck even the last drop of nation's blood. The whole team of the federal cabinet is involved in high profile corruption.
3. The ML(N) is enjoying both ruling in Punjab as well as the opposition in central government. However, governance is comparatively better in the context of development in Punjab.
3. PTI leadership has not yet seen the charm of lucrative ministries of the government. Therefore, in the event of his success in general elections, it cannot be predicted as to how Mr. Khan will drive the coach having passengers of different destinations.
4. The comments already given by the writer about MQM are sufficient.
5. There is amazing similarity between ML(Q) and MQM in the context of bargaining in politics.-- Sultan Wali Khan, Lahore 11May 2012

Comment 3

I would like to offer a few comments on the write up by Col (R) Ikramullah khan and comments by Mr .Ashraf uddin .
In my humble opinion politics in this land of the pure is everything but not “Pure”. The topic reminds me two lines from Qasida of Mirza Ghalib ,who says ,hen kwakib kuch nazar aate hen kuch ……dete hen dhoka ye bazigar khulaa . The stars twinkling in the skies are actually not what they show to be. Just like jugglers these are deceiving the masses. This is what we witness on the chessboard of politics in our country.

I fully endorse the views expressed by the learned writer on the mainstream political parties except for one. In my view MQM is neither a political party nor a king maker. It is a terrorist group serving the interests of a few war lords. As far as "khakis" are concerned,  I fully support the views of Mr Ashrafuddin. The role of late Gen Zia ul Haq and Gen Musharraf in the dirty pond of politics in the country can't be defended by any patriotic Pakistani .
I do salute Col(r) Ikramullah Khan for his thought provoking write up. -- Dr Inayatullah Faizi, Chitral 18 May 2012.

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