The Widening Credibility Gap- letter

This is with reference to Mr. Islamuddin’s article of February 6, 2010 on the subject. I would like to appreciate the learned writer for dealing with the subject so exhaustively. However, I have a few submissions to append to his learned views particularly regarding the credibility gap that exists between the political leaders and the masses which the writer appears to have missed out, maybe some political expediency has got in his way that might have induced him to gloss over the causes of the problem, which, I believe warrants a fairly detailed deliberation. Firstly, the writer while dwelling on the subject has made a slight departure from the actual theme by touching upon various peripheral issues which ostensibly have no relevance with the topic under deliberation. It is more of a rambling rather than a focused discussion. May I request the learned writer to make it a bit more direct and focused in order to make it comprehensible for a common reader? Secondly, it would have elicited more interest from the readers had the spectrum of the discussion been broadened to national level instead of making it Chitral-centric. Thirdly, the most important area where the credibility gap very glaringly exists as mentioned earlier, is between the political leadership and the masses that should have been deliberated upon elaborately. The topic, as I perceive it, has more to do with the credibility gap that exists between the ragtag band of our political leaders and the led than the institutions and the people which the writer has tried to establish through remote and loose linkages. Fourthly, there is no self-correcting mechanism in our system which could eliminate the dishonest and corrupt elements from our institutions who capitalize on the weakness of the system.

 

It has been an inextricable element of our political milieu to dupe the naïve voters at the time of electioneering. Once this bizarre flirting season is over and the objective is achieved, these political lovers vanish into thin air no where to be seen till the circumstances force them to visit their constituency again. The credibility gap emerges and becomes more pronounced when our political leaders fail to keep up their promise and fail to live up to people’s expectations. This erosion of credibility is precipitated not only by false promises of these leaders but also by the lavish expectations of the masses which ultimately comes to a nail-biting finish.

 

The question as to why the credibility gap is widening between the leaders and the led requires an in-depth analysis and an apt reply. The answer is very plain. It is primarily because there is no correspondence between the words and actions of these leaders. For instance, they unabashedly claim that they have joined politics because they consider it as “IBAADAT” whereas their actions speak louder than their words to nullify their spurious claim and confirm the opposite that they join politics to make a profitable business out of it. They gain public support by sensationalizing the event and by playing to the gallery. They know the art of exploiting the naivety of the electorate. The epicenter of their politics remains self-aggrandizement. The seriousness of the situation is difficult to appreciate in its totality. The failings on the part of our political leadership are bound to have widespread political ramifications in the final reckoning as gangs of violent political workers go on the rampage in different parts of the country in the name of democracy leaving the poor and the downtrodden to be caught and killed.

 

It may be appreciated that in a democratic form of government the job of a parliamentarian is to make legislation but here in our country these parliamentarians do everything under the sky less law making. Doling out funds and providing employment to their supporters/agents has replaced their basic responsibility to secure their vote bank in future elections. This is how they manage to survive in politics. The truth of the old saying,” poverty is a curse” has been proved beyond any doubt when we see the impoverished voters selling their priceless vote for a mere few hundred rupees.

 

It is very unfortunate that we as a nation have not been able to evolve a national policy which could continue steering our tossing boat towards the destination irrespective of who occupies the driving seat. Our policies both at institutional and national level revolve around personalities and wither away as soon as the personalities make an exit from the scene. Our rulers bend the rules to suit their own convenience. The need of the hour is that the leaders worth their salt must appreciate these problems and serve the country rising above petty personal gains.

 

Col (r) Ikram Ullah Khan,

COMSATS University, Abbottabad.

10 Feb 2010

 

NGOs: The Growth Industry of Chitral -letter

The recently published article, “The Widening Credibility Gap”, makes a clarion call for the restoration of Chitrali values in the muddled world of local institutions and Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs). The author details a litany of problems with local groups, ranging from the absence of basic operating standards to unbridled opportunism based on greed and nepotism. Importantly, the article stresses the uniquely Pakistani obsession with individuals and the cult of personality over respect for institutions or processes.

During a recent trip to Chitral, my father detailed further abuses in what he calls sarcastically, the “NGO industry” of locals. Tales of NGOs begetting new NGOs would be laughable were they not undermining our society and genuine efforts to help the population. The sad spectacle of mushrooming NGOs tripping over themselves to solicit funding is a blight on Chitrali society. The observation that groups are trying to discredit the government in their zeal to outmatch government donor support is both shocking and pathetic. I have long questioned the sight of placards and hoardings championing the projects of foreign government agencies in Chitral. Throughout Chitral one sees signs, boards and banners advertising the work of one or another NGO. Nowhere in Pakistan is this crass display so prominent as in Chitral. If the purpose of these groups is to alleviate the condition of locals, why has advertising become such a priority?

The simplest Chitrali knows that the giving of alms or charity does not demand public recognition. It is often said, “ The needy deserve a hand up, not a hand out ” in some form of partnership. Moreover, to engage locals in a mutually beneficial partnership does not imply creating a parallel set of institutions or challenging the writ of state. Why cannot donors work with existing government organizations or the few developmental groups with proven track records?

To accept the premise that we are a sovereign state worthy of self-rule demands that we support our institutions of state. Political scientists would argue that state institutions are an extension of the collective citizenry, irrespective of local, ethnic, provincial, religious or class affiliations. Most observers agree that Pakistan’s ultimate salvation resides in the development of civil society organizations and sound public institutions. Despite worries about transparency in government departments and institutions, the importance of capacity building at the federal, provincial and district level is imperative for any real development. Several months ago, Pakistanis were encouraged to hear that a greater portion of developmental aid was to be channeled through governmental institutions. This would serve the goals of capacity building as well as provide basic human development needs. It is the job of all involved to ensure that groups claiming to serve the public good are held accountable.

To speak of a return to the Chitrali values of honesty, simplicity, decency and hospitality obliges us to revisit the social order, governance, culture and traditions of the district. Chitrali values are one visible manifestation of the relatively benign and tolerant rule of many centuries of Chitral’s ruling house. I whole-heartedly endorse Chitral News’s article enjoining Chitralis to reclaim our traditional values. However, in an otherwise well written article, the author levels the misguided charge of intolerance against Chitral’s former rulers. He chooses to ignore the reality of Chitral’s rich ethnic and religious diversity instead of celebrating it. I suggest he look again to Chitral’s former lands in Afghanistan’s Kunar region and Nuristan where no Kalash are to be found. In an era of absolute monarchs, European rulers were as equally harsh as Afghanistan’s King Amanullah in dealing with minorities. Under the enlightened rule of the Mehtars, the Kalash of Afghanistan were welcomed in Chitral. Similarly, many others fleeing persecution in Central Asian and neighboring Kingdoms found security in Chitral. Perhaps this too explains why mutual respect, truth and tolerance are Chitrali values?
 

S. Sofia Baig,
California, USA.

09 Feb 2010

 

The widening credibility gap -Article