Pakistan Democratic Movement is an Oxy-Moron
Tags: Writing Life, Pakistan Politics, Democracy, Social Unity, Current Affairs

It is interesting to see the convergence of forces, which brought about a union of eleven major political parties, on the one hand, whereas, a lonely Imran Khan chilling with his dogs in the winter sun, on the other. Pakistan Democratic Movement or PDM, has been putting out threats of resignations from parliament and public agitation, if its demands are not met. Theirs is only one demand and that is that Imran regime should be sent packing.

While, the pandemic has battered the global economy on one hand, it is interesting to see a movement of the type that PDM represents, making constant rounds on television screens in Pakistan. Despite warnings from health experts and an appeal from Imran Khan himself, leaders of PDM went ahead with their Lahore jalsa. To expect that SOPs were followed as Maryam Nawaz suggested to her supporters, is as ridiculous a thought as the whole reason behind the PDM. While German Chancellor Angela Merkel is pleading in her parliament for people to stay home and save lives this Christmas, it is interesting and sad to see that leaders in Pakistan are not affected by the rise in the number of covid-19 cases and deaths. Democracy and its protection is the duty of every citizen of this country. But not in the way that PDM is trying. It is only losing its appeal in the learned circles as being a reactionary force to the stability of Imran Regime.

The people of Pakistan have a habit of jumping the bandwagon. They would participate in any reactionary movement or affair which is full of hefty slogans. They would try never to miss a chance of seeing a politician in person. They would love to stand behind a politician while he/she is giving a press on the roadside or outside the court. I guess this is natural. We tend to associate ourselves with the powerful or the famous. But it must be realized that PDM and movements like these where democratic parties resort to undemocratic means of achieving their ends, only make matters worse for fragile democracies like ours.

It is necessary to do a breakdown of the PDM. It is composed of eleven political parties 1. JUI-F, 2. PML-N, 3. PPP, 4. ANP, 5. ANP-Wali, 6. BNP-Mengal, 7. Jamiat Ahle-Hadith, 8. JUP, 9. PKMAP, 10. QWP, and 11. National Party-Bizenjo. Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz had a government in center and Punjab in the previous term. Awami National party was ousted from government in KPK by PTI in 2013. PPP got the chance in the center from 2008 to 2013 and is still in power in Sindh. The rest of the parties have been in coalitions here and there. The leadership of the PDM is in the hands of Maulana Fazlurehman who lost his seat in the last election. When you are accustomed to privileged living, it becomes very difficult to adjust to the ways of ordinary people.

Maulana Fazlurehman felt this very bitterly. Its been two and a half years since he has been moved out of his parliament lodges and ever since he has been trying to put together a coalition to force Imran Khan to give them some leeway. But Imran Khan is a very hard nut to crack. The second in command of the PDM is Maryam Nawaz. The scion of the Sharif dynasty who thinks that she can save her family and revitalize its politics by being blunt and a champion of democracy. While her convicted father sits in London and lashes at the institutions so vital to national security as if a kid has been bullied at school and comes home crying to her mother. It is so disheartening to see a three-time Prime Minister falling so low. Why can’t you be like any of the great leaders the world has produced? Why can’t you be like Benazir Bhutto or her father, for that matter? I guess we well never know, because he won’t tell us as he won’t simply tell us where the money trail is? Maryam Nawaz Sharif has a delusion. I am still confused as to what it actually is. But I am certain that she has a delusion. Delusion is an imperfection that defiles the mind.

Then there is the case of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other political parties. Bilawal Bhutto could have done better. He need not petty political reasons to engage the government. He must take the lead and put the government to its place by initiating debate on key matters of national interest like economy and external affairs inside the Parliament. It is expected that he will be wise enough to understand the effect of these political disturbances on the economy. It is expected that he will come to see the wisdom of it that by engaging and siding with forces that have only made matters worse for Pakistan, is only going to harm him in the long run. It is expected that instead of following the lead of conservative forces and delusional fiddlers, Bilawal will get his act together, reorganize his party and provide credible opposition to the government which works within the confines of democratic norms and traditions. You can not right a wrong by doing wrong in return. You must do the right thing yourself so as to set the record straight.

The whole power-show of PDM is a farce. It seems like a continuation of previous movements like MRD of 1980s. to restore democracy to its rightful place. But it’s not. It must be kept in mind that MRD was in response to the usurpation of power by a dictator. Whereas, PDM is an alliance that sprang up against the government of Imran Khan which came through elections. Here it must be admitted that elections are never free and fair in Pakistan. But it must be asserted that only through a continuation of democratic process, can democracy be really strengthened and made effective. Electoral reforms and the strengthening of civilian institutions can only take place if infant democracy is allowed to grow up and become an adult. The people of Pakistan need to get their heads around the fact that if we keep electing people based on narrow and prejudiced lines, we will never be able to break free from the fetters of the curse of leadership vacuum. Reactionary movements like PDM must not be legitimized by participation in their rallies and giving them unnecessary attention. The role of media is also important but when it comes to money, there is no God.

The whole idea of writing about PDM and the people it gathered came from the observation that a friend made about their Karachi jalsa. That PDM has been successful in gathering a significant number of people. Basic arithmetic would bust the balloon. It is an alliance of eleven political parties, three of which are the most powerful political parties of the last 3 decades. If they don’t succeed in gathering eleven thousand people, one thousand each, then I would be tempted to conduct a jalsa of my own. In essence, Pakistan Democratic Alliance is an oxymoron. There is nothing democratic about it. It is an alliance of self-proclaimed democratic parties but on close scrutiny it is revealed that there is nothing democratic about them.