1- From Zia era to '99 the one reason I kept on hearing for PA's involvement in politics and coups was - its the politicians, they keep on fighting and inviting Army - otherwise Army never wants to do that. Well after charter of democracy PPP and PMLN agreed that they are not going to involve Army in any political struggle and true to their word in last five years both these parties tried to keep the differences in limit. But for this sin they were accused of Muk Mukka by the very GHQ touts who were accusing them of dragging army for decades.
You are contradicting your own statement. PA does not want to get involved in politics. Don't you think it is a Muk Mukka, when NS remained silent for five years on massive corruption? Wasn't that silence for to gain same response for irregularities of his turn.
- Politicians in developed areas are neither robber barons nor barbarians. Media specifically had made it a political suicide for politicians to indulge in criminal activities like that. In some areas unfortunately such meances exist but they will go away with time and if democray is allowed to mature. Please keep in mind that absolutely worst offenders in this regard like Ch Shujaat, Peer Pagara etc have always been in the GHQ party.
In variably all politicians are involved in criminal activities. May it be fill their coffers or to get privileges. What was Khurshid Shah, a meter reader in KESC? He lives in DHA Karachi now. Who was Farzana Raja, a sales girl supplying stationary to the offices. What is the background of Kashmala Tariq? Who was Mustafa Kamal a telephone operator in 90? What was Babar Ghauri a video game shop owner, that too provided by his uncle. Did you see house of Waseem Akhtar before he became minister and see it now. What about Ishaq Dar, what was he an accountant, who gave wedding reception of his son in Atlantis Dubai. Do you have any idea what is the per head cost of buffet in Atlantis? Where did this money come from?
There are innumerable examples which will just fill up the space like anything. They all have looted.
- Politicians did choose COAS who they thought would not oppose them but can you blame them with the culture in PA? The ball started with Ayub Khan who was not selected by anyone but who saw a weak govt and took benefit. He gave way to Yahya Khan who tried to pit Bhutto against Mujeeb but couldn't do so (after Yahya another one was ready to jump in as a dictator).
You should read Shahbnama by Qudratullah Shahab to find out how Ayub took over and how transition from there on took place.
- The simple fact is - if this country ever has to move ahead it will do so while following a comprehensive system of government. Our constitution says that system will be democracy. It will never happen that we will reach somewhere by accident. The absolute worst performing democratic govt is miles ahead of the best dictatorship because dictatorship will never provide strength to system and in the long run will do more harm.
Any effort to turn around economic situation will not bear fruit unless political will is present. Problem with present political setup in Pakistan does not have representation of true majority. Main reason for this anomaly is non-implementation of election rules and lack of transparency in electoral process. To ensure that right people are in respective assemblies, certain difficult decisions and strict implementation of Constitutional provisions are needed. This of course is not an easy task as those who can amend the constitution at this point in time do not want to change present set up, as it suits their re-election into legislature circles. Nonetheless, to satisfy the objective of this paper it will be highly unfair if solution to the core issue of Pakistan is not addressed.
Pakistan has been brought to the brink of disaster by those who have no stake within the country. They come here to rule, make money, enjoy the privileges of the post and leave to relish the memories, money plundered and businesses developed. It is now become inevitable to stop such people from reaching national and provincial assemblies. To deny such opportunities to these opportunists, it is essential that all those who hold dual nationality, have bank accounts in foreign countries and having their businesses outside Pakistan, be disqualified from contesting any sort of elections in Pakistan. All those desirous of contesting election should be asked to surrender their foreign nationality, bring their riches in the country and adopt permanent residence within Pakistan.
Electoral candidates should only be allowed to contest the elections if they are Pakistani national by birth, living within Pakistan for at least 10 years, have been living for at least five years in the same constituency from where nomination for candidature are filed and have the right to vote. These individuals will be influencing policy making therefore, they should have a minimum qualification of graduate.
Present procedure for electing college of legislators in Pakistan is susceptible to blunders and unfair practices in elevating people to House of Representatives. Elections for national and provincial assemblies are conducted on one day and political parties can manipulate results to suit their objectives. Another drawback in such type of elections is complete turnover of legislators; thus consist national policy cannot be maintained. A procedure similar to Senate can bring consistency in government policy. Present electoral system brings into power political amateurs, who do not have acumen, vision and capacity to be a leader, a politician and/or a statesman. Political parties install puppets to serve their objectives rather than national interests.
To address this anomaly complete system of provincial and national assemblies needs to be revamped and redesigned. Provincial assemblies can serve as political training institutions. Proposed model of electoral system can result in training of statesmen rather than politicians.
Proposed Electoral System
The system of elections needs to be changed from Parliamentary to Presidential form of government. Elections for the President of Pakistan should be through public balloting. President then will have the right to choose six or seven ministers from senate or national assembly, to run the affairs of government. Likewise, Governors should be elected through public vote from each province and allowed to select 8-10 ministers from existing provincial assemblies to run the affairs of government. President and Governors should be entitled to have maximum two terms of four years each. Presidential and Governorship election should be independent and staggered.
1. Number of seats in each province should be based on population of that province.
2. Total number of seats in each provincial assembly should be divided into four segments. Each segment is subjected to election every four years. Thus at any one point in time 3/4th of provincial assembly will be experienced and familiar with current policies; thus it will be able to maintain consistency and act as trainers for new entrants in the field of politics.
3. Candidate for a provincial assembly should have lived in the geographical boundaries of constituency of candidacy for at least three years immediately preceding the election and should continue to live in the same geographical perimeter, till completion of term with the House. He should be residing in the province of candidacy for five years immediately preceding the elections and residing in Pakistan for 10 years immediately preceding the elections.
4. Any one person can serve in the provincial assembly for maximum 2 terms.
5. Election of MPA should be through vote of people of relevant constituency.
6. Only those candidates who have served in Provincial Assembly for 2 years should be eligible to file candidature for National Assembly.
7. Voting for National Assembly candidate should be by members of relevant provincial assembly.
8. Size of National Assembly should be less than and dependent upon size of provincial assemblies, based on population ratio.
9. Similar to Provincial Assembly, National Assembly seats should rotated every four years. Thus consistency on national policies can be achieved.
10. Likewise, members of National Assemblies should be entitled for only two terms of four years each.
11. Members for Senate should be elected through vote of National and Provincial Assemblies combined.
12. Candidate for the position of Senate should have served in National Assembly for a period of two years.
13. A Senator may be entitled for maximum two terms of four years in the senate.
14. Maximum age for being member of National Assembly, Provincial Assemblies, Senate, Presidency and Governorship should be limited to 65 years subject to medical fitness.
