Is Asif Zardari once again on a collision course with the security establishment? Does he fear that after the Rangers’ targeted action against criminal elements linked to the MQM it would be Sindh PPP’s turn for a surgical cleanup? Is he feeling the noose tightening around his neck?
Instead of repenting and accepting PPP government’s gross misgovernance and incompetence in running Sindh’s affairs, a defiant Asif Zardari rejected any possibility for his aging Chief Minister’s resignation as well as any imposition of Governor rule in the province. His recent outburst, that seemed clearly directed against the khakis, went further when he stated he was not afraid of any ‘magic wand’.
Zardari’s aggressive reaction followed Corps Commander Karachi Lt. Gen. Naveed Mukhtar’s frank and blunt talk at the National Defence University (NDU) sponsored seminar in Karachi in which he pointed towards the ineffective governance and administration in the city as additional challenges for security forces. He also highlighted the many kind of mafias, which thrived due to poor governance and corrupt administration.
Why are there calls for Governor’s rule in Sindh and not any other province? Because there seems to be a total breakdown of governance and rule of law in Sindh. Because Sindh appears to be taken over by extortion/bhatta, land grabbing, ghost employees and even examination centre mafias that reportedly enjoy political and police patronage. I imagine it is the water mafia that will decide who will get how much water and at what rate in Karachi. And when criminals in police uniform are entrusted with protecting the lives of common people, the people of Karachi will obviously pay through their blood and lives.
Pakistanis must have been amused to hear Asif Zardari praising Qaim Ali Shah’s good performance as chief minister for it is too well known that Shah sahib is more of a dummy head with Asif Zardari being the defacto ruler of Sindh.
Asif Zardari and his Sindh government seem naturally upset for being exposed before the Apex Committee that comprises Sindh’s top military and a non cooperative and resentful provincial leadership. The Apex committee that oversees the Rangers operation against the criminal mafia and terrorists is considered a threat to the vested and converging interests of both the MQM and PPP in Karachi.
This forum that was set up for greater civil-military coordination and cooperation to implement the National Action Plan has performed smoothly in all provinces less Sindh where it seems it has not been accepted with positive spirit. In some of its sessions in the last few months, the Sindh Apex committee was chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and also attended by Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif and Asif Zardari.
There were reports of tense situations involving the Army Chief and Zardari when various aspects related to Sindh government’s misgovernance and administrative inefficiency were highlighted by the military. Asif Zardari and his political accomplices just cannot tolerate any moves that come in the way of their mismanagement and loot and plunder of provincial resources. For them democracy would be in danger if there was any step towards their accountability for their misdoings.
Zardari’s five years in the presidency saw the collapse of state institutions and leading public sector setups through massive corruption, nepotism and meritless induction of thousands of illiterate and unqualified PPP jiyalas.
Mega corruption scams related to Rental Power plants (RPP), Pakistan steel mills, Railways, PIA, the Eperdiene drug scandal, National Insurance Company limited (NICL), Haj affairs, Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI), Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and Evacuee Trust Board remain the hallmark of the Zardari era.
The nation has not forgotten how during the 2008-2013 PPP rule in Islamabad, the country was flooded with notorious foreign agents who were allowed to enter Pakistan without adequate security checks and who created their hostile network that seriously threatened our national security.
The nation still remembers the infamous Memogate conspiracy involving Hussain Haqqani who as Zardari’s blue-eyed Ambassador in Washington DC was principal figure behind the memorandum forwarded to US Chairman Joint Chief Admiral Mike Mullen in 2011.
This secret memorandum compromised national sovereignty and sought US help against Pakistan’s national security institutions in wake of increasing civil- military tensions after May 2, Abbottabad raid by US special forces. The judicial commission that was appointed by the Supreme Court to probe the memorandum case blamed Haqqani for this anti state conspiracy. Surprisingly both Haqqani and the alleged masterminds in the Presidency escaped accountability.
Thanks to Asif Zardari’s controversial and uninspiring leadership style, the PPP appears to be in state of total confusion, disunity and disarray. What was once a truly federal party with strong representation in all provinces, the PPP now stands reduced and marginalized to interior Sindh. With the party almost wiped out from the Punjab, its chances of putting up a good show in the next general elections seem remote.
Within the party, Asif Zardari faces a rebellion by Zulfiqar Mirza who was once his close associate, friend and confidant. With Mirza’s startling revelations and accusations that further damaged Zardari’s already shattered image, the PPP co chairperson needs to consider some serious soul searching.
Deep down in their hearts , one can see a tacit understanding between status quo political forces including PML-N, PPP and MQM who all resent the Army’s increasing role in governance and internal security affairs. While the Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies took no time in passing resolutions to condemn MQM leader Altaf Husain’s highly derogatory remarks against the Army and its leadership, Sindh and the Punjab assemblies were not forthcoming with any such resolution.
Asif Zardari needs to understand the seriousness of Gen. Raheel Sharif’s determination expressed few weeks ago that state would go to any length to restore peace in Karachi as well as Karachi Corps Commander’s most recent remark that failure in Karachi is not an option.
The Sindh Apex committee has decided to hold meetings on weekly basis. It must keep up its vow to ensure transparency in the transfers and postings of officials and making merit-based appointments in various departments with oversight mechanism for long-term sustainability.
Beware… the Ayyan Ali and Uzair Baloch bombs are yet to explode. Instead of choosing the path of confrontation with the military and taking cover of democracy and the 18th Amendment, Asif Zardari should put his house in order and avoid playing the Sindh card.