The conditions in Pakistan are fast deteriorating towards a disaster, and we, the people, are watching spellbound, with no one at the wheel, or the brakes. The president has not been seen in public for his entire reign, existing in his presidential palace and is visible through television clips and through press release handouts. Except for a handful of trusted cronies, and aides essential to the functioning of the presidency, there is no contact with the outside world. He is as hermetically sealed off as is possible from human contact. Making for a very safe and secure president. However it makes the people insecure, and restive. The president, and the prime minister are being condemned for not having attended the funerals or having condoled the violent deaths of valiant military officers killed while in the line of duty. In a country like Pakistan this is a serious breach in religious and political decorum. The grieving family will take offence which adds to their sense of loss. This offence adds to the growing complaints of blame on the government of the day. The isolation of the presidency is increasingly being used as the reason for his protecting the incompetence of his advisers. The suo moto notice issued against the ex-attorney general for charges of corruption is one small indicator of the vacuum necessitating the action by the honourable Supreme Court. The people are delighted that their Long March for the restoration of the judges has borne fruit, and there is the feeling that somebody not only cares but is doing something about it. They have lost faith in the Parliament, as one of the members has exposed herself as a credit card thief - the most minor of her sins. The larger of the frauds are given protection by the perpetrators, as in all countries the larger the fraud the greater the protection. The country is facing huge problems within. In Islamabad, talk is rife that the most onerous of the Kerry-Lugar Bill, especially those concerning the military promotions, were inserted in the bill only in the last three months. This revelation is stunning for it shows the connivance of Pakistanis at the highest levels, with manipulating a strong anti-military bias in Washington. This will not be easily forgiven, not just by the military but also by the people of Pakistan. The prime minister should now assert his constitutional role, and take action against the corruption and the major actors. His sacking of the Steel Mill chairman was one step in the right direction, but there are many more to be taken. He should also take upon himself a more public role in the affairs of the 'public'. Photo calls of conducting Cabinet meetings are not important, for it is his job. He must be seen reaching out to those widowed and orphaned by the war that has been thrust upon us. He must take the mantle of public dealing as the public itself is feeling orphaned. It is already a critical time in our country, and if the leadership has gone into hiding someone may just appear to fill this need. The Kerry-Lugar Bill is already an American law. We have to live with it or reject it. Instead of carping on about it, let us put our own house in order, and learn to earn our own money instead of begging. The prime minister should invite the business community to assist in the uplift of the economy, and should invite a dialogue so that they can increase their outputs. It is the business community that manufactures, and is the engine behind the economy. The Stock Exchange is only a reflection of the manufacturing ability of the nation. Without manufacturing there will be no Stock Market. Also no number of charlatans can create megawatts of power out of promises to the public of 'soon' to arrive RPPs. Promises made then promptly broken by a statement denying that any such date had been given. It must be made clear to these people that statements made as electioneering cannot be made when you are in government, and must be delivered. Otherwise one should lose one's ministry and then the government. Having a majority in the Parliament does not absolve the government from delivering, but it becomes mandatory to perform. This is not a Punch and Judy show for the entertainment of the masses. But there is serious work to be done. The Assembly proceedings are to bring the issues to the public before a 'law' is passed so that the public opinion may stop any aberrations as in the Kerry-Packer Bill may be thwarted and Haqqani's machinations nipped in the bud. The writer is a political analyst.