Change in the Right Direction Khalid Ali, Herndon, VA

I agree with Mr. Arif Hussaini that the need of the hour in Pakistan is change, but change in the right direction. The direction was unfortunately lost when the founder and Liaquat Ali Khan fell within nearly four years of the birth of the state. The power was seized by babus (bureaucrats) in civilian clothes or in uniform. They might have been good technicians but they did not know how to touch the heart-strings of  the people or handle the complex levers of the new state power. The political system was derailed.

Democracy, as Churchill said, is the worst system except all those that have been  tried before. This seemingly chaotic system has proved to be the best instrument for ensuring political harmony and cohesion in a state. We did not allow the system to work and have spent most of our time under civilian  or military bureaucrats or men thrown up by their  patronage and flawed system. We should, for a change, let democracy flourish. We should govern in a more honest and transparent manner but there should be no tinkering with the constitution. That should be done by the elected representatives. As the example of successful nations shows it is drawn by national consensus and is changed by the will of the people in  a restrained and transparent manner. Nations that throw away established constitutions like old suites or uniforms invite trouble. Ayub Khan abrogated the constitution of 1956 and after much thought  gave a new constitution. But at a critical moment he violated his own constitution and gave power to General Yahya Khan. Swift was the punishment  received by us.

Unveiling the plan for devolution of power, the Chief Executive was good enough to say that “under this plan the government functionaries would be subordinate to the elected representatives”. One hopes that the same principle would be observed at the national level. However, political parties and elections with political parties are necessary to run a democratic, and perhaps even a dictatorial system. Democracy without political parties is like a general without troops. Nothing is wrong with parliamentary democracy or the constitution of Pakistan. Evil lay not in the constitution but in our leaders and the privileged classes. The British aristocracy produced men of hour which took England to the dizzy heights of glory. Our feudal classes and our elites have yet to rise to the occasion.

Our immediate need is democracy and good and honest governance. We need wise and honest men to govern us and revive the economy. It is economy, stupid, as Clinton had said. But in the long run it is the education system which produces men who can meet the challenges of life. We have talked much but done very little for education. Our crisis, however, was not only political and economic but also moral. Corruption and greed are eating away the vitals of our social, economic and political life.. It is the duty of educationists and religious leaders to inculcate morality by precepts and words. The religious leaders have been giving priority to rituals, laws and politics.

They need to concentrate more on improving the moral tone of the people. Even the Holy Prophet first taught good morals and piety; the laws came later. The privileged classes and men in power should lead the way, as gallant officers of our armed forces have done in battle, by example, nobility and selflessness. Their greatest privilege, and burden, is to lead the nation to a better future in this century.