Those expecting earthshaking announcements from Prime Minister Imran in his March 27 address, were disappointed.
Those expecting stuff like his government’s resignation or his own resignation as PM. A new Army Chief. A new DG ISI. A national referendum etc etc, were left disappointed.
His detractors and enemies are having a field day by saying he took everyone for a ride!
I must admit there was an expectation beyond what he said.
Was I personally disappointed?
Why?
Because Imran is not the kind of person who would upset the Ludo board, like a spoilt child, just because he senses defeat.
Never!
He took his case to the people, as he has done this past month.
And, what a a response he got. I think it may even have surprised him. There’s absolutely no doubt what the nation wants!
Imran is on a jihad to educate the heart and minds and souls of this spineless nation to differentiate right from wrong, to rise and stand up against the massive misgovernance loot and plunder of the Sharifs, Bhuttos, Zardaris and Fazlus, to instill a spirit of self respect as a nation, to show a vision of a glorious and achievable future, based on truth, justice and equity.
He has unleashed a physical, intellectual, spiritual and moral revolution to change the political DNA of this country and society which has, historically and sadly, meekly accepted the inevitable rape.
This is the time to break the idols of false gods, sweep away decaying institutions, and change this terrible moth eaten elite captured parliamentary system which nurtures and feeds the corrupt and evil of the likes of the Sharifs, Bhuttos, Zardaris et al.
Our Electoral and Governance “System” requires a fundamental change and restructuring to break the stranglehold of the elite capturing mafia, clinging like blood sucking leeches, sucking the lifeblood of Pakistan.
Change in societies happens through
- A violent, bloody, perhaps even anarchic and genocidal revolution which sweeps away the old order.
- A military intervention.
- An evolutionary path.
Pakistan, as we see it today, will likely not survive the first two.
We haven’t experienced 1 as the country was handed over to the vast majority, on a silver platter by that great man, Quaid e Azam.
We’ve tried Military interventions several times. Military dictators too left this wretched country at the mercy of these hyenas and snakes, despite Cherry Blossom!
Our only option is evolution through constitutional means to bring about institutional and systemic change.
Here, in my opinion, are the three most critical reforms required under the current constitution, if a person like PM Imran has a 2/3 political mandate in both houses.
- Electoral reforms are THE SINGLE BIGGEST Reform required. Why?
To break the stranglehold of the rich corrupt criminal elite mafia on electoral politics.
To allow people of integrity, competence, expertise, specializations to come into law making roles into our legislatures to make much better laws, especially for the poor and disadvantaged.
These specialists. Call them technocrats if you will, would otherwise never become law makers under the current electoral process because they either don’t have the money or are not part of “baradari” driven, ethnic, linguistic based constituency politics.
So how can this be done?
The simple solution is proportional representation.
Under this formula, a certain percentage of parliamentary seats are awarded to a political party, based on the percentage of votes it receives in the directly elected electoral contests.
The persons so elected would be listed on party lists similar to the way we elect women parliamentarians.
To break the current mafia stranglehold, at least 50% people must be elected through PR so a large number of competent technocrats are inducted into the system.
The balance 50% will, as is the current norm, get elected directly, but with one major change.
The winner will be elected on majority of votes cast and not first past the post, as we currently have.
Downsides? Of course.
Political party leaders will push for friends, family, carpetbaggers, Malik Riaz types of the world, who will buy their way into getting onto a party’s list.
- Directly appointed Cabinet members without the pre requisite of being a parliamentarian. This would get subject matter specialists into policy making and governance roles and the country will not suffer the terrible consequences of having people with virtually no functional experience and competence in the Ministries they head.
- Increase the number of provinces to break the monopoly of large provinces on smaller ones and bring governance much much closer to the masses.
- For a complete constitutional change from a parliamentary system to a Presidential one would require a referendum mandating the setting up of a constituent body to completely rewrite the fundamentals of the constitution.
This last is a hugely complex exercise and I’m unsure of its successful outcome.
But those listed from 1 to 3 are very doable and achievable and require a 2/3 majority in both houses to start taking Pakistan back from the elite capturing mafia and into the hands of much better people.
Till these changes don’t happen, don’t expect any major transformation.
PM Imran needs a 2/3 mandate to make these changes and transform Pakistan into a social welfare state and break the elite capture of Pakistan.
This is where we all come in.
Vote. Vote. Vote. And give him the mandate to clean this gutter and drain the swamp!
A strong constitional mandate through a 2/3 majority is the answer.
No Martial Law.
No bloody revolution.
Otherwise folks its back to the nightmare, devastation, rape, loot plunder, stink, stench and vomit of the Sharifs, Bhuttos, Zardaris and Fazlus.
Haider Mehdi is a Geo political commentator / blogger on National and International affairs. Formerly a media anchor, corporate leader, management consultant, start up entrepreneur and military officer, he tweets @SHaiderRMehdi and blogs on shrmehdi.com
