'Why can't I become an MNA?'

Published May 18, 2015
Can an educated, middle-class Pakistani be a member of the National Assembly? —Illustration by Khuda Bux Abro
Can an educated, middle-class Pakistani be a member of the National Assembly? —Illustration by Khuda Bux Abro

Sir, I have a Ph.D in Urdu. I currently run an education academy; I want to be MNA. What should I do?

Sitting across from me in my office, Irshad, who looked like he was in his early 40s, wore well-pressed trousers and a crisp, spotless shirt.

His inquiry left me momentarily speechless.

As a lawyer, I am approached by hordes of people with 'perplexing situations' almost on a daily basis. Irshad was an exception. I looked past him at his motorcycle parked in front of my office and taking a deep breath, I replied: “You can’t”.

“Why,” he eagerly pushed. This was the start to an afternoon of futile arguments.

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Admitting to having a current bank account of only 3.3 lacs, not owning a car and having had a modest upbringing, Irshad remained adamant and expounded a powerful argument with his multiple degrees and debate winning certifications, considerable insight into assembly workings and his work in student politics during college days.

He ended his note profoundly: “Why do people like me not have access to our parliament?”

A million dollar question, yet an open secret.

Unequally sized constituencies

Large constituencies are the prime hurdle; with a huge area stretching 15 to 19 union councils, ordinary Pakistanis cannot access 300,000 to 400,000 voters and while the world is inching toward small electoral areas, Pakistan isn't.

In the UK, there 650 single-member constituencies for the 64.1 million population, France has 557 for 66 million, Canada 308 for 35.7 million, Singapore 87 for 5.4 million. In Pakistan, however, we have 271 electoral seats for 170 million people!

Take a look: Beyond dharnas: 12 proposals for electoral reform in Pakistan

The US with 435 constituencies for 322 million and India with 552 for 1.3 billion are not so suitable to refer here owing to stronger political traditions that are enough to sway a ‘mediocre’ candidate. And if you look at India, 1/3 of its Lok Saba members come to the assembly via rickshaws or public transport. I don’t see that happening in Pakistan.

A non-party system

In Pakistan, another concern for “electables” is a weak political system leading to a weaker party system. Since the country’s creation, more than half the time, dictators have been in power.

Political parties were either banned or “chosen” during those times and only the blue-eyed were allowed to join in. This trend has unfortunately seeped back in another form today and political parties seem to be revolving around leaders and not vice versa.

Also see: Establishment never accepted politicians, says Rabbani

The 1970 elections, however, saw some respite with a significant number of MNAs elected on meager election expenses. I vividly remember when my friend’s father sold off his bicycle to arrange his nomination fee for the MPA seat, he was elected as a member of the Punjab Assembly. However, the scenario changed in the wake of the 1977 martial law.

The introduction of a non-party system during the 1979 local government election paved the way for personal influence rather than political ideology. The role of finance, family clan and tribe was brought in to weigh in a large way.

Who rules Pakistan?

In 1985, the General Election Political Parties Act was further amended to replace the party system with a non-party system. This proved to be the last blow to the middle- and upper-middle-class candidates who wanted to enter the houses, prompting an influx of independent candidates who were either financial wizards or business tycoons.

As a result, election expenses soared from thousands to millions ousting the more humble, educated and intellectual middle-classes. The genie was then out of the bottle, not ready to go back in again.

In 1988, when the party system was finally restored, the traditions had become deeply entrenched and extravagant election expenses could no longer be controlled.

Money then became one of the prime considerations for the election and now, this game is being played in crores along with luxury five-door vehicles.

Read on: Pakistan politics: The mythical feudal and the real elite

An elected MNA has told me that at least Rs30 million are a must only for Election Day expenses for a National Assembly seat. And I believe that it wouldn’t be incorrect to say that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Apart from the election process, political parties receive heavy donations, party funds, ticket fee and “on demand” lump sums. The leadership too is no exception. Countless stories of gifts, land plots and luxury vehicles are out there to vindicate the spectre of the goddess of wealth in politics.

Look at the situation as it now exists, Irshad’s question resounds.

Can an educated, middle-class Pakistani be a member of the National Assembly?

The question may not be uncomplicated, but the answer is.

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