WHILE continuity is essential to the democratic project, it is clearly not enough. For democracy to be strengthened and deepened, our political leadership must embrace institution-building and move away from a wholly election-based understanding of what constitutes democracy. Unhappily, political governments still appear disinclined to take advantage of opportunities that come their way to strengthen the democratic system. Consider what has been the PML-N government’s response to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s need to undergo heart surgery today. Government spokespersons have been keen to convey two points: one, that all the prime minister’s health-related expenses will be borne by the family and not the national exchequer; and two, that the running of government will not be affected, or only minimally disrupted, by the prime minister’s absence. On both counts, the government’s position is either untenable or ought to be unacceptable.
The claim about the Sharif family bearing all expenses related to Mr Sharif’s medical treatment may well be true, but it is just that — a claim. No documentation has been provided, and none is likely to be. The country will simply be expected to take the first family at its word and trust it will scrupulously adhere to strict standards regarding the separation of public money and private expenses. Clearly, the prime minister is entitled to many legally approved perks and privileges and he should receive high-quality medical care, but none among the government and first family, or the prime minister, appear to be concerned with transparent, verifiable processes. Politics and PR appear to be the government’s dominant concerns. Where is the commitment to improving the systems and institutions of democracy?
More alarming has been the response to the genuine questions pertaining to a prime minister being away from the country during the crucial budget process. Once again, the government’s priority appears to be to deflect political attacks rather than provide a definitive and legally based explanation for its actions. For example, the law ministry could have been tasked with drawing up a memorandum stating precisely the laws and rules under which government business will be conducted this week, and the attorney general of Pakistan could have been asked to verify the government’s position. Furthermore, a governmental statement could have been made to parliament or the relevant parliamentary committee about which powers have been delegated and which will remain with the prime minister at all times. Finally, the Prime Minister’s Office should have explained in a detailed statement the rules, process and security for a cabinet meeting to be convened by videoconference. All of the above could have been down side by side with the politics and PR battles the government sees fit to fight. Democracy ought to be about rules, systems and processes — and an ironclad commitment to transparency.
Correction: The editorial earlier stated that Nawaz Sharif's surgery is happening tomorrow. It is, in fact, today. The error is regretted.
Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2016