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Revolution or Evolution?
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Visits
339
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Visits
339
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Visits
339
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March 04, 2011
The wave of revolution spreading from Tunisia to Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Algeria and now Bahrain shakes the autocratic regimes of Arab world; worst is seen in Egypt where demonstrations and curfews resulted in deaths of 365 and 5,500 wounded. The spill over effect of the revolution also reached Pakistan in terms of opening an age old debate about Revolution in the country. Once again, it becomes a hot topic to debate in media, newspapers, blogs, street stalls and drawing rooms. The two questions widely discussed are: Is revolution on the doorsteps of Pakistan, and what would be its impact on the country.
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Revolutions takes place in stagnant societies; societies and people believed to be dead, but in reality, the long road of suppression puts their souls on fire which result in a blatant expression- Revolution.
The wave of revolution spreading from Tunisia to Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Algeria and now Bahrain shakes the autocratic regimes of Arab world; worst is seen in Egypt where demonstrations and curfews resulted in deaths of 365 and 5,500 wounded. The spill over effect of the revolution also reached Pakistan in terms of opening an age old debate about Revolution in the country. Once again, it becomes a hot topic to debate in media, newspapers, blogs, street stalls and drawing rooms. The two questions widely discussed are: Is revolution on the doorsteps of Pakistan, and what would be its impact on the country.
There are two divergent opinions raised in this debate. One says revolution in Pakistan is evident in foreseeable future, supported by a lot of enthusiasm and revolutionary thought. Historically, this thought was often echoed in the poetry of Faiz Ahmad Faiz. The supporters of revolutionary thought see similarity between the situation of the Arab world, specifically Egypt, and Pakistan. The second group is of skeptics: they saw no change in foreseeable future and identify the current political development occurring in a distant geographical area, Arabian Peninsula. Thus, they altogether forget that globalization has deep impact on geopolitical realities. They also argue that the differences are stark in the political situation of the Arab world and Pakistan.
The reality certainly rests between the two. Pakistan is facing rampant corruption, increasing inflation, social injustice, suicide bombing, economic uncertainty, political repression as its core challenges. Dynastic politics is deeply embedded in our culture. Feudal system is still prevalent in rural Sindh and in southern Punjab; the story of Balochistan is not far different from the rest. Hierarchy of power is still the same; power is concentrated in few hands, something which is not different from the Arab world. The dilemma of corruption in Pakistan is also not different: from top to bottom, the whole system is corrupt. There is no single institution left free from this menace. According to Transparency International Pakistan, Pakistan’s 2010 corruption perceptions index score was 2.3 against 2.4 in 2009, and out of 178 countries, its ranking as most corrupt country has slipped 7 ranks, from 42 in 2009 to 34 most corrupt country in 2010. National Corruption Perception Survey 2010 also showed an enormous rise in corruption from 195 billion rupees in 2009 to 223 billion rupees in 2010.
According to the statistic of UNDP, 63% of population is under the age of 25. The youth literacy rate (age15/24) is 53%. The statistics are encouraging, but quandary is that unemployment rate is increasing. According to an estimate, in 2008, unemployment rate was 5.60%, which increased in 2009 to 7.40% and peaked in 2010 at 14.00%, almost doubled in a year. This resulted in indulgence of youth in illegal activities for earning money; crime rate increased with street crime at its peak. The incidents of thefts, burglary and mugging are a matter of routine. A negative trend is involvement of educated unemployed youth in such activities.
Another parallel is increasing inflation. According to the Federal Bureau of Statistics, in January 2008, inflation rate was 11.86%, which reached 15.28% in November 2010. The worst is seen in prices of eatable items, in which rates of wheat and sugar increased up to three folds. Pakistan’s economy is still in a shabby situation; power shortage is still a staggering challenge for the PPP government despite several claims
The democratic government led by the PPP is left with only couple of years with things going from bad to worse. This has created anxiety among the masses, while the news of revolution in Arab world set the fuel on fire, hence the demand for revolution.
In the enthusiasm of bringing a change, people altogether forget what revolution meant and what it desires. Revolution is not a child’s play; it nourishes from blood; it brings a sudden change and gives a new system -- whether political, economic or social – whose viability is unpredictable. History exemplifies such revolutions which worsened the situation and brought more destabilization and chaos. Pakistan is geopolitically located in a strategically important area, which is a focus of major powers. Pakistan is a strategic partner of the US in the war on terrorism, and this scenario makes the situation different from that of Arab world. Pakistan is also facing insurgency, and threats to its sovereignty -- both internal and external. In such a situation, revolution is not a solution; it could fall into the hands of terrorist which can result in more bloodshed. Pakistanis has already suffered enough in War Against Terrorism.
Here it is necessary to identify what kind of Revolution people demand; if their demand is change, then what kind of change. Pakistan is now a democratic country though not in true sense. It has witnessed martial law regimes and autocratic rulers. The Arabs demand democratic system, freedom of expression and end of autocratic rulers. Their society was stagnant, but Pakistani society is not a stagnant society; the successful movement of judiciary’s restoration is ample evidence.
Pakistan needs a democratic system, as Abraham Lincoln defines, a government of the people, by the people, for the people; a government based on good governance where there is accountability, equality, transparency, rule of law, equity and inclusiveness; a system which is responsive, effective and efficient, most importantly, peace, stability and prosperity. That is for what the voices of revolution echoed for. There are two means to achieve that end. One leads towards more chaos and instability; the other leads towards gradual development, towards evolution not of revolution and that evolution comes when awareness, education, and political consciousness would develop in masses. In democratic system, power rests in the hands of masses; to use that power, masses should be aware of that power. Once they are awakened, rest wouldn’t be a big business.
The wave of revolution spreading from Tunisia to Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Algeria and now Bahrain shakes the autocratic regimes of Arab world; worst is seen in Egypt where demonstrations and curfews resulted in deaths of 365 and 5,500 wounded. The spill over effect of the revolution also reached Pakistan in terms of opening an age old debate about Revolution in the country. Once again, it becomes a hot topic to debate in media, newspapers, blogs, street stalls and drawing rooms. The two questions widely discussed are: Is revolution on the doorsteps of Pakistan, and what would be its impact on the country.
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