The Pakistani Spectator

Venturing into the turbid and much-disturbed waters of the political ocean is not something I often do in these columns, but events of the past week merit a dipping of the toe. Years of exposure to the venality and general incompetence of all things political has imbued me with a weary cynicism that roughly goes … ‘nothing will ever change, learn to live with it.’ But lo and behold, something has. Coming down the highway and looking rather smart in a fresh coat of paint and with a tweaking of the engine courtesy of Judges Autos – comes the Accountability Coach. There was some doubt as to whether this vehicle could ever be brought back to roadworthy condition but the Supreme Court, in a judgment that is truly going to reverberate down history, has given it a new lease of life by booting the unconstitutional National Reconciliation Ordinance (which is truth was little more than an escape pod for those who had been found with their fingers in the national purse) – into the long grass.

People who had previously considered themselves very much above the law, the untouchables, suddenly felt the chilly draught that preceded the Accountability Coach as it hit them four-square. One of the early casualties was the defence minister Ahmed Mukhtar who was about to go junketing in China to pick up a new boat for the navy along with the admiral of the said navy. No can do, said the Exit Control List (or not, as Mr Mukhtars presence on the list was later denied) which by last Friday morning had 247 other names on it by virtue of the striking down of the NRO – and a lot of travel plans went into the freezer. Also into the freezer – and possibly the slammer as well if his luck really fails him – goes Interior Minister Rehman Malik who has entertained us for some time but now finds himself wondering if he should pack the silk pajamas and a couple of thick books to while away the time inside one of our luxurious correctional facilities. Friday afternoon saw a flurry of dates for court appearance being issued by the National Accountability Bureau (which is also enjoying something of a resurrection) against names which hitherto also had seats in the NRO escape pod. All in all it was a momentous few days; and whilst there were wry smiles on the faces of some TV presenters and anchors who struggled gamely not to collapse into helpless giggles as they read out the latest turn of misfortune for the otherwise over-fortunate – this is Serious Stuff we are looking at.

There can be little doubt that Pakistan grew a little last week; perhaps even more than a little. There was a sense that order was in the process of being restored and the distorted shape of the state adjusted to something more closely resembling a functional democracy. There was the clearest of signals that our judiciary was up and running, that they were busy with their work and that we may once again repose our trust in them. There is no hint of a military coup despite rumours being fanned to that effect and the army remains (mostly) disengaged from day-to-day politics. ATM machines still work. The country staggers on under its innumerable burdens. The state has not failed nor, in my not-particularly-humble-opinion, will it.

Commentators are fond of using the word ‘crossroads’ at a time like this. I prefer ‘transition’. A crossroads involves making a choice about the road to take – but what the Supreme Court has done is demonstrate orderly transition via due process and the road ahead is both clearer and, perhaps, more difficult for them having done so.