Once you get past the title Pakistani People’s Party (P3), which by itself is an interesting revelation about the aspirations of “democrat” Benazir Bhutto, and you drop down to the party’s creed, it might be more truthful if Ms. Bhutto simply labeled herself as somewhat left of socialist. She is definitely not in favor of republicanism and she hardly qualifies as a democrat, either.
Not long ago, Ms. Bhutto announced her goal of establishing democracy in Pakistan. In response, I penned these words in a previous article, “Even if we apply a limited definition of “democracy” confined to such ideas as free elections, universal suffrage, and freedom of expression, the Pakistani people do not posses a tradition that will support such concepts. In a nation of more than 165 million people, 97% of which follow Wahhabist Islam, and a belief system that relegates the status of women to less worth than that of a man – democracy simply cannot be successful. And if this is true, then what is Benazir Bhutto thinking when she returns to the political stage demanding democracy for Pakistan? Even with an equally divided population among males and females, the most she could ever hope for is 50% of the population’s support.
Well, now we know exactly what Ms. Bhutto is hoping to achieve in Pakistan. She calls it Islamic Socialism — but after reviewing her site, it looks a lot like pure communism. To address the economy, Ms. Bhutto’s P3 goals are a “free flow of capital,” an “autonomous bank with strong regulatory authority,” and “the adoption of a pay-as-you-go scheme” that involves government corporations making loans to private citizens. I shouldn’t forget about the wisdom of a parliamentarian government that is necessary for “sound macro management as well as for investment, revenues, growth, employment, and safeguarding the savings of the people.” This sounds like a lot of control over the people’s money.
How will Ms. Bhutto address radical Islam in Pakistan and the probability that Pakistan will continue to harbor such terrorists as Osama bin-Laden? No worries here because Ms. Bhutto states, “The war against terror focuses attention on the danger of rogue elements accessing nuclear systems of countries with inadequate command and control systems. The nuclear control and command centers as well as nuclear safety measures will be ensured by the PPP to allay international fears and safeguard the nuclear assets. PPP Parliamentarians will continue to cement and enhance relations with Pakistan's traditional friends.” I’m glad I could clear that up for my readers, and now I assume you feel a lot better about the possibility of democracy for Pakistan.
There is also a question of “justice” for the people of Pakistan. Islamic society follows Islamic law because theocracy does not allow for secular or common law systems. Ms. Bhutto asserts that Pakistanis have suffered in the past at the hands of “not so democratic” leaders. How will the P3 improve the Pakistani legal system? Simple, actually — “Innocent people languish in jails without the funds to obtain judicial relief. Each High Court will appoint Judicial Ombudsman to visit Jails . . . providing relief to those deserving it,” and “law of foreclosure will be examined in discussion with the Judiciary. It is strong foreclosures in developed countries that enable the middle classes to obtain credit for purchases such as apartments, cars, televisions and similar products where lenders know that defaulters can be taken to task without a stay order.”
Pardon me if I seem confused, but isn’t this all just a bunch of gobbly-goop? If you embrace a “free flow of capital,” then it isn’t socialism. If the government establishes the kind of control over the economy as outlined in Bhutto’s manifesto, then it isn’t capitalism. Moreover, she has not made any definitive statement about terrorism, radicalism, or hiding or providing aid and comfort to such people. I’m not even sure I understand how she intends to safeguard Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. And as much as she might like to hide it, if Bhutto is establishing an Islamic society, then Islamic law will prevail. In that case, even if elected Prime Minister or President, she’d better make sure she keeps her scarf on while out of doors.
In my view, Bhutto is trying to place the Pakistani People’s Party somewhere between extreme secularism (communism) and radical Islam — neither of which is “democratic.” She is apparently hoping to convince everyone that she supports everything. The website is an amazing revelation because not only does it fail to clarify any of Bhutto’s goals, it assumes that no one is paying much attention to that lack of lucidity. There aren’t any solutions spelled out here . . . and no guarantees to neighbors, or to partners, or to the people of Pakistan. But given Pakistan’s literacy rate, I’m sure they’ll just love the “company store” aspect of the “pay-as-you-earn” scheme.
After visiting Bhutto’s site, I’d appreciate your views . . .
|