POLITICAL PARTIES

By Prof Dr. Sohail Ansari

Conceived and worded by DR Sohail Ansari (originality of concepts and originality of words).

He believes that there can never be a zero scope for improvement and appreciates criticism if it is not for the sake of criticism.

Operational style: ‘A glance at the program and working of political parties in Pakistan reveals that the parties have mostly a regional, rather than national outlook. Even the manifestos of some of the parties make no mention of the problems of areas outside their ‘sphere of influence’. A regular practice of the politicians in Paksitan is to exaggerate the problems of their own regions to obtain local support. No political parties work in a scientific manner. None of the parties maintain a research cell or have a system

to study the national problems thoroughly and scientifically. They neither have a system to ascertain the reactions of the people regarding certain political developments, nor do they believe in conducting opinion polls. Almost all parties have neither regular politically trained workers nor offices everywhere. Weekly meetings or other methods of keeping in touch with the masses are unheard of.

The art of demagogy plays an important part of in winning the political game; most leaders rely on public speeches, based on emotions, malice and superficial study.

Programs that have been presented by the parties are too idealistic to be implemented. Most of the manifestos reflect poor homework and lack of pragmatism. Several political parties have identical programs, but they do not merge with each other due to deep-rooted rivalry of their leaderships. Most of the Western countries where the parliamentary form of government has worked successfully have a two-party system. But, in Pakistan due to a larger number of political parties, none is able to attain a clear-cut majority. Thus political alliances pave the way for coalition government which carries the seeds of political instability.

           

As regards membership, none of the existing political parties can claim to be a mass organization. Membership is mostly fictitious. Membership forms are handed over to influential party leaders who distribute them amongst their followers and get their signatures. Landlords and industrialists get these forms filled by their tenants and laborers who know little about the party to which they are enrolled. The landlords and industrialists have their pocket constituencies and easily they get elected. Parties are joined with the objective of deriving material benefits rather than to serve the national cause. There is no concept of political loyalty as loyalties change with the change of political weather’. Safdar mahmood, `Pakistan political Roots and Development`132-133

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Image is built in the light of opinions polls, but as political parties neither have a system to ascertain the reactions of the people, nor do they believe in conducting opinion polls; ads do not provoke the required response, and political parties instead of seeking the reasons for ineffectiveness dismiss ads as ineffective.

Polices unguided by opinion polls fail to reflect general consensus and pit national leaders against nation. In democracy, democratic leaders have right to speak to people and they speak through media; but when they speak without knowing what to speak; right of speaking passed on to undemocratic forces. Undemocratic forces grow stronger as an alternative to unconcerned, indifferent, and ignorant democratic leaders. When leaders are out of tune with general aspiration, media loses much of its significance as leaders misses the line around which support could be built. 

Presence of pocket constituency accounts for the absence of even a single ad from many candidates. Electoral process theoretically provides equal opportunity to all citizens to seek a public office, but in reality, people having established following repeatedly contested elections; landlords/tribal leaders tend to be the primary contestants and they need not to have any media campaign to approach voters; nor is any effort needed to court electorates; furthermore, the function of media is fulfilled by ideologically motivated and dedicated  party workers; who disseminated messages and put up party posters every where.

The feudal and tribal social origins of the parliamentarians and their dominance in the federal cabinets renders governments indifferent to public-relationing as the psychological make up of members deem beneath it.  Two party systems of USA and of Great Britain evolved with time; but in Pakistan, parties came and disappeared as political rules of game continued to change; and this fluidity of situation never allowed parties to evolve and make long term strategies for contesting election. Election campaigns begin two years ago in USA, but in country where elections themselves are in doubt political parties find no reason to start election campaign long before election.