We often hear a rhetoric of the Corrupt Governance System and its beneficiaries. Media reports portray that this corrupt governance system exists only within the boundaries of Sindh Province. Mainly, because the ruling party’s leadership has been facing trials in court. However, it’s not true that the corrupt system exists only in Sindh and not in other provinces. In fact, it exists in the roots of our beloved country.
In some cases, corruption is mainly a component that is easier to accuse or to defame the leadership. It is also often used as a tool to alter the governance approach, a political gimmick, and to corner the individual in reality. We have several examples to quote, whether we talk about the references of President Zardari, Faryal Talpur, Mian Nawaz Sharif, or Maryam Nawaz. However, I will quote a statement that defines the dual standards of governance. President Zardari stated that the Sense of deprivation in Sindh exists because the province’s domicile is considered the weakest in the country.
PPP and PML-N have been allies in the past and still chose to stand against one another on several issues. In the current situation of Iran-US Peace talks, it feels like the “Ace of Spades” is being deliberately cornered outside the deck of the foreign negotiation table, or it could be the president’s personal choice. In this context, the Chairman of the PPP is seen defending Pakistan’s narrative on the international media platforms. The president’s absence created a sense of doubt towards the acrimonious continuation of political alignment between both PML-N & PPP. The confusion of this controversy is circulating on social media platforms. In reality, I have been a critic of the PECA Act, mainly its Section 26(A), which punishes fake news & misinformation, but currently, the journalistic fraternity is unable to ascertain the reality behind this controversy. Whereas, President Zardari fled to China, accompanied by Several representatives of Sindh province, including Sr. Minister of Information & Transport & Chief Secretary, on an official visit. The alignment between the ruling parties remains intact. Continuation in the progress of civil-military relations is a testament to this past acrimonious controversy.
Despite the allies’ or political partnership alignment controversies, the Province of Sindh has been at the media’s center of the stage because of the ruling party’s internal rifts, misconduct, misunderstandings, and lack of confidence in fellow members of the party. Simultaneously, the PML-N provincial leadership is also facing the same crisis. Recent controversy between PML-N’s provincial president and Governor Sindh has unfolded the internal animosity. However, the sources also say “PML-N Sindh President Bashir Memon & Jam Karam Ali will be appointed for an important task designated by the PML-N government.”
Recently, the news was circulating that, amid a central executive committee meeting, the president had offered and suggested Faryal Talpur Sahiba to retain and hold a portfolio and become a part of the cabinet. However, the prominent members of the cabinet have been suffering through a bashing tactic of opposition & media trial. Undoubtedly, the developments in every aspect have been delivered by the provincial government, but it’s not up to the mark of populist necessity.
The internal differences have not only impacted the grounds, but they have also impacted the working relations between members of the government and the opposition. On one side, we have to appreciate the members and the speaker of the provincial assembly for their commendable support in terms of forming constitutional committees over several issues, including Education & employments. Whereas, at the same time, I have to oppose the rules & regulation constituted to protect the speaker & custodian of the house, and that’s where the “Law vs Justice” dilemma comes to the forefront. The differences between the Speaker & Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee over the secretary’s transfer were lawfully proceeded by upholding the democratic right of the Speaker, while learning that justice was denied by refusing to accept a formal request to withdraw the transfer notification by a senior politician & provincial president of the same political party that holds the political upper hand outside the assembly.
Similarly, Hyderabad city is also facing the same crisis over the mayorship. People often compare the political families that are involved in this scuffled internal crisis. Whereas, the comparison should be between the current mayor & the person who is trying to retain the mayorship. Rawal Sharjeel Memon has been a controversial figure, just like his father. In the past, he was also one of the candidates for Hyderabad’s mayorship. If we compare it with the political activities & governance, and understanding of development works, Rawal Sharjeel Memon has been ahead of the current mayor in all of the aspects that are required by the Hyderabad region. However, the entire situation is dependent on the region’s sr. politician Moula Bux Chandio, who I believe is going to act as a mediator & stand in the favor of Memon. This particular rift has shown that the allegations of corruption are not limited to the political rivals, but this allegation can also be raised by fellow members of the same political party. This is also a testament that it serves as a component or tool to beat fellow members or the actual opponent. In this intensifying internal crisis, the media also tried to dig & drag the other PPP fellow members & their alleged close team members to blow the same heat.
In Karachi, we have been hearing a rhetoric of corruption & negligence in development works from the very beginning. We have also witnessed the dramatic, abusive, and disguised politicians at the KMC Meeting. However, the ruling party’s president in Karachi seems to have taken a step back in defending the party’s political narrative. The mayor as an individual cannot run the city’s development and political matters simultaneously. Another Interested thing that was hidden to an extent came into the limelight is the political entry of Junaid Saleem in Lyari & Jameel Soomro in Larkana. The JJ & LL factor is actually the Chairman’s strategy to directly or indirectly intervene in the Hometown of PPP. However, the workers & local members of the party criticized this intervention through the chairman’s teams. The workers do not question the intentions of JJ’s. In one way, the workers’ criticism portrays their preference & believe towards the chairman and not his team. However, the intellectuals believe that, as the closest team members of the Chairman, they will not be able to take care of the constituency matters properly & being closer to the chairman gives them an edge over the fellow members or governance machinery, unlike other members of the party. In addition, Larkana’s subtle shift in policies of politics to regain the confidence of the Bhutto dynasty is a powerful move towards democracy. Whereas, the questions will arise whether this Bhutto dynastic politics is going to sustain in the Larkana region or not. Jr. Zulfiqar Bhutto’s remarks portray that he can meet & greet considering PPP Chairman as a member of the Bhutto family, and yet! Refuse to join his political wing.
In this crisis, other political rivals of the provincial ruling party seem to take advantage of the internal curtailed politics. Specifically, the Grand Democratic Alliance has been politically active in the rural areas of Sindh. We all have heard the remarks of Moazzam Abbasi alongside Ismail Shah Rashidi. A couple of years back, in one of the wedding ceremonies I witnessed, sitting Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and Ismail Shah Rashidi on the same table while I was waiting for the provincial president of PPP to arrive. As a newcomer of the industry, we all try to turn the events into an opportunity of inquiring the political situation. At that time, I just wanted to ask them what if PML-F joins the PPP as an ally in Sindh or PML-N in the federal. In that case, what’s left in the GDA?
According to the PPP’s General Secretary of Sindh, PML-F has been an ally of the PPP in the province. However, they are also part of the same system, and they just want a political share in the cabinet. Even if we shake hands, nothing is going to change. This was an unofficial conversation with GS at the PPP Secretariat back in 2024.
Conclusion to the editorial shows that with the shifting of political dynamics, Sindh requires a stagnant political alignment in the federal & simultaneously, the ruling parties had to take notice of the ongoing internal crisis and resolve the matters. In this whole crisis, PPP leadership and the Chief Minister’s role in terms of Financial & Administrative management is considered the topmost priority for accommodation to the grievances of fellow & opposition party members and to reduce allegations of a corrupt governance system.
