Same old troubles, Pakistani elections

Nothing seems to have changed for the better in the isle we struggle to exist in. Prices of all goods are very high; even middle-class families are falling below the poverty line; most politicians, particularly the self-seekers, are living grand and not departing from their usual tricks; strikes by various groups staged constantly; the President indulges in globetrotting; media is being suppressed.

Thick skinned medical criminal

The only dimly bright spot is that tourists are visiting this country in large numbers. We hope among them are at least a few high spenders, but even the others do bring in foreign currency.

Another bright spot is the at-last handcuffing of the ex-Minister of Health though of course given VIP treatment even in Welikada – straight to greater freedom in the prison hospital and with home food supplied.  Maybe, just maybe, in his solitude away from powerful protectors, security personnel and sycophants, sunk in comfort, his eye may see prison walls and a stark immediate future. His mind may turn to reflect on things past and he may ponder why he is incarcerated though with comfort assured unlike other prison inmates.

Then it may be that visions of past deeds will pass through his mind: how as Minister of Health he submitted papers to the Cabinet reporting falsely a shortage of drugs looming ahead of perpetually ill Sri Lanka. He is given the green light to go to India and do emergency purchasing while there really was no shortage.  Medicines, etc., are ordered in bulk by him and by others under his very eye, which should have remained open.

A consignment of fake immunoglobulin is procured. He may see patients writhing in pain after being injected and die when they could have been easily cured. They died to pump illicit money into doctors’ and administrators’ pockets, ranging from the highest – himself? Yet again, his skin being so crocodile thick and his mind so grossly insensitive, he may be mentally counting his money stashed safely here and there. Not a spasm of guilt or regret or fear of the hereafter. He had the audacity to say that not all people who entered hospitals recovered, and that was why there were funeral parlours near hospitals.

Merciless, pigheaded strikers

Don’t people in this country realize that we are bankrupt and a failed state with an economy that has hit rock bottom? Of course, they do. Some families do with no extra food items, new clothes or bits of entertainment. Other families have just one meal a day; some even only scraps every day. Babies cry for milk and malnourishment visits homes like Death itself, enmeshing children for life. We who can afford three meals a day and to maintain certain standards in life are well aware of the suffering of people, so that our minds are not at peace; there resides no hope in hearts.

   However, there are Sri Lankans who do not realize how low our country has sunk when it could very well have been a wonderful country full of resources and with happy, healthy, clever citizens. Who are these utterly insensitive and self-centered people? Many VIPs one can shout out. Politicians next. And work strikers will be the third shout to be immediately followed by the scream – particularly health workers. At the time of writing, health workers belonging to 72 trade unions: nurses, midwives, pharmacists et al., who are employees of the health sector, are on a prolonged strike.

Demanding what? Enhanced allowances added to their salaries. From whom do they demand extra payment? From the government which is bankrupt and just beginning to collect some money with repayment of loans menacingly looming in the near future.  Even little kindergarten children know this truth. So surely these strikers know it too.

Do they want money printed with all its inherent dangers? Didn’t previous governments pander to spendthrift leaders with huge egos who wanted to perpetuate their names by constructing colossal buildings; ensured luxury living for MPs; acceded to voters’ demands and printed money? That alone pushed us over the precipice of economic stability.

   To cap it all rumours float that President Wickremesinghe is bent on not holding elections. He has sunk in people’s opinion from Mr Clean. They gave this dishonor to Prez Sirisena who changed political partners by dishing MR and joining RW, then electing MR as PM over RW’s rightful claim to the post. Now, they say the nephew has surpassed the Old Fox. So very sad that many of us had hopes in this educated, well-read son of a prestigious and upright family to be the statesman we longed for and sorely needed. Our hopes have been dashed.

Political situation in Pakistan

   In the February 8 elections in Pakistan, Imran Khan’s P.T.I. backed candidates won 91 seats, Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N won 76 and the PPP Party headed by Arif Ali Zardari in which his son, Bilawil Bhutto Zardari contested, gained 54 seats of the total 265.

    Imran Khan and wife Bibi are in prison on many charges brought against Khan mostly. His created party Tehehreek-e-Insaf – P.T.I. – was barred from contesting since the EC condemned the party as incorrectly registering itself. Mainly through social media, party members and others rallied round and as seen from results gained most votes; people voting for more democracy and less military control. However, the tide has turned against the winning party with a coalition government being worked out between the PML-N and PPP coming together.

It was earlier said that Zardari was rooting for his son to be PM. However as of Wednesday February 14, the Prime Minister is to be Nawaz Sharif’s younger brother – Shehbaz Sharif, 72 of age, and a rich businessman dealing mainly with steel. Foreign newscasts showed Nawaz Sharif’s daughter very prominently beside her father. Maybe she was suggested as the coalition’s leader but seems to have had to make way for her uncle.

   Most expected the PML-N to win a majority easily as it is backed by the military, “which has frequently engineered electoral outcomes. In a stunning upset, candidates allied with Imran Khan routed the two longstanding major parties, defying months-long military crackdown on their own party and delivering a sharp rebuke to the country’s generals.” Another foreign newspaper noted: “After days of wrangling, the parties run by political dynasties, joined forces and will nominate Shehbaz Sharif as PM. P.T.I. accused the military of vote tampering and forming a government with stolen votes.”

Arif Ali Zardari, widower of slain Benazir Bhutto, is tipped to be President of the country, which he earlier was from 2008 to 2013.There are significant similarities between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, more than similarities that exist between this country with other South Asian nations. Dissimilarities too are many. One major one is that Pakistan still has a democratic, loyal and honest politician in Imran Khan. Whom has Sri Lanka got? No one as of now.

There are many honest and loyal and selfless MPs and politicians, but a potential statesman as Imran Khan is, is nowhere to be seen. Fortunes of even nations change. Nothing is permanent. Thus, many Pakistanis, the young more especially, await the day when the military is made to lose its all-encompassing power and Imran Khan is free to come forth to lead his country to greater prosperity. We in Sri Lanka are without any hope.