TARIQ ALI : 'NGOS HAVE TAKEN PEOPLE AWAY FROM POLITICS'
Sebastian Rodrigues | Sun Mar 26 10:56:25 UCT 2006
By: Zofeen T Ebrahim
SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2006
Q: What is the relevance of WSF in Pakistan?
A. We are not used to listening to a lot of voices, so it is a good thing. But if you think this well-intentioned forum will bring about new social movements, then it won't as these can only start from the grassroots. But it brings together people to exchange opinions and share the state of social movements, especially those in Latin America which have taken over governments and are in open revolt against the U.S. empire, which is very useful. I don't know what's expected, but it's good to have a forum like this. While I don't like to damp down the enthusiasm, expectations should not be high as nothing phenomenal will come out from this event. I wish there was a more regional presence though with China,Malaysia etc, especially China, where the peasant movement is gaining ground and the working class anger has surfaced.
Q: Will the holding of the WSF in Pakistan affect the military positively or negatively?
A. It won't affect them at all. With this civilian veneer that they cover themselves up with, it won't disturb (them).
Q: Can democracy in Pakistan evolve out of something as undemocratic as the military regime in power now?
A. No, I don't think it can. Pakistan is encountering a sad cycle of political leadership alternating with military intervention. The pattern is all too familiar. Military regimes get rid of political parties who have, in turn, disappointed its people. This is the third big military coup when the men in uniform come saying they are there to clean up and then hang on. Not a good cycle at all because the alternative, the tiny elite, still controls the masses.
Q: Is there a solution out of this quagmire?
A. The cycle has to be broken like it was in Latin America; Venezuela, for example.
Q: With the 2007 elections just round the corner, do you foresee a change after all?
A. Most probably the elections will be rigged. If this done too openly, it may trigger an uprising.
Q: So you think elections will be used to give military a certain legitimacy?
A. Absolutely. It will be misused and the pattern to follow will be the same with them (military) forming a political party the Pakistan Muslim League is forever up for sale. Unfortunately, we don't even have a serious opposition.
Q: Are the people of Pakistan to be blamed for the soup they are in?
A. I don't like to put the blame on the people. They try everything and then their hopes are dashed. This is again a pattern we are following since the 60s when we had a popular government (Pakistan People's Party). Instead of crushing the tiny sector of industry, they would've been well advised to have destroyed the power of the landlords like the Congress, in India, did.
Q: Have non-governmental organisations (NGOs) helped in getting the voices of the grassroots across?
A. We can't generalize, but by and large, NGOs have taken people away from politics. It's a misnomer, and I like to think of them as WGOs Western Governmental Organizations. This is not just peculiar to Pakistan but all over the globe. Nevertheless this is not a substitute for political process. It's not real politics; it's virtual politics.
Q: Do you see light at the end of the tunnel?
A. Not really. Till we do away with dynastic politics, which in itself is a sign of desperation on the part of the people, not much will change.
Q: You seem pessimistic?
A. Realistically speaking, the situation is dismal. I belong to this country but I don't want to be wrongly optimistic. Frankly, I am totally disgusted by what I see. Even after so many years, the citizens of the country have not been provided with basic education and I'm not talking about the downtrodden. Even the middle layer is denied this right.
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