Within the Shakespearean tragedy - Macbeth, the crux of the lines: "Fair is foul, and foul is fair", suggests a reversal of moral values and a blurring of the lines between good and evil. The phrase, spoken by witches in Act 1, Scene 1, "fair" means good or beautiful, while "foul" means bad or ugly. Hence, what the witches mean to say is that what is normally considered good is actually bad, and what is normally considered bad is actually good. This phrase sets the tone for the rest of the play, which explores themes of moral ambiguity, chaos, and the destruction of social and moral norms. It implies that nothing is as it seems and that appearances can be deceiving.
In essence, the phrase "fair is foul, and foul is fair" suggests:
- Appearances can be deceiving
- Moral values are relative
- Good and evil are not fixed or absolute
- Chaos and disorder can reign supreme
Recently, a five-member bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, unanimously reinstated the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Amendment Bill. The court ruled that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was unable to prove that the NAB Amendment Bill - introduced by his successors, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) administration, had violated the Constitution. In his ruling, Chief Justice Isa noted that while the NAB law does not cover the judiciary and certain institutions or individuals, no amendments had been made to address this. Through the judgement, the bench affirmed that the Parliament was the appropriate forum to enact legislation.
On the heels of the apex court's judgement, PTI founder Imran Khan's legal team lost no time and knocked on the door of the top court and submitted a plea for the former prime minister's acquittal with an accountability court in the £190 million reference, citing restoration of (NAB) Amendment Bill. The bill, which Imran Khan had long dubbed as foul, contravening the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution, was now being deemed fair as it potentially paved the way for legal relief. The court, however, threw out the plea filed by PTI's lawyers, ensuring that they suffered a second consecutive bloodied nose after they failed to challenge the jurisdiction of the former.
Pointing to this volte-face by the PTI leadership, Najam Ali shamed PTI supporters having posted on the microblogging platform 'X' (formerly known as Twitter): "He (Imran Khan) has filed an appeal under the same amendments that he had vociferously opposed. How many of my PTI friends will condemn him for being a naked opportunist. Let me check your moral and ethical standing." Najam added that if no condemnation was forthcoming, PTI and Imran Khan supporters should check themselves before complaining about naked opportunism and the lack of a rule of law in the country.
"The politics of confrontation, long pursued by the PTI leadership has muddied the political waters and subsequently brought in its wake a tug of war between the centre and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), captained by the hawkish Ali Amin Gandapur. At a recent power show staged by his party on the outskirts of Islamabad, the KP chief minister used derogatory language against his counterpart from Punjab, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) Maryam Nawaz and some female journalists, which shocked every progressive mind in the country. Realising that the winds of approbation were caused by the contemptuous verbal content of Gandapur, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali tendered an unconditional apology. To one's utter dismay, the jailed PTI supremo Imran Khan opted to throw his political weight behind the foul-mouthed Gandapur, terming his hateful remarks the voice of the masses.
The 1991 IRSA agreement bears the signatures of all provincial chief ministers, and any amendment to the IRSA Act was unacceptable to the people of Sindh
Following Gandapur's obscene remarks, the PTI was roundly admonished for persistently granting space to misogynistic bullies within party ranks. "Make no mistake: Ali Amin Gandaur's misogynist remarks against Maryam Nawaz and women journalists are representative of PTI's conduct when it is in power. May this party of misogynistic bullies never rule Pakistan again," said journalist Ailia Zehra. She added that the voters need introspection when electing people into power. Imagine the acrimony prevailing in the National Assembly such that a special committee had to be formed to ensure the smooth functioning of the forum. Province, party, and person-centred laws have been formulated and implemented by the respective parliamentary corps.
Iron fists unleashed upon political opponents through politically motivated accountability have historically proven counter-productive. Those who were witch-hunted when in opposition have become the witch-hunters upon their turn in power. A political circus is playing out in Pakistan, where the clowns keep changing, but the agenda remains the same. It would not be an exaggeration to infer that this unprofessional and tainted lot does not deserve the perks and privileges they receive as members of Parliament.
Water shares and consulting provinces
Lost amongst the political bickering has been an integral discord on the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) Act. Recent amendments to the law have sparked alarm amongst lower riparian provinces who termed it an attempt to take away their share of water to bolster pursuits of corporate farming. This episode betrays the tale of deep-rooted and historical mistrust regarding water distribution and alleged water theft. Academics, progressive minds, nationalists, and Abadgar Associations have severely criticised the coercive move known as the IRSA Act.
Sindh and Balochistan have railed against the IRSA Act. The Sindh Assembly unanimously passed a resolution against the federal government's plans to amend the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) Act. The resolution stated that the 1991 IRSA agreement bears the signatures of all provincial chief ministers, and any amendment to the IRSA Act was unacceptable to the people of Sindh. Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, who moved the resolution, said Sindh should be allowed to store its water and expressed sorrow over the underutilisation of the province's resources. He further expressed concerns that amendments to the IRSA Act would adversely impact the water accord and reiterated that no changes would be acceptable without consulting the provinces.
Economy - a collaborative effort
Recently, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif minced no words, stating that externally, support from China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE was instrumental in getting Pakistan over the line in securing a bailout loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The question arises: How long will bilateral relationships bail out a country drowning in circular debt due to decades of fiscal imprudence, causing multiple economic crises?
Reportedly, the IMF had expressed displeasure over the subsidy given in electricity bills by the Punjab government and subsequently asked the federal government to ensure its end to secure the loan. The fund further demanded that no provincial government should be allowed to offer such relief in utility bills.
However, a complication has arisen: the IMF implied that the provinces turn in surplus budgets by simply not fully utilising their budgets. KP's Gandapur attempted to throw a spanner into the works by making no promise to abide by that commitment.
The thought of additional taxes atop runaway inflation has caused many sleepless nights for Pakistan's cash-strapped and economically stressed public
To add to Pakistan's economic headaches, the United States of America has threatened to impose sanctions upon Pakistan if it chooses to import cheaper gas from Iran.
In the meantime, the political market is rife with rumours that the incumbent government will introduce a mini-budget to meet tax revenue targets for the ongoing fiscal year as agreed with the IMF. The sword of a nearly Rs100 billion shortfall in the tax collection target continues to hang over the government even as it wrapped up a new $7 billion loan from the global lender. The thought of additional taxes atop runaway inflation has caused many sleepless nights for Pakistan's cash-strapped and economically stressed public.
Whisking away lawmakers
It beggars belief that several PTI lawmakers were whisked away from the premises of the Parliament, angering members of Parliament on both sides of the aisle. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari remarked, "As you sow, so shall you reap."
He did, however, call for restraint.
A certain newspaper quoted PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali as warning the relevant quarters on the floor of the house that if Imran Khan asks his followers to take to the streets, people would forget Bangladesh - a veiled reference to the potential dislodging of former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her government in Bangladesh by angry mobs just a few months ago.
Thinning the province, federation divide
Former premier Imran Khan also continues to tilt at windmills. Apparently, in defiance of federal authorities, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur recently floated the idea of unilaterally engaging with Afghanistan on the issue of terrorism in the province.
Motivated by petty political games, politicians with varying degrees of support have polarised Pakistan. Stoking the fire called polarisation, they have roasted chaos in the country. But only they have the power to put out this fire
The plan of brokering bilateral talks between a provincial government and a foreign country was slammed by former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar, who said that the idea that every province pursues individual foreign policy was 'idiotic'. Elaborating her point, she said, "Let [the] state be state. If every province starts pursuing their own foreign policy, it would be tantamount to challenging the Constitution. Foreign policy is entirely a federal subject."
Cracks among allies
While addressing the PTI power show in Sangjiani, on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai allegedly expressed his displeasure over the unruliness of PTI's supporters and party members and dismissed their prospect of bringing about a revolution. Their casual attitude and irresponsibility irritated him to the core.
Motivated by petty political games, politicians with varying degrees of support have polarised Pakistan. Stoking the fire called polarisation, they have roasted chaos in the country. But only they have the power to put out this fire.
As the politicians bicker over what directly benefits them, Balochistan has been burning. KP, while tackling the serious issue of terrorism, has been in defiance and denial. Meanwhile, as the world contemplates innovation in technology, scientific advancement, climate adaptation, and space exploration, those in Pakistani power corridors are busy undermining the Parliament, ensuring ideological control, elite capture, and the capture of agriculture through corporate farming, and intruding into the private lives of people through the alleged installation of a firewall on the national internet service. The constitutional package, that never made it to Parliament, has been delayed to secure the 'magic number' of parliamentarians to pass it. No rocket science is required to ascertain just how this 'magic number' would be coaxed or coerced into supporting it, but one can firmly imagine a carrot-and-stick approach.
PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif has decided to end his political hibernation and activate party members by holding rallies across the country to shore up support for the party, whose popularity has taken a nose dive. What Nawaz Sharif and Co have failed to realise is that their brand of drawing-room politics is dead. Trying to revive the party with seasonal political gatherings is akin to flogging a dead horse. The PML-N-led coalition's economic arrangements and political agenda have ceased to strike a chord with the public. PM Shehbaz Sharif recently admitted to burdening the masses, especially the salaried class, through his government's economic policies.
Today, the PML-N is fragmented, and watching its footprints leaving Punjab is depressing. It typifies another example of those who use the shoulders of their powerful backers to reach the higher echelons of power but lack the courage to challenge the forces undermining the Parliament and democracy. Until Pakistan's political leaders cultivate political courage and prioritise good over evil as fixed or absolute values, chaos and disorder will reign supreme.