President Zardari's transformation

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President Zardari has been frequently targeted by the media whether being the head of the Pakistan Peoples Party or as president. His politics has become the subject of innumerable commentaries touching at times the boundaries of impoliteness.

While offering their views on political issues being tackled by the democratic government a few commentators even suggest unconstitutional remedies which have historically been responsible for political instability, disintegration and miscarriage of socio-economic justice in the country.

The most recent commentaries are a kind of a satire about the person of President Zardari, who, in their wisdom, has outmatched Mian Nawaz Sharif, and also outplayed the extra-constitutional forces. The crux of this argument hinges on their frustration at the equilibrium attained by the country's polity in allowing room to all stakeholders to play their constitutional role - be they in the opposition or the armed forces.

One can ignore these immature vibes for lack of democratic experience and journalistic ethics to indulge in informed debate that contributes to enriching democratic culture. It falls on the political parties to train their cadres in political debate which while promoting tolerance and respect for opponent views also is committed to honouring electoral mandate to a party or parties to implement their manifestos.

Nowhere have these analysts ever commented on President Zardari's humbleness and reconciliatory approach in dealing with his interlocutors whether they are from big or small parties. In fact he has been following the legacy of national reconciliation of martyred Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in letter and spirit. He has laid the foundation of a political culture which is tolerant of opposition views and pursues an inclusive policy in decision making and encourages equitable distribution of socio-economic justice across the board. Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is an example set by the government to provide succour to the most needy without discrimination.

Consequently, the PPP-led coalition government can claim with pride that ever since its advent no individual has faced persecution; in fact there are no political prisoners in the country. Despite being in opposition, Mian Nawaz Sharif's party PML (N) is running the biggest province of the country with Shahbaz Sharif as Chief Minister. Despite being a major opposition leader Mian Sahib does not want a change through the back door and supports continuation of democracy.

Objective analysts would appreciate the fact that for the first time in our checkered history the present government would be completing its full tenure. No political party is hobnobbing through unconstitutional means to topple the government because there is realization amongst the major political parties that we can change a civilian government after five years but the same is not true with the praetorian dispensation.

Hopefully, cynics and others who are out there to undermine democracy do laud the great quality of leadership shown by President Zardari following the assassination of martyred Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto on December 27, 2007 when Pakistan was plunged in a fire that could have rendered the federation to ashes.

Similarly following its manifesto and Charter of Democracy, the PPP government has successfully implemented political reforms such as 18th and 19th Amendments in the constitution, introduced special package for Balochistan and successfully concluded the National Finance Award, established a new province Gilgit-Baltistan as long demanded by the people.

It is the new political order never experienced in the past introduced by President Zardari that today our Parliament is sovereign, judiciary is independent, media is free, civil society is very active and all the institutions of the state are working together for consolidating democracy and rule of law.

Some critics have even accused him of being arrogant while as President he has proved himself to be humblest of humbles. Literally and politically he is implementing - the Bhutto legacy of national reconciliation. Rather, almost all the major political parties are shareholders in power in a coalition government - a phenomenon only practised in advance political societies - for the first time successfully implemented in Pakistan as never done before by even national leaders with greater experience.

There are no serious political elements in the country interested in rocking the boat. There is a consensus that change must come through elections and not through extra-constitutional interventions. Despite previous gory history of army interventions, armed forces as an institution are playing their constitutional role subservient to the sovereignty of the Parliament. Conjectures of army wanting to move in are just figment of wildest imagination by those who do not want democracy to take roots and usher prosperity in Pakistan.

In the economic sector, despite grave challenges due to terrorism, floods as well as acute energy crisis the present government's economic policies have started giving positive results. The government's fiscal and financial discipline has been acknowledged by the IMF and the World Bank. The overall performance has been satisfactory, with 40 per cent rise in exports ($27 billion); robust foreign exchange reserves ($18 billion); highest level of remittances by Pakistani Diaspora ($12 billion) and a bullish trend in stock market (12000 points). The government could have performed much better had we been saved of devastating floods and not inherited a legacy of power shortages.

And we should not forget that we are faced with grave challenges due to terrorists while instability in Afghanistan is an added factor to our domestic woes. Even on this count the government through its consensus policy has succeeded in turning the tables against obscurantist forces and proved those doomsayers wrong who were out to declare Pakistan a failed state.

It was through national consensus built by the PPP government that our armed forces could launch successful operations in Swat and Malakand and re-established government's writ. Again this government proved wrong those international friends who assessed a "mortal threat" to Pakistan, fearing that "Taliban were just 60 miles away from Islamabad".

If Zardari has proved himself to be a master chess-player in politics, it should not be considered derogatory. He is fully seized of national politics, its currents and cross currents and has proved his political acumen beyond expectations of his critics. He deserves to be praised for it and not criticised. Outsmarting opponents without resorting to intimidation or hitting them below the belt is the name of the game in politics.

(The writer is Pakistan's High Commissioner in London)