Topic Of The Day:-“Problem with this ‘narrative’”
The military, which now refers to itself as ‘the institution’, has helped build a simplified narrative to justify its constant intervention in political matters as well as to explain Pakistan’s myriad problems. According to this narrative, civilian politicians are incompetent and corrupt, which is the only reason the military needs to periodically intervene to set things right. There is no explanation for how politicians would ever learn the art of governance if they are to be constantly corrected by unelected generals and judges.
Another part of ‘the narrative’ is the notion that Pakistan’s dysfunction and periodic economic crises are the result of the massive corruption by civilians. Imran Khan and his supporters have been advancing that simplified narrative. Their message finds resonance with those who want to believe that once kickbacks on large projects and their corrupt practices are eliminated, Pakistan would somehow become the land of milk and honey.
There is, of course, no justification or excuse for corruption but Pakistan has been ill-served with the ‘corruption is the only problem’ over-simplification. Since at least 1990, it has become an excuse to gloss over more significant policy issues that hold Pakistan back. Corruption has been exposed in many countries, from Iceland to China but none of them is as dysfunctional as Pakistan.
Limiting national discourse to a discussion of corruption makes it impossible for Pakistanis to discuss how jihadi ideology and religious extremism are leading to Pakistan’s isolation. Similarly, Pakistan’s slow growth in exports, for example, is hardly a function of corruption. It reflects low productivity and inadequate value addition which are consequences of poor human capital development and failure to attract investment, among other factors.
Pakistan is the sixth largest country in the world in terms of population, has the sixth largest army in the world, and possesses one of the largest nuclear arsenals. Yet, it has the highest infant mortality rate; more than one-third of its children between the age of 5 and 15 are out of school. The country’s GDP on a nominal basis ranks 40 out of nearly 200 countries while its GDP per capita stands at 158 out of 216 countries and territories, according to World Bank data.
None of these facts, however, has found any mention in the election campaign of any Pakistani political party. Although Mr. Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have at least cared to publish detailed manifestos, Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) published its manifesto on Monday, July 9, less than 20 days before the election. The party feels it only needs Mr. Khan’s charisma and the outrage against corruption or enemies of Pakistan to claim voters’ loyalty.
MEANINGS AND WORDS
1) Wield
Meaning: Have and be able to use (power or influence).
Example: “Faction leaders wielded enormous influence within the party”
Synonyms: Exercise, Exert
2) Allegations
Meaning: A claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proof.
Example: “He made allegations of corruption against the administration”
Synonyms: Claim, Assertion
3) Invoking
Meaning: Cite or appeal to (someone or something) as an authority for an action or in support of an argument.
Example: “The antiquated defence of insanity is rarely invoked in England”
Synonyms: Cite, Adduce
Antonyms: Waive
4) Spectre
Meaning: Something widely feared as a possible unpleasant or dangerous occurrence.
Example: “The spectre of nuclear holocaust”
Synonyms: Threat, Menace
5) Intervention
Meaning: Interference by a state in another’s affairs.
Example: “The government was reported to be considering military intervention”
Synonyms: Involvement, Intercession
6) Temptation
Meaning: The desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise.
Example: “He resisted the temptation to call Celia at the office”
Synonyms: Desire, Urge
7) Ideological
Meaning: Based on or relating to a system of ideas and ideals, especially concerning economic or political theory and policy.
Example: “The ideological struggle that underpinned the cold war”
8) Extremism
Meaning: The holding of extreme political or religious views; fanaticism.
Example: “The dangers of religious extremism”
Synonyms: Fanaticism, Radicalism
Antonyms: Moderation
9) Conviction
Meaning: A formal declaration by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge in a court of law that someone is guilty of a criminal offence.
Example: “She had a previous conviction for a similar offence”
Synonyms: Sentence, Judgement
Antonyms: Acquittal
10) Martyr
Meaning: A person who suffers very much or is killed because of their religious or political beliefs, and is often admired because of it.
Example: “She fought against racism all her life and died a martyr to the cause”
11) Standing up
Meaning: If an idea or some information stands up, it is proved to be true or correct.
Example: “Their argument won’t stand up to detailed criticism”
12) Judicious
Meaning: Having, showing, or done with good judgement or sense.
Example: “The judicious use of public investment”
Synonyms: Wise, Canny
Antonyms: Injudicious, Foolish
13) Adjudicator
Meaning: A person who adjudicates.
Example: “The proposal to close the school will have to go before an adjudicator”
Synonyms: Arbitrator, Arbiter
14) Scarcity
Meaning: The state of being scarce or in short supply; shortage.
Example: “A time of scarcity”
Synonyms: Shortage, Dearth
Antonyms: Abundance, Excess
15) Exchequer
Meaning: A royal or national treasury.
Example: “An important source of revenue to the sultan’s exchequer”
16) Wrongdoing
Meaning: Illegal or dishonest behaviour.
Example: “Police have denied any wrongdoing”
Synonyms: Crime, Misconduct
17) Perceptions
Meaning: Intuitive understanding and insight.
Example: “‘He wouldn’t have accepted,’ said my mother with unusual perception”
Synonyms: Insight, Percipience
18) Unjust
Meaning: Not based on or behaving according to what is morally right and fair.
Example: “Resistance to unjust laws”
Synonyms: Biased, Unfair
Antonyms: Just, Fair
19) Prosecutions
Meaning: The institution and conducting of legal proceedings against someone in respect of a criminal charge.
Example: “The organizers are facing prosecution for noise nuisance”
20) Malfeasance
Meaning: An example of dishonest and illegal behaviour, especially by a person in authority.
Example: “Several cases of malpractice and malfeasance in the financial world are currently being investigated”
