Election 2018: No end for Dynastic Politics in Pakistan
Political system in Pakistan seems to be driven by the blemished concept of dynastic politics
As the Big League of Politics defines it;
“Inherited politics refers to a political pattern where legislative positions are seen as being conferred by or based on inheritance from a parent or grandparent in some sense”
Pakistan has been involved in the practice of succession planning and innate politics. Since General Elections of 1970, the entire political system in Pakistan seems to be driven by the blemished concept of dynastic or inherited politics.
Inherited politics comes in multiple forms and almost all of the prominent political parties of Pakistan are somewhat associated with the dynastic policies. Dominant of these forms are Feudal system, Tribal system and Caste system. These systems have been practiced in region for ages. Electoral politics in Pakistan has remained largely a family enterprise. A limited number of families continue to dominate Pakistan’s legislatures.
The Bhutto Family. Photo: File
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The Bigwigs of Sharif Familt: Photo: File
Election 2018 also brings a number of politicians and/or aspiring politicians to compete for the House of Power and Puisance. The common goal is to gain the control of state patronage and strengthen the family interests.
Bhuttos, Chaudhary Jatt, Gabol, Gujjars, Jadoon, Khar Jat, Khattaks, Khattar, Khokhars, Leghari, Marwats, Saifullah Khan family, Bangash, Mazari, Mian Family of Baghbanpura, Mohmand, Myer Minhas Rajput, Noon family, Pirzadas, Qazi family, Rana, Rao, Sharif, Soomro, Tareen, Zardaris, Talpurs, Makhdooms, Sardars, Jatois and many more are the most prominent political high up families in Pakistan politics
Clans, tribes, caste and biradaries play an umbilical role in remaining in power business through elections.
The Zardari Family. Photo: File
Feudalism and Pakistan
Feudalism, the Jageerdarana Nizaam, as defined by the giants of socialism refers to the power and influence of a relatively small group of active and powerful land owners. We can call it a favorite boogie of the urban educated elite.
Feudalism traces its origin back to Mughal Empire and British Colonizers. Since then, the feudal lords are engaged in exploiting the residents such as local police refusing to pursue charges against them even in heinous crimes, enslaving the naïve locals in private prisons and benefitting from an ultimate regional power with no accountability.
This feudal system and the inherited politics go hand in hand since ages. Many of the feudal lords have stepped into Pakistani politics and after making successful careers in it, are making headway for their next generations. Feudalism is quite existed in all the regions of Pakistan but Sindh is considered as a heaven for feudal lords.
The most prominent among is the Bhutto family in Sindh, an epic example of feudal-style democracy practicing inherited politics since a century. The idea of a Bhutto course has taken hold as member after member of the dynasty. Starting from Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto of British Era to the resume of political engagement of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto as a Blue Eye Boy of Gen. Ayub Khan to the dynamic and outspoken as father, daughter Benazir Bhutto, the inherited politics is now entering into a new phase. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the young Bhutto is now in the race of acquiring power and political gain.
Bilawal is all set to debut in power politics. Photo: File
Likewise, Makhdoom family holds a significant position in the history of inherited politics. Makhdoom Ameen Faheem was elected as a member national assembly for eight consecutive terms. After his death in 2015, his son Makhdoom Jamil al zaman was elected as member national assembly from the same constituency as his father. Third generation of this family is about to start its political career by Mahboob al zaman, the son of Jamil al zaman and grandson of Ameen Fahim who is contesting for general elections 2018.
Heading on, Raazi khan Jatoi, the son of former minister Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi would be contesting elections from constituency PS 35 to play his part in inherited politics. Similarly, Dawood Jatoi, son of former minister Abdul Qayyum Jatoi, is contesting 2018 elections from NA 186 as an independent candidate. Muazzam khan jatoi from the same family has also served as a former minister.
Other high up feudal dynasties engaged in inherited politics from this region are Khoros, Maliks, Jats, Talpurs, sardars, khars, and Arbabs and their successors are also up for elections 2018.
Also Read: Elections 2018: BigWigs of dynastic politics to contest against each other
Tribalism and Pakistan
Where Sindh has been a home to feudalism, the provinces of Balochistan and KPK have faced multiple forms of aerial tribalism and held their part in inherited politics in Pakistan.
These tribes consist of large clans and the rule to rule is “majority is authority”. They support a specific political family in each elections and the number of people present in these tribes are more than enough to get their member a seat in the relevant assembly.
For an instance, the Mengals in Balochistan. Sardar Ataullah Mengal was the first tribal leader to hold a seat in Pakistani government. Following his footsteps, his son Sardar Akhtar Mengal became the Chief Minister of Balochistan. After him, Raouf Mengal also won the national assembly seat from Khuzdar.
Photo: File
Another example can be Ali Gohar Baloch, younger brother of Ali Rajab Baloch contesting elections from constituency NA 104. Nazeer khan Baloch, the son of MPA Ahmad khan Baloch is also contesting 2018 elections from his father s seat. Similarly, Zareen Magsi, the son of Meer Aamir Magsi from Magsi tribe of Balochistan is contesting 2018 elections from constituency NA 202. Aamir Magsi is the brother of Nadir Magsi, the former provincial minister for food.
Khaiber Pakhtunkhwa is also not free of this curse of inherited politics. Dr. Imran Khattak, the son-in-law of former chief minister KP Parvez Khattak, would be starting his political career by contesting the upcoming elections.
Imran Khattak and Former CM KP Pervaiz Khattak. Photo: File
Likewise, Asad Gulzar khan, the son of former MNA Gulzar khan would be heading for the seat in National Assembly in 2018 elections.
Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf, which holds the motto of eradicating dynastic politics from Pakistan was giving a ticket to Ali Tareen, the son of Jahangeer Tareen, the PTI stalwart and the former disqualified MNA.
PTI chairman Imran Khan with former CM Pervaiz Khattak. Photo: File
However, Ali Tareen refused to contest elections because he wants to focus on his study for now.
Jahangi Tareen and son Ali Tareen. Photo: File
Other prominent dynasties of this region include Shahs, Bugtis Zaais and others.
Caste system and Pakistan
In past few decades, caste system in Pakistan has transgressed the boundaries between "civil society" and "political society" hence started playing an important role in Pakistan s political arena. Punjab, the heart of Pakistan has developed a plague of caste based inherited politics where families belonging to a specific caste or family have been holding the legislative positions for decades.
Pakistan s major political party PMLN led by sharifs, is one such example. The Sharif family has dominated much of Pakistan s political history since 1983. Mian Muhammad Nawaz Shariff has held the position of Prime minister for three terms, all of them being unsuccessful. His younger brother Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has served as the Chief Minister of Punjab for three terms. After former premier Mian Muhamad Nawaz Sharif s disqualification by the Supreme Court of Pakistan on July 28, 2017, his daughter Maryam Nawaz has taken the reins in her hands and is currently supervising the party. She would be contesting elections from constituency NA 125 and NA 127. Her husband Captain Safdar would also be contesting from constituency NA 14. Hamza Shahbaz, the son of Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Shareef would be contesting from constituency NA 124. Hamza shahbaz was also elected as a member of National Assembly in 2008 and then in 2013.
Another family worth mentioning is the Chaudhary family. Third generation of this family is in politics. Chaudhary Monas Ilahi, son of Parvez Ilahi and Chaudhary Hussain Ilahi, son of Chaudhary Wajahat Hussain taking a jump in upcoming political battle. Chuadhary family started its political career with Chuadhary Zahoor Ilahi who was elected as member national assembly in 1962. After his murder, his son Chaudhary Wajahat Hussain and former prime minister Chuadhary Shujaat Hussain along with his brother Chaudhary Manzoor Hussain and nephew Parvez Ilaahi made their marks in Pakistani politics and set up another example of inherited politics.
Monis Illahi while campaigning for lelection. Photo: File
Inherited or dynastic politics is present in other countries of the region as well but the roots of dynastic politics are quite strengthen in Pakistan. With few exceptions, all the political parties are in fact extensions of powerful families with hereditary leaderships. Their politics mainly revolve around managing and strengthening family interests. There are more than 400 families in Pakistan which have been influencing Pakistani politics over generations. Every time there are general elections, every party promises to give chances to young and ambitious people based on merit but it has not been fulfilled yet. Let s see how farther it goes!
By Mehreen Fatima and Shahzeena Malik
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