It is difficult to pin Pakistan’s dire economic situation on a single cause given the pervasive corruption, bribery, and nepotism in the country.
The worst example of nepotism may be found in Pakistan’s political system, where it is virtually impossible for anyone outside of the Sharif family, the Bhutto-Zardari clan, and a few other families to obtain a key position in their whole career.
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appointed his daughter Maryam Nawaz as the leader of the PML-N’s youth wing, while his brother Shehbaz Sharif, who previously held the office of Punjab Chief Minister, is currently the country’s Prime Minister.
While Asif Ali Zardari, the father of the former president, only holds the position of co-chair of the PPP thanks to his late wife Benazir Bhutto, his son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari serves as both the current foreign minister and the chairman of the People’s Party on account of being the family heir.
Let’s not forget that Benazir Bhutton despite her education, talent, and popularity, inheirted the party leadership from her father Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. Moreover, the likes of Abid Sher Ali get the cabinet role in PML-N government for he’s a relative of PML-N supermo Nawaz Sharif. Former Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s brother Chaudhry Parvez Elahi has held Punjab Chief Minister post along with other important positions. Due to the influence of his family, Ali Musa Gilani, the son of former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, was able to overcome Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s daughter and win a seat in the National Assembly.
Numerous instances of nepotism in Pakistani politics demonstrate how a small number of families have dominated the nation’s political scene for decades.
Manifesto defines any political party, yet most political parties in Pakistan either don’t have one or never attempt to carry it out once in power. PTI presented a 100-day plan as its manifesto but found wanting when it came to the implantation part after Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Fawad Chaudhry, Jahangir Tarin and others joined the party. Even though Jahangir Tareen quit PTI later, the party still has several well-known figures that rose to prominence as a result of dynastic politics.
Since the so-called “Electables” win every election, the public also contributes to the nepotism in Pakistani politics.
One can’t help but wonder when the country’s common people will take stock of their part in encouraging nepotism, which is impeding the emergence of the middle class in the political system.
