Pakistan a welfare state – what dreams may come?

By
Lt Col (R) Tariq Mahmood Butt, TI (M)

While brooding on the decades passed it gives me real bliss on the exciting life I have had in being a Pakistani. My years of contentment and fulfillment are amplified by the very fact that I remained affiliated with an organization which stands for providing and safeguarding its national interest against any internal and external belligerence. From cadetship to becoming a general, every step you take is filled with pride, every action you take is with a lot of responsibility and the most important of all is one’s social conduct. Being a martinet in every aspect, social conduct takes the lead. Mostly referring to the way one behaves with others and in their presence, this attitude, specifically includes the behaviour in relation with very close family members, but in general it relates to the people, one is not very close with and with strangers. For example it may include behaviours in very wide range of settings such as while travelling, in offices, in a Masjid, while visiting people or entertaining guest, in work environment and so on. These codes, established ways, etiquette, formalities, manners, morals, policies, practices, principles, protocol, rites, rituals, routines, rules, social conduct , standards, way of life are so deeply in grilled in the Army Way of Life, that it becomes virtually impossible to walk astray, well, exceptions are always there in any assemblage.
Most of the societies have fairly well defined code of conduct and etiquette covering different type of social conduct. However, these rules do not govern every situation and are not very detailed. Further, a person needs to practice individually and develop skills for the right demeanor. The social conduct of individuals is mostly influenced by their personality traits. Like some people are introverts while others may be extroverts. Similarly, people possess different traits like being friendly, aggressive, talkative, submissive, which affects their social behavior. These traits tend to embellish towards the negative side with sense of uncertainty and insecurity due to lack of social arrangements designed to assist people when they are in need through factors such as illness, unemployment and dependency through youth or old age. Now who would provide for this lacking? Naturally, “The State”. Thus the concept of a welfare state which refers to a concept of government where the state plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the economic and social well-being of its citizens or a government that undertakes responsibility for the welfare of its citizens through programs in public health and public housing and pensions and unemployment compensation etc. In pursuit of its objectives the government undertakes large- scale actions such as to launch a set of institutions and welfare programs to assist people when they are in need through factors such as illness, unemployment and dependency through youth or old age and to ensure the provision of social goods and benefits. These institutions and welfare programs are usually provided at public expense with little or no cost to the recipient of the services.

Now, where to find an ideal welfare state, I for one as a Muslim would vouch complete security to introduction of a “welfare state” in accordance to Islamic principles, what else could be a better system then the one dictated by the Lord through His Last Messenger Himself in word, spirit and in person. Many quarters including the so-called “Muslims” who are actually Islam Liberals par excellence, would dispute this statement and make ridiculous claims about the proposal, ranging from skepticism, “it ain’t just possible” to mockery without any understanding about the concept of welfare in an Islamic State.
Before moving on to modern practicing models, I would very briefly touch upon the concept of social welfare in Islam, in a nutshell, it can be summarized as follows:
In Islam, the basic concept is that sovereignty belongs to Allah and that mankind, is vested with authority in certain spheres, as a trust, for which they are answerable and accountable to The Lord. The Holy Prophet (Peace be upon Him) said: “Every one of you is a steward, and every one of you is accountable for that which is committed to his care”. The ultimate ideal of a state in Islam is a universal federation, or confederation of autonomous states, associated together for upholding freedom of conscience, for maintenance of peace and for cooperation in promoting human welfare throughout the world. In pursuit of this ideal, the Islamic State, established by the Holy Prophet, spread rapidly westward through Egypt and North Africa to Spain, and eastward through Iraq, Iran, and Central Asia to the confines of China. It instituted a single citizenship entailing overall allegiance to a single head of state, the Khalifa, who was guardian of the Pax Islamica and was responsible for the welfare of all sections of the vast populations united and inspired by common ideals. Finally, Islam seeks to create a system where justice, not profit reigns supreme. Islamic economics has two primary goals: to combat poverty and provide for a just and equitable distribution of wealth. The Islamic state does this through a variety of voluntary and mandatory mechanisms. For example, Zakah, a powerful redistributive tool, transfers money from the hands of the rich to the hands of the poor through charity. The abolition of riba prevents unfair lending schemes which penalize the poor. In addition, the state is required to provide each citizen with a minimum standard of living. As the Prophet (Peace be upon Him) said: ‘Any ruler who is responsible for the affairs of Muslims but does not strive sincerely for their well-being will not enter Paradise with them’. Yet, at the same time, Islam achieves balance and maintains economic freedom by securing the individual’s right to private property. For those who think this is a utopian dream and not feasible, think again….it was practiced during the reign of the second Caliph, Umar Al-Khattab (RA). The purpose of such economic redistribution is not total eradication of poverty but is to ensure that wealth is shared by all. The goal of the Islamic state is therefore not to abolish inequality but to minimize it.
If you study different concepts of practicing welfare states it would be evident the concepts stem generally from the base line, “to provide each citizen with a minimum standard of living” (as enunciated in teachings of Quran and Sunnah), and the New World order is a shadow of universal federation, or confederation of autonomous states (missing the primary fundamental - sovereignty of Allah).

Some models of a modern welfare state are:-

The United Kingdom: It envisages three principal elements.

• a guarantee of minimum standards, including a minimum income;
• social protection in the event of insecurity; and
• the provision of services at the best level possible.

In Germany the concept of a 'social state', is rendered as a 'social market economy'. The first, central principle is that economic development is the best way to achieve social welfare. Social benefits are earnings-related, and those without work records may find they are not covered for important contingencies. Less clear, but probably even more important, is the general concern to ensure that public expenditure on welfare is directly compatible with the need for economic development and growth. Second, the German economy, and the welfare system is developed through a corporatist structure. This principle was developed by Bismarck on the basis of existing mutual aid associations, and remained the basis for social protection subsequently. Social insurance, which covers the cost of health, some social care and much of the income maintenance system, is managed by a system of independent funds. Third, there is a strong emphasis on the principle of "subsidiary". This principle is taken in Germany to mean both that services should be decentralized or independently managed and that the level of state intervention should be residual - that is, limited to circumstances which are not adequately covered in other ways. Higher earners are not covered by the main social insurance system, but are left to make their own arrangements.

Social protection in France is based on the principle of solidarity: The idea refers to co-operative mutual support. Some writers apply the term in relation to 'mutualist' groups (friendly societies) and emphasise that people insured within national schemes are called to contribute and benefit on an equal footing. Others stress that relationships of solidarity are based in interdependence. Solidarity is usually understood, in this context, in terms of common action, mutual responsibility and shared risks. The French system of welfare is a complex, patchwork quilt of services. This kind of arrangement is relatively expensive. The main areas of concern are not dependency or unemployment, but pensions, because of the special privileges accorded to particular occupational groups, and spending on health care, where the stress on independent, market-led services presents considerable problems in cost control.

The Swedish model can be seen as an ideal form of 'welfare state', offering institutional care in the sense that it offers universal minima to its citizens. It goes further than the British model in its commitment to social equality. Sweden has the highest level of spending on social protection and the lowest proportion of income left to independent households - less than half its national income.

The United States is sometimes described as a ‘liberal' welfare regime, in the sense that it represents individualism. It does not, however, have a unified welfare system. Federalism has meant that many important functions are held by the States, including public assistance, social care and various health schemes in practice, the US is pluralistic, rather than liberal. There are significant departures from the residual model - e.g. state schooling, social insurance, or services for military personnel, veterans and their families, which provide for more than 60 million people in addition to federal and state activity.
The central problem of the developing countries is poverty. According to the World Bank, half the world's population lives on less than $2 a day; the line is arbitrary, but it shows that many people are not part of a formal economy. Economic development is essential to welfare. It produces material goods. It promotes integration and interdependence, and extends people's entitlements. It has clearly beneficial effects on social welfare: the last 40-50 years have seen spectacular improvements in longevity, infant survival, access to basic amenities like water supplies and fuel, and the provision of services like health care and education. Although economic development is fundamental, it does not guarantee social protection. Several countries have introduced social security schemes, often tied to the status of particular categories of workers. In some of these only a small minority receives effective protection, but a few countries have made considerable advances in covering their populations, often over a relatively short period of time.
By and large the best model in present day world is that of Great Britain which places its social welfare objectives on top priority and it remains to be a permanent feature of electioneering. Although the social changes during the Victorian era were wide-ranging and fundamental, leaving their mark not only upon the United Kingdom but upon much of the world which was under Britain's influence, during the 19th century, but the contribution of democracy cannot be set aside. May it be the Liberals of yesterday Lloyd George and Tony Blair of recent past or Conservatives of 70’s, Margaret Thatcher and Cameron of today, right from the time of late Lord Beveridge, formerly Sir William Beveridge, the author cum architect of what remains to be contours of a welfare state in Britain, every successive government has done its best to provide its people with tumultuous welfare opportunities and social reforms. But with welfare comes responsibilities of the ones being governed, cheating is not an option, every individual without fail, whether British born or otherwise is tuned to the system of governance and fulfill their moral cum ethical obligations to the state and its inhabitants. With a bit of racism still prevailing (which is guarded against very strongly by state institutions), the inhabitants follow every single rule being dished out by the state. The actual strength of Britain does not lounge in their asset management; political infrastructure or being a super power but their real strength encompasses in the systems they have developed over a period of time. Their true assets are the strength of the social conduct, self discipline, tolerant culture, mutual respect and last but not the least an effective judicial system.

“O Ye who believe! Be ye staunch in justice, witnesses for Allah, even though it be against yourselves or (your) parents or (your) kindred, whether (the case be of) a rich or a poor man, for Allah is nearer unto both (than ye are). So follow not passion lest ye lapse (from truth) and if ye lapse or fall away, then lo! Allah is ever informed of what ye do”.
Surah/Chapter 004 –An Nisa, Verse 135

“O my people! Give full measure and full weight in justice, and wrong not people in respect of their goods. And do not evil in the earth, causing corruption”.
Surah/Chapter 011 –Hud, Verse 94

Such is the importance of good social conduct in Islam that it is half and half of your deeds one would be tried for on the judgement day, the first half covers the call to Faith and Divine Unity or in other words the rights of Allah upon a believer and his duties in this regard, while the second half envisages the obligations towards mankind and other creatures as to the social responsibilities in moral and practical spheres of life to those who have accepted the Call. The second part is rather tough as if we waver in this i.e. infringe on rights of anyone, the Lord rests the wrongdoers forgiveness in the hands of the one wronged.

“And there may spring from you a nation who invite to goodness, and enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency. Such are they who are successful”.
Surah/Chapter 003 –Al e Imran, Verse 104

“They believe in Allah and the last day, and enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency, and vie one with another in good works. They are of the righteous”
Surah/Chapter 003 –Al e Imran, Verse 114

In a Hadith, narrated by Abu Hurairah (R.A.) the Prophet (Peace be upon Him) says: "Whoever may have done an injustice to a brother, or defamed him or transgressed against his rights in any other way should set right the affair with him on this very day, in this very life- before the day of Judgement-when he will 'have no Dinars and Dirharns (money) to settle the claim. If he will possess a stock of good deeds, the aggrieved will be recompensed from it in relation to the injustice done to him. And in case he is empty-handed in the matter of good deeds, the sins of the aggrieved will be thrust upon him. (thus justice will be done that Day)."

I had long listened to the stories of how organized and socially well behaved are the British, my wife (a frequent traveler to London- her mother and the entire maternal family settled there) always acclaimed that I would fall in love with England on my very first visit. I always censured her being biased and just wanting me to visit my in laws. As luck would have it I had to visit London in connection with a job requirement. Very upset at the long journey ahead I boarded the plane with a firm commitment to me that it would be my first and last ever visit to England, come what may. But it is said that seeing is believing and just after a few days I realized that I had landed in a dream country. Everything in such an order, one can only imagine that such a reality exists. For the next 10 days I was awed at every step I took and impressed with every individual I met, the behavior, the mannerism, the etiquette, the respect and care in public dealing. The train services the tubes the rush hour and the easy going hours and yet so ordered. The respect and care meted to the elderly and sick. The public health facilities, the parks, the entertainment, the preservation of the cultural heritage, the housing, the pension benefits, the women rights, the children rights the animal rights, the cleanliness, the organized garbage bins, the traffic discipline, the right of way, the beauty, the weather the waiting for your turn attitude and the queue, may it be a mega mall in central London or a tiny grocery shop in any of the suburbs, you got to wait for your turn and with a smile. The hall mark is the attitude of the individuals in that society, tolerant, non arrogant, smiling, helping and welcoming.

“And nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say, “We are Christians:” because amongst them are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and are not arrogant”
Surah/ chapter 005- Al Maidah verse 82 – Al Quran

The meaning Is not that they merely call themselves Christians, but they are such sincere Christians that they appreciate and practice Muslim virtues, as did the Abyssinians to whom Muslim refugees went during the persecution in Makkah. They would say:”it is true we are Christians, but we understand your point of view, and we know that you are good men”. They are Muslims at heart, whatever their label may be.
Now I can give quotations about the features of each and every social conduct mentioned above from Quran and Sunnah with stringent implications for not practicing them, in this world and the world hereafter but that would require an additional 5 to 6 pages. And the experience which I had, I have no ingot in saying that we are Muslims in faith but the “Gora” is a practicing Muslim.

During my stay at London, every night after the usual Zikr, I prayed from the core of my heart that may The Lord in his absolute mercy transform every Pakistani into a self disciplined individual and grant our leadership the wisdom to head this nation in the fashion ordained by the Lord and His Last Messenger(Peace be upon Him).
As discussed above social welfare and social conduct are complimentary and as branded, the situation of social welfare in Pakistan is quiet appalling. For every wrong done, one has to go media and the highest individual approachable for justice. By the grace of God Pakistan is coming up fast in this respect, thanks to a vibrant media, the active Supreme court and the civil societies but there is a dire need for every successive government to take positive steps in providing a sense of security to its people by providing them timely yet affordable justice, a minimum standard of living to include basic amenities, some protection from hardships resulting from unemployment, sickness, disability, and old age. Simultaneously, stringent measures are to be put in place to up bring the quality of social conduct in the people. Hopefully, with a combination of strict active measures, and with tremendous potential of understanding, vis-a-vis their religious background Pakistanis would come up to be some day a welfare state envisaging the fundamental, “Sovereignty belongs to Allah”.

As fascinating and exceptional, and visually breathtaking, my stay at London had come to an end. I boarded PK 786 with nostalgia and what an orgainsed boarding it was. With a long journey ahead I took a mild sedative and dozed off – still having the achieve of the brilliant stay in London I walked into a dream --- the flight attendant is extra nice, I’m in the lounge the airport staff is exceedingly polite ---hmmm, I see a guide map for Islamabad – there is no rush at the immigration and none at the baggage claim, smiles everywhere -- vow! I‘m in Pakistan, it seems my prayers have been answered –, I am in the streets of my lovely country, greetings of Asalam o Alaikum from every passerby, the traffic so organized, the shopkeepers so decent, the police so mannered, and Oh My God I see a queue, everything so orderly --- when suddenly somebody calls out,”Mr. Butt get up we have landed”. Befuddled with the violent wakeup call I reached for my hand baggage dismounted the aircraft and boarded the bus to the lounge. Still yawning, I stepped out of the bus to receive a bump from a passenger rushing towards the immigration and then everybody else reciprocated, virtually banging into each other trying to get ahead in the queue fighting for a place nearer to the desk officer. It was just moments, before a brawl initiated sequel to an exchange of abuses. Then we witnessed a couple of civil dressed staffers walking to the immigration officer for out of turn stamping of passports, another exchange of harsh words, and another mess. I was shocked at the state of affairs and the stunning change in attitude for attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. Out of sheer curiosity I questioned a very sober person standing next to me, so as to why a decent crowd at Heathrow has turned into an aggressive, uncontrolled mob at Islamabad – he replied, ”you know how the saying goes ‘do in Rome as Romans do’ so this is how it works in Pakistan” – with nothing more to add I and a few others didn’t leave our queue and politely requested every one violating to follow rules, some gave us a shut up call while others listened with humility and followed. Fully conscious and wide awake; I realized that it was just a dream, a dream foreseeing a brilliant future of Pakistan, a future for social welfare, good conduct, freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, and hope.