Rich in politicians, we desperately need statesmen.

Introduction

Pakistan's political landscape is crowded with politicians — parties, leaders, spokesmen and electables competing for power. Yet the country lurches from crisis to crisis: economic collapse, political polarisation, institutional conflict and weak governance. What Pakistan lacks is not politicians but statesmen — leaders with the vision, integrity and courage to put the nation's long-term interest above personal and partisan gain.

Politician versus statesman

The American preacher James Freeman Clarke put it memorably: "A politician thinks of the next election; a statesman, of the next generation." A politician seeks power and popularity; a statesman seeks the public good, even at the cost of popularity. A politician divides to win; a statesman unites to build. A politician makes promises; a statesman builds institutions.

Qualities of a statesman

Vision for the future; integrity and honesty; courage to take unpopular decisions; respect for law and institutions; the ability to unite diverse groups; competence and a willingness to listen to experts; and humility in power.

Examples of statesmanship

Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was incorruptible, constitutional in method, and focused on the future of his people; he refused to compromise principles for personal gain. Nelson Mandela chose reconciliation over revenge after decades in prison and stepped down after one term. Lee Kuan Yew transformed Singapore through meritocracy and clean government. Mahathir Mohamad modernised Malaysia's economy. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk built a modern state from the ruins of an empire. Each faced crises and turned them into foundations for national progress.

Why Pakistan has few statesmen

Dynastic and patronage politics rewards family ties and loyalty rather than merit. Military interventions repeatedly interrupted democratic development and prevented leaders from maturing through institutional politics. Polarisation reduces politics to personal vendettas and the pursuit of power. Short-termism driven by electoral cycles and political insecurity discourages long-term reforms. Weak party democracy stifles new leadership.

Consequences

Without statesmen, Pakistan suffers policy discontinuity, economic crises, institutional clashes, neglected education and health, and a widening trust deficit between citizens and the state. Reforms in taxation, energy and governance are delayed because they are politically costly.

Counter-argument and response

Some argue that statesmen are products of circumstances: Jinnah and Mandela rose during historic struggles; ordinary times produce ordinary politicians. Others say that systems, not individuals, matter. There is truth in both — strong institutions reduce dependence on great leaders. Yet even good systems need leaders who respect them, and crises such as Pakistan's current ones are exactly the moments that demand statesmanship. Systems and statesmen reinforce each other.

How to produce statesmen

(i) Intra-party democracy with genuine internal elections; (ii) continuity of democracy so leaders learn through institutions; (iii) empowered local governments as nurseries of leadership; (iv) merit-based selection of candidates and advisers; (v) a political culture of dialogue — a new "charter of democracy" setting rules of competition; (vi) civic education and an informed electorate that rewards performance; and (vii) accountability that is impartial, not selective.

Conclusion

Pakistan has politicians aplenty — skilled at winning elections, forming alliances and capturing headlines. What it desperately needs are statesmen who think of the next generation, build institutions and unite the nation behind a shared vision. The Quaid showed that such leadership is possible. Creating the conditions for it to emerge again is the most important political reform of all.