Opinion Editorials, October 2007
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Pakistan Under Critical Situation
By Gangly Khan
ccun.org, October 29, 2007
Gen Musharaf was weakened seriously because of lawyers' movement that started on 9 March and resulted into reinstatement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudary against his desire. Army operation in Wazirstan suffered a serious set back when 200 strong army contingents surrendered without offering resistance. This led US to believe that progress of its agenda of new world order was blocked.
To continue General Musharraf as president and bring next government of its choice, US openly involved in Pakistani politics. US arranged a deal between Bhutto and Musharraf according to which later would drop graft charges against the former pending adjudication and in return members of PPP would not join opposition in resigning from the federal and provincial assemblies for later to win presidential election. PPP would also assist Musharraf for amending the constitution to legalize his election in case Supreme Court passed judgment against him. This deal was promulgated in form of National Reconciliation Ordinance.
With these arrangements it is now sure that Musharraf will remain president for next five years. But his legitimacy will remain questionable through out because of his contesting election in uniform and secondly being elected by legislatures whose tenure was nearing end.
On the other hand Musharraf's popularity and credibility has suffered a set back. Rampant corruption has deteriorated public confidence in leaders and heavy fleet of ministers supporting Musharraf. It is doubtful if people will support them in next elections. Therefore there is strong possibility of manipulation of elections for enabling government party to win. If it happens like this, Musharraf government will face resistance on all fronts. Doctrine of unity of command will die its own death. And public will suffer bad days because of all this dirty game of power among the corrupt leaders in the name of democracy. Crises in the country will reach climax providing chance to US to take control of our nuclear assets. Our leaders will then behave just like servants/puppets or slaves of US ambassador posted at Islamabad.
To avoid above cited bad situation, it is high time for Musharraf to understand the critical situation facing the country. It is not possible for him now to run the country according to the constitution and desire of people of Pakistan. His grip over state affairs is no tighter. It would be better for him to quit his dual office and hand over power to Chairman Senate who should form neutral interim government for holding fair and transparent elections. This is the only suitable step under the given circumstances to save the country from adverse situation. People of Pakistan should also raise voice to make this demand forceful for better future of the country. Otherwise US will damage our institutions including armed forces badly.
Pakistan drifting to Disintegration
Muslims of Bengal founded Muslim League in 1906 with an aim to break hegemony of Hindus over the Muslims of India. The league launched a movement to gather all Muslims on its platform. It met grand success when under the leadership of Quad-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah Pakistan emerged as an independent Muslim state.
In July, 1947 a referendum was held in NWFP which resulted into accession of the province to Pakistan. In November 1947, tribal elders opted to attach Tribal Agencies to Pakistan. People of Northern Areas won independence at their own and in Aug, 1948 joined with Pakistan. In 1948, Kalat merged with Pakistan when the Khan signed the necessary merger documents. Gawader was purchased from Sultan of Oman in 1958. This was the final shape of then West Pakistan which is still in tact.
After independence, a campaign of hatred against East Pakistanis was started. They were called rice and fish eaters and it was said that they produce more children. It was also said they speak for their rights. This discriminatory attitude of West Pakistanis against their East Pakistani brothers was not corrected by our leaders and disliking for each other reached climax. In 1970, when Mujib-ur-Reman was elected as Prime Minister our army Generals in collusion with Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto refused to hand over the government to Mujib-ur-Rehman just for the reason that he was Bengali. Consequently Bengalis who created Pakistan had to make their separate country Bengla Desh. Our Generals who always claim that they impose Martial Law to save the country from disintegration surrendered and whole nation suffered humiliation.
During General Zia regime, Indians took possession of Saichen Area. Our Generals were so negligent that they came to know when Indians have already consolidated their positions. Our generals have not been able to get that area back so far.
Presently Musharraf preaches that he is indispensable for Pakistan's existence. On the other hand he has deployed army in FATA for killing citizens who are part and parcel of Pakistan. Allegations against them are that they are medieval type people and give shelter to foreigners. However, the government has not shown to the public any foreigner captured by the army personnel during operation.
General Musharraf has not learnt any lesson from the history. Situation like East Pakistan has been created in tribal areas. Air and artillery bombardment on innocent people including females and children has failed to subjugate the tribes. Their houses have been dismantled and they are migrating in their own home land. Musharraf is degrading army by ordering it to kill own citizens. He should know loyalties of people are won with social justice and giving them opportunities of participation in social and political life. Unity of command and giving pardon to criminals is no solution to redress problems of the poor people. If army operation continues tribal areas will not remain as part of Pakistan. Group of corrupt supporters around him will laugh over and quit him alone to face the music. US will also leave him once its agenda is complete.
Future of Pakistani Democracy
Future of democracy in Pakistan is marred with uncertainty. Use of undemocratic methods can't restore democracy. Our parliamentarians first facilitated re-election of a General in uniform with the connivance and support of Chairman of Election Commission. Majority of members cast votes in support of the General in violation of the constitution, while others preferred to boycott to give a false impression to the public that they were against the election process.
In fact all of them are coalescing to perpetrate military dictatorship over people of Pakistan for enjoying privileges and handsome rewards under the protection of army rule. This is an easy and safe way for them to share power and influence poor people with their might. Thereafter to strengthen their group they promulgated National Reconciliation Ordinance to white wash corruption cases against high profile political personalities. In addition to that Mst Bhutto was granted indemnity for return of looted money amounting to 11 millions American dollars for which she was convicted by Swiss Court with order to pay the said amount to Government of Pakistan.
Government facilitated her return on a cost of heavy public exchequer that caused 150 dead and more than 500 injured. This tragedy was followed by leveling allegation of bomb blast by leaders against each other; situation is now extremely tense and government has banned public rallies for security reasons. All these leaders have no interaction with masses. Judges of judiciary and other government officers are under influence of the government.
To save their jobs they do not show morale courage and make decisions ignoring true facts and events. People feel disappointed. Under such circumstance one can't think that democracy will be restored and things will change to ameliorate the lot of common man. They will continue suffering hardships till the present set up of leaders stay in power. It would be better for the people that they should not attend rallies of such corrupt leaders. Instead they should organize themselves and nominate suitable honest people amongst themselves as candidates for contesting coming general elections.
Candidates labeled with party tickets should be discarded. Leaders joining military dictator for ulterior motives on a pretension of restoring democracy are all accomplices to a conspiracy against the poor people for misusing national resources for them selves. They don't care to sacrifice interest of the country to please their foreign bosses.
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