Interceptor
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2007
- Messages
- 2,005
- Reaction score
- 0
Musharraf caught in no-win situation
It is the eighth year of Pervez Musharraf's dictatorship. It is very easy in Pakistan to bury democracy to establish military dictatorship. The loudest champion of democracy in the world, the US, virtually endorsed Musharraf's actions. It is true that people were not happy with Nawaz Sharif and, therefore, there was no resentment among the political elite, barring the Pakistan Muslim League (PML).
The people of Pakistan, especially those from Punjab and Sindh, suffer from an inferiority complex vis-à-vis India because they have not been able to sustain democracy for long. On the contrary, a military dictatorship can prolong as long as it wishes. It is in this background that Musharraf passed through the motion of "democratic" elections. Needless to say that he won the election with the active support of the military. Initial years of Musharraf fired hope in the masses. Even the media was mildly critical, which suited the President.
Gradually, a section of the media turned against him. There was a growing demand every year that Musharraf should enter politics without military uniform, something he couldn't do.
He is aware of this reality. There have been a number of attacks on him by none other than people in uniform. Barring the military brass, which is enjoying the present situation of Pakistan, many military people have entered the corporate sector. Their worth is estimated to be Rs 200 billion. As far as land is concerned, Musharraf has been liberal. The Army brass has landholdings too, compared to the traditional landlords of Pakistan.
As far as the US is concerned, the Bush administration strengthened Musharraf, knowing full well that the Pakistan Government did not deliver what it promised, whether it was Taliban or Al Qaeda. Osama bin Laden has been reportedly enjoying his stay, changing hideouts as the guest of the ISI.
Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has been complaining about the double diplomacy of Pakistan. Pakistan's economy has been growing on an average six per cent GDP but only with the help of liberal dose of help from the US. Recent crisis for the last three months is unprecedented and it has put Musharraf in a tight corner. He had a long discussion with Chief Justice Iftekhar Mohammad Choudhary, in March this year. He wanted constitutional concession so that he could fight the Presidential election in uniform.
Weighing all the pros and cons Choudhary refused to oblige Musharraf. In a huff, Musharraf dismissed him. The all Bar Councils of Pakistan were up in arms. Almost the whole of Pakistan expressed its solidarity with Choudhary. Within a week, he emerged as a cult figure. His popularity skyrocketed. Choudhury's journey from Islamabad to Lahore demonstrated the tremendous support for him.
Like India, Pakistan too has growing number of channels. What electronic media showed was followed by print media. It is here that Musharraf lost his balance. Draconian power against media were managed through an ordinance which empowered the Government officials to close the channels. Cases were registered against more than 200 media persons but failed to have any effect. International Press came heavily on Musharraf's anti-democratic move. He had to withdraw the steps taken. Meanwhile, the former CJ Choudhury's credibility went up.
This type of situation had never developed under any dictator in Pakistan. Most of the Supreme Court judges support Justice Choudhary, so does the Bar and the people. In London massive mobilisation is going on for democracy. A conference is scheduled next month by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. Even Imran Khan has expressed his solidarity with them.
The surprising thing is that the institution of military is the most hated one by the public in Pakistan. There are talks that military people be told not to appear in uniform in public places to save them from the public ire.
Even without these political upheavals, Musharraf has failed in almost all fronts - domestic, foreign policy, war against terrorism, helping rapid talibanisation in Pakistan, handling of Lal Masjid and Hasfa Madarsa.
Dr Ayesha Siddiqa's book Military Inc: Inside Pakistan's Military Economy exposed the gigantic business ventures of Pakistan military. Meanwhile, BBC exposed a scandal involving Pakistani contingent of UN peace keeping forces in Congo. BBC report is full of such scandals. Of late, the US media in general has become critical of Bush's support to Musharraf. That is why, US administration has advised Musharraf to go to election without uniform, which Musharraf can't do.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/columni...&file_name=mishra/mishra177.txt&writer=mishra
It is the eighth year of Pervez Musharraf's dictatorship. It is very easy in Pakistan to bury democracy to establish military dictatorship. The loudest champion of democracy in the world, the US, virtually endorsed Musharraf's actions. It is true that people were not happy with Nawaz Sharif and, therefore, there was no resentment among the political elite, barring the Pakistan Muslim League (PML).
The people of Pakistan, especially those from Punjab and Sindh, suffer from an inferiority complex vis-à-vis India because they have not been able to sustain democracy for long. On the contrary, a military dictatorship can prolong as long as it wishes. It is in this background that Musharraf passed through the motion of "democratic" elections. Needless to say that he won the election with the active support of the military. Initial years of Musharraf fired hope in the masses. Even the media was mildly critical, which suited the President.
Gradually, a section of the media turned against him. There was a growing demand every year that Musharraf should enter politics without military uniform, something he couldn't do.
He is aware of this reality. There have been a number of attacks on him by none other than people in uniform. Barring the military brass, which is enjoying the present situation of Pakistan, many military people have entered the corporate sector. Their worth is estimated to be Rs 200 billion. As far as land is concerned, Musharraf has been liberal. The Army brass has landholdings too, compared to the traditional landlords of Pakistan.
As far as the US is concerned, the Bush administration strengthened Musharraf, knowing full well that the Pakistan Government did not deliver what it promised, whether it was Taliban or Al Qaeda. Osama bin Laden has been reportedly enjoying his stay, changing hideouts as the guest of the ISI.
Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has been complaining about the double diplomacy of Pakistan. Pakistan's economy has been growing on an average six per cent GDP but only with the help of liberal dose of help from the US. Recent crisis for the last three months is unprecedented and it has put Musharraf in a tight corner. He had a long discussion with Chief Justice Iftekhar Mohammad Choudhary, in March this year. He wanted constitutional concession so that he could fight the Presidential election in uniform.
Weighing all the pros and cons Choudhary refused to oblige Musharraf. In a huff, Musharraf dismissed him. The all Bar Councils of Pakistan were up in arms. Almost the whole of Pakistan expressed its solidarity with Choudhary. Within a week, he emerged as a cult figure. His popularity skyrocketed. Choudhury's journey from Islamabad to Lahore demonstrated the tremendous support for him.
Like India, Pakistan too has growing number of channels. What electronic media showed was followed by print media. It is here that Musharraf lost his balance. Draconian power against media were managed through an ordinance which empowered the Government officials to close the channels. Cases were registered against more than 200 media persons but failed to have any effect. International Press came heavily on Musharraf's anti-democratic move. He had to withdraw the steps taken. Meanwhile, the former CJ Choudhury's credibility went up.
This type of situation had never developed under any dictator in Pakistan. Most of the Supreme Court judges support Justice Choudhary, so does the Bar and the people. In London massive mobilisation is going on for democracy. A conference is scheduled next month by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. Even Imran Khan has expressed his solidarity with them.
The surprising thing is that the institution of military is the most hated one by the public in Pakistan. There are talks that military people be told not to appear in uniform in public places to save them from the public ire.
Even without these political upheavals, Musharraf has failed in almost all fronts - domestic, foreign policy, war against terrorism, helping rapid talibanisation in Pakistan, handling of Lal Masjid and Hasfa Madarsa.
Dr Ayesha Siddiqa's book Military Inc: Inside Pakistan's Military Economy exposed the gigantic business ventures of Pakistan military. Meanwhile, BBC exposed a scandal involving Pakistani contingent of UN peace keeping forces in Congo. BBC report is full of such scandals. Of late, the US media in general has become critical of Bush's support to Musharraf. That is why, US administration has advised Musharraf to go to election without uniform, which Musharraf can't do.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/columni...&file_name=mishra/mishra177.txt&writer=mishra
