London: Just when November ended, Pakistan went through major developments of significant consequences with many more to unfold as time passes by to take us to 8th of January 2008 “mother of all elections”. What has happened recently and whatever is likely to happen in coming months, the grim fact is that the future of the country remains under the shadow of uncertainty.
First things first, the return of Mian Nawaz Sharif and his brother to Pakistan from Saudi Arabia with the blessings of the Saudi monarch—seems to be on the basis of a much similar pardon arrangement between the Saudi King and President Musharraf that had rescued Mian Sahib from the Attock jail where he was consigned by law to spend his life in prison on convictions for hijacking and corruption.
Foreign media has interpreted his “unhindered” return not only as a prominent national leader but as a man sent back on a mission as the defender of Wahabi Islam in Pakistan to protect its interests as against the US-supported return of PPP leader Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto whose politics stands for a liberal, enlightened and democratic Pakistan as envisioned by its founder Quaid-i-Azam and pursued by her martyred father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
I would not like to subscribe to such interpretations but there are others who would still like to. They see in it something more than meets the eye. They recall the fact that Mian Nawaz Sharif as Prime Minister in 1999 almost got away converting Quaid’s secular Pakistan into a Sharia state (with a Wahabi hue as a legacy of General Ziaul Haq) headed by an Amirul Momineen—a la Mulla Omar of Afghanistan—but for the coup against him.
His critics say that his intended Shariah-isation was contrary to Mr Jinah’s raison d’etre in whose Pakistan religion was not to have anything to do with the business of the state– perhaps was the one single reason that gave initial popularity to Musharraf. His later political machinations and self-proclaimed enlightened moderation to keep himself in power exposed him.
His Sharia bill passed by the National Assembly could not get through the Senate because the majority in the Senate was held by PPP and others who believed in politics sans religion. Some of his APDM colleagues do not hesitate in re-asserting his association with Hariris of Lebanon linked with the Saudi ruling family. They also recall Qazi Hussain Ahmed’s allegation on record accusing Mian Sahib of having financial association with Osama Bin Laden.
Ms Bhutto’s persistent plodding that extremism cannot be countered by military alone and that Pakistan has got to return to democracy to involve the masses in combating it that the Americans and the democratic West chose to support elections, a level playing field for all political parties and their leaders. It is another thing that they have doubts about PML-N being liberal and secular. According to their analysis, it is much closer ideologically with the PML-Q of the Gujrati Thugs and MMA—once hand and glove with the Taliban in Afghanistan .
In passing here I would like to refer to the oft-repeated insinuations by the former PML (Q) ministers, responsible members of PML-N including Mian Shahbaz Sharif and the MMA accusing Ms Bhutto of pursuing an American agenda. Such an allegation tickles me to death. Ms Bhutto’s ‘fault’—if it can be described as one—was to persuade Washington, London, the Commonwealth and the European community–among others– to support the people of Pakistan rather than a military ruler.
Ms Bhutto spent eight years in exile to create awareness in the West that Pakistan needs democracy to be useful member of the international community to be part of a global effort against the scourge of intolerance and as a key player for consolidating interfaith forces for eaceful co-existence. She finally convinced those who considered Musharraf as the best man for the job and look for democratic options. It was a gigantic effort by her at various levels—through articles, lectures and constant briefings—that led to the change to look for a democratic alternate as a best bet for ushering in culture of tolerance to replace religious extremism.
Many have been pained to hear that the entire credit for doffing his military uniform and announcing the date for lifting the state of emergency—goes to American pressure.
One cannot deny Ms Bhutto plaudits for having stuck to her guns on both the issues without any compromise with the General. It would have been a proud moment for him too—if he had taken the decision—months before and told the nation that he was quitting the army post in deference to the popular demand. There would not have been any need for the imposition of martial law and the humiliation that he had to face as a consequence of the judicial crisis. How long can he survive now on that illegal ‘legality’ by a puppet judiciary—could be any one’s guess?
Corollary to his doffing of the uniform is yet another event of far-reaching consequence–General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani’s formal induction in the most powerful office among the state institutions. His predecessor followed into the footsteps of General Ayub, Yahya and Ziaul Haq– has left a scary legacy that would require colossal efforts by the new Army Chief to erase its footprints on our chequered history. Never before was Pakistan army as unpopular as under his predecessor. It would be General Kayani’s finest contribution if he manages to disengage the army, ISI and MI from Pakistan ’s politics and allows its elected government to run the domestic and foreign affairs of the country. One would urge upon him to remember Quaid’s advice to the officers—obey the Constitution, take and abide by the lawful orders of an elected government of the day.
Notwithstanding divergent opinions about the American global policies, one must give the credit where it is due. In a country where the age-old perception is that it is the three AAAs ( America , Army and Allah) that call the shots, one of the A’s—the Americans–at this time and day—have contributed immensely for helping the people in their struggle for the restoration of democracy, human rights, rule of law and freedom to media. So we need as well to appreciate the role of others in the West. But for their help—our journey through the dark tunnel of dictatorship—to the democratic goal post would have remained elusive.
PPP Chairperson while commandeering newer heights of popularity continues to be the favourite punching bag for those who want to hide their sins of omission and commission against democracy. They swipe at her constantly and are critical of her clout in the US and the West. One wishes to ask them who is better—in matters of countries and individuals.
Although I believe in my independence and Pakistan ’s sovereignty—I would like to carry my point home—by using the much in fashion cliché—ground realities. The Americans and their Western democratic allies—have contributed immensely to pushing Pakistan on the democratic goal. Their support for Ms Bhutto—having played larger than life role for democracy and empowerment of the people for three decades—besides being enlightened, liberal and secular in the mould of Mr Jinnah—is understandable.
What about others and their foreign mentors? Their friendly kings and princelings could not stop Mr Musharraf from forcibly bundling them off from Rawalpindi to Jeddah and not letting them re-return until Mr Musharraf got himself elected. It was only after Ms Bhutto’s triumphant homecoming and her persistent pressure for providing level playing field for others as well that opened the doors for them otherwise they would have remained in the Holy Lands warming the parchment of Supreme Court order that had declared their forced exile to Jeddah as illegal.
And finally—the Saudi trip and return to Pakistan —it has nothing substantive for the country or its people. It has entirely been a personal and friendly affair. I was anxiously waiting to hear from Riyadh its government’s support for democracy in Pakistan or the condemnation of the sacking of the judiciary, arrests of thousands of lawyers, political activists—if not much but at least—something of the sort–that kept cascading officially from the United States to pressurise Musharraf. Such leaders would serve the nation well by sticking to national issues like restoration of the sanctity of vote rather than individuals. They should not barter political gains with rhetorical slogan-mongering.
w.hasan@virgin.net