Adil Najam
This seems to have suddenly become a news-heavy day. Lal Masjid blast on teh one hand and now Musharraf-Benazir meetings. The News reports on this:
The second round of meeting between President General Pervez Musharraf and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto is underway here, the reliable sources said. The first round of the meeting lasted for about lasted for 55 minutes and it was a short a meeting. The ISI chief, some personalities of Arab countries and western diplomats also attended the meeting, the other sources said. Although the details of the meeting were not issued, however, the reports said that Musharraf and Benazir discussed important issues including current political situation in Pakistan.
“If Musharraf-Benazir meeting has been held it could be the final round of PPP-government talks and it is hoped that this meeting will have long-term positive impact on the politics of Pakistan, said Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed while commenting on the meeting. Meanwhile, the reports said that Musharraf will also hold meeting with former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab Shahabaz Sharif in Saudi Arabia during the second leg of Musharraf’s visit. However, the PML (N) sources have rejected the reports of Musharraf-Nawaz meeting.
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Things are still too much in flux and too complicated to comment meaningfully on this. Much coming from the insta-pundits is still either the restatement of their already known positions that they now churn out as spin, or is entirely speculative. So, we will wait to see how the dust settles. But it is quite clear that the dust has been kicked and things are in flux. Abb ount kis karwat baithay ga?
In order to get a sense of the pulse of ATP on this issue we are asking the same poll question about a BB-Musharraf deal we did back in April. Let us see what you have to say now.
f.Khawaja
The answer lies in continuation of democratic process. It takes nations years of struggle for true democracy to evolve. Today Javed Hashmi spoke in an interview with BBC that PML (N) should hold elections within the party and PML is not be be a cult of any individual or family.
The same will happen with PPP or MQM with single individual leading forever and will not be able to claim titles like “Pir” or Quaid or whatever BB has herself called for lifetime ..
There is no magic wand that will change everyone. First step was good; Free Judiciary, Second step better; Doctrine of Necessity buried forever, lets hope for the third one; Absolute Free and Fair elections and let the people of Pakistan be the masters of their destiny and choose who so ever they want. Not have a scoundrel General/Generals bring in imported PM’s to impose on the people.
In the city I live in, I would accept the most corrupt elected “nazim” to be responsible for my city then have a FSC 3rd Division pass SHO to rule me (out of question), I meant rule the city I live in, by force!
Only shameless people are ruled by dictators. Proud nations reject tyrants because every tyrant is a “mouse” in reality and hide in spider holes when his life is at stake (Saddam Hussain being a prime example).
I think everyone should see this YouTube clip… its really really funny….. worth seeing.
I think ATP is too polite and well-mannered a place to post this directly but I hope putting the link here is OK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmZswcky_-U
Silence in this case has its roots in hypocrisy or apathy. On the other hand, the loudmouth folks like Mullah Fazl are worst than hypocrites. Maybe Dr Ayesha Siddiqa was right: “ use religion or political liberalism to create spaces for themselves. Once power is negotiated, these people fall in line with the establishment…the intention is not to change the [status quo].”
In the meanwhile, lets shake ourselves out of our apathy – otherwise, we will deserve Pinki and Mushy and the likes. To those who are under the delusion, that patchwork treatment will cure the disease sooner or later may be living in a fantasy island. It will in fact only aggravate the disease and increase polarization and thereby – the mayhem and more of the same! - A status quo that according to Dr Manzur Ejaz “has left no choice for the poor but suicide, jihad, begging and robbery”.
Interesting Interview of Musharraf with Karan Thapar: This man is sick. He truly believes that he owns the Pak Army and the Core Commanders loyalty is not to the country but to him!!
Musharraf’s Interview with Karan Thapar
Karan Thapar: Does it worry you that even the army’s handling is coming into question?
Musharraf: Army’s handling, I didn’t get your question. Let me tell you Karan, that this is not a Banana Republic Army. This is an army, which has fought wars. It’s an extremely disciplined army. It is totally loyal and committed to me and I know that. So I don’t even want to comment on that quote. Army is for Pakistan. It will do anything for Pakistan’s interests.
Karan Thapar: Does the army support the Kashmir initiative that you have been taking?
Musharraf: 200 percent…… 1,000 per cent.
Karan Thapar: Can I quote to you from The Post dated December 27, 2005: ‘There is a powerful clique of religious parties and their supporters within the military establishment in Pakistan who are sympathetic to the jehadist wars especially in Kashmir.’ Do they support your concepts or ideas of solution?
Musharraf: This is in brief nonsense. If they were there, they will be out of the army tomorrow.
Karan Thapar: You mean you will throw them out.
Musharraf: Absolutely. You think I won’t be worth my salt. If I am army chief and these people are doing that. This is not a Banana Republic army. I am in-charge here and the generals and core commanders are in-charge of core. There is no question of anyone doing this here. They will be out tomorrow morning.
Karan Thapar: You mean the core commanders also.
Musharraf: I have selected the core commanders, so how can they be against me.