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.
Now I seriously doubt that both Mush and BB were on date because now BOTH parties denying that they met each other in “Qasr-e-Musharraf”.
Pyar kiya tu darna kiya
Now families of Both(PML-Q & PPPP…PP) are worried and confused because they are not sure what would be the result of this “Secret love” between BB and Mush.
“We have already made numerous sacrifices to reach our current position and … that there should be no overtures or compromises with the military establishment… ”
(Pres Supreme Court Bar Assoc Muneer A Malik)
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=6620 8
Lo suni gayi humari, yun phire hain din ke phir se,
Wohi gosha-e-qafsa hai, wohi fasl-e-gul ka maatam
Viqar, Again totally agree to your point about the process of constitutional amendments. These constitutional amendments were added by Sharifuddin Pirzada in some dictator’s living room, and passed by our rubber stamp parliaments without knowing their implications and repercussions; actually they couldn’t care less. This is our national character, we don’t pay attention to details, and every dictator has used this characteristic to his fullest advantage.
As an example, what about the much quoted amendments about Mush’s uniform. I don’t think I ever heard about these before this recent uproar (or true to our national character, never paid any attention). However, I don’t think I can take it any more if one more politician comes on tv to tell us that the presidential election will be held “according to constitution” between “September 15th and October 15″, by the existing assemblies. Constitution should represent the aspirations of a people, and not be a document to serve individuals. Since when did individuals become more important than Nations. For how long will these individuals continue to insult our intelligence. A lie is still a lie no matter how many times it is repeated.
As to your point about the struggle by the civil society, I don’t know what shape and form this struggle will take. SC is very vigilant now, and will do all it can to bring the country back to a democratic setup. However as you said, their hands are tied in the face of parliamentary amendments. All the wheelings and dealings that are now taking place are a result of the SC’s resolve, and are an effort to thwart the impending legal process when their machinations will be challenged in the courts. What is most sickening about the behind the scenes games is that the people’s will will be ignored again, and the election will just be a moot point.
@AUK
The SC cannot set aside a constitutional amendment approved by the required majority in the parliament. Hence if the PPP-P colludes with PML-Q to push through shady constitutional amendments, it will tie the hands of the SC.
The process of agreeing to constitutional changes in back room deals between politicians is deeply flawed. In constitutional debate, various segments of the society have a right to express themselves by all legitimate democratic means, be it debate in the media, public rallies, or representations in hearings of the relevant parliamentary committees. This requires sufficient time and advanced notice. If amendments are to be agreed to in advance, then approved in hastily summoned sessions of the parliament, it is a total sham; it cruelly short circuits the democratic process.
This is why a civil movement needs to continue vigorously in Pakistan for an extended period of time. Our politicians simply cannot be trusted to protect public interest. They are all naked in the political hammam of Pakistan.
I would recommend reading today’s edition of The News. They have stated that a deal has now been completed.
http://tinyurl.com/26xjet
Imran said this last night on Capital Talk, “the problem with extremism is political and has no military solution”. NWFP Governer, Aurackzai has come out and said the same. This is no Taleban fighting the Army, it is more widespread across the tribal belt. Pashtuns think that this is a fight between them and America. Musharraf’s rule at the top only helps embolden these attitudes. Unless we return to a democratic setup, where people are willing to listen to each other, this is a looming disaster that is only going to get worse.
I agree with Adil Najams analysis in The News —-
“Herein lies General Musharraf’s dilemma. Indeed, Pakistan’s dilemma. Bands of extremist militants have declared war on Pakistan. It is clear that most of Pakistan wants to contain and eradicate this militancy. It is also clear that General Musharraf would also like to do the same. It is not at all clear, however, that most of Pakistan would stand by General Musharraf if he takes on the militants in any significant way at this point. This is not because Pakistanis have suddenly gotten to love militants. They have not. It is because Pakistanis have lost all trust in General Musharraf. To put it rather bluntly, they are fed up with military rule. However, to move against the militants in any meaningful way, General Musharraf needs deep public support; the type of support that the chief justice’s movement had. He does not have that support and no amount of public spending on borrowed money can buy that kind of support.”
Viqar, yes you are right. The constitutional amendment will be to overrule the 2 year mandatory gap between holding a government position and a public office, and not to hold two offices at the same time. Either way, he will twist and contort the constitution whichever way he needs to, so that his stay in power is ensured and extended beyond this year. Here is a question; if the parliament passes an amendment by two thirds majority, can it be challenged in the SC on any grounds. My guess is not, but I am wondering if there is way out of it if it can be proved that the amendment was subjudice as it was based on extending an already illegal rule, or if clashes with any previous SC decision. Yes, Musharraf has already been allowed extra constitutional power once, constitution can’t be amended again to extend his rule.