Adil Najam
UPDATE: The picture on the left, published in Daily Times, comes with the caption:
“Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri, PML-Q President Shujaat Hussain and MNAs react to an announcement by the Election Commissioner (unseen), at Parliament on Saturday. President Pervez Musharraf won a landslide victory in the election but the official results will be declared after the Supreme Court verdict on his eligibility.“
Maybe our readers can suggest what some of the people here are thinking as they clap. Suggestively, some, you will note, are making too much of an effort to clap, and others too little! The picture is also a good compliment to an earlier one we had posted here.
ORIGINAL POST: It is neither a surprise nor really news that Gen. Musharraf just got himself elected. It was always clear that he would get himself elected by hook or crook; eventually it took a bit of both. The way it had to be done is sad - pathetic really - and no one has come out of this mess looking good. Gen. Musharraf got the votes he needed, but neither he nor anyone else is a winner.
Gen. Musharraf lost whatever little credibility he might have had as someone interested in Pakistan’s development or people’s aspirations. He also lost the ability to make the claim that he was any different or any less p
ower-hungry than his political predecessors. He is now, clearly, one of them and has lost the one thing that had given him a support base. Benazir Bhutto lost the principles her party and father might once have stood for. PML(Q) had little to loose and yet lost big, they may even loose the government. Nawaz Sharif had already lost out some weeks ago. Maulana Fazlur Rehman had already lost all credibility but now they can’t even pretend to have any left. The Supreme Court lost at least some of the public goodwill they had gained as an institution with last minute shenanigans. America lost too because instead of backing one bad bet (Musharraf) they are now backing two (Musharraf + Benazir Bhutto).
But the biggest loser here may be the people of Pakistan who - once again - lost big time. But, then, I guess we are used to it.
Frankly, there is little need or point in commenting on the sham elections today. This was not a news event, this was a scripted stage drama. The real question remains what will happen next. There, it seems, that all of the losers - including Gen. Musharraf - may be confronted with some unexpected turn of events. There, one continues to hope, the people of Pakistan may yet emerge as winners eventually. Whenever ‘eventually’ comes!
People talk about the bad things happening in Pakistan, but I would like to paint the horrible future that I can foresee happening to Pakistan if not sooner than later.
Back in 2001 when I was in California, even the general public in US (who are usually ignorant of the world politics and usually don’t care), was more skeptic about Pakistan then Iran or even Afghanistan, there was a general consensus (which I believe is still there) , that Pakistan Army is part of the problem (perhaps the problem itself) not the part of the solution.
I recall several of those documentaries on PBS which showed what Pakistan Army is. Though at the moment Bush has convinced large part of his associates that Mush with his army generals can be part of the solution, however as US has not been successful in getting Afghanistan back to normal and get rid of Taliban there, and as is apparent that the Pakistan Afghan border is still a “safe haven” for the so-call Alqaeda , proves that Pakistan Army is still the biggest the problem. General knows it clearly that is why in each of his interview he would try to refute vigorously the term “safe haven”.
Now coming back to future of Pakistan, I believe that sooner or later only option left with US will be to attack Pakistan , that is what Rice suggested in 2001. (I would just smile if somebody says Pakistan is nuclear power and so and so…). And then the real future is what the present of Iraq is. Iraq army including Saddam Hussein were as blue eyed to US in 80’s as our General and army is. But then there was Abu Ghraib for them.
There is somehow another coincidence between Iraq and Pakistan , long time ago Saddam Hussien ordered his chemical Ali killing of Shia at the time when Iran was sounding the “Marg ber US” and Shias were greatest enemy of US and then he was sentenced to be hanged till death for the same crime, chemical Ali along with him.
And just recently our General ordered his chemical Tariq killing of so-called Taliban in the capital. I am just wondering what will happen to them in 2011.
MQ,
Nice song. Its good to meet someone who went to school earlier than I did. When would that be?
I matriculated in 1960.
Viqar Manai:
There was also popular song when I was in school — earlier than you. It was a duet between a man named Henry and a woman named Lisa (pronounced Lyza). I think it applies to Pakistan. Here it is:
There’s a hole in the bucket, dear Lisa, dear Lisa
There’s a hole in the bucket, dear Lisa, a hole
Go fix it dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry
Go fix it dear Henry, dear Henry, fix it.
With what shall I fix it, dear Lisa dear Lisa
With what shall I fix it, dear Lisa with what
With a straw dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry
With a straw, dear Henry, dear Henry, with a straw
But the straw is too long, dear Lisa dear Lisa
The straw is too long, dear Lisa too long
Cut it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry
Cut it, dear Henry, dear Henry, cut it
With what shall I cut it, dear Lisa, dear Lisa
With what shall I cut it, dear Lisa with what
With an axe, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry
With an axe, dear Henry, dear Henry, with an axe
The axe is too dull, dear Lisa, dear Lisa
The axe is too dull, dear Lisa too dull
Sharpen it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry
Sharpen it, dear Henry, dear Henry, hone it
On what shall I sharpen it, dear Lisa dear Lisa
On what shall I hone it, dear Lisa on what
On a stone, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry
On a stone, dear Henry, dear Henry, with a stone
But the stone is too dry, dear Lisa dear Lisa
The stone is too dry, dear Lisa too dry
Well wet it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry
Well wet it, dear Henry, dear Henry, wet it
With what shall I wet it, dear Lisa, dear Lisa
With what shall I wet it, dear Lisa with what
Try water, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry
Try water, dear Henry, dear Henry, use water
In what shall I fetch it, dear Lisa, dear Lisa
In what shall I fetch it, dear Lisa in what
In a bucket, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry
In a bucket, dear Henry, dear Henry, in a bucket
(but…but..)
There’s a hole in the bucket, dear Lisa, dear Lisa
There’s a hole in the bucket, dear Lisa a hole
AUK,
According to a news report in the Daily Times, the govt has given up on talks with the militants in Waziristan, and has decided to immediately mount a massive military offensive to clean up the place. For the general, this has immense benefits. Consider:
1. US and NATO would be even more staunchly on his side as a result of this.
2. Combined with the dissolution of the NWFP assembly, and the situation in Swat created by maulvi Fazlullah - to which the govt is purposely turning a blind eye so far - it raises serious law and order and security concerns. What conceivable purpose can this serve? You’ll see in a minute.
3. Yesterday, BB was asked by the general to delay her return until after the SC verdict - a suggestion she has so far ignored. On the face of it, it is a silly suggestion. What possible relationship could there be between her return and the SC verdict?
But, wait, there just might be a method to all this madness.
If the SC - though not expected to - decides to get adventurous, the prevailing conditions in the north can be used as a justification to impose emergency in the country. US and Nato will not raise an eyebrow. BB would be better off cooling her heels in Dubai, or in UK, if that happens; hence the “request”.
If you simply look at all the events, and do a little thinking to connect them up, the conclusions are just too obvious to ignore. One does not need a crystal ball, or have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out.
Alternatively, you can fix your gaze on the KSE index and get your brains frozen.
Viqar, I have not heard John Baez before, but these lines do touch a nerve.
The latest from the American front is that US Marine command in Iraq has asked to be moved to Afghanistan. That will be 26000 strong, which will double the American presence in that country. If BB lands in Prime Minister house, the Waziristanis should get ready for a pounding from the other side of the border too. The situation which is already ugly can soon get uglier.
AUK,
Back when I was a new student in the US, there used to be a popular Joan Baez song which, I think, is very applicable to the situation of the Pak masses. I’ll skip the repetitive rhymes; the rest of the words are as follows:
“On a wagon bound for market
there is a calf with a mournful eye
high above him there is a swallow
winging swiftly through the sky”
…
“Stop complaining, said the farmer
who told you a calf to be?
why don’t you have wings to fly with?
like the swallow so proud and free”
…
“Calves are easily bound and slaughtered
never knowing the reason why?
but whoever treasures freedom
like the swallow, has learnt to fly”.
donna donna donna
donna donna do not do …
That the Americans, and others, can do these things to us is our own fault; no one else’s.
The script for Pakistan’s future, as written by the State dept, has so far been played to perfection. The only blip was the reinstatement of the CJ, but that has failed to materially impact anything as the SC has been converted to its traditional dormant and pliant role, notwithstanding the current case, which would be decided in government’s favor.
Here is something I fail to understand. What is the role of Q league (until now the King’s party) in all this? Today, Mush said that he represents all parties, further confirming that BB will be taking over. How can they, after supporting the General for 5 years, be gotten rid of this easily? Won’t they stand up and fight? They should have only 1 demand at this point; to have a chance to win at the polls. In the absence of any interference from the agencies, they do have an opportunity to win again. However if America’s script is played to perfection, they will be defeated. I don’t know how they can accept that after siding with the General during all this time. I don’t believe I am saying this, but I for once empathize with them. I also pray for all those who think that Pakistan is in safe hands.
By Ansar Abbasi in Today’s News. I would provide a link but this one needs posting here. Apologies to the moderators.
ISLAMABAD: The American interference in Pakistani politics is at an all time high, with Washington contacting different authorities in Islamabad, ignoring recognised diplomatic channels and bypassing the prime minister and his government to ensure smooth sailing for Benazir Bhutto.
A reliable source in the Presidency told this correspondent that during some recent discussions amongst senior authorities, it was revealed that influential American government leaders were directly contacting different Pakistani leaders and officials, ignoring the Foreign Office and even the prime minister, who is the chief executive of the country.
Although, this mounting American interference was not the issue being discussed in such high-level interactions, the source privy to such deliberations found it extremely upsetting. He revealed that the extent of American interference could be judged from the worrying fact that Washington had lately written a letter directly to a Pakistani spymaster to discuss the progress on Benazir-Musharraf dialogue issue.
How could the Americans do that? There is no explanation to this. Is it proper for intelligence agencies’ chiefs to be welcoming such direct correspondence from Washington? The source also disclosed that one of the two top aides of the president – Lt General (Retd) Hamid Javaid and Tariq Aziz – these days maintains a direct one-to-one contact with the American authorities. Mostly, it is said, the presidential aide talks to Richard Boucher, who is monitoring the events unfolding in Pakistan vis-à-vis Benazir Bhutto’s return and her participation in active politics at home.
The aide was even quoted as telling recently that the contact was now so frequent that he and Boucher now exchanged views with each other and passed on information through mobile messages (short messaging service- SMS).
During his last visit to Pakistan, Boucher had also visited a presidential aide but nothing was officially said about this meeting. When The News contacted concerned government quarters to have their reaction about the American interference they said there was no truth in the substance of such reports. However, they added, for follow-up action, concerned departments of each government interact as required.
A report published in a local English daily revealed that Benazir during her recent visit to Washington spoke with Musharraf from the office of Congressman Tom Lantos, the powerful chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The report also disclosed that the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice telephoned both Musharraf and Benazir on Thursday last to ensure that they had reached the agreement. The next day, Musharraf promulgated the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).
“The two telephone calls show the extent of Washington’s involvement in Pakistani politics and contradict the State Department’s repeated assurance that while the US backs the formation of a moderate political centre in Pakistan, it does not favour any particular candidate or party,” the report said.
Interestingly, the government – the prime minister and his cabinet – is generally ignored and bypassed in all such interactions between Washington and the Presidency or the spymasters. Most leaders of the ruling coalition parties are also allergic to the kind of concessions being offered to Benazir by the president but they could not dare cross their limits.