Adil Najam
Less thank a week ago I had written that “Uncertainty Rules Pakistan.” Since then the uncertainty has compounded.
I write this just a few hours before the 13th National Assembly meets in Islamabad and nearly a month since the general elections, and there is still no clear sense on who the next Prime Minister will be. In fact, it is not even clear who the Speaker of the National Assembly might be (the Speaker is generally elected before the Prime Minister and one would have assumed that at least this would not be a subject of speculation at this point).
Gen. Musharraf continues to fumble as seems to constantly loose support on all fronts. His public support is abysmal, his personal safety so fragile that he is rarely seen in public, his control over the political reigns seems strong but the economy is in a free fall and bombings so rampant that his government seems to have no control whatsoever over public safety. Without his uniform he seems to be less and less able to influence, let alone command, his military colleagues. And the patronage he once received from George Bush in USA has also reduced to a trickle as President Bush is himself nearly as lame a duck as Gen. Musharraf and none of his (Bush’s) likely successors has a single good think to say about Gen. Musharraf.
Meanwhile, the judges issue and the lawyer’s demands - the single most poignant political issue in the country - remains unresolved and without any signs of how it might be resolved.
Most disturbing of all is the spate of violence that continues. Karachi and Lahore and Islamabad but were the latest victims in the spiral of violence and mayhem that has left a country demoralized, dejected, and depressed. Bungling US missile strikes inside Pakistan only serve to fuel the rise of new crops of Taliban and others prone to violent means. Too many Pakistanis in too many places seem to be dying without reason. And this does not make for good politics.
In short, Gen. Musharraf has clearly become less popular and more detrimental than anything to the national interest, but the stock of the political parties has also dwindled and once again they are seen as bumbling, self-serving and in disarray. Meanwhile, the forces of violence and extremism continue to rise.
Parliament will meet today not in a celebratory mood but under the heavy clouds of uncertainty, confusion and - frankly - national anger. The prognosis cannot be pleasant and optimism is not a word one can honestly use. But hope we must. Indeed, we must hope against hope. Because once hope is lost, nothing else remains.
Those who will take their oath today are not heroes, but they do have heroic responsibilities before them. No one seems sure whether they will, but they could rise to the occasion. They have it in their power to defy the odds. To deny that which is being feared of them. To rise beyond anyone’s dreams. To do that which no one believes that they will, but which they could. Indeed, they must. To bring back real and meaningful democracy to Pakistan.
Just a few days ago I was speaking on the role of Constitutions in post-conflict societies at the Harvard Law School, I am under no illusion whatsoever that the mere meeting of a parliament means the return of democracy. Democracy demands much more from a nation, from all of us. But this I know. The meeting of the parliament bodes well for democracy. If nothing else, it is a step in the right direction. And for that reason alone, I am happy that the National Assembly is ready to meet. I hope things go well. I will not be holding by breath in celebration or in anticipation, but I will be uttering a silent prayer. A silent prayer for Pakistan. A silent prayer that those who are taking their oaths today will live by them and do justice and honor to the oath they take.
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Adil Bhai,
What a fine post, you have truly captured the mood of the nation. I ageee 110% with you that ‘hope we must. Indeed, we must hope against hope. Because once hope is lost, nothing else remains’. I remain full of hope for the same reasons given by you and would like to share with you a news story that will give you and other ATP friends much needed hope and happiness, see link below:
http://www.otherpakistan.org/the-other-pakistan-ra ys-of-hope-part1.html
I hope ATP friends who remain despondent can take a pause and have a read and buy into some hope, we must do so as Adil says, I echo Adil again when he says ‘I will not be holding by breath in celebration or in anticipation, but I will be uttering a silent prayer. A silent prayer for Pakistan. A silent prayer that those who are taking their oaths today will live by them and do justice and honor to the oath they take.
Feimanallah Pakistan
Wasim
“Why these political parties dont believe in voting. Zardari want to keep Amin Fahim out because he think hat Makhdooms of Hala can pose threat to his Zardari dynasty. He is now new King of Pakistan and Bilawal is the crown prince.”
Faraz, these are valid concerns…and if you believe strongly in them, you should not vote for such parties. Given enough free elections, either of two things will happen: 1) the PPP will get its act together or 2) it will get kicked out of the assemblies.
“Eidee man has a simple formula. Whenever someone expresses reservations about the political parties, no matter how pro-democracy they are, they get labled as ‘those who do not believe in the idea of voting’ and told to shut up.
A convenient substitute for a decent argument.”
Aqil, the argument is, in fact, very simple.
Many of you mistake my support for the democratic process as a hands-down endorsement of the PPP, etc when the reality is that I am under no such illusions. The reservations and other problems you and others are identifying in the upcoming process, are infinitely better than the alternative of not being totally controlled by a military dictator. Democracy is a very messy, inefficient process; alliances are going to be formed, broken, and people are going to stab other people in the back for personal gains. However, this is the best process we know of.
All I’m hoping for is that the current parliament be given a chance to live out its tenure and the judiciary be restored WITHOUT any sort of intervention by the military or someone else. If that happens, we will have started upon a good path. I hope that the PPP and PML-N will take the opportunity to bring positive change; but even if they don’t, if we have fair elections, the people will throw them out as quickly as they have been ushered in.
Faraz: I full agree. This should not be about personalities. It should be about qualifications and the most qualified and fit to lead should be voted for by the party internally. The power struggle should not be part of Pakistani Politics. The people should be powerful not the government.
What is a way to contact your representative in order to suggest such a bill? And will even they listen or consider it?
Well Let me ask a simple question. Why there is a fight for prime minister candidate in PPP?
Because they dont have internal election for their presidency. Why these political parties dont believe in voting. Zardari want to keep Amin Fahim out because he think hat Makhdooms of Hala can pose threat to his Zardari dynasty. He is now new King of Pakistan and Bilawal is the crown prince.
Why not our parliment can pass a bill that every registered party need an internal election.
I have not seen any debate on GOe TV about what strategy these parties have to fight terrorism or give relief to poor or about energy crisis.
So ppl lik me do have lot of reservations on existing parties.
Eidee man has a simple formula. Whenever someone expresses reservations about the political parties, no matter how pro-democracy they are, they get labled as ‘those who do not believe in the idea of voting’ and told to shut up.
A convenient substitute for a decent argument.
Eidee Man > I’m sorry as I must have misunderstood what you had said.
I’m sure we can all agree that accountability is important for everyone. This current government should be watched very closely. They work for us. We elected them. If they commit crimes then they should be held accountable.
The people should not fear the government. The government should fear the people.
I hope that these elected people have learned their lessons and realize that they have been assigned to a job that we expect them to do well. Let us all band together and make sure that they do their job.
I share the thoughts of the writer. Like him I am happy that the Parliament was able to take oath today and at least that went slowly. There is no great enthusiasm in the country but I am also glad that the elections took place and we are taking these baby steps to democracy again.
As you rightly say “he meeting of the parliament bodes well for democracy. If nothing else, it is a step in the right direction.” I hope in the coming days the other right steps will also be taken. To me those steps will need to be:
1. A quick and permanent Prime Minister, not just a seat-warmer.
2. Restoration of 1973 Constitution and of judiciary.
3. Removal of Pervez Musharraf and sending military back to the barracks.
4. A focus on people’s real issues, specially commodity prices and energy crisis.
5. A real strategy to fight extremism, including convincing USA to stop bombings in Pakistan territory.