Adil Najam
One of the most important decision in Pakistan’s political history was made yesterday when Gen. Pervez Musharraf was made to resign from the Presidency. Equally, and possibly more, important decisions are being made right now by the political leadership of the ruling coalition. It is these decisions being made now that will ultimately effect not only the immediate but the long-term future of the country and which will, in many ways, determine the real significance of the decision made yesterday.
As the political leadership of the country continues its deliberations four questions in particular seem critical. The answers they come up will will impact what happens to Pakistan politics as well as what happens to Pakistan’s political leadership itself.
On each of the following four key decision points, what do you think will happen? What do you think should happen?
Question #1. Who will replace Gen. Pervez Musharraf as President of Pakistan?
The names being thrown around, some I think less seriously than others, include those of Afsaryab Khattak, Afsandyar Wali Khan, Fazlur Rahman, Dr Fehmida Mirza, Aftab Shaaban Mirani, Faryal Talpur, Attaullah Mengal, Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui, Mehmood Achakzai, Aitizaz Ahsan, Rana Bhagwandas, Fakharuddin Ibrahim, and many others. As important as the choice of the President is the signal it will send about whether the nature and powers of the President will also be cut down or not. What do you think will happen? What do you think should happen?
Question #2. Will Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and his fellow judges be restored? And when?
The really important question here is the “when”. PML(N) wants the judges to be restored immediately. If they are not, what signal will this send to the PML(N) and the country about their role and power within the ruling coalition? What, really, are the pros and cons of an early restoration, and for whom? The one question that may be even more important than the “when” question here, is the “under what conditions” question. That is the question one hears less about but will may ultimately determine what comes, or does not come, out of the judges moevement. What do you think will happen? What do you think should happen?
Question #3. What is the future of the ruling coalition itself?
The ruling coalition was really constructed as a coalition against Gen. Musharraf. Its primary purpose was to remove Gen. Musharraf from office. It has been spectacularly successful in doing that. What now? Will it survive? In what form? Should it survive at all? Will it be more healthy if PML(N) now becomes a parliamentary opposition which, in a functioning democracy, is as important as a government? What do you think will happen? What do you think should happen?
Question #4. What about the survival issues of the Pakistani awam: Bijli, Paani, Nokri, Naan?
Ultimately, this is the most important question of all. Till now, with a visibly divided government, the political parties could ward of part of the economic woes faced by ordinary Pakistanis to Gen. Musharraf and his past policies. Now, they will have to - and quickly - demonstrate that they can and will do something about these major crises. It is not clear what they plan to, or even can, do. But if they don’t their popularity will be seriously imperiled. What do you think will happen? What do you think should happen?
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While this may seem over simplistic, fact is whatever has transpired politically and socially over last sixty years in Pakistan is determined in large part by the conflicts and tensions between pro-Mullah mostly Punjabis and moderate mostly non-Punjabis. All provinces, except Punjab, that became part of Pakistan were secularists in nature, in line with the values of the Quaid-e-Azam. Punjab however showed signs of intolerance very early on in the history of Pakistan. External forces wishing to weaken Pakistan’s resolve against foreign intervention in its affairs and internal forces (mostly anti-Pakistan Movement Mullahs and Punjab’s politicians) for their selfish motives banked on pro-Mullah sentiments of Punjab’s populous time and time again and were never disappointed. This not only caused the first marshal law in Pakistan, weakened the original Muslim League and it’s central government, alienated other provinces notably Bengalis and gave credence to religious fanatics who were incidentally against Pakistan’s creation from the outset. In short Pakistan which was created with higher purpose of prosperity for all its inhabitants in mind, was reduced to a playground of fanatic Mullahs and corrupt politicians and Military men owning to the short-sightedness of Punjab’s public. This short-sightedness is reflected in current times, in more than usual support for Taliban’s and lal-masjid ilk in Punjab compared to other provinces.
The last leader who stood against foreign powers; Bhutto, was ousted by the mostly Punjabi population’s movement against Bhutto following Mullahs with the help of US aid.
This has taught PPP (and some other politicians) a valuable lesson i.e. never to trust public more than the US.
Talking about the judiciary, I think legal system should get revamped to align itself with the Islamic legal system. As for the law degree, it should be like the USMLE: A 4-year broad-Bachelors education before being allowed to start a law program.
Musharraf’s end came because of the Judges issue and Zardari’s end will come because of Judges too.
@meengla:
A simple lesson in mathematics….and history…..who won the elections? Mujeeb or ZAB? And by what percentage?
The self proclaimed Champion of Democracy couldn’t stomach the idea of having the power shift to the deserved winners……flaunted the rules of the same democracy he was preaching. Must credit you with at least one correct point though……he manipulated the Army as well as the bureaucracy for his personal benefit. Army being Fools? Perhaps you are right again. No wonder they were fools enough to be used against the Baluch population, in 70s as well as now.
By the way, the “Idher tum udher…..” comment is recorded in history no matter which way you want to read it.
Humble adventures of the next President Asif Ali Zardari:
In 1990, Zardari was arrested on charges of blackmail, based on allegations that he attached a bomb to a Pakistani businessman, Murtaza Bukhari, and forced him to withdraw money from his bank account.
in August 2004, Zardari finally admitted owning a £4.35m estate in Surrey, England (including a 20-room mansion and two farms on 365 acres, or 1.5 km², of land).
Polish deal purchase of 8,000 tractors in a 1997 Asif Ali Zardari allegedly received a 7.15% commission on the purchase who received about $1.969 million for supplying 5,900 Ursus tractors.
French Air craft deal: Zardari, offered exclusive rights to Dassault to replace the air force’s fighter jets in exchange for a five percent commission to be paid to a corporation in Switzerland controlled by Zardari.
Dubai Gold Deal” In the largest single payment investigators have uncovered, a gold bullion dealer in Western Asia was alleged to have deposited at least $10 million into one of Zardari’s accounts after the Bhutto government gave him a monopoly on gold imports that sustained Pakistan’s jewellery industry. The money was allegedly deposited into Zardari’s Citibank account in Dubai.
AND NOW
Pakistan’s Election Commission on August 22 announced that Presidential elections will be held on September 6, and the nomination papers can be filed from August 26. Many analysts have predicted that if Zardari is elected president, Pakistan’s political, economical and financial position will suffer heavily.
WHAT NEXT: Pakistan ki registry apne naam karwa lo Zardari sahib.
@KhanBaba,
Nope. Yahya was in-charge in Pakistan between 1969-1971. He held all power, especially since Pakistan was under a Martial Law. He could have had ZAB’s head on a platter if he wanted to.
It were the khakis’ desks where ‘the bucked stopped’ and it is they who are to be blamed. AND it is they who, realizing a lost cause, asked Bhutto to return to Pakistan and assume charge after the khakis gently nudged Yahya Khan away. I would think if ZAB was responsible he would not be invited back to Pakistan and assume power? Unless one thinks that the army is led by fools who can be manipulated by politicians in opposition to the extent to lose a war and divide the country.
If the army is really that bad then, logically, Pakistan is doomed anyway, with or without people like ZAB?
Quit living in some out of context remarks like ‘Idhr Hum Udhr Tum’ conspiracies. Isn’t it enough that the khakis hanged him and under their rule his daughter was slaughtered?
@meengla:
- What accountability for a ‘civil leader’ are you talking about!? As though it has ever happened in the past.
- History speaks otherwise as to who was responsible for dismembering this country the last time it happened. It was a power hungry politician using the Khakis to his own lustful benefit.
There all you Mush haters. You have your wish as Zardari is becoming new president with all the powers in the world.