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.
The amendment may itself be open to a challange in the courts on the grounds of being against the basic spirit of democracy if it allows Mush to stay in uniform.
Remember how the supreme court under Sajjad Ali Shah threw out the 14th amendment during the second term of NS?
Besides, I don’t think it will be possible for BB to convince her party to vote in favour of an amendment that does not clearly stipulate a time for Mush to shed his uniform this year. If he dishonours that agreement and still insists on keeping his second skin, then the courts will be in a position to rule against him.
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.
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.