I am watching television right now and every news channels is reporting that declaration of emergency in Pakistan is likely sometime tonight or tomorrow for sure. This is happening when rumors about PML(N) leaders Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif’s possible return to Pakistan within next 2-3 days were already in the air. Three likely reasons are being suggested for emergency:
1. Threats from United States to attack so called terrorist targets and growing terrorist activities in Pakistan.
2. General law and order situation in NWFP and Balochistan.
3. Killing and kidnapping of Chinese in Pakistan
I can’t understand HOW declaring emergency is a solution to all these problems. Aitezaz Ahsen suggested that the people who want to get rid of President Musharraf are giving him such advices. There is no justification of declaring emergency except for his malafied intentions of remaining in power at every cost. He said that emergency declaration will really be the biggest blunder by President Musharraf and the end of his regime. Interesting observation.
This is what Geo website has:
A high-level meeting presided over by President General Pervez Musharraf decided Wednesday to declare emergency in the country for one month that could be extended for three months, the well placed sources told Geo News. The meeting reviewed current political situation and various options regarding changes in the political set up came under discussion.
Pakistan Muslim League (QA) president Chaudhry Shujaat also reportedly said while talking to women parliamentarians of party during a reception which was hosted by him at his residence that emergency is likely to be declared. Speaker National Assembly was also called at the reception in which he was consulted that in case of emergency how it could be approved from the National Assembly. Some reliable sources confirmed that the decision regarding declaration of emergency was taken in the meeting.
However, the government sources have denied the reports about the declaration of emergency in the country.
Personally, I don’t see any reason whatsoever for this move now. Declaration of emergency at this time will only be seen as a desperate attempt to prolong Musharraf sahab’s rule in Pakistan and to avoid elections. It will also be interesting to see how the Supreme Court of Pakistan react to this because, if true, this will surely be challenged.
The situation is quite uncertain and unclear so we will have to wait and see what happens in next 24-48 hours. I hope this turns out to be just a rumor. We already have too many problems and this will only make things worse. We do NOT want another crises when we are preparing to celebrate years 60 years of independence. May Allah have mercy on Pakistan and give our leaders wisdom to make right decisions. Ameen.
KHud ba KHud TUT ke girtI nahiN zanjIr kabhI
badli jAtI hae badaltI nahiN taQdIr kabhI
rang lA’E ga SHahidON ka lahU
Javed Hashmi
I see a cat in uniform trying utmost to cling to the curtain of power. Mr. General does not understand that 1000s like him came and went and no one even knows the name. He might have said the same thing while reading the history.
I think in our history of 60 years , the people enjoyed fundamental rights ( not in essence though ) for only 25-30% of the time. Most of the time all the rights were reserved for the ‘wrongs’.
Emergency will only usurp the rights of the citizens, and will put restrains on freedom of expression. That is no solution for any external or internal threats (real or phantom). This is just a last ditch effort by Musharraf to prolong the sinking of his ship; in the process increasing the list of his crimes against the state and its people. My God; why can’t he just leave quietly. Summum, Bukmun, Umyum; the eyes and the ears are covered, and the eyes can’t see. Look at the decision making body that decided to go this route. The core commanders, heads of Intelligence agencies, the chief, and Sharifuddin Pirzada. These representatives of the people decided to take this route. When will people of this country get a chance to decide their fate?
Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose.
All that will happen is that Musharraf will discard his, always flimsy, fig leaf. Musharraf has been a great disappointment, after a somewhat promising start, but I have even less faith in Benazir or Nawaz Sharif or anyone else likely to emerge as a ‘civilian’ alternative. Aitzaz Ahsan, now, might be different proposition, I hope. However, what odds of him becoming PM?