Adil Najam
UPDATE (Sept 28, 2007): In a split decision (6-3), the Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that Gen. Musharraf can contest the Presidential Elections in uniform. Earlier, on September 20, Justice Javed Iqbal had remarked that the 17th Constitutional Amendment provided crutches to President Musharraf, not by the Supreme Court.
According to The News:
The nine-member larger Bench hearing the identical constitutional petitions comprised of Justice Rana Bhagwan Das, Justice Javed Iqbal, Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan, Justice Muhammad Nawaz Abbasi, Justice Faqir Muhammad Khokar, Justice Falak Sher, Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan and Justice M Javed Buttar…. Six of the nine-judge larger bench gave verdict in favour of dismissing the petitions while other three judges, Justice Rana Bhagwandas, Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan and Justice Shakirullah Jan differed.
ORIGINAL POST: The main headline in The News today (Sept. 21, 2007) is revealing. It reads:
Oct. 6 set to “re-elect Musharraf.”
News reports in major newspapers do not usually use headlines with such obvious sarcasm. In fact, more than sarcasm there is desperation in the headline. It seems that like much of the nation, The News has also, finally, given up on the sham Presidential elections which are making a mockery of the Constitution, of the courts and, frankly, of the nation. The inverted commas in the headline say it all. The General wants to remain in power for his personal reasons, and he will do so no matter what, and no matter how. As the old Fifty-Fifty skit used to say: “karr lo jo karna hai”!
In a country where we change, amend, abuse, and concoct Constitutions at whims, it has always surprised me why we take Constitutional provisions so very seriously when it comes time to manipulate it. The spirit of the Constitution died long ago, what does it matter now whether the letter is followed or not?
Frankly, like The News, I am also disgusted with the process – and with everyone in it. While Gen. Musharraf has now lost all shred of process and is hell bent on keeping the Presidency by hook or by crook (and most likely by crook), the politicians and the media do not come across as much better either. The judiciary has fared better for now, but one wonders for how long.
What bugs me is the manipulation games everyone is playing with the Constitution. The media discussions are particularly depressing and people debate clauses but disregard the concepts behind the clauses. Everyone seems to relish the jorr torr, and no one wants to step back and say what does all of this mean for Pakistan.
There is absolutely no sense of what is “right” or “wrong”. Only, a discussion of what is ‘possible’ or ‘not possible.’ Politics may well be the ‘art of the possible’, but there is only that much abuse that even politics can take. Frankly, we have abused it enough.
Musharraf with his machinations to hold on to his kursi, the Chaudhries with their manipulations, the MMA with their fueling of fires, the MQM with its strongarm tactics, Benazir with her deals that seem really to center around getting the cases against her removed, even Nawaz Sharif with his less than convincing convictions …. None seems inspiring and none seems ready to rise to the moment.
Even the media seems to have lost its luster and relishes the minutia of dancing over a polity dying and being killed before its eyes. Engrossed in the sensationalism of the moment (whether it be a Presidential order, a Court adjournment, an Election Commission parchment, or merely the latest inanity from Sher Afghan) it seems to have no interest in the larger questions confronting the nation. The questions of democracy, the questions of extremism, the questions of civil war, the questions of economic disparity, the questions of civic disengagement, the questions of national lethargy in the face of all these questions.
I fear that I sound depressed. It is because I am. I have been in Pakistan the last three weeks, and personal reasons have kept me from writing much, or even visiting ATP much (thanks, Owais, for doing such a fine job managing the site), but I have thought often of writing about the daily political developments in this topi drama. I have not done so partly because I had even more pressing crises on my mind, but also because it has become increasingly difficult to look at all of this as anything except a political circus. But a very sad and depressing circus at that. This is not just playing poker with the fate of the nation, this is more like playing Russian roulette!
I made arrangements to be able to visit the Supreme Court during its current interesting cases. I decided not to go. Same reason. Its way too depressing. I am sorry, readers, to dump this on you, but its just one of those times. May these times end soon and may the sun shine again! Ameen! I have very little faith left in any of the major actors anymore, but I do have faith in the democratic spirit of ordinary Pakistanis. It will eventually triumph.
They say that democracy can sometimes lead to dirty politics. Yes, it can. But what we have just proved in Pakistan is that the lack of democracy leads to even dirtier politics.
this general has disgraced army,the country and has divided a once unified nation! he has made people hopeless!the way he is acting is so shameless that even the worst crooks abstain doing! If this is democracy then its better the version of governance maulana Rasheed wanted! how is he different from him? he may face the same fate! but what makes me cry is that he has made the countries image “unpresentable” all major issues relating pakistan arose in his tenure ad he handled all of then wrong!reason? coz his advisors are all crooks! Post Zia era it was sufficient for the nation to realise the exploits of army but it never happened! coz successive coups and corrupt politics have made people “learnt helpless”
They know nothing is going to happen,and this is whats gonna hinder our progression! its rightly qouted “karlo jo karna ha”
Politicians no doubt are corrupt,but they go to people and ask for votes!but generals like these create an aura of uncertainity,make people stupid by propaganda,make money and then go back to barracks!and when it comes to fight? they surrender or they make poor soldiers die on the tiger hills!
If all this would have been happening any where in the world,i am assure there would have been mass demonstrations and govt would have been toppled!but the learned helpless syndrome has effectivelt stopped it! Its so shameful a serving general is doing what a muncipal committee member would do before leaving his spot!
1000000+ corrupt politicians are better than even one clean general!coz rest of the generals accompanying that angel would be the worst devils this planet earth has ever witnessed! Its disgusting rather makes me nauseated even to think about what hes doing! i wish i could LOL spit on his face!
so, Aamir, are you saying that Musharraf really does not want to do this or be n power by someone (USA) is ‘orcing’ him to do this?
Pakistan has never been a free and fair democracy…period! we only have a ‘democracy’ because that’s the accepted form of government in the world. The majority of the people of Pakistan only vote for people who their leaders tell them to. Same people come and go and plunder everything again and again.
There have also always been meddling from ‘external’ elements in the governments of Pakistan, and I think for a man of credibility and honesty like Musharraf (which I truly believe he is), there are decisions being taken which suit these external parties that have a pretty high stake in this part of the world.
another attempt of army dictator to prove pakistan ppl are not exist in this planet they are soulless ppl…ADIL bahi ur right Karr lo jo karna he i will rule the country next 5 year all u pakis go to hell .
The situation is depressing. I used to believe that maybe Musharraf would be different and not really hungry for power but recent weeks have shown that he also only cares about keeping power and nothing else. Is wiling to sell all principles to remain in power. Sad.