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.
Hi PatExpat,
I share your thoughts immensely. If we truly want to enjoy the fruit of democracy, we have no choice but to let the tree grow. And make no mistake, it will not turn into a mature tree overnight. A great deal of hard work, patience,and devotion is needed for its nurturing and care. We can’t simply import it from overseas, we need to plant our own by using indigenous seeds, fertilizers, water , light and yes in our own soil.
History shows us that any initial burst of democracy, to a certain degree, resembles a good mix of anarchy and autocracy. Not the new brand of anarchy, I’m referring to the older version. Is the newer version the best available substitute for democracy? Simply ask Noam Chomsky. In any democratic exercise in its premature stage, the danger that jurists may sound like politicians, and politicians like autocrats; journalists like preachers and preachers like warriors; and so forth, will always be looming over our heads. Whereas, in its mature form, after the lines are drawn, boundaries are set, principles are defined, rules are made, and institutions are built, we may be able to enjoy a stable system where state institutions work on their own steam rather than the strikes of personal powers. Even then, constant adjustments and diligence is required. After all, it is the most difficult system of all to maintain and run, is it not?
Every body is manipulating…every body is looting…. rulers are destroying institutions for power… We r failed Nation we must admit now!!!!
Nothing perpatual in this world……This topi drama will also end..but that end will leave Pakistan nowwhere!!!!
these political games are so childish and sad because they all think they can fool everyone all the time
@Sharmeen
Democracy is not just based on the whims of the educated minority and it does not develop overnight. We want everything in a platter, looking for a messiah, a white knight for which we can all vote.
What people here seem to forget is that politicians don’t die easily unless its a political death? Bhutto is dead but his legacy lives on. Bugti is a hero in Baluchistan despite his cruel menacing ways. Even Altaf Hussain lives on in the hearts of Karachiites. Unless you give people a chance to learn and throw out the politicians through their vote, we will have the same politicians.
Obviously, the learning process takes years if not decades. And please don’t think that the illiterate does not know whats best for them. They do. Its just that we don’t give them a chance.
India has larger illiterate and poorer population. Last government of BJP had done everything right with India growing at breakneck pace. Going by the whims of burgeoning middle class and elite of India, BJP should have received a resounding win in last elections with their amazing ‘India Shining’ campaign. Yet they were shocked at the loss. This loss came because the illiterate and the poor (the similar illiterate and poor majority of Pakistan which the visitors on this site don’t consider their equal – they may say so otherwise but the posts definitely show that they think how can their vote carry the same weight as that of a illiterate haari – “we are not ready for democracy”) didn’t feel its effect and voted them out of power.
With all the civilian institutions weakened by continuous interference and infested with corrupt army generals (utilities, regulatory bodies, embassies), the next democratic government would face immense challenges in getting anything done because these generals and ISI will ensure that nothing happens against the wishes of GHQ.
It will take the system more than 15-20 years to cleanse itself, the people to learn and the corrupt politicians to die a political death.
I have been visiting this site since its inception and it has been pro-Musharraf from day one right upto its owners and editors. I was part of minute minority who was posting for democracy but no one listened. Its good to see the liberated and the enlightened finally coming to their senses and moving from “In Mush we Trust (or Only Mush)” to “Democracy is good but Musharraf is a necessary evil”. Hopefully, we can make the next transition to “Democracy is good. Period” soon.
Actually, these clowns are not very serious about resigning in the first place, otherwise they would have done so by now and MMA would have dissolved the NWFP and Baluchistan assemblies. Their talk of resigning on the 29th of Sept is ridiculous and hollow even if they are able to resign.