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?
So, Here is what Mr or Ms Lida says:
1. “I say hell with democracy”
2. “Democracy and corrupt politicians caused Pakistan to break up”
3. “DEMOCRACY WILL NOT WORK IN A COUNTRY OF 90% illiterate and ill Informed voters.”
So, essentially, he is saying that he does not trust people of Pakistan and what they decide. Unless they decide what he/she wants then Pakistanis must be illiterate and ill-informed. I am neither and did vote and voted. Did he/she? I am not arrogant enough to believe that everyone who thinks different from me is “illiterate” and ill informed”. If people choose a certain party then that is right. I have more faith in teh “illiterate” people of Paksitan than a few arrogant self-appointed wise people like Lida who thinks only they have wisdom and everyone else is a fool. Thinking that you and only you wat is right and everyone else is wrong – that is what “fundamentalism” is. So, I do not know whether it is Mr. of Ms. Lida, but it is certainly “Mullah Lida” ;-)
It is clear that he/she is motivated by some personal hatred of Zardari. He gives no reason for that hatred, but that irrational hatred is evident in each comment. Essentially, he is saying that he woudl rather see Pakistan destroyed than see Zardari in Power. To me, Pakistan comes first. Not Zardari, Not Musharraf, not anyone else. I guess, there lies the difference.
I guess the only think we agree on is: PAKISTAN ZINDABAD.
Everyone who hates Pakistanis and thinks they are stupid, MURDABAD.
I hate the naive comments that people make.
“Hey this is democracy man and if they dont perform vote them out of office”.
Like this ideal system ever worked in Pakistan.
Democracy and corrupt politicians caused Pakistan to break up.
We dont get to vote people out of office we just elect the next imbecile nawaz Badmaash urf sharif. Then we vote him out then elect Bilawal Zardari then we vote him out then elect Nawaz Sharif’s son then the cycle continues and We just dont get it.
DEMOCRACY WILL NOT WORK IN A COUNTRY OF 90% illiterate and ill Informed voters. WHY IS THAT SO hard to understand.
Tribalism is what our democracy is Nawaz Sharif had given 90% of his cabinet posts to Kashmiri’s and Zardari will give his cabinet post and prominent position to Sindhis.
Is this is what Pakistan has become and nepotism is what our
democracy is and brings us.
Pakistan Zindabad!!!
nare Takbeer Allah Akbar.
jeete ga bhai jeeta Ga Pakistan Jeeta Ga!!!!
Pakistan Ka matlab kiya ….
All these slogans are meant for “Mr Pakistani” our true Pakistani brother who is the unofficial moderator for this page. this is to prove my loyalty and patriotism ;)
I guess a lot a people don’t understand what democracy is…if a system allows a person like Zardari ” a Thug and looter of our treasury” to be our country then there is something seriously wrong. What is the difference between monarchy and democracy in our country.
We need to get rid of the bhutto monarchy. Why not let Aitzaz Hassan, Imran Khan, Ansar burney etc etc run for office.
of the uneducated 90% masses of Pakistan decide our fate then democracy is bound to fail in our country.
The only thing democracy does is legitimizes election of corrupt people and reinforces the power of the corrupt elitist.
So I say hell with democracy if at the grass root level it does materialize and causes more choas in our society.
The bombings are still going on and and that democratically elected PM of ours Gillani is no where to be found. I guess Zardari is holding the leash and is the real Puppet Master.
God help us ..we need a revolution and people need to wake up because these politicians will destroy the country as it is itis on the brink of Failure( sorry mr. pakistani)
Pakistan Paindabad( this one is for you also Pakistani)
This must be a bad dream I can’t believe Zaradari will be our President. That guy was in Jail for corruption last year. What the Hell is going on Mr Pakistani ..can you enlighten us with your wisdom?????
lida
Funny that Mr. Shahid writes:
“Whats your problem
Shahid. Yes, you are wrong.
People who support Musharraf are the ones who support just a person. Those who oppose him say that whoever wins the votes, even if we do not personally like them, has the right to represent Pakistan. And if we do not like them, then we will vote them out in the next election. That is what democracy is. Neither you nor Musharraf got it.