Adil Najam
I do not think that I am the only who who has been quite stunned by the near-total radio silence from Gen. Pervez Musharraf since he was forced out of the President’s office.
Of course, one realizes that he has probably been advised – maybe ‘told’ – to keep a low profile by the military itself. Possibly, that was part of the unstated ‘deal’ that led to his resignation. Moreover, one must confess, that given all the passions he can still ignite amongst his detractors as well as his supporters, it is probably a good think that he has kept a low profile. Pakistan is already too traumatic a place. There is already “too much news” in Pakistan as it is. A little quiet from the Pervez Musharraf front is, therefore, probably good for the general and good for Pakistan too.
But that being as it is, one is quite surprised at the silence nonetheless. Silence is certainly not characteristic of the man. And he obviously has a lot that he could say, especially given all the events since his departure. That he has kept his restrain – or been made to keep his restrain – is, therefore, certainly surprising and possibly admirable.
Except, that it seems that he has finally broken the silence – but only briefly and most cautiously. One hears that he will also soon start saying more – on the international lecture circuit. Whether one agrees with him or not, it will no doubt be worth a listen.
News channels in Pakistan have reported on remarks after Eid prayers at the Army House. According to The News:
Former president Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday said he would not leave the country. He made these remarks after offering Eid prayers in Army House today. Musharraf said several foreign institutes and non-government organization (NGOs) were inviting him to present lectures. “I will start the visits once some matters related to the invitations are finalized.†he added. Condemning the Marriott hotel suicide blast, Musharraf said military operation against militants should continue. Bajaur operation has started to produce results, he noted.
Gen. Musharraf remains at the Army House along with his family and while his days since his resignation have been quiet – or at least unreported upon – Eid day at the Army House was far from quiet. Reportedly he received a number of Eid guests and well-wishers, including retired and serving military military officers, friends, businessmen, and politicians.
Reports suggest that he strongly denied any plans of moving abroad, reaffirmed his intention to remain in Pakistan, did say that he might go abroad on a lecture tour after settling his affairs in Pakistan, said that the Bajur operation has been a success and needs to be a success in the future, condemned the Marriott Hotel bombing, and said that he was having an “excellent time” since he resigned because it had given him time to spend with his family, friends, and to pursue other activities like reading.
Nothing in what he said to his Eid visitors is surprising. That is the nice chit chat that Eid gatherings are supposed to be about. But one does wonder what he is really thinking? What he has really been doing (I hope that he actually has been reading, which is always a good thing)? How has he been coping with the transition? How has he dealt with being everywhere all the time to being near invisible? And, what is it that he will say when he gives these lectures.
I suspect that we will never find the answers to any of the above, except for the very last one. That, I think, we will find out soon enough. But I have a sense I already know the script of that one. But I will be attentively listening nonetheless.
@ViqarMinai,
I have seen presidents of countries representing in UN from countries which have parliamentory system.
But I agree with you point about the need to do away with the powers of president acquired by Musharraf. However, I am also aware of the fact that Pakistan is going through tough times–times where major decisions will need to be made and for that if the most powerful politician of Pakistan is able to ‘wheel n deal’ with both the army, other political leaders, as well as world leaders then I am willing to put up with that for interim period. I am willing to accommodate this deviance from the ‘ideals’ in the same way I thought an interim civilian Martial Law Administrator Bhutto was inducted after the 1971 war debacle.
But I still say that this parliament and the ‘opposition’ in both inside and outside of the parliament is very relevent and powerful. The post-Musharraf era has just started. There are already stirrings in the woods of Pakistani politics. There are momentous decisions being made, as I write these lines, where the ‘in-camera’ session of the parliament. Pakistani nation must allow the govt. to establish the rule of the civilians as a concept drilled into the heads of the Khakis as well as the into the heads of the ‘Zia Baqiats’. Pakistani nation must allow the govt. to some time to set itself in a governing position to negotiate/war against the militants. Already, whether the Balouch nationalists have declared an interim peace. Ata Ullah Mengal is reportedly attending the current ‘in-camera’ session.
In time, Zardari will be kicked out constitutionally. But, for now, I would not mind if ‘Mr. Sonia Gandhi’ of Pakistan remains in that role. Pakistani nation gave 8+ years to a totally unaccountable general who could do anythingd on his whims, without any consultations, and was ensured of a ‘safe exit’. Zardari does not have that kind of immunity and I trust his rule will be better than Musharraf’s even though Zardari has inherited a country which has become almost ungovernible by the end of 2007.
I am asking for patience, for than anything else.
I Still support him, he was no doubt the best president of Pakistan ! i hope he will be back soon as zardari has cleared out all the dough$$$ faster than expected.
@Meengla:
Please re-read point #6. I agreed that this is NOT a rubber stamp parliament. It is just that it doesn’t get any opportunity to do its job, all the tall claims to it being sovereign notwithstanding. It doesn’t get to discuss and debate, nor to affect policy.
We still have a Presidential system, even though the military dictator is gone. I hope you are not suggesting that it is OK for a civilian President, whose responsibilites ought to purely ceremonial, to run the country simply because he is civilian.
Or may be it is because he isn’t educated and lacks proper grooming.
There is absolutely no reason to give five years to an
unconstitional operational set up. Mr. Zardari’s powers should be removed by the parliament and he should learn to stay in his room and worship the photograph of his wife instead of parading it on the podium at the UN.
Is the Pakistani head of state supposed to represent Pakistan, or the Bhutto family? Sheesh!
@ViqarMinai,
I agree with most of your points except #6. No, this is not a rubber-stamp parliament like that under Musharraf. Today more than half of Pakistani people live under Punjab govt. which is under a ‘nice-opposition’ mode currently. In NWFP as well as Baluchistan, the PPP could lose its coalition govt. to re-alignments of other forces. It may be that things are under so much flux–Musharraf shamefully clung to power despite his supporters lost in the Feb. 2008 elections–the post-Musharraf era is just starting. Let it have its chance–for once since 1977 without the Military Intelligence or ISI or the GHQ interfering. We shall see what happens after 5 years. We know we can kick out PPP at that point. Could we say the same about Musharraf?
Musharraf finally left Pakistan in a state where the country is almost ungovernible. THAT falls on him and no one else: The sole source of power in Pakistan for 9 years. He also enjoyed fairly stable global markets as well as internal stability until 2006 and yet, by the end of 2007, Pakistan was already burning.
no bro…. you CAN NOT vote for the feudal no matter what.
till and until our nation is educated and feudalism is eradicated, we have only one option and that is to stick with someone trustable, Musharraf was that kind of a man.
who does not want pure democracy????
BUT with feudalism, it will be flawed as it is now.
Musharraf will keep his silence as he never goes haywire on TV like the illiterate corrupt politicians we have.