Adil Najam
Back on August 18, 2008 – right before Gen. Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation – we conducted an ATP Poll asking our readers what Pakistan would look like after Musharraf. Now, two months after the event, it seems like a good time to repeat the question. So, here is our new ATP Poll. Do tell us what you think? We have tried to match the wording of the questions to those asked last time so that one can have better comparison.
The results of our previous poll on the subject, were interesting, but not surprising.
Partisans on each side dominated the discussion, and the numbers (these are respresentative of no greater truth than the readership of this blog and the passions of those on any side). Around a third of the respondents (34 percent) felt that things would generally become better; somewhat more (42 percent) felt things would generally get worse; some 22 percent felt that only faces will change and no other real change would materialize.
So, now that we have two months under our belt, what can we say? Or, and maybe, it is still too early to say anything? If so, we can always do this again in a few months and see how and if opinions change.
“Can an economy of a 7% GDP growth rate, and an abundance of foreign exchange reserves and a white-hot stock market simply cease to be so because of one man
All Musharraf supporters need to come to terms with the simple fact that whatever he had accomplished simply vanished into thin air within 7 months. Is this possible? Can an economy of a 7% GDP growth rate, and an abundance of foreign exchange reserves and a white-hot stock market simply cease to be so because of one man’s departure?
Please don’t believe this Pakistani’s! The dictator was nice, perhaps the nicest of such autocrats, but it is pretty clear that what we were subjected to was smoke & mirrors. Musharraf gave us the illusion of stability in Pakistan, not the actual fact.
Do not turn your back’s on democracy in Pakistan. Zardari may be imperfect, and so may be the case with Nawaz Sharif, but the crucial element of this process is that every Pakistani must have a stake in the nation. The only way this can be accomplished is by giving people their rights and making them take responsibile for their individual streets, neighborhoods and cities. Let the competing interests work and rise and eventually, after a few decades at least, Pakistan will begin to function as it should.
In the interim, do not forget that so long as Pakistan is united, it is a nation of 160 million people, significant natural resources, ports, fertile lands and a nuclear arsenal. (The nuclear part is more significant than for simple jingo-istic value, but that’s for another discussion). The nation is under stress, but has the basics for a strong footing, and the ability to build its own future.
Of course, it has to be all about Pakistan, First!
It has got worse and it will continue to get worse.
Just a few points to raise,
Since the new government has come into power our forex reserves have declines, while since musharaf took power and untill he resigned the forex reserves were continously increasing!.
I feel ashamed as we have begged america last month, europe this month and china last week for money and now IMF! where as despite western sanctions on Pakistan during musharaf’s first 3 years, we did not beg anyone!
We do not need humty dumties to lead us, we need a true leader, Musharaf had those qualities but i am sorry to see Mr.10% as our president. This is an insult.
As the Seriki saying goes
TAPSEE TAY THUSS KARSI!
(its going to pop when warmed up)
seemingly it will pretty soon hold true for the current PPP-led regime which is too busy naming every tree, street, road, area & ramp…..BB Shaheed this and that!
The problem ladies and gentlemen with Musharraf was NOT his vision … which might be the best thing in the world… but the fact that he was unconstitutional and an illegal ruler.
What is stopping Musharraf from entering into politics… if he sticks to constitutional politics… maybe his old detractors like myself might even join him.