Issue 58 Vol III, February 29, 2008

E D I T O R I A L

Pakistan: An Opportunity for Peace and Justice

Musharraf and his cohorts that have run roughshod over Pakistan for eight long years are in a state of shock. So are their mentors, the American administration and President Bush. The plans to rig the elections and reinstall the PML Q, the King’s party have been foiled by a vigilant people; political workers and civil society activists and much more than the voters who defied the jihadis and the Taliban and voted in a big way. We take nearly 47 per cent turn out when bombs and guns were splitting blood as an excellent measure of the faith people reposed in the democratic process.

The king’s party was reduced to rubble and its top guns left in the dust to rot. The same was the fate of religious extremist parties that have been rank opportunist; rabble rousing when convenient and licking the palms of the general Musharraf when needed. In place are the more moderate and secular parties, PPP, PML N and ANP besides that opportunist group, MQM. This despite the fact that in certain places; Karachi, Dera Bugti and several other seats for the National Assembly were subjected to worst rigging.

The ball is in the court of Zardaris and Sharifs and other political stalwarts to honour their commitments made to the people of Pakistan that have suffered for too long the military dictators, but also the rank opportunist, politicians and looters of their wealth. Tragically some of them still adorn the new National Assembly.

Although, a civilian prime minister, mostly likely from the PPP would form the government with PML N lending support from outside, yet its agenda is undecided. No one knows how the old 1973 constitution will be restored and the supremacy of an elected parliamentary system re-established and the extra constitutional powers of the present president, now an unconstitutional nonentity Pervez Musharraf clipped and the rule of law established.

It is pertinent that the supremacy of the judiciary is resorted and the judges of the superior judiciary freed from the house arrests and placed in their positions. People also wait for economic development and more equitable distribution of wealth. Would someone think of much needed land reforms? Media and legal profession keenly look forward to a friendly regime that helps to strengthen institutions and not manipulate these by subterfuge and reckless maneuvers. The military has to confine to its proper role of guarding the frontiers and not running the government and controlling economic resources. No military Inc as a business house any more. In fact, there is so much to do and sooner the new dispensation comes into force, the better it is as those who have suffered humiliation have much more conspiracies up their sleeves.

In this who process, the role of the US administration is important. It has been sending signals that Musharraf must stay put and given proper honour. No impeachment and no downgrading of his powers The American right to military intervention should not be disturbed.

US may be content with the marginalisation of religious parties through the political process that culminated in the victory of secular political formations. It nevertheless does not want its security operations jeopardised. White House and senators from both the parties as well as presidential hopefuls have delivered sermons to Pakistan, a client state still, how to behave. Pakistan is not only important for its geo political chess game and exploitation of resources in the former soviet states across Afghanistan; it is equally needed to checkmate Iran, China and Russia.

Secretary of the State Condoleezza Rice has strongly urged American support for the General, telling clearly that the US prefers to deal with him. Ms Rice is using Musharraf as a bargaining chip with the incoming ruling parties that defeated the pro-Musharraf PMLQ in the elections.

To a great extent, Musharraf has also upped the ante for the incoming government; by granting extra rights to the US to operate its drones from secret Pakistani bases. The US is expecting the civilian government to deliver what Washington could get from its old ‘friend’. Therefore, the Americans have started a bargaining process with the new government, knowing fully well that Gen Musharraf’s days are numbered.

Chairman of the US Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, Joseph Biden, along with Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison have repeatedly said  “...they[ new ruler] do not focus on old grudges — and there’s plenty in Pakistan — and give him[Musharraf] a graceful way to move.” Both senators along with Senators John Kerry and Chuck Hegel were in Pakistan to monitor elections and met Gen Musharraf and other major political players.

The US is not comfortable with reinstating Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and the rest of the deposed judiciary. The effort to pursue cases of disappeared persons is a minefield for the US. They don’t know what that inquiry may lead to. It might end up at their door. Except Zardari who would do business with Musharraf and the US that brokered a deal for his late wife and the PPP leader Benazir Bhutto, no other party is keen for the present level of American meddling in the internal affairs of Pakistan.

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