A LAYMAN'S VISION OF PAKISTAN

SUNDAY, 10-28-07






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A Layman's Vision of Pakistan
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A layman's vision of Pakistan
By Major (R) Khalid Nasr

Recently, I have gone through observations by a journalist belonging to an Indian news organization, who discussed political and judicial crises in Pakistan and the impending entry of Benazir. The fact is that the common man in Pakistan is not bothered about Musharraf uniform or restoration of democracy. He is interested in a peaceful & respectable living. They have seen civilian dictators like Mr Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. They welcomed Musharraf on his take over. Currently, the lawyers & media are behaving like a mafia. They want to force their decisions on Supreme Court & Election Commission. There are certain issues that can be better handled through Courts and Ballot boxes. Imposition of minority's decision on the majority of Pakistan's population is not justified. The fundamentalists & extremists in Pakistan may also take a lead from this. This has become a second nature in Pakistan that, whenever, some thing goes wrong, we put blame on RAW not realizing that it may be an internal “SAW” that is cutting the throats of innocent people in Pakistan. India is a stake-holder of what happens in Pakistan. Now the perception of a common man in India has improved. The fact is that there is a leadership crisis on the political chess board of Pakistan. No substitute for Musharraf is available. Benazir can share power with Musharraf in the national interest. There are some commonalities in the vision of the designate Army Chief, General Ashfaq Kiyani, Gen. Musharraf and Benazir Bhutto. It is perceived that this “trio” would work in the better interest of Pakistan with mutual trust & respect for each other. Benazir's statement that extremism and violence has gone up during Musharraf regime is a political statement meant for USA and her voter’s consumption in Pakistan. She also knows the ground reality in Pakistan and the internal pressures Musharraf is facing in his war against terrorism. It is hoped that the coming “trio” would be able to handle this situation of violence & extremism in Pakistan. After the general's election and general elections in Pakistan, it would not be easy for USA to interfere in Pakistan's internal affairs. Pakistan's foreign policy would be redesigned and more focus would be towards China & Iran. Pakistan's relations with India would also improve in the coming years. As far as the state of violence & extremism is concerned, the majority of people in Pakistan believe in “enlightened moderation.” There are few Pakistani Muslims who are unable to find a difference between Jihad & terrorism. This situation will also improve through better control on Madrassahs. US funding to Pakistan for anti-terrorism operation will not be stopped but definitely it would be curtailed to a limited amount. The immediate tasks’ priorities for the next government would be better infra structure, good governance, quality leadership, economic and education growth, terrorism and extremism, Kashmir issue and Foreign policy. A common man in Pakistan is very optimistic about the future of Pakistan.
Major (R) Khalid Nasr is a Commentator, Defence Analyst, and Thought Leader on Pakistan and Geostrategic Affairs. He is an active member of Pakistan Think Tank Advisory Board.
Major (R) Khalid Nasr replies:
This is in reference to Irfan's comments on 'a layman's vision of Pakistan'. It would be better if we go through the following ground realities:
1) Pakistan Muslim league had her roots in combined India; therefore, some good leadership had been witnessed in the early years of Pakistan.
2) During Ghulam Mohammad's regime, political leaders created an opportunity for General Ayub Khan to take over.
3) Bhutto created the environments under which Ayub Khan was forced to hand over to Yahya Khan.
4) Bhutto created a political scenario that led to the debacle of 1971 and he took over as first Civilian Martial Law Administrator.
5) Bhutto used his political and military force against the common men of Pakistan as a dictator. The opposition leaders invited Army through their letters to Generals.
6) General Zia accepted this invitation that led to Bhutto's judicial murder.
7) 1988 to 1999 was the period of the so called democracy in which the nation witnessed the 'power---hide and seek' between Benazir and Nawaz.
Nawaz took aggressive actions against President, Chief Justice and Army Chiefs as a Dictator. This scenario led to take over by Army. now when Army has decide to go back, the entire nation is in the state of bewilderment whether any of the political leader in the arena is capable and trust worthy enough to lead them out of the present crises on the geo-political front. The credibility of both Nawaz & Benazir is shining on the future of Pakistan. God bless Pakistan and give some 'hidayat” to our political leaders to change their mindset and bring the country out of the state of now or never. Musharraf has decided to remove his uniform before taking oath as President but still every political leader is on the musical chair to get the credit for it.

Reader Comments: [post comment]


jamilzaidi
I strongly endorse the views of Major Khalid Nasr inasmuch as Democracy wasn't allowed to catch its roots in Pakistan. Independence was more or lless followed by the death of the founder & his second-in-command leaving the country at the whims of lopsided civilian bureaucracy inluding Ghulam Muhammad, Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani, Mumtaz Muhammad Khan of Daultana and a host of others neither having political acumen,nor the sense of purpose or innate qualities of leadership to steer this nation across the stormy weather offering unlimited opportunities to sel-seekers at the expense of this newly founded State. Jameel Zaidi



Raja Irfan Nasr
Problem with Pakistan is that every ruler thinks that he/she knows all and understand the people the best. People of Pakistan are never given an opportunity to decide their own fate. Ruler or combination of rulers are always thrust on them. Therefore they never feel a stake in the government and are not united as a nation even after 60 years. They will continue to despair unless provided a chance to form their own government on a regular basis through a free and fair election under the Constitution. Nothing else is going to work. We shall continue seeing today's villians coming back as heroes be they from military or civilian set-up. And please Pakistan Army go back to your assigned role. People have had enough of your so-called messianic interferences. Half the country is gone, please give the remaining a chance. Have faith in the judgement of the people of Pakistan.


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