In a funny explanation of the current political situation in Pakistan, two 'experts' from the Rand Corporation--a conservative American think tank--suggested that the progress of impeachment depends on the 'good will' of Pakistan army. Since, VOA is nothing but the voice of the US administration, I can only imagine that these intellectual stooges, by bringing up the army, are indirectly hoping that the army will intervene.
Of course, I find their opinions laughable, even though they call themselves experts. The army is already under siege and has lost its credibility: it is being attacked by the militants in areas that until recently were considered the so-called martial areas. It is not in the army's best interest to side with the 'commando'.
Also, the last election was different: the political parties ran on the issues of constitutionality and not just on bread and butter issues. The people of Pakistan have given a strong mandate to their elected government, and despite the wishful thinking of the Rand Corp 'experts' it seems quite likely that Musharraf will have to go. Already three provincial assemblies have passed resolutions for 'commando' to obtain a vote of confidence.
So my dear 'experts' on Pakistan, stop guessing and for once give Pakistan the support it needs to become a true democracy.
Voice of America and Impeachment
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Impeachment of a Former Dictator
Never in my entire life had I hoped that a day will come in Pakistan when those responsible for destroying the Pakistani political and civil institutions will be held accountable. I had certainly not expected it from the likes of Zardari and Sharif. But it seems the Pakistani political system has matured enough for such an event to happen. This should teach the polticians and military adventurers some humility: they can no longer fool their own people with empty slogans.
Musharraf is a thing of the past and by clingling so desperately to power he has even lifted the illusion of any sincerity toward Pakistan. The question now is simply whether or not the king-makers, the Pakistan Army, will let the history take its course. What the parliament is asking the "commando" is to simply perform his consitutional duty: get a vote of confidence from the parliament and provincial assemblies. If he fails to do so, then he must face impeachment.
This is a monumental step toward the future of democracy in Pakistan, for unless their is rule of law, and unless every leader is held accountable alll we will have is a sham democracy. A sham democracy in which serving army generals--legally not allowed to participate in politics--can lead politcal rallies asking for votes. It is almost comical to even imagine such a scenario, but it has happened many a time in our tragic history. The same generals have failed miserably all the times they have tried their real job of defending the nation.
So all my love to the people of Pakistan. And let us get rid of this deluded former dictator and throw him into the dust bin of history where he belongs.
Musharraf is a thing of the past and by clingling so desperately to power he has even lifted the illusion of any sincerity toward Pakistan. The question now is simply whether or not the king-makers, the Pakistan Army, will let the history take its course. What the parliament is asking the "commando" is to simply perform his consitutional duty: get a vote of confidence from the parliament and provincial assemblies. If he fails to do so, then he must face impeachment.
This is a monumental step toward the future of democracy in Pakistan, for unless their is rule of law, and unless every leader is held accountable alll we will have is a sham democracy. A sham democracy in which serving army generals--legally not allowed to participate in politics--can lead politcal rallies asking for votes. It is almost comical to even imagine such a scenario, but it has happened many a time in our tragic history. The same generals have failed miserably all the times they have tried their real job of defending the nation.
So all my love to the people of Pakistan. And let us get rid of this deluded former dictator and throw him into the dust bin of history where he belongs.
Bravo Nawaz Sharif!
"The integrity of the country will remain intact only if the judges are restored. Survival of Pakistan and of democracy will become a dream if the judges are not restored." (Nawaz Sharif, Daily Dawn).
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I commend Nawaz Sharif for his principled stance on the issue of the justices. It seems that Asif Zardari, no big surprises there, has a problem with restoring the judges, even though that was the only demand made by Muslim Leagus (N) to from the coalition.
At this stage it is encouraging to see that nawaz Sharif is insisting on enforcing the popular mandate to restore the judges. We had no high hopes for Zardari, and his actions now sugegst that Mr. 10 percent is still the same opportunist that we always thought him to be.
The biggest problem that Pakistani democracy has always had is the role of politcal leaders under several dictatorships; most politcians have always eneabled our military dictators as co-conspirators. Thus, to see a politician taking such a principled stance is rather invigorating.
Go ahead nawaz Sharif, take your stand and make us proud.
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I commend Nawaz Sharif for his principled stance on the issue of the justices. It seems that Asif Zardari, no big surprises there, has a problem with restoring the judges, even though that was the only demand made by Muslim Leagus (N) to from the coalition.
At this stage it is encouraging to see that nawaz Sharif is insisting on enforcing the popular mandate to restore the judges. We had no high hopes for Zardari, and his actions now sugegst that Mr. 10 percent is still the same opportunist that we always thought him to be.
The biggest problem that Pakistani democracy has always had is the role of politcal leaders under several dictatorships; most politcians have always eneabled our military dictators as co-conspirators. Thus, to see a politician taking such a principled stance is rather invigorating.
Go ahead nawaz Sharif, take your stand and make us proud.
Post-Election developments in Pakistan
As of today, Mr. Musharraf has finally called the first formal session of the national and provincial assemblies. The assemblies will meet on March 17. Meanwhile, the two leading political parties, the Pakistan People's Party and the Pakistan Muslim League (N), have setteled their differences with an understanding that the new parliament will vote within thirty days to restore the sixty judges, including twelve Supreme Court judges, through a simple majority vote. It is likely that the restored free judiciary will immediately take on the case of Mr. Musharraf's unconstitutional election to the presidency.
Meanwhile in the wilderness of Mr. Bush's fantastical foreign policy Mr. Musharraf, rejected by his own nation, is still, as Bush would say it "our man in Pakistan." The comic aspects of such assertions have become an everyday fun-fest for the Pakistani newspapers who keep reporting the silly and often bizarre announcements from the US state department. Makes one wonder if the US state department has even one expert who has at least read an executive summary of the Pakistani constitution.
There is no doubt that Asif zardari is vaccilating: he is just an undeserving inheritor of Bhutto legacy, but even he cannot erase the popular writ that this election has displayed. Mr. Musharraf's days are over, and people of Pakistan must decide their destiny through their elected representatives. Isn't that what evryone wants: Democracy!
Meanwhile in the wilderness of Mr. Bush's fantastical foreign policy Mr. Musharraf, rejected by his own nation, is still, as Bush would say it "our man in Pakistan." The comic aspects of such assertions have become an everyday fun-fest for the Pakistani newspapers who keep reporting the silly and often bizarre announcements from the US state department. Makes one wonder if the US state department has even one expert who has at least read an executive summary of the Pakistani constitution.
There is no doubt that Asif zardari is vaccilating: he is just an undeserving inheritor of Bhutto legacy, but even he cannot erase the popular writ that this election has displayed. Mr. Musharraf's days are over, and people of Pakistan must decide their destiny through their elected representatives. Isn't that what evryone wants: Democracy!
Some Thoughts about Pakistani Political System
This entry was prompted by the recent coverage of Pakistani elections by the US media.
Pakistani constitution provides for a parliamentry democracy in which the parliament is the most powerful branch of government and the Prime Minister is the Chief Executive. According to 1973 Pakistani constitution, the office of the President is ceremonial and has no power to veto the parliament or the Prime Minister. This means that Mr. Mushraraf now is just a figurehead, and it will be the new Prime Minister who will run the country. Also, Mr. Musharraf does not belong to any of the politcal parties. The party that supported him (PML-Q) is not really a party but was formed from the politcal turncoats from all major parties who joined the general's rule in the last ten years. His other alliers, the MQM , is an ethinic party famous for its atrtrocities against other ethnic groups in the eighties.
Mr. Musharraf no longer represents the popular will of the people of Pakistan--he never did; he was a dictator who now wants to cling to power by whatever means possible. Also, right now there are over sixty ousted justices in Pakistan; some of them have been under house arrest since November: Why is no one from the US administartion, or the media, talking about it? Below is a quote from an editorial from Daily Dawn, which asks the same questions:
To some extent, it is the duty of foreign envoys to establish cordial links with the ruling party and the opposition in the countries where they are based. These contacts are an ongoing and essential part of their job. And countries that loom large on the economic and political horizon of the host nation have a large interest in its stability, welfare and policies. He who pays the piper calls the tune” is an old adage. To this extent, the American involvement in the recent Pakistani elections and their fallout is legitimate and understandable. After all, Washington has a large investment to protect in Islamabad, and if American diplomats are contacting leaders of the parties that have emerged victorious, they are only doing their job. However, when Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice says her government will "continue dealing with President Musharraf”, she is clearly out of line. Surely she is aware that under the Pakistani constitution, the President has no executive powers, and certainly does not maintain direct contacts with any foreign power. Diplomatic relations are conducted by the government, and specifically by the PM and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (For details go to http://dawn.com/weekly/mazdak/mazdak.htm)
