.
       

 

Legacy of President General Musharraf
By Faruk Zia
Los Angeles, CA

It’s disturbing and disenchanting to witness the irrational behavior of General Musharraf’s regime. To selectively stop the freedom of expression by some Pakistanis yet allowing the same privilege to others meeting his personal interest is a blatant act of dictatorship and autocracy.
Prior to imposition of emergency, General Musharraf was worthy of praise for his “enlightened moderation” policies and strategy to navigate Pakistan on the correct path. The radical actions followed by the declaration of emergency leads one to think whether his rational thinking y is overtaken by some domestic or foreign hawks or if he really thinks it’s the right strategy to flex his muscle. Regardless, his actions tend to make a mockery of his own enlightened moderation mantra.
Not taking responsibility or actions against police brutality of beatings, harassments, intimidations, arrests without charge, shutting down of media outlets and corrupting the judiciary system by seeking new oath from friendly judges cannot win the hearts and minds of people, whether Pakistani or others abroad. True test of democracy comes at times like these when an honest leader lets the principals prevail over personal interest.
Year 2007 turned out to be a bad year for General Musharraf. It seems he picked up bad karma by surrounding himself with ill fated advisors, be it the advice on Chief Justice reference or his decision to make a deal with the corrupt, twice failed Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. People have not forgotten that she, along with her husband nicknamed Mr.10% (later Mr. 30%), looted billions of dollars and left the country. General Musharraf’s own government pursued her internationally to recover the stolen money and fueled the foreign courts to pursue legal action against her. How can he now justify partnering with her and make backend deals to forgive her without any restitution or apology to the nation? Who are they kidding?
Furthermore, naivety of the American media and Congress that is heavily influenced by her lobbyist organization is eating off her palm under the guise that she is anti-religious parties and democratic pro-American candidate that will serve as a backup to General Musharraf. A wishful thinking indeed!
It’s refreshing to witness the recent struggle by reputable media representatives and the principled stand by many lawyers and judges. Their personal sacrifices and risk of lives in an autocratic society should not be taken lightly. Their choice to stand up for liberty and freedom and denounce the wrong is indeed honorable and commendable. If indeed what is happening during these days is General Musharraf’s own design to manipulate the political process by blindsiding the public then it’s clear that he is no more worthy of same trust. What else can and will he do to justify the wrong? In his speech he said he is not like those who surrender and if needed he will give his life for Pakistan. Over the past five years General Musharraf appeared to be the man that Pakistan longed for, but now that hope too is slowly dimming and darkness again shrouds Pakistan. Is this the legacy he wants to leave behind? Is this how he wants people to remember him all around the world who in so many ways viewed him as a hero?
Pakistan does not owe anything to anyone. Pakistan’s values are reflective of its people, where it offered something to others in their moment of need even when it didn’t have enough for its own. Pakistan fought America’s war with the Russians Afghanistan that gave birth to America as a sole Super Power; shared its already destitute resources with over 3 million Afghani refugees; suffered economic consequences of embargos imposed by Americans for nuclear test that in the first place was an anonymous reward by the American CIA to fight the Russian war.
Musharraf, Bhutto, Sharif or any other political figure that claims to be the only savior of Pakistan or portrays himself/herself as the last hope for Pakistan must not forget that before each of them Pakistan existed and after their departure Pakistan will continue to exist, no matter what. They should consider their privilege to serve Pakistan and not vice versa. Let them not forget that everyone is dispensable and the world doesn’t revolve around one person.
Pakistanis must also reject any financial aid that is offered on a quid-pro-quo basis. Feudalism, autocracy, theocratic rule and tribal systems must end from Pakistani society, which unfortunately has also crept into the institutions as an acceptable part of the culture. Individual Pakistanis must be prepared to sacrifice their personal interest for better change in their society. Individualism and selfishness to loot the nation at any level must be replaced with acts and deeds of national interest. Abolition of nepotism, payola, bribes, mob mentality remains the responsibility of individual Pakistani.
How democratic is it that in the past thirty years Pakistan could only elect governments that were lead by either a Bhutto or a Sharif? What kind of democracy is this? How democratic is Ms. Benazir Bhutto when she elected herself as the lifetime Chairperson of her own Party? This means that if the Peoples Party remains popular she will remain in power. Workers of political parties must demand reform in their own parties for the sake of Pakistan and to ensure the rise of pure talent from the greater society. This masquerade can only end when ordinary people start believing in themselves more and reject those clamoring for democracy when under the cloak live the autocrats.
Pakistanis deserve better. They have the right to know through the watchful lenses of the electronic media and right to hold the politicians, military, legislature, executive branch, judiciary, bureaucrats, and others fully accountable. Free press and cameras should be allowed in the courtrooms and parliaments so that the Pakistani people may see unobstructed views of their servants. Pakistanis must demand the end of corrupt and convoluted system that is infested with nepotism and self-serving dealings. Sectarianism must be replaced with nationalism.
The United States must also stop meddling in the internal affairs of Pakistan and limit its interest to negotiate an honest and mutually desirable pact to serve the common interest of fighting terrorism, illegal arms control and drug smuggling from Afghanistan through the corridors of Pakistan into the United States. American tax payers’ billions of dollars should not feed the hogs in the name of foreign aid but put to use for the benefit of people of both nations with full accountability. Ordinary Pakistanis don’t receive nor do they desire a handout. Pakistanis are too proud to ask for alms. Pakistanis desire Free Trade and economic development considerations from foreign supporters that may help alleviate poverty through economic prosperity so the society on the whole may prosper.
The people of Pakistan don’t need outside expertise on how to run their country or solve their problems when in fact that nation has produced thousands of talented people who are successful in various professions, businesses and governments in foreign countries where they have proven their worth. Proof of Pakistan’s success also lies in its ability to develop nuclear technology that no other Muslim nation has been able to duplicate. Pakistanis are exceptionally capable of running their own country responsibly perhaps with more passion provided the rope from their necks is removed and they remain genuinely free.
May God free Pakistan of its difficulties and change the hearts and minds of its leaders to serve as honest servants. Pakistan’s stability is good for Pakistan, good for the United States, and good for its neighbors and trading partners. Long live Pakistan!


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Editor: Akhtar M. Faruqui
© 2004 pakistanlink.com . All Rights Reserved.