Absolute Power
Corrupts absolutely
By Sofia B. Elahi,
MD
Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Pakistan is witnessing the last desperate days
of a military dictator who insists on holding
on to power despite popular uproar. Western papers
publish stories daily on possible scenarios for
the next few troubled months while most Pakistanis
cautiously see signs of hope. The dream of a civil
society governed by law, independent institutions
and the supremacy of our constitution may not
be far off.
Like most Pakistanis I long to see a democracy,
even an imperfect democracy, which can evolve
over a few election cycles into a stable political
system. I believe that the public at large appreciates
the imperative of developing a stable long-term,
political system and we are ready like never before
to implement such a system. The military leadership
has to understand the importance of this reality
as being in the greatest good for our long-term
stability as a nation and refrain from stepping
in on the slightest whim. Something has to give
and it appears the nation is on the verge of a
watershed moment.
The Washington Post and the New York Times have
been vocal in their criticism of President Musharraf's
autocratic ways and editorials have come to question
why the current American government is supporting
a dictatorship while it champions the cause of
democracy in the world. Most independent observers
have come to the conclusion long ago that Pakistan's
dictatorship is on its way out. With the deportation
of Nawaz Sharif and outright defiance of the nation's
Supreme Court verdict on his right to return,
it seems the current dictator seems oblivious
to the roles of institutions in a modern state.
Moreover, it's disappointing to hear that the
President chooses to ignore the advice of even
those in the military who appreciate that public
opinion is for a return to democracy. Earlier
in the week an article appeared in Canada's national
newspaper, The Globe and Mail, which highlighted
the increasingly embarrassing attention that Pakistan
is attracting. The Globe and Mail's front page
article is a disturbing example of how the military
leadership is seen in today's world where the
nation is referred to as a "Banana Republic".
In particular, a recent incident is described
where General Musharraf publicly denounces a senior
officer. The officer had the temerity to whisper
to his commander that it was time to give up his
command. General Musharraf's response was to publicly
denounce the fellow officer as a traitor. The
Canadian journalist comments further that most
of Pakistan's 160 million people must appear like
traitors to General Musharraf. If anything, someone
who is concerned about the well-being and future
of his or her nation is a patriot, especially
the officer who had the courage to point out the
obvious to the current President.
Despite the current upheaval there is the unspoken
hope that all civic minded Pakistanis share. We
have come to understand that the constitution,
institutions, rule of law and the development
of a system are far more important than the cult
of personality, be it civilian or military. I
hope that more military officers have the guts
to say the same to the current Chief of Army Staff
and General. General Musharraf may live in his
own world but I hope that sanity prevails before
events overtake the inevitable. One is reminded
of Lord Acton's famous words: Power tends to corrupt
and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
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