A Framework
for Reconciliation
There
has been much talk of "national reconciliation"
in the last year. The term is being used to describe
a process by which the leadership of the PPP and
PML-N are allowed to participate again in national
politics, and the current system is transformed
into a fully democratic system. A number of leaks
and open remarks have strongly suggested that the
Musharraf team is pursuing such a goal. Most prominently
was the call by the Speaker of the Assembly for
the release of Asif Ali Zardari and Javed Hashmi.
Zardari was in fact granted bail about six weeks
after those remarks, but Hashmi, who is a close
associate of Nawaz Sharif, remains in prison. A
recent news report run in the Daily Times hints
at a process that is even further along. The Times
reported that Tariq Aziz, the Secretary of the National
Security Council, held a secret meeting with Benazir
Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari in Dubai just before
Eid. At the meeting Shahbaz Sharif, brother of Nawaz,
was present too.
It seems that the government is seriously negotiating
with the PPP and PML-N on a formula to move the
political process forward. At this point, the hard
questions must be answered. How do actually achieve
reconciliation? What are the parameters? Who will
agree to what? What to do about the uniform issue?
These are all complex questions, but let me put
forward what an acceptable framework might look
like. First, there would probably be some kind of
general amnesty for past misdeeds.
This would apply to Benazir and Nawaz, and Musharraf
and army would also get an amnesty for the coup
and any actions committed after the coup. This would
likely require an act of the National Assembly.
Second, all parties would agree to allow the current
government to finish its term. There is no need
to rush into another election. Musharraf holds the
cards and doesn't have to give the PPP another crack
at the polls immediately. Besides, the MMA religious
alliance probably calculates they could lose big
in the next election, and don't want to risk their
current control of the provincial governments in
NWFP and Balochistan.
Third, Musharraf would have to resign from the army
and become a civilian President. This would cement
the transition to civilian rule. The key of course
would be the army accepting civilian authority in
the long run. That remains to be seen. Fourth, there
would need to be created a mechanism to ensure an
impartial election commission. The next election
should be the cleanest in Pakistan's history, with
a level playing field for all the parties. Fifth,
the Constitution should be amended to either return
the President to a ceremonial role only as head
of state, or make the position directly elected
by the people. The Presidency under the current
set-up is a powerful office, and democracy will
not exist until that power is accountable to the
electorate. Sixth, the PPP and PML-N should agree
to allow the current government to function and
to behave as a responsible loyal opposition until
the next election.
On paper, the PPP supports most of Musharraf's policies.
They should act that way in real life as part of
reconciliation. Seventh, the anti-corruption National
Accountability Bureau should be made transparent
and even-handed. After granting amnesty for past
misdeeds, the NAB should vigorously pursue any future
misbehavior from any party. This formula will bring
Pakistan forward into true democracy. It may however
be a double-edged sword for the politicians.
For Benazir and Nawaz time is running out. If the
current government can continue in power till late
2007, the average Pakistani will likely see a 20%
increase in their standard of living compared to
today. This visible and large increase will be the
selling point for Shaukat Aziz and Musharraf. It
will be a very persuasive argument, and in a truly
free election will result in a landslide win for
Musharraf's team. Comments can reach me at Nali@socal.rr.com.
