Views of a
Pakistani American
By Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)
Rawalpindi, Pakistan
(Kindly allow me to share the
views of my college days friend Dr. Muhammad Nawaz
- PhD International Law, Ann Arbour University
Michigan, USA 1956 - who has been working with
various UN agencies, last as Consultant to the
World Bank). He writes:
The growing political turmoil in Pakistan is a
matter of profound concern for all those who would
like to see that society move forward towards
modernization and prosperity. That does not seem
to be happening. Pakistan, with its violence,
extremism, religious intolerance, and what not,
seems to be drifting downhill. It gives an image
of an utterly chaotic and reign-less society.
It seems to be driven by the politicians, blind
and selfish to the core of their thought and intellect.
All this is being done to “promote democracy”
without paying any attention to the core spirit
of democracy – the betterment of common
people. Leadership over the period of the existence
of the country has failed to adopt measures conducive
to a stable political environment and to strengthen
national cohesion and outlook. No one has introduced
effective systems suited to the resolution of
the problems of common citizens and leading the
society on the path of progress and modernization.
The Generals, over the last sixty years, have
been as much a part of this process of decline
as the civilians. No leader has acted as a statesman.
Religion does not seem to be giving unity and
strength to the society any more, unlike what
it did until 1947. As an element of national political
interaction, it has been overplayed by every player
to the extent of being abused. It now seems to
be dividing society instead of uniting it. Extremism
and intolerance lead society to self-destruction.
Piety first starts with individual introspection.
Return to the fundamental should rather lead to
peace and goodness than to fanaticism.
A number of political parties and others are invoking
the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, expecting
that they would be able to achieve their political
goal of stopping the scheduled election of the
President. The petitions submitted to the Court
have burdened an institution of high national
importance and prestige with a responsibility
that has many dimensions in addition to the legal
one. At this critical juncture of the nation’s
life, the Supreme Court’s role, as the final
arbiter of the interpretation and application
of law, I trust, is to take a pragmatic view of
the applicable legal regime in the best interest
of society. The Court would be bold and brave
to resolve expeditiously the issues it faces,
and by doing so, it would prevent the emergence
of a situation that could rip society further
apart and eventually destroy it.
Nawaz
Washington, DC
e.mail: nawaz@cox.net
