Exit Robespierre-Incarnate, Enter Bonaparte-Incarnate
By Rais Khan
Fremont, California
England experienced martial law in the 17th century when Oliver Cromwell seized control of the power as Old Ironsides. He dealt one sect of the Christianity with iron hand promoting the other and patronizing mushroom growth of churches of his favorite sect all over England.
Cromwell-incarnate visited Pakistan in the form of Zia-ul-Haq who fell in his footstep but proved a worst dictator than his mentor. Dictator Zia demolished all established institutions and solemnized sectarianism, ethnicity, drug culture and bigotry. The faux pas of Cromwell in 17th century England were no match to the atrocities and blunders of Zia. Yet the British people exhumed his physical remains and punished him posthumously for his erroneous acts. Dictator Zia, however, enjoys the distinction of being buried in the compound of one of the prestigious mosques in the country, in the heart of the national capital. His protégés including Mians of Lahore and Chaudhrys of Gujrat hold the sway in the political arena and paradoxically are the strongest advocates of democracy and rule of law!
Robespierre grabbed political power soon after the French Revolution and ruled for four years like a beast in the jungle. His era is known as “Terror” in the history. He brutalized and maimed all sections of French society paving way for Napoleon Bonaparte to establish his family cult politics known as Bonapartism. Robespierre was guillotined without trial by the French nation for his brutalities and negative role in politics.
Pakistan inherited 18th century Robespierre in the shape of Musharraf who imitated Rob in fueling terror in the country. Robespierre-Pakistani version overtook his role model and people of Pakistan today feel shattered, battered, brutalized, bruised, maimed and reduced to inert status. His selfish policies have opened vistas of opportunities to Zardari, with the distinction of Mr. 110 per cent across the globe, who has the potential to induce family cult politics- a la Bonaparte style. The nation will have to endure Zardariism for a long time to come- a “Pakistan-First” gift from Musharraf to people of Pakistan whereas Musharraf left like a hero and will live like a hero. After all he belongs to Kings- Breed of Pakistan.
From King Ayub through King Yahya, King Niazi, King Zia on to King Musharraf, they have torn away the Country’s Constitutions, ripped apart the geography of the country, surrendered to foreign forces, inflicted misadventures but no law of the land can reach their neck that are wrapped in red insignias nor their heads that wear the crowns nor their hands that hold the batons. In the words of British poet Rudyard Kipling, the kings never suffer and Pakistani nation will soon learn that;
Over all things certain, this is sure indeed,
Step by step and word by word, who is ruled may read,
Suffer not the old kings, for we know the breed.
