Egyptian Uprising Has Lessons for Pakistan
By Salahuddin Haider
Karachi , Pakistan
Karachi : Egypt’s popular upsurge, barely two weeks old, has a clear connotation for the oppressive regimes of the world. For us in Pakistan, and many other states of the world, it is a wake-up call against the dangers of ignoring the hopes and aspirations of the people. Some broad hints to that effect have already been drawn by a select band of people, both at home and abroad.
History serves two very powerful messages: one relating to the military and the other for those guilty of elected despotism. The saying that the mightiest of armies could be defeated in wars but no self-respecting nation could ever be overcome and kept in chains, holds true even after centuries have passed when these idealistic words were uttered. Volumes after volumes have been written as to how rulers, riding the crest of popularity, were placed at the helm but when they forgot the fundamental principle that people alone were the ultimate arbiters of their fate, they were doomed or consigned to the dustbin of history. Nothing on this earth, not even truckloads of money, or any amount of support from their foreign friends, however strong or powerful, could save them from humiliation and disgrace.
The situation in Pakistan is tragic but worse still is the mysterious silence of the political leadership. Nawaz Sharif sent a 10-point agenda for reforms to the prime minister, who in turn formed a committee of PPP and PML-N to work out the modus operandi of implementing it. MQM leader Altaf Hussain shouted at the top of his voice to shake the nation out of the slumber by making certain demands at a public rally in Jinnah Park last Sunday. His message to the Army Generals and the Police to stand by the people if they came out on the streets to agitate and air their woes, was entirely in keeping with the tune of the time. In Egypt also the military has refused to shoot the people and demanded Hosni Mubarak’s resignation. In Pakistan, street protests encouraged the Generals to impose martial law, which Altaf was quick to denounce, and asked the Generals to help the people protesting loot and plunder which has been the order of the day. His idea was clear that Army Generals too were Pakistanis and should help their less fortunate brethren instead of siding and befriending the tribal chieftains and big land owners. If they sided with the people, the oppressed and the poor in overwhelming majority, will garland them.
The last Moghul Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar’s couplet that “Do gaz zameen bhi na mili kue yaar men” ( I could not find even a burial place in my own country) is a grim reminder for all those involved in self-aggrandizement. The late Shah of Iran, proclaiming himself to be the “King of the Kings” and a descendant of Cyrus, and the ouster Prsident Zainel Abedin from Tunis of and finding shelter in Saudi Arabia, are glaring examples. In modern history. Ayub, Bhutto, Marcos, none could protect himself from the massive outpour on streets of the people considering themselves to be victims of persistent repression and sheer neglect. Hitler too enjoyed massive confidence of his people, but the person called “Fuhrer” by the masses, died in mysterious circumstances after plunging Germany in a totally unwarranted invasion of Europe and losing the Second World War. On the other hand, leaders caring for their people, attending to their needs and taking steps for their welfare, became immortals. Their names are enshrined in the golden pages of history, and will remain so forever.
The purpose of this admittedly rather long referral to history is to focus a dispassionate attention to the rapidly deteriorating conditions in our own Pakistan, founded as a blessed country but going down as a wretched State. While mis-governance and corruption have peaked to unprecedented scales, economic mismanagement has made life miserable for the people. Suicides and selling of children for poverty reasons have yet to shake the conscience of those in power. Far more disappointing is the bitter truth that although the team of three or more people which the prime minister had formed to salvage the country from the pit’s edge, has irrefutably good reputation, but lacks team spirit. The State Bank Governor, Shahid Kardar, and the finance minister Hafeez Sheikh, or his economic advisers, have no coordination, each forming his own little island of independence or moving in different directions. Absence of cohesiveness has been missing. Pity, but the premier Gilani must take matters in his own hands, otherwise the situation will sink in abyss from where recovery will be well nigh impossible. The UNICEF has released an alarming report that children in interior Sindh have been living a life worse than that prevailing in the African States of Chad and Niger. The government response to such a shocking report from the specialized UN agency is still being awaited. Such apathy of State administrators has turned people indifferent to the sorry state of affairs now. Nothing could be worse for the country’s future.
A situation like this is fraught with all kinds of eventualities. General Kayani does not wish to interfere in the civilian domain. But if the people come out on the streets, who is going to save the government? Obviously reliance will have to be placed on the military firepower. But should the military, in modern times, when there is worldwide surge for human rights and democratic values, behave like it did in the 50s, the 60s, or the 90s, or should it stand by the people and win nation-wide admiration. That’s what Altaf Hussain has been trying to explain to the people. His national solidarity rally of January 30 was a humble but good beginning to unite people of all shades, languages, culture, and traditions. It was aimed at wiping out the divisive tendencies, striking at the roots of the nation’s unity to galvanize people into a nation. The rally was a tremendous success and a bold initiative to change the mindset of the people that their salvation lay in a united and strong Pakistan.
Leaders are supposed to lead and not be led, which has been the practice in Pakistan so far. The rally drew unparalleled crowds, overflowing the vast Jinnah Park and winding streets for miles together. The response of the people to listen to Altaf, was a welcome development, and should lead to something positive in future. His was not just a speech. It was an indirect indictment of the government in power now. The MQM leader, although a coalition partner with the ruling PPP, appears totally disenchanted with the regime's conduct.
