What Pakistan needs, has always needed, is a system in which the populate reflects the rich diversity of the Land of the Pure.Billed as an "Islamic Republic" that nom de guerre doesn't really do it justice. Pakistan is the hood for almost everything - 22 million Christians and over six million Hindus. 165 million people - nearly 40% under the age of 14 - a literacy rate of nearly 50% and around 12 million people online is the very def of diversity.
Transparent, periodic, free and fair elections are the best prescrip meds of prevention for civil wars, insurgencies and misery.
Musharraf is not the typical military dictator as Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan and Zia ul-Haq were. Last of the whiskey drinking, swagger stick carrying anglophile paratroopers, Pervez got bumped up to the top slot after a coup d’etat organised by others had already scored.
Amir Taheri explains:
"Unlike his military predecessors, he has not engaged in self-enrichment orThis may be the supreme character exam for Pervez - not faking, fixing or blowing off the blow out results his hand made party (along with the losses by the mullah type fanboy parties)
despicable behaviour. He has tried, not always successfully, to preserve at
least a veneer of legality and constitutionality."
"Election is the voice of the nation and we all, including myself should accept
these results. Instead of crying foul, we should all show magnanimity"
Ghazala Khan -attorney and chief correspondent at TPS reports that the heavy lifting is still ahead
"President Musharraf, few weeks ago, said that he would leave when nation would
want him to leave. The nation has asked him to leave by rejecting revoltingly, his hand-made Pakistan Muslim League-Quashed. Pakistan is rejoicing and you can sense it everywhere. Even the sun is smiling and flowers just cannot wait to come out and declare an early spring.
Mr. Musharraf has himself conceded that his acts of 3rd Novemeber were not
constitutional, and now nation is looking up at their newly elected leaders to reinstate the judiciary, and free media and start doing some practical measures to show nation that they mean business.
But in this regard nation has to play a very vigilant part. They have done their
half part by rejecting the forces of status qou, and they now need to see that their leaders don’t get it wrong, and do what they told them that they would do once in power.
They need to now rally behind their elected leaders and make sure that Mr.
President leaves power, and let the civilians rule the country. The nation should also get prepared to ensure the implementation of measures which will translate their dreams into the realities. The victors will have to make a government, but not before they clearly tell nation what their mutual game plan is."
What happens to the war on Al Qaeda? Will the Army maintain the buddy buddy relationship with Great Satan that Pervez has cultivated? Will Pervez get sacked? Will the PPP live up to Benazir's promise to be the terrorists worst nightmare?
Hang on y'all - after early spring comes spring fever.
Yes, it'll be interesting to see just how honest the General is, now that he's been so soundly defeated. Bittersweet that Bhutto's party is the victor.
ReplyDeleteYou're on a roll, Courtney. Lovin' it.
Some nice pogroms just round the corner. Stay tuned. Keep your eye on Kashmir too.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that the US is going after terrorists in Pakistan is good news, they do this with 'not exactly' permission. The last strike on al-libi was textbook perfect, an example for future strikes. I'm looking forward to many more of these.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful picture.
My interview is up at The Pakistani spectator.
Debbie Hamilton
Right Truth
Hi Karen, Yeah, I'm watching this from a hopeful view that Pakistan can get their act together with a tolerant, egalitarian society and bring some rule of law and order into their wild wild west. Thanks for the kind words.
ReplyDeleteYou've got a roll of your own going on if I may say!
BET, you may be correct - though there is a case to be made that since the mullah fanboy party didnt do so well that the Land of the Pure may be ready to settle down and focus on more secular concerns. the marginalizing influence of modernity, wealth and success in this life may be a powerful inducement.
ReplyDeleteBeing the eternal optimist - I am willing to give it a chance.
This election may be a lot like Australia's. The new PM Rudd while campaigning as a neutralist has actually maintained the Land Down Under's combat committments, moral and financial aid and encouragement.
Debbie Hamilton and her Right Truth site wields influence and prestige far beyond her tiny weight class. Her research is impeccable and like a great teacher she inspires a lot of people to think; to skip the echo chambers, the rant rooms and do their own research, and reach their own, informed conclusions.
ReplyDeleteShe's always willing to communicate - to contest - to conceed - to listen. Always gracious, kind and considerate.
And that is significant.
She sets an incredibly tough standard. And it gets better all the time!
Really Debbie, now that was an interview. I especially like the bit about faith and hope.
Also thank you for the very kind words. I have a lot to live up to!
And for setting the bar as high as you do. Right Truth is responsible for creating a legion of better informed, literate, saavy, worldly, pius, au currant and all together with it populace.
Thanks for the kind words girlfriend, or should I say sister. The Pakistani Spectator would not have know I existed if it were not for you mentioning me in your interview. Much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteDebbie Hamilton
Right Truth