As military dictators go, Pakistan's General Pervez Musharraf had always seemed rather a decent sort. An affable man who apparently spoke his soldierly mind, Musharraf prompted quiet cheers from many of his countrymen when he usurped power from a corrupt civilian government in 1999. Risking popular anger by swiftly enlisting his country in the war against al-Qaeda and the Taliban, Musharraf ingeniously won the backing of America and its allies – a feat many thought would be impossible in the backdrop of the September 11th events. So far, he has been seen to be working in the country’s best interest. Yet, of late, the “Go Musharraf Go” chant seems to echo from various corners of the country, getting louder every day. It has not only inspired political caricatures but is also a well circulated cellular ring tone! One wonders, between then and now, what went wrong?
Some analysts are of the view that the state of emergency imposed on November 3rd, when he dismantled the constitutional facade built to prettify his rule and imposed, in effect, martial law has played a vital role in shaping public opinion against Musharraf. However, others contend that his support had evaporated even before he staged this second coup. Over the years Musharraf squandered the goodwill he enjoyed at home and abroad. Many at home were angered by his alliance with America in a war they saw as directed at both Islam and their ethnic-Pushtun kin in Afghanistan. They are of the view that his persistent refusal to take off his army uniform and allow unrigged elections is what alienated liberal opinion.The anti-Musharraf sentiments, initially in isolated circles, has gained momentum over time fuelled to a propelling force in light of recent events.
Logical yes but anyone who has either been a part of, or really truly studied politics, specifically Pakistani politics would know that the answer is never in rational “explanations.” If logic were the way to go, Zia’s diarchic model of governance, maybe wrong in theory but necessary in practice, should have worked. If reason were the grounds of political events, Benazir should not only have been ousted long before her time but also tried for her crimes of corruption. In reality, she was “outed” as a failure not because of her lack of governance skills but for her fool-headed, needless quarrel with the obstreperous Chief Justice, Sajjad Ali Shah. If common sense is the riding wave of political turn of events, Farooq Leghari, the man she had herself chosen as president, should not have been the man who literally gave her the boot. In all honesty, if politics were consistent, the essential premise wherein logic, reasoning and common sense apply, able leaders would have a fair advantage. That politics would make sense is as outlandish a notion as the potential of Imran Khan coming to power.
Like opinion, political events are manufactured and staged with great pomp and fine acting skills. Luckily for the political maestros, in the case of Pakistan, the overall extremely low public IQ enables them to repeat the same act again and again. The ruse is fairly simple too – like the case of the greedy undertaker who buried by day and stole the cloth the corpse is buried by night. With time, he became notorious for his own liking. Cursed and disliked, upon his death bed, the only desire he communicated to his son was that he somehow be remembered in kind words. When the son took over, he continued in the practice of his father but also sold the body parts of corpses for small amounts of money. His brutality erased the “harmless” crimes of his father, who thus became the better man in comparison.
Like this parable, politics is also relative. A series of events are structured to create a feeling of extreme chaos such that the army, ever so ready, must step in to create order and “fix” the mess made by the politicians. Act two is but a temporary phase where the army, by now subtly aware of being duped yet to proud to call the bluff, makes cosmetic changes to give an air of being in charge. Struggling to leave a mark, the army sometimes gets caught up in the act and inevitably becomes the villain. With a bad track record of being in governance and sincere lack of political tact and insight, the army is an easy target for the masterminds. With their misdeeds “exposed,” the army is decried by the public at large and forced to pave way for the very leaders, now their fraudulent schemes and corruption commissions obscured by the “bigger” threat. These leaders conveniently offer themselves to “save the day” and then live happily ever after, or so till the next political upheaval comes along.
However, Pakistan’s long history of military dictatorship does not counter the fact that the nation is deeply committed to democracy. On the other hand, this sincerity should not be mistaken for what is currently being touted as the victory of democracy. Jumping to the conclusion that the current regime is the harbinger of ideological liberation is like a dog leaping towards a ball - excitedly, thoughtlessly. The true spirit of democracy embodies strategic planning based on political “dialogue.” To quote the most recent example, true representatives of the people would have deliberated and developed a tactical approach keeping in mind how civilian life would be affected before handing over NWFP to the military forces. Instead, General Kiyani was urged by the Honorable Prime Minister Gilani to rush and take control. Tragically, like Pakistan’s history, the so-called democracy is staged.
Yet, all may not be lost. If the military becomes watchful and does not play in the hands of the non-democratic forces in the political arena, the cycle of history can be stopped. At this point in time the situation seems past the juncture of correction, with the “people’s choice” leaders already in place. However, this can be rectified should President Pervez Musharraf act wisely instead of divorcing himself from the political circle altogether. The impact of the rumors of his resignation on the country’s economy is testimony that the country still believes in him. Musharraf must capitalize on this support and take the public into confidence to face the enigma at hand, upfront.
While he may no longer be serving, Musharraf’s long standing association with the army makes his every move reflect on his former profession. Instead of paying heed to the idle talk that seems to be haunting the political grapevine, Musharraf must stand and expose the pretenders. What has changed between then and now that has shuddered them out of nine years of slumber? If indeed the concern of these “champions of democracy” is genuine, where were they on October 12th or when 9/11 fallout on Pakistan was averted, when Bugti was assassinated? Like a true soldier, it is Musharraf’s right, and duty, to fight it out.The confrontation, albeit extremely risky, is required. Pakistan’s economy is volatile and various elements are at work to keep it that way because instability is the most compelling argument to curb “reaction.” The perfect timing of the judicial crisis, and lately the matter of Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification, may just be the quirks of the political entrapment to ensure that it is “not the right time” for anything else. Yet, as a General and President, who has indeed made a positive contribution to the country, it is incumbent upon him, for once, to set the record straight. The politicized disqualification of Musharraf, should not be allowed to become the qualification of those with no right to be in power politically, morally or otherwise.
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