Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space. They are published in good faith with a view to enlightening all the stakeholders. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.
Generic democracy
For a country like Pakistan, created through a democratic political struggle waged by politicians, with no armed struggle, it is ironic that after the death of Quaid-i-Azam, the only casualty is supremacy of the will of the people, replaced by a generic democracy, slave to the whims of a few, with constraints on media and freedom of expression.
The authors of Generic Democracy generated generic politicians, men of mediocre capabilities, whom they nurtured and manipulated to assume power through controlled elections.
As long as these hybrid politicians towed the line of their non-political masters, there was no issue of either corruption, poor governance or abuse of power.
It was only when these generic politicians tried to reform or exercise their constitutional powers, that they were removed from power, exiled, imprisoned and subjected to a malicious assassination.
The people of Pakistan had to endure a systematic campaign maligning politicians starting from the imposition of restrictions on politicians in 1949 under PRODA, to being banned in 1959 under EBDO and a process of political engineering initiated by those whom MAJ had warned in 1948 that they had no role in politics and must understand legal implications of the oath they take.
In 1971 the country, created through the power of will of people, faced humiliation of surrender and defeat when those at the helm of affairs refused to bow before the will of people exercised in free and fair elections held in 1970.
From MAJ’s vision of a democratic welfare state, Pakistan was reduced to a country where corruption was institutionalized, its territorial sovereignty compromised to house extremists of all shades and ethnicities so that dictators could gain USA’s blessing.
The politicians that the system generated need to reform and understand that ruling families exist only in monarchies and dictatorships and not in a democracy, where only the will of people is supreme and constant.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Cricket in Pakistan
It is with reference to the recent visit of the New Zealand cricket team to Pakistan but unfortunately it couldn’t happen due to the refusal of the guest team to play only five minutes before the match.
As per news the threat letter was issued and security measures were taken and full proof security was ensured.
The matter of the fact is that sentiments filled with abhorrence surfaced among the fans around the world and in Pakistan against New Zealand. The social media warriors also came up to battle fields with weapons of words. As New Zealand abandoned the series, it’s better to do a little heart searching.
It is the very same day that Maulana Aziz of Laal Masjid intimidated government police officers overtly that has also been underscored and circulated on Social Media.
The message that it gives internationally is not welcoming though consequently no one will favour Pakistan with such ignorant terrorized behaviour in the federal capital.
The situation after the US withdrawal became significant for Pakistan. It focalized foreign diplomats in chaotic circumstances in the best possible manner but ignorant strategy for such elements may make its role suspicious and results can be even more disturbing.
Imran Khan as Prime Minister of Pakistan and ex cricketer is expected to play its positive role whilst considering the other emerging terrorized elements and involve in the matter to make situation under control for the future of international cricket in Pakistan.
NAUSHABA ABID
Islamabad
Amnesty
to TTP
There has been mixed reaction to government’s proposed amnesty to TTP. For a start, amnesty is nothing new and has been given to various kinds of criminals in the past as well.
The earliest one was unofficially given around the time of creation of Pakistan and India, in both countries, to a rather large number of savages who were not even questioned about their killing of innocent people on both sides of the border.
We also have got to remember that the TTP was an adverse side effect of the extra dose of religiosity administered in the 1980s to generate and expand narrow-minded religiosity in Pakistan.
This was done mainly to create a product, Taliban, which could help Zia prolong his rule by unnecessarily getting involved in the US revenge war with the Soviet Union, to avenge the earlier US humiliation in Vietnam.
We have got to praise consistency of US policies because its rather hurried departure from Afghanistan has been no less shameful and humiliating than its earlier one from Vietnam.
We must also consider the fact that an amnesty can never be an ideal solution since it always involves compromises. As such, it should be seen purely as a damage-control exercise.
At least, it greatly reduces the numerical strength of enemies by winning over the corrigible, marginal cases, while leaving the hardened criminals to be dealt with firmly.
Also, it is important to involve in the process the bereaved families who lost their near and dear ones at the hands of TTP.
I am sure that for the benefit of the community at large, they will agree so long as the hardened criminals are not spared. At age 83, I do feel that all considered, conditional amnesty to TTP makes sense.
S R H HASHMI
Karachi
