Front PagePakistan In Turmoil
Submitted by K Prabhakar Rao on Mon, 09/10/2007 - 13:50. benaziar bhutto Fanaticism & Terrorism general musharrf justice chaudhray nawaz sheriff pakistan terrorism
Prof Dr Colonel (retired) K Prabhakar Rao
Pakistan is in turmoil now days; thanks to the intriguing aspects of mental make up of its people, policies and US pressures and historical background apart from ever involving Pak army in the country’s affairs. Pakistan never had stable governing right from the days of its founding in 1947 after breaking away from greater India. It has been found on the foundations of fundamentalism, falsified superiority of Islam over infidels, inability to adjust and live with Kafirs (Hindus) and hatred towards them and their ill perceived domination in liberated India. Its birth has been tarnished with blood of people and curses from people on both sides of the border. Secondly, it was most unnaturally formed with East Pakistan comprising of East Bengal provinces with majority Muslim population who are ethnically, culturally and physically different from the West Pakistanis who go around with egoism, air of superiority and dominance by virtue of their superior physical build, complexion and gait over dark skinned, short stature and physically weak Bengali Muslim brothers. More over these provinces are separated by a distance of more than 1000 km cutting across India the arch enemy to Pakistan. Finally this led to the inevitable disintegration of Pakistan and birth of Bangladesh, another Muslim nation not before General Tikka Khan, the military governor of East Pakistan committed grave crimes and murders on the Bengali population and killing of intellectuals as an act of repression. Bangladesh is no holy cow and it has persecuted minorities in their country and has identified itself with Mullahs and inspired international terrorism. The banned books of Tasleema Nasreen in the country and her persecution are the testimony to this fact. All her writings are gagged under the pretext of writing against Prophet ( PBUH) and Islam that are not acceptable. Now they are hand in glove with Pakistan, their once tormentors in doing devil’s dance of terrorism. Its people most shamefully and thanklessly killed their father of nation Sheik Mujeebur Rehman who led them to liberation with the help of Indian army and was a sane person. India is no better in this regard. India’s father of Nation Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was also shot and killed soon after gaining independence. Pakistan suffered military dictatorships in a span of ten years after gaining nationhood and right from the days of self proclaimed Field Marshal Ayub Khan (1958-1969) who deposed President Iskandar Mirza ( A former army General) who declared Marshal Law in 1958 (1). By this time politicization of Pakistan army was well rooted and complete. General Yahya Khan (1969-1971) succeeded Ayub Khan and his bad handling of situation after general elections resulted in 1971 war with India and consequent liberation of East Pakistan that was named Bangladesh (2). General Zia ul Haq (1978-1988) followed in foot steps and dethroned Prime Minister Zulfikhar Ali Bhutto in 1978 and subsequently hanged him (3). President Zia ul Haq died in a mysterious air crash along with his aides in 1988 which remains unsolved till today. Even now the country is suffering Under General Pervez Musharraf (1999---) who dethroned Prime Minister Nawaz sheriff in 1999 and Pakistan thus has been suffering military dictatorships for nearly 30 years out of its 60 years of pathetic existence (4). President Musharraf is facing the most difficult period of his eight year rule till date.
Pak army has least respect for a civilian rule and feels that democracy does not suit the country. Pakistan army is fully politicized and also toes the line of fundamentalists calling for an Islamic order and rule as per Shariat. There is a strong fundamentalist lobby among the officers of Armed forces. However President General Musharraf refused to bow to the Taliban type Mullahs and put them in their place recently by ordering action against militants holed up in Lal maszid, but not before buying problems for him. There is a general belief around that President Musharraf has done well and brought some credibility and stability to the nation in international arena. But he falsely harbors hope of going down the history of Pakistan as another Mustafa Kemal of Turkey and Pakistan is no match for Turkey. There is no doubt that President Musharraf has brought some stability and dignity to the nation. However there will be always opposition parties craving for a change in the system and demand civilian supremacy. In any democracy Army has to remain on back benches and civilian authority would be supreme. Only under such circumstances democracy would function. But when Army is politicized that is very common in Islamic states, military coups are imminent. It is the mental attitude of the people in Islamic state. Islamic states are susceptible to authoritative rule by virtue of mixing up of religion with politics. Under Islam these go twined and can not be separated. Pakistan can never be freed of military dictatorships for all the times. Thus, the saga of Pakistan till today is a cocktail of misrule, military dictatorships, repression, persecution, and incompetent governing, murder, and mayhem, honor killings of women, wars, and inspiration to terrorism, fundamentalism, hatred and religious intolerance.
In Pakistan, democracy or no democracy, the army has a special, central place in the ideology of nation-building. To question that is risky. The corollary is the army is the big brother; the elected government survives at its sufferance, its performance constantly watched and evaluated by the GHQ (5). Pakistan was always favored by USA and its military dictators were supported and recognized by America in the power balance game in the Indian sub continent. The most important charge against USA is that America advocates democracy everywhere in the world. But when the question of Pakistan arises, its military dictators always find support and sympathy at Pentagon and white House. General Musharraf, president of Pakistan has been going through a bad patch in his governing the country and has been subjected to great international pressure in his co operation in dealing with terrorists from AlQaeda and Taliban. He has been facing following:
US senators are very critical of Pakistan’s complicity in growth of Taliban and Al Qaeda on its soil in Waziristan. Waziristan is a lawless region and Government writ is unable to be implemented in this region. Pakistan entered into some peace agreement with the inhabitants and militants of this region to buy some peace after many of its soldiers died in operations against Militants and this agreement is much disliked by USA. Senators even remarked that USA was free to take unilateral action against the terrorists in Pakistan by direct military action if Pakistan failed to co operate and assisted growth of these radicals in the country (6). This has put great pressure on the President although he put a brave face. General Musharraf knows that he would not be in the office and power for not more than a day if he looses support and confidence of President George W Bush. Thus he is on tenterhooks all the time.
There are serious charges by NATO commanders and Afghan authorities that Taliban and Al Qaeda leaders are finding safe haven in Pak area and they are comfortable and enjoy local support and government sympathy (7).
There is a great resistance from the people against the continuing of General Musharraf in office donning Army uniform. At present he holds both offices of civilian President and Chief of Army Staff (8).
The chief justice of country’s Supreme Court, Mr. Justice Chaudhray was dismissed from the position by General Musharraf on charges of misusing his position and there has been great up roar among the legal community and general public against the dismissal. This has been challenged in the highest court and finally the court judgment went against General’s orders. He has been re instated in the office. This has been great set back for the President who gracefully swallowed the court order stating that he would respect the oderes from the court (9) (10) (11).
Stiff resistance grew from the fundamentalists in Pakistan who wants a Talibanised Pakistan. They occupied Lal Mosque and a Madrasa and converted them into strong fortresses. They tried to implement their own laws of fundamentalism on local population and even held some Chinese personnel as hostages. They clashed with security forces and even attempted assassination of the President by firing from an anti air craft (AAC) gun at the presidents aero plane that took off from a nearby airport and flew over the house where the AAC gun was mounted. Finally the Lal mosque was invaded by Pak troops and inmates were shot and killed along with their leaders. The death toll has been heavy including some civilian hostages caught in cross fire. The fundamentalists in Pakistan are against the President and army action (12) (13) (14) (15).
As a consequence of the military attack on Lal Mosque, the militants in Waziristan area carried out many suicide attacks on Pakistan convoys and patrols and sizeable number of troops died in the mindless suicide actions. The cease fire agreement in the Waziristan area was violated by the terrorists and militants. There was also news that the President might clamp Marshal Law in the country to suppress the rise of dissidence against the government (16) (17).
The coming elections in the country have become great challenge to President Musharraf. Former Pak Prime minister Begum Benaziar Bhutto (Daughter of Late Prime Minister Zulfikhar Ali Bhutto who was hanged by President General Zia ul Haq) who is in exile is making moves to return to power in Pakistan. The President is making attempts to come to some understanding with her and his uniform has become a point of contention (18) (19). In fact, the President derives his power from the uniform and not from his civil outfit. He is scared that once he discards uniform and retires as Army Chief, his hold on Army would fade away in a moment. Soon the next Army Chief would call the shots.
Former Pak Prime Minister Nawaz Sheriff who is in exile after his ouster from power by General Musharraf in 1999 is also making attempts to return to Pakistan to contest elections. However the President has warned that Nawaz Sheriff would be put behind bars if he returned to Pakistan. Mr. Sheriff is determined to return to his country making things difficult for the President (20) (21).
There have been many bomb blasts in the country taking the lives of many people that is reducing the credibility of the government of effective governing (22).
As per the recent information former Prime Minister Nawaz sheriff along with his family members are boarding an aero plane from London to reach Pakistan within a couple of days and General Musharraf has already made arrangements to arrest him at the air port and it was also stated that the previous charges of murder and other criminal offenses would be slapped against him after his arrest. There have been also reports that the talks between Begum Benaziar Bhutto and General Musharraf for some agreement have failed. Begum Bhutto understands that General Musharraf enjoys the confidence of international community and his army. She is adamant that General Musharraf has to relinquish his uniform when he gets elected as the President. General Musharraf is likely to retire in November or December 2007. Although he discards his uniform he remains the commander in chief of Armed forces and army remains under his grip. She is of the opinion that the President should not have the powers to dissolving parliament More over she is demanding that the rule of limit of two terms as prime minister for a candidate should be removed. Begum Bhutto would be contesting as Prime minister for third time. On the other front it is claimed that Chaudhray Shujath of Pakistan Muslim league (Q) ruling party is obstructing the talks between the general and Begum Bhutto and he is in hand in glove with extremist elements in Pakistan who are involving in terrorist activities. As per Begum Bhutto, the General is not much worried about her support for winning the election and that he is confident of winning election with the support of fundamentalist party Muttahid Majlis- e- Amal (MMA). It is also unlikely that she would join hands with former Prime Minister Nawaz sheriff of Pakistan Muslim league (N) in her fight against the General (23). It is charged that during the rule of Musharraf the cities in the country have been filled with terrorists and the government has lost control over tribal population in Waziristan. The country has also abetted international terrorism and its image has been brought down. Thus Pakistan stability is in doldrums and General Musharraf is definitely under great pressure. The only plus point is that he enjoys the support of American president and his army. This is very vital. It is very unlikely that he would hang his uniform which is vital for his authority. The armys obedience to civilian authority in Pakistan has been under attack for almost thirty years and any civilian government has to toe the line of Army or else military coup is around the corner. It is very unlikely that the country would be freed of dictatorships. The country would always be under political turmoil.
Bibliography
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6. Chidanand Rajghatta, US all for ‘Hot pursuit in Pak, Deccan chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date March 03, 2007, PP 15
7. Prof Dr Colonel (retired) K Prabhakar Rao; Taliban is getting stronger and reviving, www.faithcommons.org, November 22, 2006, 0:02
8. Kuldip Nayar, Path of thorns ahead of Musharraf ( In Telugu). Eenadu, Hyderabad, AP, India, August 01, 2007, PP 4
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10. Pak cops raid TV station, Deccan chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date March 17, 2007, PP 13
11. 8. Kuldip Nayar, Path of thorns ahead of Musharraf ( In Telugu). Eenadu, Hyderabad, AP, India, August 01, 2007, PP 4
12.Shafqat Ali, Pak storms mosque, 150 die, Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date July 11, 2007, PP 1
13. Pak correspondent, Pervez would not let Ghazi walk away, Deccan chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date July 11, 2007, PP 12
14. Pakistan Army storms Lal Maszid, KBK infographics, Deccan chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date July 11, 2007, PP 12
15. 5.Zarar Khan, Mosque links found to attack on Musharraf plane, Clerics Troops killed 70 Maszid students, Deccan chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, date July 08, 2007, PP 11
16. Ashfaq Yusufzai and Zofeen Ebrahim, Taliban attack Pakistan Troops to avenge red Mosque, Albion monitor, http://www.albionmonitor.com/0707a/copyright/talibanredmosque.html
17. Fazl, Government creation situation to impose Marshal law, International The News, http://72.14.235.104/search?q=cache:b5ysgrbojt4J:www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp%3FId%3D7737
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18. Pervez’s dual role exasperates court, Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, date September 06, 2007, PP 10
19. Interview of Begum Benazir Bhutto given to Las Angels Times, the Washington post news service as cited in Eenadu, Hyderabad, Ready for treaty and reconciliation (In Telugu, Sandhi ki sai), AP, India, Date August 30, 2007,)PP 4
20. Talks have not failed yet, Pervez Bhutto split on 3 points, Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, and Date September 03, 2007, PP 11
21. Bhutto, Sheriff may not be allowed in polls , Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date September 05, 2007, PP 12
22. Bomb blasts kill 24 in Pakistan, Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, and Date September 05, 2007, PP 12
23. Interview of Begum Benazir Bhutto given to Las Angels Times, the Washington post news service as cited in Eenadu, Hyderabad, Ready for treaty and reconciliation (In Telugu, Sandhi ki sai), AP, India, Date August 30, 2007,)PP 4
RELATED ARTICLES
By
Prof Dr Colonel (retired) K Prabhakar Rao
1. Pakistan cornered, March 07, 2007, 09:01
2. Pakistan crushes militants… kudos to General Musharraf, July11, 2007, 18:56
3. Is the seat of General Musharraf shaking? March, 19, 2007, 09:31
4. NATO offensive in Afghanistan to be pushed up March 06, 2007, 19:08
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Musharrag targeted by Al Qaeda
Submitted by K Prabhakar Rao on Thu, 09/20/2007 - 10:43.
Dear readers,
General Pervez Musharraf, the president of Pakistan is already engulfed in problems regarding Presidency and quitting the post of army Chief. In the latest development, Al Qaeda supremo Bin Laden has issued a video tape stating that General Musharraf who allowed attack on Lal maszid in Pakistan is a mere infidel,. Therefgore he has to be attacked and got rid off. Hecharged that the President is in league with Americans and therefore is enemy of Islam. It is not very sure whether the release is areal one or fake tape woth an imposter posing as Laden, It is also believed that Laden is already dead and the criminals are trying to still show him alive. However General Musharraf is not perturebed and stated that his fight against Terrorism would continue with more vigor in all parts of Pakistan. That was a tough stand by the President and he is to be praised definately. Pakistan needs Musharraf as the President to tackle the terrorists or else Pakistan would pass to AlQaeda inspired religious Mullahs. Pakistans President needs all support in the fight against terrorism. Now it is fully esatblished that AlQaeda leadership is well within Waziristan and hence Pakistan should organise full scale opeartions against these thughs. If required he must allow opearyions by Nato forces and resort to carpet bombing of AlQaeda areas in waziristan and eliminate them. That is the only option.
Dr K Prabhakar Rao
» reply
Pakistan in tail spin
Submitted by K Prabhakar Rao on Wed, 10/03/2007 - 22:02.
Dear readers,
Pakistan's President General Musharraf has ben permitted to contest elections while bearing uniform and arms as Army Chief by the spreme Court of Pakistan. Uniform of the president was the biggest hurdle between any reconciliation between Benazir Bhutto and General Musgharraf. He was not willing to discard uniform before he filed papers for nomination for contesting as the president. It is an open fact that once he sheds uniform he will loose control over his own army as other guy would have already walked into his shoes. He is confident that he would be able to win elections while in authority because he would be able to surely influence the process. Now when he wins, he will not shed uniform as peoples mandate would be with him. Even if Benazir Bhutto is made the prime minister after elections, she has to work with an uniformed President that is already existing. It is a fallacy that General Musharraf would shed unifiorm after winning the elections and would become a civilian head of State. Power in Pakistan flows through uniform and once he looses control over his army there is always a guy waiting in the wings to take over power in another coup. It is unlikely that Pakistan would return to civilian rule. One would not be surprised if he obtains verdict as army chief for life. When a military is in power, Constitution and courts have no meaning. The dictator can always suppress the courts and even influence their decisions which would be mere formality. There is a strife going on now in Pakistan and lawers have gone on agiatation and they are being hammered left right and center and are being gagged. As long as President enjoys support of the big brother, there is nothing to fear for him and would continue to rule.
Dr K Prabhakar Rao
» reply
Keep fingers crossed
Submitted by K Prabhakar Rao on Wed, 10/03/2007 - 22:06.
Keep fingers crossed
It is learnt that Benazir Bhutto is being freed of all the charges and court cases agaisnt her for coming into terms with General Musharraf. But she also expressed her doubts about it. There have been news that orders to that effect are likely to be signed.On the other front it is learnt that General Asfaq Parvez Kayani has been nominated as the next army chief who was the former ISI Chief . For time being, he will take over as Vice Chief of Army staff with rank of a General and is expected to assume charge as Army Chief when General Musharraf finally retires ( If retires) and sheds unifiorm if his promises are to be trusted as those of an holy cow. The new nominated General is a close supporter of the President. Can it be really trusted. It is known that power corrupts a man and absolute power corrupts him totally. It is to be seen How President would enjoy his new role as President withoput uniform as a civilian. Army men are very much attached to uniform and the various perks and prestige attached to it and It becomes extremly difficult to reconcile to the fact of shedding the unifiorm and the dignity associated with it apart from loosing the status. The guys who leve army find it very difficult to come into terms with civilian position after retirement Many call it a day and go into oblivion. Most of the guys are mis fit in later life in civilian positions. There may be few exceptions. There are exceptions like General Isenhower who became a successful American President after Harry Truman. In India too there are many retired Generals. But hardly any one could reach any notable position after retirement except very few here and there who survived as governors and as heads of Public sector undertakings. Mostly they are ignored. Although Musharraf is putting a brave face that he would shed uniform and don civilan dress after winning elections, What happens if he looses ?Will he continue as Army Chief and be sub ordinate to some one and to Benazir Bhutto? Never. He is expected to turn tables immediately and status quo would be maintained. Military would assume power. Any how situation is complex. Unless General Musharraf is too sure of winning by hook or crook, he would not have ventured into this drama. Time would soon unfold the curtain.It would be a greatest miracle on this world if General Musharrag becomes MR Musharraf and hands over authority to civilian establishment. How he would prevent another Coup has to be seen. Dr K Prabhakar Rao
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As expected....
Submitted by K Prabhakar Rao on Sat, 10/06/2007 - 10:44.
Un officially it is learnt that President Musharraf has won the recent elections. But waht is the use of such victory when the entire opposition has abstained from the elections ?Opposition has abstained protesting on Musharraf being allowed to contest while in Uniform and also protesting agaisnt court ruling. Obiously the elections are nothing but a sham. Actual results would be announced after clearing the petetions filed in the court agasint this election. President candidature has been challenged. However it is most unlikely that the Supreme court would cross swords with the strongest President still in Generals uniform and knowing fully well about the role of military in Pakistans politics. No one will risk his neck at this stage. In all truths, the court will give decosion in favor of the President. The court has already allowed the election with General Musharraf contesting wearing Generals uniform. Can we expect a negative verdict now? What is to be seen now is whether the President would shed his uniform and become a civilian relinquishing his Military rank and become Mr Musharraf or General Musharraf ( Retired). What does Madam Bhutto would do if the President continues to hang on to his military rank. She has to just suck her thumb and be happy. Coming days are very interesting to watch. America is interested in a Stable Pakistan with some one taking a bash at the terrorists in the country. Musharraf at present is the better bet.Fundamentalists in Pakistan are waiting to Talibanise the country. On the other front, Pakistans Armed forces are finding extremely difficult to contain the terrorists in Waziristan. In fact, capabilities of the army are being questioned after the recent kidnappings of 100 Pak soldiers from a convoy. The country is in turmoil with great American pressure mounting to eliminate terrorists in the country. Hope General Musharraf comes out successful in his efforts.
Dr K Prabhakar Rao
» reply
Nawaz Sheriff back to square...