As Gen. Pervez Musharraf prepares his country for the next general election and getting another five-year term for himself as President-in-uniform, the Islamists have activated
April 30, 2007 (Press Release) --
As Gen. Pervez Musharraf prepares his country for the next general election and getting another five-year term for himself as President-in-uniform, the Islamists have activated themselves all over Pakistan in order to make a better showing. While trying desperately hard to ward off American pressure to perform more on the anti-terrorism front, he is again raising the bogey of a possible Islamist takeover of his country, in case he was eased out. He used the same strategy during the 2002 election in which the fundamentalist parties, helped by the state organs, demonstrated extraordinary strength at the expense of the mainstream Pakistan People's Party and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and now control the NWFP and Balochistan provinces. He then The regions are still ruled by "Executive fiat" from Islamabad through the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas. By depriving elected institutions even a modicum of authority, Islamabad has allowed sectarian groups to secure a firm foothold in the region. The military has forged alliance with Sunni extremists, further weakening the forces of modernization. The political vacuum is being exploited by extremist groups to promote their sectarian goals. Implementing the Supreme Court's recommendations and extending basic rights and political freedoms to these areas is the only way to prevent mismanagement of the situation.
For that to happen, however, Pakistan itself must have a democratic dispensation. Democratically-elected governments in Islamabad have initiated whatever political development has taken place in the Northern Areas. But, under the military, the people cannot except any move towards democratization of the Areas' administration and giving the people a say in running their affairs. Musharraf is not inclined that way, having giving only a sham democracy to Pakistan with the backing of the King's Party created by the Army and intelligence agencies.
propounded an incomprehensible theory of "Moderate Islam" to confuse the Americans so that they keep supporting him.Pakistanis, by and large, believe that if violent extremism emanating from and nurtured in Pakistan were to disappear, then Gen. Musharraf's utility to the United States, with which Pakistan has been allied through military treaties ever since its birth, would cease. Therefore, he does not see it in his own interest to stamp down too hard on those pushing the destructive agenda. There has been no change for the better since Gen. Zia-ul-Haq put Pakistani society firmly on the route to Talibanisation. Gen. Musharraf, who talks of "moderate Islam" also lacks the courage to reverse the trend which is posing danger to Pakistani society. After ceasing power and announcing they will return to the barracks after holding "free and fair" democratic elections, the generals develop a taste for power and the privileges that go with it. They start acting like politicians, trying to appease people in order to create a support base.
For that to happen, however, Pakistan itself must have a democratic dispensation. Democratically-elected governments in Islamabad have initiated whatever political development has taken place in the Northern Areas. But, under the military, the people cannot except any move towards democratization of the Areas' administration and giving the people a say in running their affairs. Musharraf is not inclined that way, having giving only a sham democracy to Pakistan with the backing of the King's Party created by the Army and intelligence agencies.
propounded an incomprehensible theory of "Moderate Islam" to confuse the Americans so that they keep supporting him.Pakistanis, by and large, believe that if violent extremism emanating from and nurtured in Pakistan were to disappear, then Gen. Musharraf's utility to the United States, with which Pakistan has been allied through military treaties ever since its birth, would cease. Therefore, he does not see it in his own interest to stamp down too hard on those pushing the destructive agenda. There has been no change for the better since Gen. Zia-ul-Haq put Pakistani society firmly on the route to Talibanisation. Gen. Musharraf, who talks of "moderate Islam" also lacks the courage to reverse the trend which is posing danger to Pakistani society. After ceasing power and announcing they will return to the barracks after holding "free and fair" democratic elections, the generals develop a taste for power and the privileges that go with it. They start acting like politicians, trying to appease people in order to create a support base.
Email
Print
SPAM
