Author: Ashfaq Hussain Shah
“Pakistan’s founder proclaimed, ‘The constitution of Pakistan can only be framed by the people.’ Half a century later that is still to be done” wrote Benazir Bhutto in Whither Pakistan: Dictatorship or Democracy? (p. 147). That is what the pending crisis in Pakistan is. The onslaught of dictatorship is being borne by the Constitution of 1973.
Soon after the sad demise of Liaqat Ali Khan in early 50s, there emerged an era of undemocratic forces. All attempts to agree on a federal formula failed until the West Pakistanis developed a consensus to that effect called the Constitution of 1973. It could not happen before separation of East Pakistan ending the first long phase of military dictatorship: efforts to govern the united Pakistan through the military dictatorship devoured the spirit of oneness of Pakistan. Formation of Bangladesh was a backlash effect of the dictatorial tendencies ravaging the capital of the united Pakistan.
At the time of its enactment, the Constitution of 1973 provided that the judiciary would be made independent of the executive after ten years. It did not happen because the next military dictator, Zia ul Haq, wanted to have a subservient judiciary through the instrument of executive. Nevertheless, in effect, General Musharraf separated the judiciary from the executive at the lower level only to justify his actions of October 12, 1999, and to promote his version of basic democracy. At the higher level, however, the judiciary was supposed to serve the needs of Musharraf. The judiciary delivered that in the initial days of Musharraf’s takeover under the premise of ‘doctrine of necessity.’ Later on, when Musharraf challenged the institution of judiciary by removing its head, the judiciary revolted. Only then the judiciary (sixty judges) appreciated the plight of any elected parliament (or of politicians) that used to suffer at the hands of the dictatorial forces. Not only that the enemy is now one but that the sufferings of both are alike. Consequently, now the political and judicial hearts are throbbing together to achieve one end: military dictatorship should be no more around.
Had there not been a factor of suddenness in the departure of Zia ul Haq, the era of the military dictatorship would not have ended. After brief democratic episodes, there appeared the long shadow of Musharraf at the helm of affairs under the guise of participatory democracy in three phases. Nonetheless, when the moment of his laying uniform arrived on December 31, 2004, he renegade from his words. Thereafter, he put on display his true dictatorial credentials. On the one hand, he required from all the Pakistanis to follow his version of democracy; on the other hand, he wanted to pursue his dictatorial agenda at the inner sanctum of that sort of democracy. In other words, in the post-1999 period, Pakistan witnessed a kind of democracy sprouting from a spring of military dictatorship. That paradox shattered the nerves and morale of the whole nation. Finally, February 18 delivered the democratic counter-coup. With translation of the will of people in shape of the new parliament, military dictatorship is again on the way out. If any remnant is there, that is Musharraf himself.
In a way, following the words of the founding father, the people of Pakistan framed the Constitution in 1973 after having found an opportunity to do so. Nevertheless, every time it is abrogated, the people have been reframing the Constitution to materialize the dream of the country’s founding father. Each time people shun dictatorship and vote for democracy. The moment people blink their watchful eyes, military dictatorship creeps in. This time, the former arch rivals in politics, PPP and PML-N, have joined hands to be coalition partners under one banner: let us usher in genuine democracy.
In his first speech at the floor of the house, the new Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani said that the hanging episode of the late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto should be conceded as the judicial murder and a resolution condemning the same should be passed. This is a step in the right direction: like democracy, condemning the wrong done in past is also revenge. In other words, dictatorship should not thrive at the expense of precious lives of the politicians. Years ago, by formulating the Constitution of 1973, the people of Pakistan ruled out any role of dictatorship in the country. Perhaps, it is not yet decipherable to many. On February 18, people have reiterated the same verdict.
After five years of rule of an Assembly which was a product of the rigged polls a truly representative Assembly is in place. Gilani is right in saying that this moment was not got in charity. Instead, it came because of a continual struggle and sacrifice. Indeed, his party has suffered another great loss in the shape of martyrdom of Benazir Bhutto. Had she been alive today, she would have seen her dream of the kind of democracy where down-trodden of the country should also be represented come true. To that effect, Gilani pledged that Parliament would be a servant of the people instead of their master.
Benazir further wrote in her book: “For much of my life, I believed that elections were a magic key which solved the democracy problem and with it the rule of law” (p. 133). In his first speech, Gilani passed his first order: liberate the detained judges with immediate effect. To that, the deposed Chief Justice, Iftikhar Hussain Chaudhry said that he would continue work for establishing the rule of law. Truly, these moments of rejoice are neither fortuitous nor gratuitous. Days of democracy have started and along will come the rule of law. That is what can be the gift of the sacrifice of Bhuttos to the people of Pakistan.
Indeed the days of dictatorship are numbered. Yet, again Bhutto’s have lead the nation out of disaster and have showed the anti-pakistan establishment the power of the people!
I wonder what change we could expect from the current rulers with the same old system. The major point on which they use to criticize Mush government was mainly “War on Terror” but the present government is repeating the same mantra of siding US in his illegal, immoral and brutal war on terror. Moreover what new economic policies will this government bring? What new social changes will this government bring? Did they get vote by presenting there manifesto to the people or did they just manipulate the hatred against Mush and his allies, the way MMA did in the previous Election, exploiting the anger and hatred against USA.
In fact nothing will change, we saw US official coming and meeting our new distinguish leader including MOLANA FAZLU about which he commented that “meeting of such sort should continue”.
Regards
The same Elite class came into power again so we witnessed just a shuffle of faces and nothing more then this.
If we are really interested in change we need to change the system of secular-democracy and capitalism which has enslaved us by giving us false promises and hopes. The only alternative we have is to replace the system of secular democracy into and Islam khilafah, which will utilize the resources upon the people, which will in reality say NO to US political, social and economic hegemony and will liberate the ummah from all sort of colonization and will put the Ummah on the road of progress and prosperity, InshaAllah.
Democracy is the biggest Myth the world has ever witnessed;
It is said that “democracy is the rule of the masses for the masses by the masses, where the masses freely elect their leaders”.
But the Reality is:
“The masses do not choose but they are constrained by the choices given to them. The reality of this so-called freedom of choice extends only to the two or three major parties contesting for power. They are all funded and backed by the corporates”.
@Revivalist
“The masses do not choose but they are constrained by the choices given to them. The reality of this so-called freedom of choice extends only to the two or three major parties contesting for power. They are all funded and backed by the corporates”.
You must think this para by you is somehow brilliant as you keep repeating it again and again and again
@nota
Of course, if someone thinks and ponders upon these sentences it will make the myth of Democracy crystal clear and would expose its fallacy of ‘people’s rule’ to him…..
Regards
@Revivalist
Sadly, your knowledge is very limited and anyone can easily conclude from your posts that your mind is not open to any new knowledge, ideas and opinions. I do not plan to spend time reading your comments any more.
@ brumby
you have reached the right conclusion.
@brumby
I would also like to join the chorus. I have stopped reading Revivalist´s posts and also answers to his posts. There is nothing new under sun….the same mantra is repeated over and over again. Khali-lifafahs are known for their copy & paste activity.
/Saqib
What we need now is a featured article titled “Lifafah of Khilafah”
FAP FAP FAP!
every one say “go mush go”i dont understand mush is only a symbol and now establishment left him and now he is alone but system remain same.establishment just retreat for timebeing.so if we want true democracy than we have to be careful especially ns ko.us ko yai rut chori ho gi kay go mush go.everybody know who struggle against dictatorship more ofcourse ppp leadership and workers and anp.
If someone still doesn’t understand the significance of Go Mush Go, then it is a bit late for them to understand that. Symbol of hatred goes first and then the rest is dealt with.
@brumby
Dear Bro/sis it is your wish to read or ignore my posts I can not compel you for this as I never did. I just give my opinion about certain issues and concepts which I believe are correct based on evidences both from reality and Islam.
Besides you said my mind is not open, so could you clarify what do mean by open mindedness? If by that you mean to accept non-Islamic concepts like Democracy or secularism, then I would disagree with you. But if by that you mean openness towards material progress in science and technology, architecture, engineering, medicine, civil services etc then I am with you, and Islam does not prevent us from acquiring any knowledge in any of these fields, rather it is mandatory upon Muslims to be the leading Nation in the world and for that is compulsory to have excellent people in all these fields.
We Must know that we have been sent to this world not just for time pass or EJOYMENT, our duty is beyond that which is prescribed by our Creator in Quran “(O’ Muslims) you are the best nation raised up for humanity. You enjoin people towards good and forbid them from evil and you believe in Allah (swt)”.
Regards
I fully agree with comments by ‘ revivalist ‘ as given above. I would request visitors to STOP blaming other visitors of this column, because for their comments.
I think nobody can claim to have more interest of the nation nearer to his or her heart than others. Dear,brothers & sisters, let’s not waste our time & efforts in any blame-game or ‘ pulling other’s legs ‘ but I humbly suggest that we all should stick to the topic, other than passing comments against each other.
If we do not stick to the topic, I am afraid, then we all are likely to deviate from our main purpose,(& that as , Pakistanis, keeping interest of our nation supreme,)) to pass healthy, & meaningful suggestions, ONLY, based on the topic, in hand.
Such comments are meant for the betterment of our people, whether it’s recipient, tomorrow, down the line, can be either me, or yourself.
@snrCtzn
Bro thanks allot for your kind suggestions and for agreeing with me but you should not express your agreement here because there are some people who don’t like me and those who agree with me. So be careful, from now onwards they will not spare you and will direct there gun of false propaganda towards you as well.
Regards
@SnrCtzn: Your point is well taken. I have always found you to be a positively contributing member of this community (not trying to patronize you at all, just my opinion) and I think people here are smart enough to not engage in “clique” based discussions. So at least you will not see oppostion from me just because you think another user’s point is right. If I think there is some issue with any of your comment, I will raise that (but this is just mud-slinging on all of us and in direct contravention to your appeal btw).
Exploration of issues: that is the whole point of rational, adult discourse. We are not right, all of us, all the time. But some people do behave as if they are, and this condescending & negative attitude gets a negative and counter productive response from other users who are just not willing to buy a pig with a little “Islamic” lipstick slathered on. (“hey.. big boy! patter patter”).
I think some people who are crying “presecution”, need to stop trolling and start having a real discussion. Instead of pretending like they have access to some superior, forbidden knowledge. They are not opposed because of personal issues. It is their preachy and holier-than-thoug attitudes which are opposed. Making this distinction is important; however, some people’s persecution complexes really do not allow them to look at things in a dispassionate, objective manner.
“(but this is just mud-slinging… ”
should read “..but this accusation by @revilist is just mud-slinging…”
Choor ke darhi mai Tinka. Let him see this by himself….
Regards
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