Between US and local masters, Pakistanis are experiencing a plurality of sovereign. Trust me, it is a relief to go from one man’s rule into democracy. With bi-polarity at the top, the process becomes interesting. According to stories, the almighty power of Pakistan’s military over its people is being curtailed and shared by the US because the two had a fall-out on Afghanistan, or the US has decided to enhance its participation in the region. Whatever the truth may be, the people of Pakistan watch the powers curiously and wait for relief from the misery of food and electricity shortage.
Hurt national ego is expressed loudly, blaming US influence, corrupt politicians and military dominance. People exercise serenity while excited elements throw flares of passion at an imagined glory. In matters of survival and extinction, ego does not decide for the fittest.
US indulgence in the region could be motivated by their desire to complete the monopoly of the world but Pakistanis find the unraveling of the military grip over the country, a freeing experience. Pakistani military beating the villagers to occupy their land is no better than the international imperialist exploiting our resources. The diluting of the absolute powers of those who consider ruling us their inherent right, combined with a functioning democracy and strong judiciary, could become the first step to peace and prosperity.
The ruling elite keep asking for US and international aid but they continue mumbling condemnation for the drone attacks. Territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country they say, is being violated. They do not offer US forces to conduct operations inside Pakistan but they allow thousands of US-military contractors into the country. Double-speak and hypocrisy is the hallmark of politicians but this magic-show is being run with the consent of Pakistan army.
Americans are raising concern that Pakistan is protecting the Afghan Taliban who attack US and NATO forces in Afghanistan through their command and control in Quetta. They laud Pakistan army for successful operation in Swat. Pakistan’s interior minister said US will not be allowed to carry-out drone-attacks in Quetta. Why does Pakistan government allow US contractors in Islamabad, drone attacks in NWFP and FATA but they pretend to decline ‘permission’ on drone-attacks in Baluchistan?
Could this war be over sooner if the two mighty armies of Pakistan and US conduct joint operations in the area against the mountain-thugs? If the answer is yes, then get it over with. If the answer is no, I say these gun-toting armies are a burden on their country and they should be abandoned.
Washington legislators worry over the lengthening war and suggest that democracy cannot be imposed from outside. Some Americans expressing opinions against involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan contend that the oppressive political systems are indigenous to these under-developed societies and fit them well. Effort to establish democracy in these countries is now projected as futile and counter-productive.
Those who waged war against tyranny and religious extremism may not mind the extremists and tyrants because war takes a long time and costs money. Tell the dead, wounded and displaced during these wars that their suffering is everyday occurrence which did not qualify for a military intervention. “Sorry, we are running out of time and money!”
The military elite consisting of retired Generals like Aslam Baig, Musharraf and Hamid Gul are playing politics from all sides to disrepute democracy and politicians. Recent visit of Af-Pak ambassador Holbrooke to the leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, Liaquat Baloch and Jamiat-e-Ulama’s Fazlur Rahman has revitalized the mullas. General Musharraf sabotaged recent effort for securing aid and support from ‘Friends of Pakistan’ by declaring that the military assistance provided to Pakistan for fighting terrorism could be used against India.
Traditional rivalry comes into play as the US elevates India to the joint-venture imperialist club. Accepting the dictates of US is normal but the associate-imperialist India is perceived as sworn enemy. Those who perpetrated the oppressive military rule for the longest, incite people with their anti-imperialist political rhetoric.
The US imperial influence that delivered us out of military oppression balances the lust of Pakistan army to rule over the country. It is not only democracy that they could help us keep but the strengthening of judiciary and rule of law is another necessary requirement for existence and growth. Pakistanis have never been dealt fairly by their ruling classes in matters of land and resources. The spectre of imperialist exploitation of resources does not scare the people who suffer death and brutality at the hands of local exploiters.
The leasing of farms to foreigners and competing plans for oil and gas pipelines are quoted as imperialist dominance. In an ideal situation people should be the sovereign of their land and its resources but they were denied participation. The reality of present economic condition dictates that they become employed. This degradation in natural rights of the citizens of Pakistan was committed by the local rulers.
Democracy and rule of law could deliver the necessary stability for growth. Reduction in military spending is another vital issue that could be negotiated in favor of strengthening economy and reducing poverty. Continuance of democracy could make people participate in governance, and their interests could become paramount in determining the rights of workers employed by the foreign operators of business in Pakistan. How long America and its allies could stand for the support of democracy is another question.
Ibrahim Sajid Malick is a Pakistani-American writer, technologist, and social entrepreneur. He has been writing on Pakistani society and politics since 1986. He has held several media, communications, and technology positions for organizations large and small. Mr. Malick graduated from New School for Social Research with a master’s degree in anthropology. He holds several technology and management certifications. He works for a leading technology firm and blogs at www.ibrahimsajidmalick.com
Dear Mr. Rashid- Pakistan army is capable of protecting it’s borders. We don’t need your recommendations- thanks. We don’t need drones and blackwater. and we don’t need traitors like you who only point out bad things about our country.
Pakistan was much better under Musharaf. Everyone agrees in Pakistan that our Generals are better leaders than corrupt politicians.
Democracy is overrated. Do you know all major military occupiers in this world are democracies: India occupies Kashmir, Israel occupies Palestine and America occupies Iraq and Afghanistan. Please stop preaching us about democracy.
this article is crap and the author dont know a thing about pakistan his perception is full of animosity and hatred towards pakistan plz do a proper research and then some valid conclusion these type of articles are damaging pakistan image and future plz stop these kind of baseless speeches.
Dear Mr.Mushahid
Thanks for your response. I am sure many Pakistanis do not agree with your fancy for the army as rulers of Pakistan. The common Pakistani, a poor person is dis-posessed, humiliated and brutalised even after 33 years of military rule of the country. Socially, english-speaking babus consider themselves above commoners. The people did not have any participation in affairs of governance because some think they are illiterate so incapable to think. Baluchistan has been ruled like occupied territory. Killing those who want people’s participation in governance and resources of the land has been a hallmark of Pakistan establishment/military. Lately the US-military contractors have been brought in to finish off the al-qaeda in FATA and the establishment lousily defends itself by saying they would not allow the territorial integrity breached. After subjugating and oppressing the people for a very long time, the distrust between Pakistan army and their US patrons has pushed a General out of power. There is a democracy in place run by the feudal lords and other politicians who have been the friends of army. If this democracy continues the people could vote the thugs out of politics and have some of their problems addressed. Removing the military from power in Pakistan could begin now. Hopefully someday every Pakistani would live with dignity without fearing for military making their family members disappear or the feudal lords forcefully taking their daughters as sex-slaves.
Faisal and mushahid, you do not represent popular opinion in pakistan. Malik Rashid does.
I think the writer has pointed out a crucial issue…Yes indeed Pakistan Army is a potential one and they are capable of everything but cant we see that do our politician do whts their responsibilities are..?Its all coz of these politician who are not sincere with the country and in result of which Law enforcement agencies gets roam to interveen in the civil matters..
I agree with mushahid on many of his point include the point that he mentions that democracy is over-rated.
As far as the popular opinion in Pakistan is concerned the common man is just interested in having food on his table and having a respectable job to work at. he does not care if it is a democracy or a military dictatorship. this food he was more accessible for him under musharaf regime than it now.
We must give credit for anything that anyone has done good when we sit down to criticise them. I disagree with musharaf on many policy issues but he was more successful in getting employment for people and making food relatively more accessible for them.
I think the author is not really aware of internal politics of pakistani bureaucracy… I am very much in contact with several important offices of the pakistani bureaucracy and the armed forces… I have heard everyone complain more in this “Democracy ” than in the past dictatorship…
It could be said that there simply was more money before and no money now. But we all know that money spent really shows… it showed in the general’s period but its not visible anywhere anymore…
As far as America is concerned please don’t be confused they only see their own interests … they don’t care about anything else…
Democracy is just a slogan… i has always been (and is) the right of the powerful and rich to rule over the others… no common man runs in elections.. not in Pakistan, not in Europe, not in America…
I agree with Mr. M.Najeeb
Democracy is just a slogan and we would be too naive to think that Democracy exists in western societies. they are highly controlled societies I have lived there long enough to understand this fact. There is no democracy even in America or in Europe.
I do not see another political system that could replace liberal democracy. There is no doubting the fact that class structures breed oligarchy in democratic setup. However Chavez in Venezuela and some others are living example of the fact that the same democratic system could bring non-elite to power. This could be achieved by political participation, education and organizing of the poor.
@ Malik Rashid
I am really sorry to say that you live in a fool’s paradise.(No Offence)
The whole point is that no matter which ever the political system anywhere can be made to perform extremely efficiently and at the same time the same system can be made to perform in worst of the ways. It is the people who are using the system is what matters.
If people are not corrupt any system will give best of the results while if people are corrupt no political system will give results. What needs to be improved upon is the moral standards of people and the system will not matter an ounce.
Therefore, it in turn does also mean that neither democracy nor dictatorship are worth fighting for, it is the goals and principles for which wars are fought. I have never heard more off a bull-shit comment than “Died for Democracy”. I this is just used to move emotions of people in favour of those who have vested interests in the wars.
Mr. Shemyal Nisar
The argument that dictatorship could build an efficient state could be demolished by the collapse of Soviet Union and re-vitalised by the example of China. However the Chinese communist leadership is looking for ways to incorporate democracy under a socialist rule. Lack of individual liberty could be a factor in the collapse of Soviet Union and similar aspiration of the Chinese people could lead to democratization. Democracy is important for participation of the people in governance specially when there are deep-rooted divisions and complaints. Military dictatorship with all its brutality failed to eliminate the Baluch movement. Inclusive democracy could address such issues. Brazil is a shining example of democrtic process shedding-off traditional hierarchy at the top. Democracy is a tool of governance with many imperfections but inclusiveness and participation is an exercise in social development of a people unlike dictatorship that tends to stunt social-growth by excluding them from decision making. Peace.
Reading this article was pretty much a waste of time. I think people like the author and other proponents of democracy sitting comfortably in their arm-chairs need to go out and feel the pain of the masses.
They should open their eyes and see the black and white difference between democratic rule in Pakistan and Musharraf’s 8 years, during which unparalleled development took place in Pakistan. During this time not once have I heard Musharraf say that we needed foreign aid or donations from the IMF to run the country, contrary to that, unprecedented projects were initiated including the telecom industry, new TV channels, dams and educational institutions.
It may be true that democracy can grow and make a system work, but only if on a distant planet like Mars, where it is free from foreign intervention. Democracy-mongerers in Pakistan forget that there is a country called the U.S in this world that is wrecking havoc all around and makes sure its plans are implemented in the guise of democracy. If only people wake-up to this fact, we may have a chance of surviving the New World Order…
@mushahid:
Pakistan was not better under Musharraf. He was a curse and is a curse for Pakistan. How can he be better than politicians? He sold people of Pakistan. What would have been your observation regarding him if Dr. Afia was your daughter? Missing persons phenomenon appeared in Musharraf’s era. People like you should realize the realities. I am not a fan of present government or that of Shujaat or Sharif, but the fact remains that they all are still better than Musharraf, Zia or Ayub or Yahya.
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@ Malik Rashid
I never argued that dictatorship can give an efficient state. I said any form of governemnt can give an efficient state if the people are honest to the state. It does not matter what form of government it is.
Secondly, can you give me one example in the world where democracy is functioning? NO, because it is not functioning anywhere in the world. even in those states which are said to saviours of democracy. These are just empty slogans.
Not to mention what my friend Sigmund Freud said: “Democracy can never give a stable government and hence the state.”
As far as Baloch problem is concerned it is a perfect example of political opportunism. I agree that there are grievances of the people as well but the main reason is political opportunism and heavy involvement from India, Afghanistan, Israel and US.
@Mushahid
Instead of making empty claims that the democratic periods were better it would be highly appreciated if you could substantiate your claims because I am affraid statistics tell otherwise. As far selling of national pride is concerned, I think you would agree that present democratic government has broken all past record of subordination to US and compromising the national pride. The drone attack are still being pursued by Americans on our territories and this regime has made an addition to the previous problems by introduction of Blackwaters in the streets of Islamabad. Hail this democracy.
I think it is high time for you to come out of state of mind that only democracy will solve our problems, any system of government will work if people in the system will work honestly plus will remain honest to the state.
If Musharaff sold the people of Pakistan what do you call the current “democratic” government. For the assholes who think that Pakistan would have survived the Axis of evil differentiation point back in 2001. Wake up! We had nothing back then, yeah today we could have fended off India’s animosity but that was the reason why Musharaff was ousted. They want a f****d up Pakistan like ganja and 10% represent, not one that can withstand the test of time.
Shemyal Nisar
I think democracy is necessary for existence of Pakistan. Only democracy has the potential to turn Pakistan into a liveable, dignified state. This potential cannot be materialized without deliberate efforts. Accepting grievances of the Baluch and accusing them as forein agents does not reflect much understanding of the problem.
The key element for the exixtense of a vibrant state is the participation of the people. After all governments are only supposed to act for furthering the interests of the ‘people’. Unfortunately democracy in Pakistan is akin to what we are seeing under UN observation in Afghanistan today. I wonder what the results would be in Pakistan if a real election was held by honest people. The current state of elections is a selection by any standards.The official corruption has reached such a state that even a census cannot be conducted! The solution would be an election which is actually free and fair. There is no other substitute to human dignity and progress.