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PakistanASlaveState
ROEDADKHAN
Volume-1
ReproducedbySaniH.Panhwar
ABOUTTHEAUTHOR
RoedadKhanwasbornonSeptember28,1923intoaYusufzaiPakhtunfamilyin districtMardan,intheNorthWestFrontierProvinceinthevillageofHotionthe bankoftheKalpani.Hisgrandfather,KarimDadKhan,asthevillageMalik,was authorizedtocollectlandrevenuefromthelandownersanddeposititinthe treasury.Hisfather,RahimDadKhan,wasthefirstmemberofthefamilytobe senttoanEnglishmediumschool.Hewasalsothefirstmemberofthefamilyto jointheProvincialcivilservice.
In1939,RoedadKhangraduatedfromlocalhighschoolandwenttoattend FormanChristianCollegeandgainedB.A.inEnglishLiteraturein1942. Respectinghisfather’swishes,KhanattendedtheAligarhMuslimUniversity andgainedM.A.inEnglishHistoryin1946.UponhisreturntoMardan,Khan taughtEnglishhistoryatIslamiaCollege,PeshawarandoptedPakistan’s citizenshipin1947.In1949,KhanjoinedCentralSuperiorServicesofPakistan andhasheldseveralimportantappointmentsincludingthoseofChiefSecretary Sindh;SecretaryMinistryofInterior;SecretaryGeneral,MinistryofInterior; FederalMinisterinchargeofAccountability;andAdvisortothePrimeMinister onAccountability.Duringhislongcareer,KhanservedwithfivePresidentsof PakistanandthreePrimeministersofPakistan.However,hiscareerwasatpeak whenheservedwithChiefMartialLawAdministratorofPakistanGeneral MuhammadZia-ul-Haq,responsibleforcountry’sinternalsecuritywhilean intelligenceeffortswerebuiltuptosabotageSovietmilitaryinterventionin AfghanistanSovietRepublic.Khan,apartofGeneral’sZiapolicytoenhancethe secretestablishment,Khanservedasitselitemember.
AccordingtoKhan: “DuringmyserviceIgottoknowtwoPrimeMinistersBenazir andNawazSharifandsixPresidents-AyubKhan,YahyaKhan,Z.A.Bhutto,Ziaul Haq,GhulamIshaqKhanandFarooqLeghariinvaryingmeasure.Theyalldisplayed vastdifferencesinpersonality,characterandstyle.Eachoneofthemhasdirectlyor indirectlycontributedtoourgeneration’sanguishandsenseofbetrayal,ourlossof confidenceinourrulers,inourcountry,inourfuture,inourselvesandthesouringof thedreamofPakistan.Everynowandthen,Iputpentopaperandunburdenmyselfof thethingsthatweighuponmyspirit:Thesenseofbeinginablindalley,theperceptionof ourcollectiveguilt,andtheknowledgeofallthathasbeenirrevocablylost.”
Khanhaswrittenthreebookandhundredsofarticles,hisfirstbook “Pakistan-A DreamGoneSour”(263pages)waspublishedin1997byOxfordUniversitypress,
hissecondbook“TheAmericanPapers,SecretandConfidentialIndia,Pakistan, Bangladesh,1965-1973.”This997pagevolumecontainsmassivecompilationof secretandconfidentialdocumentsrecentlydeclassified.Andhisthirdbookis “TheBritishPapers,SecretandConfidential;India,Pakistan,BangladeshDocuments 1958-1969.”
Wearereproducingsomeofhisarticlesinfourvolumes,thesearticlesshowthe in-depthknowledgeandunderstatingoftheissuesPakistanhastodayandKhan havesuggestedthesolutionsformostoftheproblemsnationisfacing.
Ihopeyouwillenjoyreadingthearticles.
SaniPanhwar California2013
Sittingonthefenceisnooption
April03,2013
In1959,ProfessorArnoldJ.ToynbeewasinvitedbythePeshawarUniversityto spendamonthonthecampustodeliveraseriesoflecturesonasubjectofhis ownchoice.IwasDeputyCommissioner,Peshawar.Onceaweek,thankstomy friend,AbuKureshi,whowashisguideandconstantcompanion,Professor ToynbeewoulddomethehonourofcomingtomyofficialresidenceonFort Road.
ProfessorToynbeewasaverysimple,unpretentiousandunassumingman.His companywasatreatandhisfriendshipanhonourtoenjoy.Meetinghimwas likemeetinghistory.Havingaconversationwithhimwasalittlelikegettingto volleywithJohnMcEnroe.Tryingtokeepupwashopeless,butitwas exhilaratingjusttobeonthecourtwithhim.OfToynbee,AllanNevinswrote: “StandingonhisEverest,heismorethanahistorian;heisagreatdealofa Prophet.”Hewouldsurveythepast,produceabird’seyeviewofmankind’s historywithaviewtogaininggreaterinsightintothepresent.
Pakistanwasundermartiallaw.Democracyhadbeenderailedbypower-hungry generals.Talkingaboutdemocracy,Toynbeesaid:“AsiansandAfricanshad constructedasyllogism,whichAristotlewouldcertainlyhavedisallowedas beingillogical.‘TheWestEuropeanpeoplesliveunderdemocraticpolitical regimes;theWestEuropeanpeoplesarepowerful;therefore,democracyisa sourceofpower;therefore,weAsianandAfricansmustbecomedemocraticifwe aretoattainourobjectiveofgettingevenwiththeWestincompetitionforpower andfortheadvantagesthatpowerbringswithit’.”Thisargument,Toynbeesaid, isobviouslyunsound.Thetruth,perhaps,isthatdemocracy,sofarfromhaving beenoneofthesourcesoftheWesternpeoples’power,hasbeenoneofthe luxuriesthattheirpowerhasenabledthemtoafford.Thesourceoftheirpower hasbeentheirmarriageoftechnologywithscience,theopportunityfortheir democracyhasbeenthemarginofstrength,wealth,andsecuritythattheirpower derivedfromappliedsciencehascreatedforthem.Unlikethebeliefthatscience hasbeenasourceofWesternpower,thebeliefthatdemocracyhasbeenasource ofWesternpowerisafallacy.DemocracyhadbeenaWesternamenitythat WesternpowerhasbroughtwithintheWest’sreach.
Election,ProfessorToynbeesaid,isnottheanswer.Theideathatyoucanjust holdelectionswhileeverythingremainscolonial,feudalandmedieval,means youwon’tgetdemocracy,butsomeperversionofit.Electionsarenecessary,but notsufficient;theyalonedonotmakeademocracy.Creatingademocracy requiresafreeandindependentcountry,aninviolableconstitution,asustained commitmentoftimeandmoneytodevelopallthenecessaryelements:a transparentexecutivebranchaccountabletoParliament,apowerfuland competentlegislatureanswerabletotheelectorate,astrongneutraljudiciary,and afreepress.
Toassumethatapopularvotewillautomaticallybringaboutademocratic metamorphosiswouldbetocondemnthecountrytoarepeatofthecycleseenso ofteninPakistan:ashort-livedperiodofcorrupt,civilianrule,adescentinto chaosandthenarmyintervention.
Perhapsnoformofgovernment,Toynbeesaid,needsgreatleaderssomuchas democracy.Itisourmisfortunethatatatimewhenleadershipisdesperately neededtocopewithmattersofvitalimportanceandputthecountrybackonthe democraticpath,Pakistanisruledbyacorrupt,criminalsyndicate.Tononation hasfatebeenmoremalignantthantoPakistan.Withfewexceptions,ithaslong beensaddledwithpoor,evenmalevolent,leadership:predatorykleptocrats, militarydictators,politicalilliteratesandcarpet-baggers.Nowonder,Pakistanis todaynomorethanapoor,brokentoyfloatingonanoceanofuncertainty.
ThecorruptleadershiprulingPakistanhasprovedunabletogovernacountry rentbypolitical,ethnic,economic,andsocialconflicts.Today,Pakistanisa nightmareofdespairanddespondency,andindoubtaboutitsfuture.Therich aregettingricher,whilethepoor,well,theyarestilldirtpoorandaresinking deeperanddeeperintoablackholeofabjectpoverty.Thecountryappearstobe adrift,lackingconfidenceaboutitsfuture.Disasterandfrustrationroamthe politicallandscape.LookintotheeyesofaPakistanitodayandyouwillseea smoulderingrage.
InPakistan,nothinghassoalteredthefortunesofsomanysosuddenlyas politicalpower.Heremoneyandpowerseekeachother.Nowonder,the businessofpoliticsattractsthescumofthecommunity.Thesearepractitionersof theartofgrandlarceny,lootandplunderinbroaddaylightwithnofearof accountability.Therichareevadingtaxes,whilethepooraresearchingthetrash forfood.
Intheseharshanddifficultpoliticaltimes,thequestionofleadership’scharacter isatthecentreofournationalconcerns.Foraperson,partyornation,the
elementessentialtosuccessischaracter.“Fameisavapour,popularityan accident,”wroteHoraceGreeley,“richestakewing,andonlycharacterendures.”
“InaPresidentcharacteriseverything,”PeggyNoonanwritesinherassessment ofRonaldReagan.“APresidentdoesnothavetobebrilliant.HarryTrumanwas notbrilliantandhehelpedsaveWesternEuropefromStalin.Hedoesnothaveto beclever,youcanhireclever…....butyoucannotrentastrongmoralsense.You can’tacquireitinthepresidency.Youcarryitwithyou.”IfaPresident,Toynbee said,hasintegrity,ifhehascredibilityandifheisbelievable,nothingelse matters.Ifhehasnointegrityandnocredibility,andifthereisagapbetween whathesaysandwhathedoes,nothingelsemattersandhecannotgovern.
Today,Pakistanstandsintwilight,awaitingtheseeminglyinevitabledescentof darkness.Isthedarklongnightabouttoend?Andhasthetimecomeforusto leavethevalleyofdespairandclimbthemountainsothatwecanseethegloryof anotherdawn?Thedarkesthourisjustbeforethedawnandasgenerally happensinhistory,itisatthedarkesthourthatabrightstarariseswhenyouhad almostgivenuphope.Whenacrisiscomes,akindoftidalwavesweepstheman ofcharactertotheforefront.Comeththehour,comeththeman.Today,wehave both.Thehourhasstruck.Andthemanhasappeared.Thehourhasfoundthe man,whohasthewillandthepowertorestorethePakistandream.
Today,ImranKhanincarnatesallourhopes.Heepitomisesthenationalstruggle. Heembodiesthenation’sromanticdreamofitself.Hepresentshimselfbefore thenationasaglowingbeaconagainsttheforcesofdarkness.Itseemsthat,asin thecaseofChurchillin1940,thelast15yearsorsohespentinpolitical wildernesshadbeenbutapreparationforthishourandforthistrial.Awindow ofhopehasopenedforPakistan.Allthemenofyesterdayandallthemenofday beforeyesterday,whohavegangedupagainstImran,aredestinedforthe dustbin.
Imranistheonlytrulynationalfigureinthebleak,fragmentedPakistani landscape.Inthisatmosphereofgloomanddoom,destinyisbeckoninghim.He istherightman,attherighttimeandtherightplacetoshakeupthisstagnant nation’sscleroticstatusquoanddislodgethecorruptleaderscatapultedtothe summitofpowerintragiccircumstances.Itisourgoodfortunetohavefound therightleaderwhosecharacter,integrity,credibilityandabilityfitthetideof history.Hehascourage,stamina,patriotism,idealismandhabitofhardwork thathavebecomepartofhisbeing.
Nowthattheelectionschedulehasbeenannounced,asenseofhighintensity chaosprevailsinthecapital.Pakistanispreparingforashowdown.Itwillbeno ordinaryelection.Itwillbethedefiningmomentforthedestinyofthepeople andthecountry.Thepoliticalpartieswillfaceaninfluxofyoung,angry,
unpredictablevoters.Thestageissetforacollisionbetweenthosewhobelongto thefutureandthosewhorepresenttheforcesofdarknessandthedeadpast.In thisManicheanstruggle,youhavetochoosesides.Neutralityisimmoralandis notanoption.
Weliveinaprofoundlyprecariouscountry;itisindeep,deeptrouble.Sittingon thefenceisnooption.Attentistes(thosewhowaitorfencesitters)mustmakeup theirminds.ThemomenthascometojointhebattleforPakistan.Nowthat youngpeople,menandwomen,inparticular,havecomeoutinsupportofImran, thewindsofchangehavebeguntoblow.Thingswillchange.Thestatusquowill shift,thecorruptregimewillcrumble.Thelongnightmarewillbeover.Itwillbe morningonceagaininPakistan.Thisisthelastchance.Thelastbattle.
Trueguardiansoftheconstitution
December14,2012
“TheConstitutioniswhatthe SupremeCourtsaysitis.”
–FormerChiefJustice CharlesEvansHughes
In1787,39mensignedtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates,thelongest-lasting nationalgovernmentonpaper.Butanywrittendocument,likeacontract,is subjecttointerpretation.So,howabouttheconstitution?Howshoulditbe interpreted?FormerChiefJusticeCharlesEvansHughesprovidesamodern answertothatquestion.Hughesoncestatedinaspeechin1907that“weare underaconstitution,buttheconstitutioniswhatthejudgessayitis.......”Today, thoughHughesisdead,heleadsthechorusofjuristsandjudicialactiviststhat seeksocietalchangeanddesirethesanctionoftheconstitutiontodoit.
PriortoSyedZafarAliShah’scase,therewasalmostthreedecadesofsettledlaw totheeffectthateventhoughtherewerecertainsalientfeaturesofthe constitution,noconstitutionalamendmentcouldbestruckdownbythesuperior judiciaryasbeingviolativeofthosefeatures.Theremedylayinthepoliticaland notthejudicialprocess.Theappealinsuchcaseswastobemadetothepeople, notthecourts.Aconstitutionalamendmentposedapoliticalquestion,which couldberesolvedonlythroughthenormalmechanismsofparliamentary democracyandfreeelections.
InSyedZafarAliShah’scase,theSupremeCourtheldthat,“wehavestatedin unambiguoustermsintheShortOrderthattheConstitutionofPakistanisthe supremelawofthelandanditsbasicfeatures,i.e.independenceofjudiciary, federalismandparliamentaryformofgovernmentblendedwithIslamic provisionscannotbealteredevenbyParliament.”IntheMahmoodKhan Achakzai’scase,thecourtheldthatParliamentdidnothavethepowertoamend thebasiccharacteristicsoffederalism,parliamentarydemocracyandIslamic provisionsascontainedintheobjectiveresolution/preambletotheconstitution of1973,whichnowstandsassubstantivepartoftheconstitution.
TheIndianSupremeCourtexpressedsimilarviewsintheKesavanandavs.State ofKeralacasethatfollows:-
“Thetrueposition,”itheld,“isthateveryprovisionoftheconstitutioncanbe amendedprovidedintheresultthebasicfoundationandstructureofthe constitutionremainsthesame.Thebasicstructuremaybesaidtoconsistofthe
followingfeatures:
1Supremacyoftheconstitution;
2Republicananddemocraticformofgovernment;
3Specialcharacteroftheconstitution;
4Separationofpowersbetweenthelegislature,theexecutive,andthe judiciary;and
5Federalcharacteroftheconstitution.”
Thenetresultisthat,intheconsideredviewoftheIndianSupremeCourt,the IndianParliamentcannotalterthebasicstructureorframeworkofthe constitution.
TheKesavanandajudgmentisalandmarkdecisionoftheSupremeCourtof Indiathatoutlinedthe‘basicstructure’doctrineoftheconstitution.Writingfor themajority,ChiefJusticeSikriassertedthroughthisdoctrinethatthe constitutionisbuiltonabasicfoundationconsistingofthedignityandfreedom oftheindividualandhence,noamendmentcandestroythefundamentalsrights ofindividuals.The‘basicstructure’doctrineformsthebasisofpowerofthe Indianjudiciarytoreview,andstrikedown,amendmenttotheConstitutionof IndiaenactedbytheIndianParliamentthatconflictwithorseektoalterthis ‘basicstructure’oftheconstitution.
The13-judgeconstitutionalbenchoftheSupremeCourtdeliberatedonthe limitations,ifany,ofthepowersoftheelectedrepresentativesofthepeopleand natureofthefundamentalrightsofanindividual.Thecourtheldthatwhile Parliamenthas“wide”powers,itdidnothavethepowertodestroyor emasculatethebasicelementsorfundamentalfeaturesoftheconstitution.
WhentheKesavanandacasewasdecided,theunderlinedapprehensionofthe majoritybenchthatelectedrepresentativescouldnotbetrustedtoact responsiblywasperceivedtobeunprecedented.However,thepassageofthe 39thAmendmentbyParliamentprovedthat,infact,thisapprehensionwaswell founded.InIndiraNehruGandhivs.RajNarain,aconstitutionalbenchofthe SupremeCourtusedthe‘basicstructure’doctrinetostrikedownthe39th AmendmentandpavedthewayfortherestorationofIndiandemocracy.
Beforethejudicialrevolution,apliantSupremeCourtofPakistanhadoverruled theAchakzaiandZafarAliShahcasesanddisregardedtheviewheldbythe IndianSupremeCourt.“Thegovernmentisfunctioninginaccordancewiththe constitution,”thecourtobserved.“Ifthepetitionisacceptedand17th Amendmentstruckdown,thisentireconstitutionaledificewillcollapse.The President,thePrimeMinister,theGovernors,theChiefMinisters,the
Parliamentarians,theMembersoftheProvincialAssemblies,threeServiceChiefs andJudgesofthesuperiorjudiciaryappointedbythePresident,allwillceaseto holdofficeatonce.Thegovernmentofthecountrywillceasetofunctionand totalanarchywillprevail.Thegovernmentundertheconstitutionwillbeundone andavacuumwillbecreated.Thisisnotthefunctionofthejudiciary.Inshort, acceptingthepetitionandstrikingdownthe17thAmendmentwouldinvite chaosandcreateaconstitutionalcrisis.Thecourtmustallowthegovernmentto functionandtheinstitutionstogainstrengthandmaturewithtime…....Ifthe petitionershaveagrievance,theirremedylieswithParliamentandfailingthatin thecourtofthepeopleandnotwiththecourt!”
ThisinfamousjudgmentoftheSupremeCourtgivesarubber-stampParliament theultimatepowertoemasculatethebasicelementsorfundamentalfeaturesof ourconstitution.Itwouldnowbefree,underthegarbofamendment,tochange ademocraticgovernmentintoadictatorshiporhereditarymonarchy.Itcoulddo awaywiththeIslamicprovisionsoftheconstitutionandchangethefederal constitutionofPakistanintoaunitaryform.Itcouldevensubordinatethe superiorjudiciarytotheexecutiveandmaketheSupremeCourtthejudicialarm ofthegovernment.Inotherwords,itcouldmutilatetheconstitutionandchange itbeyondallrecognition.Itisscary!
Thejudgmentraisesacentralquestion:iftheSupremeCourtdoesnotintervene anddoesnotstrikedownsuchamendments,despitethefactoftheir inconsistencywiththefundamentalfeaturesoftheconstitution,whowill?The judgesoftheSupremeCourtareboundbytheiroathofofficetopreserve,protect anddefendtheconstitution.Theconstitutionplacesthatresponsibilitysquarely ontheshouldersoftheSupremeCourt,whichhasthepower,infacttheduty,to strikedownanylegislationenactedbyParliamentwhich,initsview,is repugnanttotheconstitution.
InPakistan,asinallfederations,theSupremeCourtplaysacrucialrole.Itisthe soleanduniquetribunalofthenation.Itismorethanausuallawcourt.Itis primarilyapoliticalinstitutioninwhosekeepingliesthedestinyofagreat nation.Thepeace,prosperity,andveryexistenceofthefederationrest continuallyinthehandsoftheSupremeCourtjudges.Withoutthem,the constitutionwouldbeadeadletter;itistothemthattheexecutiveappealsto resisttheencroachmentofParliament;Parliamenttodefenditselfagainstthe assaultsoftheexecutive;thefederalgovernmenttomaketheprovincesobeyit; theprovincestorebufftheexaggeratedpretensionsofthefederalgovernment, publicinterestagainstprivateinterest,etc.TheydecidewhetheryouandIshall liveordie.ThejoboftheSupremeCourtisnottoprotectthesystem.Itsjobisto interpretanddefendtheconstitution.“FiatjustitiaRuatcoelum”,(letjusticebe
doneifHeavensfall).Heavenswon’tfall.Thatisforsure.Itwillbemorningonce againinPakistan.
ThefearofconspiracyagainsttheSupremeCourthangsheavyintheair. Counter-revolutiondoesnotgiveupeasily.Attemptsarebeingmadetosubvert thepeople’swillandoverturnthejudicialrevolution.Ourhistorycanshowno precedentforsofoulaplotasthatwhichthiscorrupt,dyingregimehashatched againsttheSupremeCourt.
OnPresidentAsifZardari’swatch,Pakistanisfastdescendingintochaosand economiccatastrophe.Evidenceofastatetotteringontheedgeofcomplete dysfunctionisapparenteverywhereinPakistan.Themoodisoffutilityand despair.PresidentZardari,symboloftheunityofthefederation,hasdeclared warontheSupremeCourt.Onethingisclear:thetrueguardiansofthe constitutionarethepeopleofPakistan.Peoplepoweralonecanprotectthe SupremeCourtfromcorruptrulers.
Quaid’svisittoStaffCollegeQuetta
November22,2012
EverytimeGeneralAshfaqParvezKayani,theChiefofArmyStaff,speaks,and hegenerallyspeaksonsensitivepoliticalissues,hecreatesconfusionallaround andmakesthingworseforhimself.AsIreadhisincredibleaddressattheGHQ,I couldonlyshakemyheadindisbelief.Exposingseniorsarmyofficerstohighly controversialpoliticalissuesandthenissuingthestatementtothepressisbad enough,butdenyingitwithastraightfaceistantamounttoinsultingthe intelligenceofpeople.
GeneralKayani’sstatementpublishedonNovember5iswidelyinterpretedasa pointedattackontheSupremeCourt.Withoutdirectlyreferringtothecourt,the Generalsaidthatthecountrywaspassingthrougha“definingphase”andissued aveiledwarningof“consequencesifthestateinstitutionsdidnotworkin harmony.”“Noindividualorinstitutionhasthemonopolytodecidewhatis rightorwrongindefiningtheultimatenationalinterest,”hesaid.“The fundamentalprinciple,”hesaid,thatnooneisguiltyuntilprovenshouldnotbe forgotten,apointedreferencetothejudiciary.Itisbackhandedsupporttothe retiredGenerals,whoarefacingcriminalchargesinanelection-riggingcase datingfromthe1990s.GeneralKayaniisquiteobviouslyseekingtoestablishred linesfortheSupremeCourt.
Exactly64yearsago,Quaid-i-AzamMohammadAliJinnah,FounderofPakistan andFatheroftheNation,visitedStaffCollegeQuettaand,withuncanny prescience,warnedseniorofficersagainstinvolvementinpoliticsandtheaffairs ofgovernment.Heexpressedhisalarmatthecasualattitudeof“oneortwovery high-rankingofficers”,andwarnedtheassembledofficersthatsomeofthem werenotawareoftheimplicationsoftheiroathtoPakistanandpromptlyreadit outtothem.Andheadded:“Ishouldlikeyoutostudytheconstitution,whichis inforceinPakistanatpresentandunderstanditstrueconstitutionalandlegal implicationswhenyousaythatyouwillbefaithfultotheconstitutionofthe Dominion.”
Earlier,onthedayofPakistan’sindependence,August14,1947,MrJinnah,who hadjustbecomeGovernorGeneral,scoldedoneyoungarmyofficer.Theofficer hadcomplainedthat“insteadofgivingustheopportunitytoserveourcountry inpositionswhereournaturaltalentsandnativegeniuscouldbeusedtothe greatestadvantage,importantpostsarebeingentrusted,ashadbeendoneinthe past,toforeigners.Britishofficershavebeenappointedtoheadthethreefighting
services,andanumberofotherforeignersareinkeyseniorappointments.This wasnotourunderstandingofhowPakistanshouldberun.”
MrJinnah,itappears,hadapresentimentofsortsandwasdeliberateinhis answer.Hewarnedtheofficerconcerned“nottoforgetthatthearmedforces weretheservantsofthepeopleandyoudonotmakenationalpolicy;itiswe,the civilians,whodecidetheseissuesanditisyourdutytocarryoutthesetaskswith whichyouareentrusted.”
ThePakistanArmyisapeople’sarmy,inthesensethatitbelongstothepeople ofPakistan,whotakeajealousandproprietaryinterestinit.Itisnotsomuchan armoftheexecutivebranchasitisanarmofthepeopleofPakistan.Itistheonly shieldwehaveagainstforeignaggression.Whypoliticiseit?Whyexposeittothe roughandtumbleofpolitics?
Isn’titironicalthat64yearsafterMrJinnah’svisittotheStaffCollegeandthe policystatementhemadeontheroleofthearmyintheaffairsofgovernment, whenapetitionerspokeofthearmy’srespectforjudiciary,theChiefJustice quipped:“Yes,wewitnessedityesterday(MondayNovember5).”TheChief JusticesaidthattheSupremeCourthadfinalauthorityinalllegaland constitutionalmatters.Thisauthority,hesaid,isenshrinedintheconstitution andisunassailable.
InPakistan,asinallfederations,theSupremeCourtplaysacrucialrole.Itisthe soleanduniquetribunalofthenation.Thepeace,prosperity,andveryexistence ofthefederationrestcontinuallyinthehandsoftheSupremeCourtjudges. Withoutthem,theconstitutionwouldbeadeadletter;itistothemthatthe executiveappealstoresisttheencroachmentofParliament;Parliamenttodefend itselfagainsttheassaultsoftheexecutive;thefederalgovernmenttomakethe provincesobeyit;theprovincestorebufftheexaggeratedpretensionsofthe federalgovernment,publicinterestagainstprivateinterestetc.Theydecide whetheryouandIshallliveordie.Theirpowerisimmense.Buttheyareallpowerfulonlysolongasthepeopleandthegovernmentconsenttoobeythe lawsandimplementthedecisionsofthecourt.Theycandonothingiftheyscorn it.
Itisnowabundantlyclearthattheexecutiveisdeterminedtodefytheapexcourt. Attemptsarebeingmadetosubvertthepeople’swillandoverturnthejudicial revolution.Itisthelastdesperategambleofacorruptfascistautocracy.
ChiefJusticeIftikharMohammadChaudhryfacesanuphilltask.Anawesome responsibilityrestsonhisshoulders.Thesurvivalofthefederationasa democratic,progressivestatenowdependsonhiscourt.Thejudicialrevolution
triggeredbyhimisirreversible.Lettherebenodoubtaboutit.Anyattemptto undoitwillberesisted.Thepeoplehaveplantedanindependentjudiciaryinthe pathofourturbulentdemocracy.Nolongerwouldtheexecutivebealawunto itself.
Today,therearemanynowwillingtospilltheirbloodtodefendtheirhardearnedindependentjudiciary.Trytodestroytheindependenceofjudiciary,and themomentisnotfaroffwhenthisbeautifulcountrywillbeplungedintoacivil war.TheSupremeCourtshouldbethebarrierthatprotectsthecitizensfromthe windsofevilandtyranny.Ifweallowittobestymiedorsabotagedbycorrupt rulersorpermitittobedesecratedordemeanedanditcrumbles,whowillbe abletostandinthewindsthatfollow?
NotmanypeopleknowthatalandmarkjudgmentofanearlierSupremeCourt, givestherubber-stampParliamenttheultimatepowertoemasculatethebasic elementsorfundamentalfeaturesofourconstitution.Itwouldnowbefree, underthegarbofamendment,tochangeademocraticgovernmentintoa dictatorshiporhereditarymonarchy.ItcoulddoawaywiththeIslamic provisionsoftheconstitutionandchangethefederalconstitutionofPakistaninto aunitaryform.Itcouldevensubordinatethesuperiorjudiciarytotheexecutive andmaketheSupremeCourtthejudicialarmofthegovernment.Inotherwords, itcouldmutilatetheconstitutionandchangeitbeyondallrecognition.Itisscary! ThejudgesoftheSupremeCourtareboundbytheiroathofofficetopreserve, protectanddefendtheconstitution.Theconstitutionplacesthatresponsibility squarelyontheshouldersoftheSupremeCourt,whichhasthepower,infactthe duty,tostrikedownanylegislationenactedbyParliamentthat,initsview,is repugnanttotheconstitution.TheSupremeCourtismorethantheusuallaw court.InitskeepingliesthedestinyofPakistan.Itsdecreesmarktheboundaries betweenthevariousbranchesofstate.Uponitsaction,dependstheproper functioningofthefederation;infact,itsverysurvival.
ThepowertodetermineconstitutionalityofamendmentsmadebyParliamentis oftheveryessenceofjudicialduty.Inthemidstofcivilstrifeandwar,asBurke pointedoutinhisreflectionsontheFrenchrevolution,“lawsarecommandedto holdtheirtongueamongstarms.Butinpeacetime,thelawissupremeandits interpretationistheexclusiveprerogativeofthecivilcourts.”Nowthat “democracy”hasbeenrestoredandlawisunfettered,andsupremeonceagain, thecourtmustexerciseitspowertorestorethebalancebetween“theone,the fewandthemany.”
Isthereanyremedyforthisstateofthings?None.Becauseacorruptpresidency andacorruptexecutiveareinleaguewitharubber-stampParliament.Ultimately, thetrueguardiansoftheconstitutionandtheSupremeCourtarethepeopleof
Pakistan.PeoplepoweralonecanprotecttheSupremeCourtfromcorruptrulers andcorruptpower-hungryGenerals.Ourrulersknowthatthestreetisallthey havetofear.Confrontingthemhasnowbecomeapatrioticduty.Today,thereis nootherpathforourcountry,buttheonewhichledtotherestorationofChief JusticeIftikharChaudhryandotherdeposedjudges.
Judgingthesovereign
October23,2012
Thosewhoholdpowerandshapethedestinyofothersshouldneverbejudged inamomentofmisfortuneordefeat.Ifseenasacorpsehungbythefeet,even Mussolinicouldarousesomepity.Theymustbejudgedwhentheyarealiveand inpower.Sometimes,onceinalongwhile,yougetachancetoserveyour country.FewpeoplehadbeenofferedtheopportunitythatlayopentoPresident AsifZardari.Heblewit.Hehasbeeninpowerforfourlongyearsandmustbe heldtoaccountnow.Thisstrikesmeasagoodtimetoassesshisperformance.
Fragilecountries,likePakistan,canillaffordthelossofthebestandthebrightest oftheirleaders.Ihavebeenfrightenedformycountryonlyafewtimesinmylife: in1948whenMrJinnahdied.Ineversawsomanypeoplecrying,sovisibly shakenbysadness.In1971,itwasthesecessionofEastPakistan.Andhorrorof horrors,December27,2007,whenBenazirwasassassinated,andayearlater, ZardariwaselectedasthePresidentofPakistan.Thislastmomentwasthe scariestofall.ThetragicassassinationofBenazir,astainonthenation’s conscience,stillhauntsthepeople.Tragically,herdeathisfastbecominganonevent.Itseemsnooneisinterestedinunravellingthemysterysurroundingher assassinationorunmaskingtheperpetratorofthisdastardlycrime.
WiththepassingawayofBenazir,eitherbyluck,design,happenstance,divine graceorintervention,thenation’sconstitutionalprocessproducedan unexpected,ill-equipped,leastqualified,corruptPresident,whoseeksinvainto fillthegapingvoidleftbehindbyBenazir’stragicdeath.
TononationhasfatebeenmoremalignantthantoPakistan.Withfewexceptions, Pakistanhaslongbeensaddledwithpoor,evenmalevolent,leadership: predatorykleptocrats,militarydictators,politicalilliteratesandcarpetbaggers. Withallherfailings,Benazirhadundoubtedleadershipqualities-charisma, courage,politicalacumenandarticulation.Afterhertragicassassination,Mr Zardari’ssuddenascensiontothepresidencyandpartyleadershipcausedpanic amongthepeople.ManyhopedthatZardari,onceelectedtothehighestoffice, wouldhaveasenseofhisownsmallnessinthesweepofeventsandwould contraveneLordActon’sdictumandgrowhumblerandwiser.Unfortunately, thathasnothappened.
AllPresidentsfallfromtheirhoneymoonhighs,butnoelectedPresidentin historyhasfallenthisfar,thisfast.AllPresidentsareopposed,ofcourse,and
manyaredisliked;butfewsufferwidespreadattacksontheirpersonalintegrity orveracity.PresidentZardariisoneofthosefew.Attheheartofleadershipisthe leader’scharacter.Hemustalwayswalkonastraightline.Honourandprobity mustbehispolarstar.Peoplewillentrusttheirhopesanddreamstoanother persononlyiftheybelievehim,iftheythinkheisareliablevessel.Hischaracter -demonstratedthroughdeedsmorethanwords-isattheheartofit.Zardarihas failedallthesecharactertests.
HowwouldthefirstdraftofhistoryassessMr.Zardari’sperformanceinoffice? Zardariyearonebeganwithpanicamongthepeople.Attheendofyearfour,the nationispursuedandhauntedbyaprofound,unrelentingfearofanarchy.There isanelementofdreadintheair.Thepublicmoodremainssour.Anxiety abounds.Anxietyisnotpersonal.ItisaboutthefutureofPakistan.Pessimismis thefloweroftheyearinPakistan.Preciousfewpeoplearedaringtovoice optimismabouttheoutlookoverthenextsixmonths.ThestreetsofPakistan throbwithfear,tensionandagitation.Thecountryisinanapocalypticmood.
Thepresidencyisabacterium.Itfindstheopenwoundsinthepeoplewhohold it.Itinfectsthem.Theresultingscandalsinfectthepresidencyandthecountry. Thepersonwiththefewestwoundsgenerallydoesbestinthepresidencyandis bestforthecountry.Zardarienteredthepresidencywithfesteringsoresand slenderqualifications.InaPresident,charactermattersmorethananythingelse. Hehashischaracterforgedbeforeheentersthepresidency.Hecannotacquireit inthepresidency.
APresidentdoesn’thavetobeaHarvardgraduate.Hedoesn’thavetobeaman ofgreatability.Buthemusthaveintegrityandcredibilityinordertosucceed. Zardarilacksboth.Healsofacesgravechargesofcorruptionathomeandabroad. WithoutthecoverofArticle248,hewouldbeinserioustroubletoday.Howcan hegovern?Howcanheinspirehispeople?Howcanheprovideleadership?A JapanesePrimeMinisterinsimilarcircumstanceswouldhaveresignedand committedhara-kirilongago.
Thepresidencyismorethananhonour;itismorethananoffice.Itisachargeto keep.Zardari,knownforhispoliticalastuteness,isaruthlesspractitionerof MachiavellianstatecraftandevokesmemoriesoftheFlorentinestatesman Machiavellineveradvisedthe‘Prince’tolootandplunderhiscountry.Thrown therebyaccident,Zardariisgrotesquelyunsuitedforhisnewpositioninthisday andage.Hehasbeenweighedinthebalanceandfoundwanting.WithZardari inthepresidency,onedoesn’thavetoreadthetealeavesforaglimpseofour future.Ifearforthee,mycountry!
Zardari’spresidencywillgodowninhistoryasacasestudyinthebankruptcyof leadership.Hehaserodedpeople’sfaithinthemselvesascitizensofasovereign, independent,democraticcountry.Theresultisthemessweareintoday.The countryappearstobeadrift,lackingconfidenceaboutitsfuture.Neverbefore haspublicconfidenceinthecountry’sfuturesunksolow.
ThesearecriticaldaysinPakistan.Thereisnosteadyhandonthetillerof government.Thesurvivalofthecountry,itssovereignty,itsstunteddemocracy, itshard-wonindependentjudiciary,allareontheline.Thecountryisgrippedby fearanduncertaintyandisasneartoanarchyassocietycanapproachwithout dissolution.
TheeconomicperformanceoftheZardarigovernmentduringthelastfouryears hasbeendismal.Thebudgetdeficit,thebalanceoftrade,andtheinflationrate, arecauseforseriousconcern.YetasMacbethremarksafterseeingthewitches, “presentfearsarelessthanhorribleimaginings.”Povertyhasdeepened.While lifeatthetopgetscushier,millionsofeducatedunemployed,theflowerofour nation,andthoseatthebottomofthesocialladder,arefleeingthecountryand desperatelytryingtoescapetothefalseparadisesoftheMiddleEastandthe West.
ThesimplestoryofPakistanisthis:thericharegettingricher,therichestofthe richaregettingstillricher,thesuperrichareextravagant,dolcevitaspendthrift, theirloyaltyistotheirpockets,nottothestate,thepoor,whoalreadyliveonthe precipice,arebecomingpoorerandmorenumerous,andthemiddleclassis beinghollowedout.Countriesaroundtheworldprovidefrighteningexamples ofwhathappenstosocietieswhentheyreachthelevelofinequalitytoward whichwearefastmoving.Meanwhile,Pakistan’sfraudulentdemocracyputters alongtheyoutharetiredofaging,sclerotic,corruptleaders,whoprotecttheir interestsattheexpenseoftherestofsociety.Changeisintheair.
ElectionunderZardariisnottheanswertoourproblems.Itwillbeneitherfree, norfair,norimpartial.Thatisforsure!Theresultwillbeaforegoneconclusion. Anybody,whothinkselectionunderZardariwillbefree,fairorimpartial,must havehisheadexamined.
ItisnowabundantlyclearthatZardariisnotworthyofthetrustplacedinhim bythepeopleofPakistan.Hecarriesaseriousbaggage.Doggedforyearsby chargesofcorruptionuntiltheywereabruptlydroppedunderNRO,totheanger andshockofthepeopleofPakistan.WiththedemiseofNRO,allthecorruption casespendingagainsthimathomeandabroadhaveresurfaced.Nowonder, Zardariismovingheavenandearthtoobstructimplementationoftheapexcourt directives.
Ourcountryisindeep,deeptrouble.Thepeoplemustunderstandthefullextent ofthedanger,whichthreatensthecountry.Farewellourdreams,oursublime illusions,ourhopes,ourindependenceandoursovereignty.Today,thesurvival ofthecountry,itshard-wondemocracy,itsindependentjudiciary,itslibertiesall areontheline.Nooneissafe,and,perhaps,noplaceonearthmoreclosely resemblesHobbes’sdescriptionofthestateofnatureinwhichlifeis“nasty, brutishandshort.”
Ourcupboardisbare.Theonlyantidotetothisdebilitatingsituationistothrow outthiscorruptgovernmentandgivethepeopleachancetoelecttheir representativesinanenvironmentfreefromcorruption,fear,coercionor intimidation.Everybodyknowsthisistheonlyeffectiveanswer.Thewrong answeristoallowthiscorruptgovernmenttogoonplungingtowardstheabyss.
Indireneedofgoodleadership
Thursday,August16,2012
IndireneedofgoodleadershipMemoriescomebacktomelikeshardsofglass, promptingtears,sorrow,andanger.Mysadnessinfollowingtheeventssince independenceisdeepenedbybittersweetmemoriesoftheeuphoriaofthe Pakistandreamthatwasbeingdreamedintheheadydaysof1947when Pakistanwassoverynewandhopesweresoveryhigh.
Iwasborninslavery.OnAugust14,1947,Iwasafreeman,proudcitizenofa free,independent,andsovereigncountrywhichIcouldcallmyown,acountryI couldliveforanddiefor.Iwasyoung,twenty-fourtobeprecise,fullofjoiede vive,idealism,hopeandambition.Formeand,likeme,forallthosewho belongedtomygeneration,Pakistansymbolisedallourwishesandexpectations. Weallsharedaseeminglyunassailablecertainty.WebelievedinPakistan.To quoteWordsworth:‘blisswasitinthatdawntobealive.Buttobeyoungwas veryheaven.’
Onthatday,wedreamedofashiningcityonthehillandthedistantbrightstars. Itwasadaythatshouldneverhaveended.Foritwaslikeadreamcometrue, andcarriedwithitasenseofpride,ofexcitement,ofsatisfaction,andof jubilationthatitisdoubtfulwhetheranyothercanevercomeuptoit.Onthat day,overacenturyandahalfofBritishrulecametoanend.TheUnionJackwas loweredforthelasttime.IsawthesunsetontheBritishEmpire.Iwitnessedits dissolutionandtheemergenceoftwoindependentsovereigncountries.
Asayoungsubordinatejudge,IpresidedoverthereferendumheldinSwabion July6,1947,todecidethefutureofmyhomeprovince.Theresultwasaforegone conclusion.Theprovincewasinthegripofwildexcitement.Anatmosphereof mysticfrenzyprevailedeverywhere.Studentsandteachers,youngandold,men andwomen,pouredtheiridealisticzealintotheemotionalismofPakistan.We perceivedPakistanasabrightdream,apassionategoal,thevisionofparadiseon earth.
Whatwentwrong?WhydidPakistanbecomealandofopportunitiesforthe corrupt,unscrupulousandunprincipled?Suchquestionscontinuetohauntme.
Ourgenerationhasnothingtobeproudof.Weareleavingbehindasplintered, impoverishedcountry,plaguedbypolitical,ethnicandsectariandivisions. Pakistan,bornatmidnightasasovereign,independent,democraticcountry,is
todayneithersovereign,norindependent,norevendemocratic.
Todayitisnotjusta“rentierstate”,notjustaclientstate.Itisaslavestate,ill-led, ill-governedbycorrupt,power-hungryjuntaandapuppetgovernmentsetupby Washington.PakistanhasbecomeonevastBedlam.
Lootedandplunderedandravagedagainandagainbycorruptrulers,Pakistan bouncedbackagainandagainandmanagedtosurvive.Surveyingthepast, Pakistanlookssomewhatwistfullyandlonginglyattheprogressmadebysome othercountriesinourpartoftheworld.ItisnotinconceivablethatifFatehad beenlessmalignantandourrulerslesscorruptandgreedy,todayPakistanmight havebeennotonlymoresecureandstable,butalsomoreprosperousandmore advancedinallthatmakeslifeworthliving.
ThisisthebleakesterainthehistoryofPakistansince1971.Atatimewhen leadershipisdesperatelyneededtocopewithmattersofvitalimportanceand putthecountrybackontherightpath,Pakistanisruledbyapresidentwholacks bothintegrityandcredibilityandseemsoblivioustotherealitiesofhisawesome responsibilitiesandisinterestedonlyinperpetuatinghimselfandprotectinghis wealth.Thenationisbreakingdown.Alreadypeopleareanxiouslyscanningthe horizonwaitingtoseeifthecavalrywillcomeridingdownthehilltosave Pakistan.
LookwherePakistanrisksgoingonZardari’swatch,incontrasttowhatshewas abouttobecomeadecadeago.TheSupremeCourtdefied,allourinstitutions trampledupon,ourinternationalprestigedebasedandabankrupteconomy.All thepillarsofstate,withtheexceptionoftheSupremeCourtandthemedia,are dysfunctional.Thepresident,thesymboloftheunityoftheFederation,ismired incorruption.Parliament,the“embodimentofthewillofthepeople”,isfakelike aPotemkinvillage.
Independentjudiciaryandmediadonotsuitcorruptrulers.Nowonder,bothare underattackin“independent”Pakistan.
ThisisamomentofdeepanguishforallPakistanis.Zardari,MrJinnah’s unworthysuccessor,haspushedustodespair.Thenationhaslivedsolongin theembraceofdeaththatviolencehasbecomemorenormalthantranquillity. Disasterandfrustrationroamthecountry’spoliticallandscape.Talktodayisofa vanisheddignity,ofanationdiminishedinwaysnotpreviouslyimaginable.Itis almostasifnoonewantstoacknowledgeasadendtowhatonceseemeda beautifuldream.
Natureabhorsavacuum.Sodoespolitics.WhenWeimarGermanywasbuffeted bycivilunrestandcommotion,itstenuousdemocracywasdiscardedinfavour ofNazism.Ifwearenotvigilant,somesuchthingcouldhappeninthiscountry. Whenstateinstitutionswitheraway,whenrespectforlawandorderdeclines, andavoidiscreated,thedevilofforce,inthewordsofPercivalSpear,leapsinto itsplaceastheonlypossiblesubstitute.Iftheoriginalbreakdownofauthorityis causedbyafermentofideas,agenuinerevolutionliketheFrenchmayresult.If itissimplyduetodecrepitudeofauthority,thesolutionisthesubstitutionof freshauthority,butwhetherthesubstitutionisexternalorinternaldependsupon prevailingcircumstances.
Pakistanisacaseoffailedleadership,notfailedstate.Untilwegettherightkind ofleadership,Pakistanwillcontinuetooscillatebetweenlongperiodsof authoritarianismandboutsofcorruptandshamdemocracy.Ihavethispalpable feelingthattheMaoistprescription–thingshavetogetworsebeforetheycould getbetter–isbeingtestedinPakistantoday.
Weareinaperiodofmorallassitudewhichhasbroughttheprofessionofpolitics intodisrepute.
Pakistanhasturnedcynicalandhasjettisonedthelastvestigesofidealismon whichthepeoplehadhopedthenation’spolitywouldbebased.Itisindeep, deeptrouble,isgoingdownthetubeandnobodycares.Onethingisclears:The ‘Wechselstimmung’orthemoodforchangeisunmistakable.
Anotherwind,nowapproachinggaleforce,isblowingthroughthecountry.This nationasksforchange.Andchangenow.
Mygenerationmaycarryonforalittlewhilelonger.Someofusalreadyfeelthe icytouchofdeathpassbyindarkness.Beingovereightyandfastapproaching ninety,islikebeingengagedinawar.Allyourfriendsaregoneorgoing,and yousurviveamongstthedeadandthedyingasonabattlefield.Ourdaywill soonbeoverandwewillyieldplacetoothers,mostlyyoung,whowilllivetheir livesandcarrytheirburdenstothenextstageofthejourney.Theyhavealong waytogoandmuchleewaytomakeup.
Andtheyhavetohurryupforthetimeattheirdisposalislimitedandthepaceof theworldeverfaster.
Theyareouronlyhope.
ToborrowoneofMao’sphrases“theroadistortuous,butthefutureisbright.”If wearenotcareful,theroadaheadofusmaybemoretortuousandthefuture
darkerthananticipated.“Whatwillhappentothenextgenerationifitallfails?” Maoasked.“Theremaybeafoulwindandarainofblood.Howwillyoucope? Heavenonlyknows.”
‘Libertyoncelost’
Tuesday,July17,2012
‘Libertyoncelost’WhatUSSecretaryofStateHillaryClintonhastoldPresident HamidKarzaiinKabul-“PleaseknowthattheUnitedStateswillbeyourfriend andally”–hasaringofdejavuaboutit.WeinPakistanhaveheardallthis hypocriticaltalkbefore.Afghansknowtheyarewinningthewar.Theyalso knowhowtodealwithforeignarmiesofoccupation.“Howtrueitisthatitisnot thelosingthathurtsmost,buttowhomyoulose.”
FlashbacktoMay1,1947,whenQuaid-e-AzamMuhammadAliJinnahreceived twoAmericanvisitorsathisBombayresidence.TheywereRaymondAHare, headoftheStateDepartment’sDivisionofSouthAsianAffairsandThomasE Weil,secondsecretaryoftheUSembassyinIndia.Hesoughttoimpressonhis visitorsthattheemergenceofanindependent,sovereignPakistanwouldbein consonancewithAmericaninterests.Pakistan,asaMuslimcountry,wouldbea bulwarkagainstSovietaggression.Thiswasthebeginningofourromancewith theUnitedStates.
WeremainedblissfullyunawareofthedeterminationoftheUSjointchiefsof staffthatintheeventofwar,theUnitedStateshadnointentionofrushingtothe assistanceofPakistan,evenifPakistanweretobeoneofthecountriesattacked bytheSovietUnion.OurmistakenbeliefthattheUnitedStateswouldrushto ourhelpifIndiaattackedPakistanwasshatteredwhenIndiantroopscrossedour borderin1971andphysicallyenteredEastPakistan.America,ourallyandlongtimefriend,didnothingtohelprepelIndianaggression.
TheFarewellAddressofGeorgeWashingtonwilleverremainanimportant legacyforinfantnations.Inthatnotabletestament,theFatheroftheAmerican Republiccautionedthat“anattachmentofasmallorweaktowardagreatand powerfulnationdoomstheformertobethesatelliteofthelatter.”Thestrong mighthaveinterestsandobjectivesthatcouldbeoflittlerealimportancetothe weak;butoncethelattersubmittedtoactingtheroleofasatellite,itwouldfindit noeasytasktoavoidbeingusedasatoolbythestrong.”
GeorgeWashingtonhighlightedthedangersinherentinanunequalrelationship betweenaverystrongnationandaweaknationandthefollyofaweaknation succumbingtothebeliefthat“realfavours”wouldflowtoitfromthestrong partner.Itisfollyinonenation,GeorgeWashingtonobserved,tolookfor disinterestedfavoursfromanother...itmustpaywithaportionofits
independenceforwhateveritmayacceptunderthatcharacter.Notruerwords havebeenspokenonthesubject.
Onethingisclear:therecanbenofriendshipbetweenthestrongandtheweak. Therecannofriendshipbetweenunequals,neitherinprivatelifenorinpublic life.“Thestrongdowhattheycan,”theAthenianstoldtheintractableMelians, “andtheweakmustsufferwhattheymust.”
IfyouwanttoknowwhathappenstoaThirdWorldcountrywhenitenters UncleSam’sembrace,don’tlookatAfricaorLatinAmerica.VisitPakistan.It appearsasifweareonaphantomtrainthatisgatheringmomentumandwe cannotgetoff.Surely,thiscan’tbeoursignatureasweturnthepageintoanew millennium.
“Nothingismoreprecious,”HoChiMinhfamouslysaid,“thanindependence andfreedom.”ThankstoAmericans,welostbothonGenMusharraf’swatch whenhecapitulated,saidyestoallthesevendemandspresentedtohimat gunpointbySecretaryofStateColinPowellandjoinedthe“Coalitionofthe Coerced.”Onthatday,PakistanrenteditselfouttotheUnitedStatesandbecame whatStephenCohencallsa“rentierstate.”
ThesearedayswithoutshameorgloryinPakistan.Thisisthebleakesterainthe historyofPakistansince1971.Todaywesitonaboilingkettle.Twentyyearsago, Pakistanwasnoparadisebutitwasn’tincrisiseither.Theindependenceof Pakistanisamyth.Pakistanisnolongerafreecountry.Itisnolongera democraticcountry.TodayPakistanissplatteredwithAmericanfortresses, seriouslycompromisingourinternalandexternalsovereignty.Peopledon’tfeel safeintheirowncountrybecauseanycitizencanbepickedupbyFBIagentsin collusionwithourgovernmentandsmuggledoutofthecountry,makinga mockeryofourindependenceandsovereignty.Toapplytheadjective “sovereign”tothepeopleintoday’sPakistanisatragicfarce.
“Thesinglegreatestthreatto(Pakistan),”Obamasaidrecently,“comesfromAlQaedaandtheirextremistallies.”Thisisnottrue.Allourmajorproblems, includingterrorism,stemfromtheAmericaninvasionandoccupationof Afghanistan.Ithasturnedourtribalareaintoaprotractedulcer,aquagmire-a placewherePakistanisspendingbloodandtreasuretoprotectAmerican interests.
“TheUnitedStates,”Obamasaid,“hasgreatrespectforthePakistanipeople.” Invadingourterritory,carryoutmilitaryoperationsonoursoil,bombingour villagesandkillinginnocentmen,womenandchildren,MrPresident,isnoway ofearningtherespectofourpeople.
