Uncertainty and Fear in Pakistan
There are no other topics in Pakistan. Everybody is talking about the emergency rule suddenly imposed Saturday by Chief of Army Staff General Pervez Musharraf.
Suddenly, but not surprisingly. It was expected. After all, how long can a military dictator talk about running a democratic government?
Until Saturday, the government vehemently denied that there would be any state of emergency in the country. Yet the media reported Friday night that Punjab police were heading towards Islamabad in large numbers. As it turned out, troops and paramilitary forces later joined in. Behind the scenes the ministers and government officials had extended their stay in government-allotted houses, which they were supposed to vacate by mid-November. Not a good sign.
It all became clear on Sunday at 00:45, when Musharraf addressed the country on national television and announced an “emergency.” This occurred after BBC, CNN, SKY, Fox and all the Pakistani private channels’ transmission (over 10 channels) had been blocked completely for several hours.
Political analysts predicted that Musharraf would have no need to impose a state of emergency in the country if he had any intention to respect and follow the law and constitution. And if it did take place, it would be an unmistakable indication that Musharraf’s government was a complete failure.
His justifications for imposing a state of emergency included terrorist attacks in different parts of the country and the interference of judiciary in the working of legislature, law-enforcement agencies and government organizations. The main culprit, he indicated indirectly, were judges led by the nation’s chief Supreme Court Justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chauhdary, Chief Justice of Supreme Court. His crime: holding the government responsible for breaches of the law and constitution, notably Musharraf’s holding two Government positions – president and chief of staff.
Musharraf accused the judiciary of ordering the release of several persons who he claimed were terrorists. He listed all the recent terrorist attacks within the country including battle between Maulana Fazalullah’s army of militants and Frontiers Corps troops, and the bomb blasts in Rawalpindi and Sargodha.
In fact, the judiciary had simply asked the government to either press charges against persons held incommunicado for months or release them if there was no evidence against them.
Under his emergency law, General Musharraf has issued a Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO), putting the constitution in ‘abeyance’ but saying the country would be governed as closely as may be in accordance with the constitution although seven of its articles relating to fundamental rights, freedom of speech would remain suspended. It has also been stipulated that anyone arrested can be held in custody indefinitely.
The president asked that the United States and the European Union realize the gravity of Pakistan’s problems and avoid criticizing the government for imposing the state of emergency. “Please don’t demand your level of democracy as we are trying to learn. Give us time. We are trying to learn about civil liberties and other such issues, please bear with me and understand our problems,” he pleaded.
Pakistanis are certainly learning to appreciate civil liberties, as many have been absent.
The situation feels chaotic. People are living with a sense of turmoil wondering what has happened and what will happen next. There is an information vacuum. All non-government national and international television channels have remained off air since Saturday morning, and the government stations provide no information. Phone lines have been blocked for local, national and international calls.
Cellular networks were seized for a period of time but later opened.
Now, tongue in cheek, people are sending each other text messages, “congratulating” each other on the state of emergency finally being declared, as if they already knew it will happen.
The humor is often a cover for the fact that they are scared of talking about the situation more seriously.
Fear is in the air. Many of the anti-government organizations have not come out to protest, or give public statements against the ongoing situation in the country. They themselves are scared of the heavy military force threatened against them if they spoke against the General or the “emergency” Those who have paid the price – with swift crackdowns against the lawyers who dared to protest. Alerts are in place in the government to obstruct any additional protest plans chalked out by the legal fraternity and opposition parties. Police troops have been placed on different points near courts in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Pakistani citizens aren’t new at this – they have seen martial law before. It’s a familiar uncertainty. People are asking themselves questions, as there is no one else to answer them. What will Musharraf’s next move? What will be the future of Pakistan? Even if politicians were bothering to answer their questions, no one would believe them. They all have betrayed their supporters.
New judges have taken oath under Provisional Constitutional order (PCO) on Saturday and many are expected to follow suit on Sunday and Monday, although some have rejected the PCO and were sent home. As for the legislature, elections are likely be delayed and the existing parliament, which does not contain a single opposition member, will likely continue. How long? Nobody knows.
If one of our states had become an enclave of terrorists and terrorist attacks were happening throughout the nation, Americans would want protection from car bombers and suicide bombers killing them while shopping, attending football games and other public events, or traveling on public transportation.
Yeah, I’ve heard the famous Ben Franklin “quotation,” but public safety is the number one reason for having a government at all. If it can’t guarantee that, it doesn’t matter that it protects rights to privacy and has low taxes.
Yeah, who wants freedom anyway?
Its overrated if you ask me. Speak your mind, keep your money, not be taken by the government and held indefinitely for saying something someone in the government didn’t agree with – all of these things are absolutely dispensable when an emergency hits.
After all, we have to preserve what makes this country great, which is…
Uh…is…
is….
What’s the problem? If the cause of the problems are islamo fasciasts and the pres is reacting against his supreme court releasing terrorists, then he is doing the right thing. To make him back off results in the bad guys getting a foothold; a stupid idea.
FACTS ON THE GROUND IN PAKISTAN.Reference to the Islamic history and Pakistan’s independance period, I want to go a step further and will recomend to select/elect every Chief of Army staff as president after retirement and the present Army chief should be be given extra time for his oustanding services at national and international level and all other Corps. Commanders of the Army and COS of Airforce and Navy should be apponited Governors and Deputy Governors of the provinces and regions ( by creating regional governments in all four provinces, 2 in Punjab 1 in each province- these regions already exist based on language, culture and history , such as Saraiki, Potahari, Upper Sind-Sukkar, Dera Ismail Khan in NWFP and Gawadar- Balouch Area. And all additional bureaucrates who love to live in provincial capitals should be trasfered to these remote areas of the country. These new regions should invite and attrect the foreigner and Pakistani origin people to invest in the area to creat jobs and eliminate poverty.) This is the only way we can stop further intereption/ coup in Pakistan . After all armed forces personnel are wel diciplined and organized . And above all represent Pakistan’s divercified population.And it;s leadership do not transfer within family but earned by hardwork and talents only. Every second family in Pakistan is represented in the army one way or the other and the Pakistan Army is the only ever lasting popular party-yes it’s an important ruling party other than Bhuttos and anti-Bhuttos, Sharif brothers. With this arrangement no one is loser except few feudals and industrialists, who reprent non of the masses in Pakistan. We already have a quota system applied for superior services since 30 years and had killed thousands of innocent talented young people, why not try this arrangement for the welfare of the country which will effect none but very few so called politicians who after all deal with generals, behind the curtains.And it’s good to know that supporters of these politician are 500/600 Mafia families who live in 125 districts in Pakistan and provide so called public leadership for national, provincial and local levels. Any restriction to stop them is useless. Recent example of education condition brought their unseen educated women forward in politics. All 8000/9000 candidates in recent elections were from the same mafia group who are the biggest law breakers and around 1000 leading law breakers have been elected as new law makers who will take care of themselves but none. They all are involved in worst kind of crimes on this earth against humanity with the colaboration of junior police officials.An enquiry by a nuetral agency may prove my claim.WOULD THE EDITOR PUBLISH THIS LETTER in the larger interest of the nation. KHWAJA AFTAB ALI,(a former Secretary Iranian Embassy, Saudi Arabia,1975-88), first and only post graduate of Intellectual Property Laws on scholarship from USA. Residing in Orlando, Florida.U.S.A. email.all_languages@ hotmail.com phone 4077293983
Posted by Khwaja Aftab Ali, Advocate & I.P. Attorney, Pakistan
Almighty God bless America,The USA. Most powerful man has gone and two richest persons/groups have come in power. The poor will become poorer and rich will be richer day by day because of the unique business of politics in Pakistan. President Musharraf handed over resignation to the chief of army staff in presence of other generals. Army act of Pakistan zindabad , Pakistan paindabad. For God sake, plan for creation of jobs and circulation of money to boost economy of the under developed country. And make sure the rule of law over rule the law of ruler. Hard working people of Pakistan can make this great country a wonderful place if justice is provided to the common man. All the best with lot of prayers to the Almighty GOD for the welfare of oppressed people of Pakistan.
December 8th, 2008 at 3:33 am
Should we call Pakistan, a nation of baggers as this is the only product we are producing for the last many years. Our recent factories to produce these unique product is by two richest political groups who are governing the federal government and Punjab government respectively. They started distributing money to help poor in the society. The huge money could have been used to create jobs and let these poor work and earn living for themselves.Distributing of bicycles and sewing machines could have been a better option as these two items are still a luxury in our villages where 70% population live and can earn living with these two items. But as a nation we become baggers, what it makes different if you are sitting/ standing by the road in dirty cloths or visiting richest countries capitals in expansive outfits, you are basically BAGGING and bring your nation down in front of the one from whom you are bagging. Baggers always give reason and excuses for this worst kind of behavior for a dignified person or a nation. Could we as a nation are respectful enough to stop thinking of this bagging excuses as most of the time we as a nation go and beg from nations who earned hard their fortune and was not for granted. Pray for betterment in Pakisan. Khwaja Aftab Ali,Advocate & I.P. Attorney.( a former PRO, Iranian Embassy, Saudi Arabia).