Nawaz Cobbles formidable Challenge for Musharraf
Rizwan Ghani
March 03, 2008
In a lunch hosted by PPPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari in a local hotel in Islamabad Nawaz Sharif asked Musharraf to step down in presence of some 171 newly elected members of national assembly. The cobbled majority represented PPPP, PML (N), ANP and many independents. This landmark figure represents two-third majority of a parliament´s 265 contested seats: a constitutional requirement to impeach country´s president-Musharraf no bars.
It is opined that Nawaz Sharif´s demand for Musharraf´s resignation is therefore constitutional and democratic. There is also a consensus that leadership trio of country´s majority parties choice of English language to address the media was west specific. The message was clear that if West wants to have stable, moderate democracy in Pakistan Musharraf must go.
The alliance of PPPP, PML (N) and ANP is an historic alliance in the sense that these three parties are stand for moderate, liberal politics and their alliance is a harbinger of true democracy in Pakistan. This alliance has also shattered Musharraf´s position that if he will be removed from the scene in Pakistani politics the country will be taken over by the extremists and radicals. In fact, is opined that it was Musharraf who survived in power with the help of religious parties and a political party that was declared as terrorist organization by a Canadian court.
It is therefore opined in wake of absence of legal, democratic and constitutional options there is little West can do to save Musharraf at this stage. In addition, any delay to help Musharraf to stay in power will only harm the democratic process in the country including smooth transfer of power to the newly elected parliament. It is therefore time that West decides between Musharraf and people of Pakistan to help restore country´s democratic process and extend moral and diplomatic support to the parliaments to uphold public aspirations starting with end of dictatorship, supremacy of the parliament, and independence of judiciary and media.
Islamabad should fulfill demand of the newly elected parliamentarians and their leaders including Nawaz Sharif seeking immediate transfer of power and convening of national assembly session. The show of force during the lunch has ended the rumors allegedly being spun by the pro-establishment spin mills trying to show that opposition is divided and may never be able to form a tangible alliance to oust Musharraf. The speech of Asfand Yar Wali, ANP leader has ended speculations for good that ANP was likely to side with establishment. Wali´s use of previous statement that there is a thin line between ´Muslihat and bagharti´ could not have more appropriate to convey the party position, individual sentiment and the atmosphere seeking restoration of democracy and return of rule of law in the country.
The joining hands by PPPP, PML (N) and ANP leaders in short were Wali´s words put on display. The picture of unity is sending a thousand clear messages to the world and the country that Musharraf´s time is up and it is time West makes up its mind if it is ready to stand with people of Pakistan or continue supporting dictatorship by holding democracy hostage to their vested stakes including so-called war against terrorism. The war has already been termed as illegal by many global leaders.
There is little hope of leaders who are supporting continuation of NATO missions in Afghanistan amidst IRNA reports that Soldiers of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) have repeatedly used Afghan children to detect land mines in war-ravaged country. Reportedly, a former German ISAF officer Achim Wohlgetan has unveiled his new book titled 'Final Station' in Berlin in which he pointed out that children were misused by ISAF forces to find land- mines in the Kabul region in 2002 http://www.sparcpk.org/eNewsletters/jan_208/.
The reports if true that Musharraf´s last cabinet ministers were alleged involved in all sorts of corrupt, illegal practices including human trafficking will further undermine Musharraf´s credibility including his western allies. Reportedly, country´s present caretaker Federal Minister for Human Rights has said that the ratio of human trafficking from Pakistan, especially that of young girls to Gulf States was very high and influential people including former ministers were involved in this inhuman trade worth millions of rupees http://www.sparcpk.org/eNewsletters/jan_208/.
Iraq is already reeling with reports of child soldiers being pushed into war due to multiple reasons including scarcity of male adults. According to independent reports with the existing male death rate, Iraq will run out of male population by 2012. In fact there a long list of states being run by western backed leaders where children are being pushed in war theaters. It is time to bring such leaders and governments to book in accordance to international law.
It is also hoped that Pakistan´s new parliament following most EU member states respecting Lisbon Treaty including Human rights will review and withdraws its support for NATO mission to uphold international laws and conventions. Pakistan as signatory of child protection acts and Geneva Convention cannot support such gross violations against innocent hapless children forced into prostitution. The people of Pakistan cannot allow continue support for war against terrorism and other acts of gross violation of international law against humanity may it be Palestine, refugee issues of occupied states including or economic and social deprivations forcing people making unacceptable choices.
In terms of PML (N), staying away from cabinet it has been rightly opined that it a positive political strategy adopted by the party leadership to realize public mandate. PML (N) has come to power to strengthen judiciary, free media, restore true democracy and permanently end role of dictatorship in country´s politics. The strategy is in perfect harmony with the PML (N) voters´ democratic aspirations.
PPPP may have a political rational in expecting PML(N) inclusion in the parliament but then PML(N) has every democratic right to pursue its own policy on the issue including opting to stay out of cabinet to avoid being part of cabinet that presumably will be taking oath from Musharraf. There is strong support for PML (N)´s policy of maintaining political pressure for restoration of true democracy including restoration of judges, independence of judiciary and scrapping to PEMRA to revive media freedom.
PPPP should instead use the opportunity to help restore country´s democratic, economic and energy challenges. If PPPP manages to address the complex issues it will give PML (N) in political terms run for their money. This positive competition to win support of public will benefit public in terms of improvement in all these areas. PML (N) has therefore thrown a perfectly democratic challenge to PPPP. It is hoped that PPPP leadership will accept the challenge and deliver or make way for those who are ready and aspiring to deliver.
Leaders of PPPP, PML (N), ANP have shown that with two third of members of national assembly on their side Musharraf has no option but to step down gracefully in recognition of democratic values including verdict of people of Pakistan. The announcement of result will allow process of formation of government in center immediately. It will help restore democracy, end dictatorship, return of supremacy of parliament, independence of judiciary, media freedom and return of rule of law. Similarly, it is hoped that new parliament will review and end its support for so-called war against terrorism including support for NATO mission. It is the spillover of NATO´s employment in military role in Afghanistan instead of reconstruction support that is responsible for deaths and destruction in Pakistan and violation of basic human rights including children rights in Afghanistan.
Finally, the new parliament is faced with a daunting challenge in getting their democratic right by seeking Musharraf´s ouster both within the domestic politics and internationally in wake of West´s unabashed history of supporting dictators including late General Pinochet at the cost of gross human rights violations. Despite tall claims by Mushaid, PML(Q) Secretary´s claim [also known as King´s party) to show pro-Musharraf support in national senate the attempt failed due to lack of quorum (Senate Setback for Musharraf Feb. 29 Arab News). It shows that Musharraf has lost support in the senate-leaving impeachment an impending option with anti-Musharraf opposition. It would therefore be interesting to see West walk the walk of supporting people of Pakistan, human rights and democracy or repeat history and protect a dictator who only served stakes. Lastly, pro-Musharraf group still maintains that he may be cornered but the power struggle is far from over. No wonder politics is art of possible.
It is opined that Nawaz Sharif´s demand for Musharraf´s resignation is therefore constitutional and democratic. There is also a consensus that leadership trio of country´s majority parties choice of English language to address the media was west specific. The message was clear that if West wants to have stable, moderate democracy in Pakistan Musharraf must go.
The alliance of PPPP, PML (N) and ANP is an historic alliance in the sense that these three parties are stand for moderate, liberal politics and their alliance is a harbinger of true democracy in Pakistan. This alliance has also shattered Musharraf´s position that if he will be removed from the scene in Pakistani politics the country will be taken over by the extremists and radicals. In fact, is opined that it was Musharraf who survived in power with the help of religious parties and a political party that was declared as terrorist organization by a Canadian court.
It is therefore opined in wake of absence of legal, democratic and constitutional options there is little West can do to save Musharraf at this stage. In addition, any delay to help Musharraf to stay in power will only harm the democratic process in the country including smooth transfer of power to the newly elected parliament. It is therefore time that West decides between Musharraf and people of Pakistan to help restore country´s democratic process and extend moral and diplomatic support to the parliaments to uphold public aspirations starting with end of dictatorship, supremacy of the parliament, and independence of judiciary and media.
Islamabad should fulfill demand of the newly elected parliamentarians and their leaders including Nawaz Sharif seeking immediate transfer of power and convening of national assembly session. The show of force during the lunch has ended the rumors allegedly being spun by the pro-establishment spin mills trying to show that opposition is divided and may never be able to form a tangible alliance to oust Musharraf. The speech of Asfand Yar Wali, ANP leader has ended speculations for good that ANP was likely to side with establishment. Wali´s use of previous statement that there is a thin line between ´Muslihat and bagharti´ could not have more appropriate to convey the party position, individual sentiment and the atmosphere seeking restoration of democracy and return of rule of law in the country.
The joining hands by PPPP, PML (N) and ANP leaders in short were Wali´s words put on display. The picture of unity is sending a thousand clear messages to the world and the country that Musharraf´s time is up and it is time West makes up its mind if it is ready to stand with people of Pakistan or continue supporting dictatorship by holding democracy hostage to their vested stakes including so-called war against terrorism. The war has already been termed as illegal by many global leaders.
There is little hope of leaders who are supporting continuation of NATO missions in Afghanistan amidst IRNA reports that Soldiers of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) have repeatedly used Afghan children to detect land mines in war-ravaged country. Reportedly, a former German ISAF officer Achim Wohlgetan has unveiled his new book titled 'Final Station' in Berlin in which he pointed out that children were misused by ISAF forces to find land- mines in the Kabul region in 2002 http://www.sparcpk.org/eNewsletters/jan_208/.
The reports if true that Musharraf´s last cabinet ministers were alleged involved in all sorts of corrupt, illegal practices including human trafficking will further undermine Musharraf´s credibility including his western allies. Reportedly, country´s present caretaker Federal Minister for Human Rights has said that the ratio of human trafficking from Pakistan, especially that of young girls to Gulf States was very high and influential people including former ministers were involved in this inhuman trade worth millions of rupees http://www.sparcpk.org/eNewsletters/jan_208/.
Iraq is already reeling with reports of child soldiers being pushed into war due to multiple reasons including scarcity of male adults. According to independent reports with the existing male death rate, Iraq will run out of male population by 2012. In fact there a long list of states being run by western backed leaders where children are being pushed in war theaters. It is time to bring such leaders and governments to book in accordance to international law.
It is also hoped that Pakistan´s new parliament following most EU member states respecting Lisbon Treaty including Human rights will review and withdraws its support for NATO mission to uphold international laws and conventions. Pakistan as signatory of child protection acts and Geneva Convention cannot support such gross violations against innocent hapless children forced into prostitution. The people of Pakistan cannot allow continue support for war against terrorism and other acts of gross violation of international law against humanity may it be Palestine, refugee issues of occupied states including or economic and social deprivations forcing people making unacceptable choices.
In terms of PML (N), staying away from cabinet it has been rightly opined that it a positive political strategy adopted by the party leadership to realize public mandate. PML (N) has come to power to strengthen judiciary, free media, restore true democracy and permanently end role of dictatorship in country´s politics. The strategy is in perfect harmony with the PML (N) voters´ democratic aspirations.
PPPP may have a political rational in expecting PML(N) inclusion in the parliament but then PML(N) has every democratic right to pursue its own policy on the issue including opting to stay out of cabinet to avoid being part of cabinet that presumably will be taking oath from Musharraf. There is strong support for PML (N)´s policy of maintaining political pressure for restoration of true democracy including restoration of judges, independence of judiciary and scrapping to PEMRA to revive media freedom.
PPPP should instead use the opportunity to help restore country´s democratic, economic and energy challenges. If PPPP manages to address the complex issues it will give PML (N) in political terms run for their money. This positive competition to win support of public will benefit public in terms of improvement in all these areas. PML (N) has therefore thrown a perfectly democratic challenge to PPPP. It is hoped that PPPP leadership will accept the challenge and deliver or make way for those who are ready and aspiring to deliver.
Leaders of PPPP, PML (N), ANP have shown that with two third of members of national assembly on their side Musharraf has no option but to step down gracefully in recognition of democratic values including verdict of people of Pakistan. The announcement of result will allow process of formation of government in center immediately. It will help restore democracy, end dictatorship, return of supremacy of parliament, independence of judiciary, media freedom and return of rule of law. Similarly, it is hoped that new parliament will review and end its support for so-called war against terrorism including support for NATO mission. It is the spillover of NATO´s employment in military role in Afghanistan instead of reconstruction support that is responsible for deaths and destruction in Pakistan and violation of basic human rights including children rights in Afghanistan.
Finally, the new parliament is faced with a daunting challenge in getting their democratic right by seeking Musharraf´s ouster both within the domestic politics and internationally in wake of West´s unabashed history of supporting dictators including late General Pinochet at the cost of gross human rights violations. Despite tall claims by Mushaid, PML(Q) Secretary´s claim [also known as King´s party) to show pro-Musharraf support in national senate the attempt failed due to lack of quorum (Senate Setback for Musharraf Feb. 29 Arab News). It shows that Musharraf has lost support in the senate-leaving impeachment an impending option with anti-Musharraf opposition. It would therefore be interesting to see West walk the walk of supporting people of Pakistan, human rights and democracy or repeat history and protect a dictator who only served stakes. Lastly, pro-Musharraf group still maintains that he may be cornered but the power struggle is far from over. No wonder politics is art of possible.
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