Musharaf’s Swan Song
By Talal Hussain Malik • Aug 19th, 2008 • Category: Politics • 34 CommentsSINCE its independence 61 years ago, our nation has erred; it has erred a lot and has continuously been punished as well. We did mistakes that we didn’t learn from; consequently we were gripped by the shackles of evils like dictatorship. Thus, it has mostly been a One Man Show where the poor audience was made to watch a tragi-comedy staged so vehemently. The brief history of our country since independence is replete with untoward incidents; a nation which has not only been under the hazard of foreign aggression but also the violence within was there to obstruct our homeland from making any headway toward progress.
There is no dearth of men of quality in our country but their services have not been able to see the light of the day. Over the years they have either been sent into the oblivion or have simply remained in the background. There is least that you can expect when the cream is refrained from rising to the top and the whole arena has been shadowed by the scum. Time to sift out the scum!
Musharaf’s dictatorial rule, which started with the overthrow of Mian Nawaz’s government, had started from day one. The infamous Referendum and holding of election served as throwing dust into the eyes and it worked too, but for how long? What differentiates Musharraf’s era of reign from all the previous heads of the state is the series of testing situation for the continuation of his government that arose from both within and without and which he faced equally with fortitude and shamelessness in order to prolong his rule.
August 18, 2008 at 0100hrs, when Musharraf sang his swan song he was actually announcing an end to a dark age and a beginning of an entirely new era. His resignation was followed by a wave of extreme excitement across the nook and corner of the country, people congratulating through emails, phone calls and SMS. Interestingly, there was a rapid increase in the stock market as well. Good signs. Musharraf, through his rule, has done catharsis of the nation and it is now up to us to learn from our mistakes. Hopefully, much of the chaos would be gone with the passage of time lets hope it be the end of the dictatorship from our country for good.
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nicely written
Since its independence 61years ago our nation has erred, but this time they have made a blunder. There is no dearth of highest degree corrupt and greedy politicians in our country and their services have been tried again and again..
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, broke Pakistan to ensure his rule after Sheikh Mujib won the election with clear margin. Why a politician did not accept the verdict of the people. The result was catastrophic. We lost half of our country.This could be the only one big reason people of Pakistan should have rejected the Peoples Party, the Party which broke Pakistan. But the people of Pakistan erred.
All Moulvis and greedy politicians including Nawaz Sharif remain clung for 11 years with Zia-ul-Haq in the name of Islam. Nobody asked for his impeachment as he also abrogated the constitution. No movement from civil society, politicians and general public initiated against that one man show.The nation erred again.
Then came the darkest 11 years of democratic rules twice by these political parties who kept on framing charges against each other in their tenure and brought the country on the brink of disaster. It was a failed country not able to service its debt. No body raised voice against these politicians at that time. Supreme court was attacked by goons of Nawaz Sharif. No lawyer movement errupted. The nation erred once again.
Pervaiz Musharraf came as savior and played the role of Messiah for the nation.
People distributed sweets and danced in the streets.
Pervez Musharraf’s policies healed the ailing economy and put the country on the road to prosperity. He was the most democratic person of Pakistan who eatablished real democracy at root levels and empowered the nation. He gave two elected governments one of which completed its tenure.
Being the commando, he dealt the miscreants with iron hand and his decisions may not have a popular vote but suited the situation and proved to be in the right direction. In the last election, the people elected the notorious leaders once again. This time they made a blunder.
They are trapped in a very deep international conspiracy, which the President had sensed and was fighting against it for the last one year. I can only pray for Pakistan because I can see Pakistan clutched in a very strong killer hand which is fully supported by our selfish politicians who can not see beyond their nose.
GOD SAVE PAKISTAN
Dear Nasir M. Aijaz:
I’m amazed on your analysis. No comments.
Dear Nasir M. Aijaz,
Nicely written. I thank God that still we have people like you who think and have sense of analysis.
Dear Saleem Khan,
No comment except ‘I am amazed on your brain’.
Dear Mustafa Sahib.
Please do not put blame on Mr. Saleem Khan. Mr.Nasir’s comment seemed good to me to until I read the part about Musharraf. I am ashamed we still have some people amidst us who seem to think all of Musharrar’s hasty and desperate decisons to ensure his rule were in the benefit of the country. Like the rest of the nation, I too heard his last speech and I must say I am stunned that the man had the galls, the audacity to face the nation after literally sending it in the throes of chaos.
@ Mr. Saleem Khan.
I think you are thinking on the same lines that I am. I am happy that there are people like you here too who know Pakistan comes first before anything!
Regards.
yes 10 crore sms jammed cell phone network. As far as our leaders are concerned; why to abuse them for their deed, we have to look into ourselves as they are the cream and we are milk.
no good choices we do have, just pray to the Almighty that He may guide us to the right way.
Ms Maham Javed:
Thanks for understanding my point even I not wrote any thing in reply to Nasir. Actually it is not a mistake of Mustafa or Nasir. Majority of us filters only those facts and figures which their mind want to listen or read. It is called Communication barriers fitted in the minds.
I can’t support any dictator either it is Zia Ul Haq or Musharraf. Both were on extreme. One came with agenda of Jihad and other with Terrorism. Nation never welcomes these people but as our system is never let to be grow and flourish, these Dictators finds their ways and comes to rule us from back doors by making different excuses. Every time we finds federation at weakest level when they leaves us. 15 December 1971 event not happened like you woke up in morning and they make Bangladesh. The anger and hatred was sowed by same Military rulers in 1960’s and that became tree in early 70’s. If you will ever get chance then sit with any Bengali and he will tell stories of Pak Army in 1960’s.
By keeping eyes close, we can not deny realities and facts. Facts and figures are in front of every body that what is done good or bad by Musharraf. If I would be given chance ever…one case is enough to hate this man from the depth of my heart… Dr Aafia Siddiqi. Just see how these insane sold her in the hands of neighbours and they literally used our Pakistan’s daughter for 5 years….yes 5 years.
It is very easy to argue that he did this and that for economy. Is this like selling our sisters, daughters and mothers in the hands of rich people for keeping our home budget positive? After all Pakistan is our home and these ladies are our mothers, sisters and daughters. Where is our Amour-Propre, which we always tries to pretend but actually we are not even touching its lowest level.
Mr. Saleem Khan:
I applaud your common sense. I fail to grasp why people who still side-up with Musharraf fail to see the biggest, most hyenic case of our time; that of Dr.Aaffia Siddiqui’s. I am with you. The case of Dr.Affia is one that would not even move my heart one inch if the same happened to him! How many other people, other Pakistanis he has given to America! He, himself confessed in his book “In the Line of Fire” that he had recieved millions of dollors by giving away our people.
It’s quite ironic the way we got this country. Sacrificing everything and now we, the generations of the same people, who once gave up everything for Pakistan are willing to sacrifice it and the nation. What we need instead of a bunch of Dictators are some good leaders like Mohammad Ali Jinnah. I hope and pray that we do elect one this time.
Regards.
Ms. Maham Javed:
Ah! a leader like Mohammad Ali Jinnah…. a dream of sensible and wise people. What we did with Mohammad Ali Jinnah is also not less than irony. Today, every party and every person tries to be a champion by comparing himself with Mr. Jinnah. Are we even able to think about comparing ourself with him.
Our society is one the verge on crash. Apart from politics, our society hardly keeps ethics, code of conducts, sincerities, fairness and truth. In present times, we not even give a glass of water to any person who knocks our door for water. How we can give ourself for the growth of country. We can’t rescue any person who is calling for help… how we can rescue the whole country. right now every body is running after its own interests and benefits. Things are not so easy to solve. A serious effort is required to take back whole society on right track. Every part of society needs to be addressed if we seriously want to make this country safe for our new generation.
Change can’t come if every body will see on other’s face and will wait for other to step forward first. Just see example of 9 March. One man took stand all alone and today where is that strong empire of Musharraf? Where are his allies and friends.
Very refreshing to read this article and comments. Until Saleem Bhai wrote these words it made me stop and reflect:
“Apart from politics, our society hardly keeps ethics, code of conducts, sincerities, fairness and truth. In present times, we not even give a glass of water to any person who knocks our door for water. How we can give ourself for the growth of country. We can’t rescue any person who is calling for help… how we can rescue the whole country. right now every body is running after its own interests and benefits. Things are not so easy to solve. A serious effort is required to take back whole society on right track. Every part of society needs to be addressed if we seriously want to make this country safe for our new generation.”
Have we lost our values and we are not able to do as Saleem writes? I do hope we can focus on these words and see of how we all can make a difference. Discussing politics is easy for most of us but addressing the everyday challenges like Saleem Bhai reminds us where we can indeed make a difference and change in.
Change must start from oneself, then the family, on to the community and then as Nation.
Regards
I am not at all amazed at the comments still supporting Musharraf. If everyone started thinking in the same way there would be standardization in the community and would be of no use at all. Difference of opinion has always made people think in other directions, analyze their own views and come to better conclusions.
By the way, I was sitting in a gathering when someone asked, who would be most shocked on Musharraf’s resignation. The supporters of enlightened moderation, came a reply.
Long Live Pakistan.
Its the greatest loss that would haunt the pakistani nation for decades. Musharraf is a man of honour. The current parties are the most corrupt ever known in the history of this country. Its a pity that we all will have to face the deteriorating situation further and there is no one to take of all the nonsense the ruling parties bring with them. A TOTAL DISASTER FOR THE COUNTRY PLUNGED INTO FURTHER INSECURITIES IN ALL SPHERES OF LIFE.
WE LOVE YOU MUSHARRAF AND NOTHING WILL CHANGE THAT EVER.
AOM,
Give it a break chap, more your write, more you sound like Ahmed Qureshi. Are you out of a job now? Do not worry about Musharraf, he will get on with the Washington Speakers Bureau, just like Shaukat Aziz and will do very well for himself. If you do not believe me, check for yourself:
http://www.washingtonspeakers.com/speakers/speaker.cfm?SpeakerId=6227
Talal,
It comes as no surprise to anyone that the “enlightened moderates” are worried. They are the ones crying foul and try to instill this fear in everyone of the Talibaization of Pakistan as well after the demise of Musharraf from office. Catchy linguistic catch words to instill fear in people.
Wake up and smell the coffee you disillusioned moderates. Oh I forgot, you moderates prefer whiskey!
Brush aside the dirty Pakistani politics and look what’s happening in our neighbourhood, our selfish media (both print and electronics) is still involved in Musharraf bashing ( a malicious propaganda campaign) and it has closed eyes from any other news. This is completely unprofessional attitude.
I have just depicted three news (all from today’s paper) from a renowned Indian newspaper, which gives you an idea that the time has ripened for Pakistan to actively involved in Kashmir problem once again. If our stupid politicians wasted this opportunity like they did in 1962 and 1965, this opportunity will never come back.
Please look below:-
Kashmir needs freedom from India: Arundhati Roy
SRINAGAR: Activist and author Arundhati Roy, who was present at the massive Monday rally, said that the people of Kashmir have made themselves abundantly clear. ( Watch )
“And if no one is listening then it is because they don’t want to hear. Because this is a referendum. People don’t need anyone to represent them; they are representing themselves. As somebody who has followed people’s movements and who has been in rallies and at the heart or the edge of things, I don’t think you can dispute what you see here,” she told TOI .
Roy also said that “since the 1930s, there have been debates and disputes about who has the right to represent the Kashmiri people, whether it was Hari Singh or Sheikh Abdullah or someone else. And the debate continues till today whether it is the Hurriyat or some other party.”
Then she added, “But I think today the people have represented themselves.”
Roy concluded with words, “India needs azadi from Kashmir as much as Kashmir needs azadi from India.”
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We are Pakistanis, says Syed Geelani
SRINAGAR: Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Monday demanded the merger of Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan, as leaders of the moderate Hurriyat faction spoke about independence and a dialogue over the state.
Addressing a mammoth gathering at the tourist reception centre here, Gillani said there was “no solution to the Kashmir issue other than merger with Pakistan”.
“We are Pakistanis and Pakistan is us because we are tied with the country through Islam,” he roared, as the crowd cheered him and chanted: “Hum Pakistani hain, Pakistan hamara hai” (We are Pakistanis, Pakistan is ours).
Taking a dig at the moderate Hurriyat leaders who shared the stage with him, Gillani said the leadership issue of the Kashmiri separatist movement was “solved today”.
“Do you have faith in my leadership? I will be faithful to you till my death and will carry everyone along,” he said, as the crowd applauded him shouting in unison “zaroor” (certainly).
Srinagar streets on Monday danced to the tune of ‘‘jeeve jeeve Pakistan” as frenzied youth chanted ‘‘teri jaan meri jaan, Pakistan, Pakistan” and the Polo Ground resonated to the rhythm of ‘‘teri mandi, meri mandi, Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi”.
Hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani has every reason to be mighty pleased with the turn of events which marked the success of his efforts to put himself and his mentors in Islamabad back in the J&K equation just as they appeared to have been pushed to the margins.
But then came the twist. Giddy by the success of bringing secession back on the agenda, Geelani committed the indiscretion of coronating himself as the leader of the ‘azadi’ flock.
Quite a bungle it was. The boast pricked the sensitive egos of the rest in the secessionist choir and the rift became visible within no time, perhaps creating an opening for the government to try and salvage its chestnuts out of the fire. Geelani’s unilateralism left the likes of Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Yasin Malik and Shabbir Shah miffed and they left the scene without submitting the memorandum to the UN Military Observer’s office, for which the march was called in the first place.
The strong bid to appropriate the ‘sadarat’ of separatism, which has parties of myriad hues, was said to have sent others in quick meetings to hammer out their responses. ‘‘The chinks are there to see,” said an analyst. Geelani sensed the resentment as he addressed a press conference in the evening to dub his ‘I am the sole leader of the tehreek’ claim as a ‘‘slip of tongue”. He apologised, said the movement was bigger than the leaders and the struggle would continue, reposing faith in the coordination committee of Hurriyat factions.
If the octogenarian leader sought to make amends, it had already reduced the fourth show of strength since the Amarnath issue triggered a surge in sentiments in the form of march to UN office into a game in one-upmanship. Yasin Malik had walked out of the coordination panel’s meet on Sunday at Geelani’s residence by reportedly expressing reservations on the pro-Pakistan agenda being pushed by others.
The Hurriyat factions have been trying to put up a united face, having led campaigns like ‘Muzaffarabad chalo’, mourning at Idgah for Sheikh Abdul Aziz who died in police firing and ‘Pampore chalo’ on Saturday. Now, all eyes are on how the other components of the separatist camp take Geelani’s apology. The separatists have already announced that the agitation would continue, rebuffing speculation that the march to UN could end the demonstrations which have brought Srinagar to a halt for over a month. On display on Monday was the fact that the fresh surge in ‘azadi’ sentiment is driven by a religious rightwing tilt for across the border.
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Comments to the Editor
Now we know whats the reason that terrorist are s | Read
19 Aug 2008, 2216 hrs IST, By Sonjay, India
Isn’t this the same “environmental activist” who | Read
19 Aug 2008, 2215 hrs IST, By Mathew, USA
“I think people of kashmir have represented thems | Read
19 Aug 2008, 2210 hrs IST, By Rajiv, New Delhi
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SWAMINOMICS
Independence Day for Kashmir
On August 15, India celebrated independence from the British Raj. But Kashmiris staged a bandh demanding independence from India. A day symbolising the end of colonialism in India became a day symbolising Indian colonialism in the Valley.
As a liberal, i dislike ruling people against their will. True, nation-building is a difficult and complex exercise, and initial resistance can give way to the integration of regional aspirations into a larger national identity — the end of Tamil secessionism was a classical example of this.
I was once hopeful of Kashmir’s integration, but after six decades of effort, Kashmiri alienation looks greater than ever. India seeks to integrate with Kashmir, not rule it colonially. Yet, the parallels between British rule in India and Indian rule in Kashmir have become too close for my comfort.
Many Indians say that Kashmir legally became an integral part of India when the maharaja of the state signed the instrument of accession. Alas, such legalisms become irrelevant when ground realities change. Indian kings and princes, including the Mughals, acceded to the British Raj. The documents they signed became irrelevant when Indians launched an independence movement.
The British insisted for a long time that India was an integral part of their Empire, the jewel in its crown, and would never be given up. Imperialist Blimps remained in denial for decades. I fear we are in similar denial on Kashmir.
The politically correct story of the maharaja’s accession ignores a devastating parallel event. Just as Kashmir had a Hindu maharaja ruling over a Muslim majority, Junagadh had a Muslim nawab ruling over a Hindu majority. The Hindu maharaja acceded to India, and the Muslim nawab to Pakistan.
But while India claimed that the Kashmiri accession to India was sacred, it did not accept Junagadh’s accession to Pakistan. India sent troops into Junagadh, just as Pakistan sent troops into Kashmir. The difference was that Pakistan lacked the military means to intervene in Junagadh, while India was able to send troops into Srinagar. The Junagadh nawab fled to Pakistan, whereas the Kashmir maharaja sat tight. India’s double standard on Junagadh and Kashmir was breathtaking.
Do you think the people of Junagadh would have integrated with Pakistan after six decades of genuine Pakistani effort? No? Then can you really be confident that Kashmiris will stop demanding azaadi and integrate with India?
The British came to India uninvited. By contrast, Sheikh Abdullah, the most popular politician in Kashmir, supported accession to India subject to ratification by a plebiscite. But his heart lay in independence for Kashmir, and he soon began manoeuvering towards that end. He was jailed by Nehru, who then declared Kashmir’s accession was final and no longer required ratification by a plebiscite. The fact that Kashmir had a Muslim majority was held to be irrelevant, since India was a secular country empowering citizens through democracy.
Mr. Musharraf is gone, and fortunately Pakistan is and will always be there, Inshallah. Therefore, I think it is imperative for the politicians to lead and for us, as citizens, to deliver. As always, Pakistan first (irrespective if you are a moderate or not!). Life goes on, Pakistan Paindabad.
Dear Dr. alshaer Assalam u alaikum.
You have pin pointed the root problems, our society is facing, and it’s origin, the individual.
The motto, our Qaid gave to us is, Ittihad, Yaqeen-mukkam, Nizam ( Unity, Faith, Discipline) We need to practice it more than anything.
Miss Fatima Jinnah addressed it in these words:
” The immediate task before you is to face the problems and bring the country back on right path, with the buggles of Qaid message. March forward under the banner of star & crescent, with unity in your ranks, faith in your mission, and dicipline ”
I would like to add ” zara uim ho tu yeh matti bohat zarghaiz hai saqi ”
I full heartedly believe, that, we are a nation of extremely intelligent, talented, smart, brave people.
( Currently, misguided, and confused )
With little efforts we are capable to become, a great nation with developed economy.
Pakistanis are also generous, and God fearing people. Many welfare missions are run on charities and donations from awam, Edhi Foundation is just one example. After earhquake in Kashmir,
Pakistanies showed impressive, great generosity, and sharing spirit, to the victims.
Regards
Oops
Comments above: Pl. read as Dr.alshaer & Saleem Khan, as addressee.
AOM
I appriciate your patriotic, copy & paste news coverage, of your choice. I am sure if you continue this present uncontrolable urge ( Khurak ) we may find the entire news paper in your comments. Do you realise we all have access to news through internet ?
we accept precision not volume from you. Thanks
Was it a song?
Mr Talal has very rightly pointed out that there is no problem in quality people in Pakistan, but the problem is our systems doesn’t allow such talent to rise up and fight in person, This system needs change. Our politicians have grasped all the opportunities and they don’t want any common person to come up and hold any position which they might thought is crucial for them to hold. furthermore, importing persons from out side is a real dilemma of the current time.