No Body Runs For Ever
By A Khokar • Aug 17th, 2008 • Category: Politics, Worth A Second Look • (4,198 views) • 13 CommentsPresident Pervez Musharraf came in power through a military coup and has ruled this nation of 160 millions Pakistanis as dictator for last about 9 years. During his tenure, there have been lots many upheavals and turmoil in the country. Now he is seen marching toward his exit door and it is felt that sadly while he is going out; he is leaving this nation in the hands of yet another set of known pilferers, authoritarians and thugs.
The new faces happens to be the old defunct people for whom he arranged a specific tailored lateral entry by means of issue of ‘National Rehabilitation Order’ (NRO) and with the specific aim to availe them fair grounds on arrival in Pakistan to wedge in and win the —Elections. During the elections campaign, where an unfortunate event resulted in loss of life of an able daughter of Pakistan, Miss Benazir Bhutto; it also generated a bulk of sympathy votes in favour of PPP. Her sudden death brought a twist on the political horizons and new but anomalous Coalitions government of two archaic groups of the past, supposed to be pole apart in the general out look toward Pakistani politics, have come into being.
Earlier on after his take over in 1999, when he had just started feeling strong in his seat of power that in September 2001, the incident of 9/11 terror attack took place. This attack on US soil had awakened the sleeping monster of America like the one that after Pearls Harbour attack; Japanese Admiral Yamamoto who prescient on the day of that Pearl Harbour attack was quoted saying; “Pearl Harbour attack… what has happened here. A sleeping giant has been awakened.” Soon after, Japanese cities; Hiroshima and Nagasaki became the supreme atom bomb targets of United States.
But this time after 9/11 this ’sleeping giant’ has awakened in the shape of a ‘Monster Exterminator’ and ever since is on its atrocious rampage. After crossing all the seas and subjugating all the lands of Middle East and Afghanistan… en-route; this monster is finally knocking at Pakistan’s doors, where supposedly, her declared enemy is hiding. Allegedly the dissidents hiding in this inaccessible and difficult terrain of Federal Administered Areas (FATA), the so called ‘Taliban and Al Qaeda’, carried out the said attack.
Pakistan has not been able to deny this allegations till date; rather Pakistan, ever since has been busy adding on all the possible evidences of being guilty of. Ever since Pakistan after accepting the presence of these criminals in FATA area has handed over some hundreds of supposedly terrorist culprits to US authorities. It has also received billion of dollars in aid on the account of military moves, rehabilitation, mending of thuggish and criminal habits adopted by these extremist found in the area. These stooges of FATA invariably follow some old Jewish religious orthodoxy and are depicting it as Islamic way of life. It looks like as some devil is preaching the Gospel using the religion as his strong weapon. Where as their, this idiocy has got nothing to do with the sacred teachings and practices found in Islam. In pursuance of the vested interests these extremists have been some how successful in influencing the masses out side of FATA, specially the unlettered illiterate Pakistani masses of their forsaken myths of waging a Holy War individualy against the oppressing Western forces invading their lands. Time has come, that Pakistan comes out clean of it and puts its house in order.
After the take over, President Musharraf had planned an enlightened democracy in the country and had set specific goals to see the country as a progressive nation with a vibrant economy. With his dedicated team and a set goal and vision he achieved a lot and finally after handing over the executive power to civilians, he planned to take a rear seat and to sit their in a fatherly position to watch the national affairs being smoothly run as per his given lines.
But some how this plan of his has gone awry; that after formulation of new government and assuming their power seat by the politicians; President Musharraf has become the first victim of his own plan [1]. In the very first instance the new government has challenged President past dictatorial rule. In order to get rid of Musharraf, a charge sheet has been prepared to impeach him. They want to see him go down as defunct and humiliated. The impeachment may be said as the spook but the man is being pressurized vigorously and coerced to… resign. The options that he could not avail while in the bliss of his heyday are;
- Declaring himself a Maestro and a national Hero that he put an end to Military Dictatorial Rule in Pakistan and brought a new democratic life and the bliss of enlightened democracy.
- Keeping the option of revoking the NRO open; since he had bestowed to the second bananas, beneficiaries like Zardari and Nawaz Sharif by him that after the assassination of BB with whom all the earlier deals were made; the situation now had totally changed.
- Manoeuvring and securing a mutual respected position in the two houses of Parliament and Senate that he could have earned through drawing a moral vote of confidence.
No body runs for ever; even the Military man like Musharraf; with his nerves of steel. The patriots like Musharraf, usualy the unsung heroes lay their lives and sacrifice their today; so that their country men may live their tomorrow. But politicians are politicians, and their concerns hems around power and ego only. In the present day scenario; their usual turning against him and to pounce and snatch his powers of a ‘power full President’ from him is but natural. In the field of power and politics; the current move of his impeachment has caught him off guard. Having missed all the good opportunities that President Musharraf had at his hand to turn the table on his rivals; the gentleman has left himself vulnerable and is pushed to a dead end of a dark street. It is very much visible that push and pull of power is turning into a fiasco and it is finally going to have its drop scene which may be bad omen for the country.
The beleaguered new government may not be able to handle the aftermath of this precarious situation in the country. The devilish terrorist Taliban movement in the North is found sufficiently potent and is ready to attack and snatch away at least the frontier province. The Indian sponsored separatist movement in Baluchistan is extensively drawing a local support and is very much active to disrupt and jeopardize the fabric of life in the province. Cracks are showing. The crumbling economy and the misery spreading among masses; the war which is looming on the western front, the enemy there is the super power; which is waiting in the wings to give it a final blow.
There is all doom and gloom; the utter chaos, instability, mayhem and anarchy over casting on our horizon from all the sides. Pakistan is a nuclear power too; US on the pretext of vulnerability of our contentious Nuclear arsenal; may other wise move in and take charge of this country for the safety and security of vulnerable nuclear arsenals and securing the stability in so called a fragile Pakistan! [Alamaan o wa alhafeez]
[1] Khud kardaa ra ilaajay naist?
Last 5 posts by A Khokar
- Barack Obama: This is change that there is no change. - November 21st, 2008
- Finding Osama bin Laden in FATA rubbles - November 17th, 2008
- Be Warned: Pakistan is being Blackjacked - November 14th, 2008
- In Pakistan; Democracy may not be our Cup of Tea - November 12th, 2008
- U.S. Treasury Submits to Islamic Shariah - November 10th, 2008
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August 17th, 2008
A lesson for every Pakistani; they must die in shame by learning how non-Pakistani feels about Pakistan and Pakistanis.
Please read below:-
An open letter to Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari BY KHALED ALMAEENA (Special to Khaleej Times)
17 August 2008 Print E-mail
I AM writing this to you sitting outside a coffee shop in Virginia, a little outside Washington. I hope that my letter will be taken in the spirit in which it is given - from someone who deeply loves Pakistan and sincerely cares about it.
Over the years, I have watched the situation in Pakistan, analysed it and have come to the conclusion that the problems of Pakistan can be solved by the people of Pakistan themselves provided they set aside emotions and self interest. A country of about 150 million people facing so many dangers from within and without cannot afford to be hostage to the whims and caprices of anyone — even elected leaders.
Sitting thousands of miles away but emotionally present in Pakistan, I feel that the time has come for everyone to rise up and confront the danger, reject revenge, put aside personal political ambition, remove malice and enter into a new phase of reconciliation.
I read in the papers here of calls for the impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf. I read of statements saying he will not be granted safe passage. I read of charge sheets being prepared against him by hitherto unknown politicians. I also read about the president calling for reconciliation.
I tell you in all honesty that Pakistan does not have the luxury of time or money to earmark for an impeachment move. Neither is it the time to focus on such divisive moves. Suddenly political pundits and inexperienced lawmakers are seen making statements. They talk about the interest of Pakistan. I ask them what interest. It is good for the ego to get 15 minutes worth of fame by talking to a local television network or the Washington Post.
However, it is more difficult to show generosity and tolerance by stretching out and closing ranks, and history is full of such examples.
And I will start with our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who forgave all his enemies. It was he who to told the Archangel Gabriel that he would forgive all those who threw stones at him in Taif. Let us honor ourselves by following him.
Let us take a great man of our time — Nelson Mandela. After 27 years in prison, he spoke of truth and reconciliation. Mandela sat with Pik Botha immediately after his release and helped guide South Africa to its promising future. Mandela’s followers did not go on a rampage. They did not burn or loot. Mandela commanded respect.
I asked him was there any rancor or hate in his heart for those who oppressed him and his people. He replied that South Africa was too important for him to feel anger. Imagine what would have happened if Mandela had taken the road of personal revenge.
Another example is that of Gerald Ford who took over the divided nation after the Watergate and issued a presidential pardon to Richard Nixon after the Watergate scandal. This was done primarily to heal the nation. Ford had America’s interest at heart. Asked if he wanted to be a great president, Ford replied: “No, I would like to be a good president.”
Here in the US, the political clash between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton reached volcanic proportions. Bitter words were exchanged, and it was more of a political boxing match. But once the delegates decided, Obama and Clinton made up. And, in fact, he insisted her name be on the nominee ballot at the Democratic National Convention.
Such are the qualities of which statesmen are made, and I am sure that both of you possess these qualities and have the interest of Pakistan at heart. This is a country where a lot of sacrifice has been made. It is important that a mockery not be made of the thousands of martyrs who gave their blood for their country.
I see many Pakistanis; many are my friends; others I meet in my travels, and I hear their cries as they lament what is going on in their beloved land. Many have lost hope. They see deterioration in institutions and in every walk of life. Yes, they say we are tired of the blame game. Please do not use terms like “military dictatorship” nor promises of “awami hukumat” (people’s government). We are tired. We want to get on with our lives.
One Pakistani doctor told me yesterday that he was appalled by conditions back home. Another said he had not gone home in the last 22 years, and I asked him if there was an elected government during this period. “What are you talking about?” he replied with a wave of his hand. He ended by saying: “No one has any commitment to any principle or willing to do anything for the larger good of the country.”
I told him he was wrong; there are those who live in Pakistan who do care. And I know that both of you do as well. I pray to Allah that you will continue to do so. What are needed are leaders who do not leave a legacy of fire and blood — but of peace and prosperity.
Your challenges are numerous — terrorism, crime, illiteracy and economic slide. The rupee was 74 to the dollar on the eve of Pakistan’s Independence Day.
These are the challenges — not to be contained and confronted but to be totally eliminated. Let us all do a little bit of honest soul-searching and review our own past and rectify mistakes committed. We will turn out better if we learn from it.
Pakistanis cannot afford agitation. As Stephen Cohen, a South Asian scholar at the Brookings Institution in Washington said, “So many things have been broken in this country. You wonder if they can fix them.”
Yes, they can be fixed using Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s motto of unity, faith and discipline.
The people of Pakistan urge you to start now.
Veteran Arab journalist and commentator Khaled Almaeena is editor-in-chief of the Jeddah-based Arab News and winner of Pakistan’s Sitara-e-Imtiaz civilian award. He can be reached at almaeena@arabnews.com
With Thanks to Khalid Al-Maeena
August 17th, 2008
very impressive letter…our politicans are a bunch of crap and that’s all what it is!!
August 17th, 2008
Naeeem
Please just think for a moment:
Where these politicians come from, and get elected:
within, from, and BY THE PEOPLE of Pakistan
Hey Jamalo, wah wah Jamalo:
Away E away Jaway e Jaway
Ayub Khan Kutta Jaway, Yahya away
Yahya jaway, Bhutto away e away away e away
Bhutto jaway ( tang jaway, tak tak deedam ) Zia away
Zia jaway ( fiza main mar jaway ) Benazir away e away, Sohni away e away
Benazir jaway e jaway ( mall kamaway ) Nawaz ( sher jan banaway Maal kamaway ) away e away
Nawaz jaway Dughtar e Qaid Benazir away ( Khulla maal Kamaway, Bhai hataway )
Benazir jaway ( Gunda Zardari pia ghar jaway mahal banaway, Thainga dikhaway ) No was Sharif Away( banaya kis nay koun chalaway)
No was Sharif jaway ( khulla maal banaway, Jaan bachaway, Haj ko jaway) Musharaff away ( Honesty dikhaway, maffian karaway, Jamhoriat laway)
Musharaff Jaway ( Galian khaway, ilzam lagawaway, bahar nikalo paisa nahin hai kidher jaway)
Zardari, Nawaz away eh away away eh away Jamhoriat away eh away
Hey jamlo wah wah Jakalo, wah jamalo wah wah jamalo
Mr. Zufqar Ali Bhutto made it clear to Awam People say it my patti, nahin yeh awan ki phatti hai
August 18th, 2008
AOM,
Thank you for sharing the letter by Khalid Al-Meena and I hope that Pakistanis will take some lesson from his words. This is not the time for personal revenge against President Musharraf and Pakistanis must look forward to the challenges the country faces.
Thank you again for the reminder from Khalid Al-Meena.
Regards
August 18th, 2008
my error, the name is Khalid Al-Maeena.
Here is the original letter published from Arab News:
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7§ion=0&article=112935&d=17&m=8&y=2008
August 18th, 2008
The situation has boiled to a stage that President has got no option but to apologise to the nation and regrettably he has to admit that issuing of NRO order was a folly and that he also did a big blunder to depose the supreme court judges.
This is the only silver lining for him to restore his grace and will bring peace and stability in the country. Scrap of NRO will avail him the chance to settle his scores to eliminate Zardari and Nawaz Sharif in one go, where as reinstatement of Judges may seemingly be a bold and risky decision but after scraping of NRO, CJ Iftikhar Mohammad Choudhry may not have any choice but to revoke the NRO in the courts.
After this he may retire to his farm house.
August 18th, 2008
I’m back……!
Dear Khokar says: “he is leaving this nation in the hands of yet another set of known pilferers, authoritarians and thugs.”
Well I totally agree with you that he is leaving in hands of pilferers and thugs. Why? If he would ever concentrate on making system strong instead of making himself strong… you would never ask this question. Why it is our feelings that if one leaves…things comes back to zero. Why? because no body has ever tried to make system strong. Ayub Khan tried to do it upto some extent and it reliefed atleast central and north punjab by doing Agricultural reforms but later on he was stopped by some forces to proceed in South Punjab and Sind….
Same like him, Musharraf had power to do any thing. If he can ask to kill Bugti then Kala Bagh Dam was not an Issue… if he can proceed with Cantonment is Sibbi and Gawadar, then land reforms was not an issue for him. Sir, we due apology. If he can make NADRA to work independently and making Passport office under them then things like Judicial Independence was not a big deal. Sir, he did same mistakes, which our previous rulers did.
Where is that change which he promised at the time of coup? Where are those promises which he did in 2003 and before Feb 18th. If he is going then it is ok. But he did a big Zulum on this nation by bringing things like NRO. How you can put blame on PPP or PMLN for NRO. They were already out of country. What was the thing that compelled him to proceed with it. If you ll argue that there were foreign forces then Sir, it means he did all 9 year rule for making happy these foreign forces. These foreign forces never want to see Pakistan independent. I wish he could make system strong so no body can go beyond it. Yes he gave one more good thing to us. Now a days… we always makes 3 definitions of any rule or regulation written in our constitution. One is Definition of President, One is Definition of Lawyers and Other is definition of Public. Every body remains confused in it that what is right and what is wrong.
My last request to Mr. Musharraf… Please cancel this NRO ordinance and resume Judiciary as on Nov 3. Nation will be more than thankful. Mr. Musharraf please do it.
August 18th, 2008
Saleem Khan, I am glad to have you back. Hope you are fine.
Lets say Musharraf is what everyone and his cousins and their neighbors would have us believe. He is a ‘horrible man’ - who had an opportunity to liquidate his enemies but he did not. He could have robbed the nation, left right and center, he did not. He tried to provide an opportunity for a national government (cooperation of all the political parties) as demanded. NRO is a terrible ordinance, I agree and this ‘dictator’ is not withdraw it, he is ‘bad man’. But what is there for the parliament to repeal this NRO, why don’t they just do it? They want him charged for all the sins, a human being can’t commit even if had three life ‘tenures’ in this world. I say do it, but lets do a thorough job, let the same ‘court’ tribunal judge the crimes of all of these “angels” and let them rehabilitate their honour. Why not?
As far as definition of ‘Rules and Regulation’ as defined in our constitution is concerned. Saleem Bhai, I am afraid, this is none of my business, as an ordinary citizen, to define the laws or do the interpretation of the constitution of Pakistan. This is our tragedy that we all take the liberty to explain everything that we have no clue about. Do me a favour talk to an ‘ordinary person’ like me about anything under the sun and you will be shocked by my audacity to advice you on the field of your expertise.
You talk about his crime of cooperation with ‘foreign’ powers and, perhaps, what you perceive compromise our independance. Sir, this “blessing” is not unique for us, Masha Allah, all those countries who pretend independance are just pretenders, you know what I am talking about. In the world of today no one is totally independent including even the only ’super power’. In our case, those who want us believe this a national crime; ask them why do they have to run to those countries which they supposedly hate? (Ahsan Iqbal of Nawaz League was on a ’sacred’ visit to the USA! - tell me his ‘master’ did not send me there).
Anyways, it seems that the nation has been saved from this ‘monster of a man’ the ‘dictator’ and lets see how fast the ‘leaders’ will lead us to the ‘glory’. For me, this man, Syed Pervez Musharraf, is and will remain president - my President!
August 18th, 2008
Aftab Bhai,
Thanks a lot for giving such a nice reply. You said, ‘leaders’ will lead us to the ‘glory’…. Where is the leader? Who is that? This is big question in my mind. I’m afraid that this shortage in our country will lead us to unbearable loss in coming future.
There is no doubt that no country is independent is present days and every body is dependent one way or anther on each other. But atleast their rulers are some how sincere with their nation. Aftab, I am not supporting parliamentarians that they are angels. They are coming from same level of society, who damn care about others. You said that they should reject NRO…. A big dream because an Assembly who can’t take back Salaries and Incentives of MNA’s/MPA’s back to Oct 1999 level…how they can take out a big loaf of NRO. Dear, I am have sympathies with these people because they remains silent when ball comes to their court. Please don’t interpret my feelings as biased. I want equal rights for all in Pakistan. I have many dreams for the people of Pakistan and trying to help as per my own strength but I have firm believe that I will be able to good for atleast few. May Allah guide all resourceful people in right direction. We have to change Pakistan.
Lets take the Voice of Change in each and every street. Lets raise voice for the Poor people of Pakistan. Please do it as much as you can. I literally saves a single single penny that I can spend on myself for enjoyment… I simply thinks that this 200Rs which I’m saving by avoiding a dinner at big restaurant will help me to spend on a Poor to ensure his 3 days meal. Sir, It is really creating a difference. Let plan and implement at our own level. One day whole society will do it.
August 18th, 2008
President Pervez Musharraf will address the nation today at 1pm in which he is expected to resign, according to reports.
Some sources confirmed to Geo News that president could announce his resignation in today’s address to the nation. “President Musharraf has made up his mind to resign before the impeachment motion is tabled in the assembly,“ sources confirmed.
According to Geo News correspondent, some friend countries were trying to broker a deal to protect and save President Musharraf. “President Musharraf has agreed to resign on the condition that he would be given indemnity and would not be tried, sources said.
Sources further said the president would address the nation as part of understanding.
When contacted by Geo News, President’s spokesman Rashid Qureshi said President would not resign and added he was unaware of any decision regarding resignation. However, he later confirmed that President Musharraf would address to the nation at 1pm afternoon today.
According to some sources, it was agreed by political powers that President Pervez Musharraf would stay at Army House in Rawalpindi for short period even after resignation.
August 18th, 2008
And finally the man resigns; leaving many millions happy as well as sad. Happy; because there is a change and people are also sad because future of this nation is in the hands of some non relaible people.
August 18th, 2008
Well said. Both feelings are present all around us, Happy as well as Sad.
Nothing is constant in this world. Every body has to leave its position. Either it is me or some one else. Only thing that will left behind is his good or bad deeds. This is life and people have to learn from experiences.
August 20th, 2008
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