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Page 1 of 2 Recent moves by Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf to curtail political rights may agitate the sensibilities of Western observers - but they are necessary to preserve stability in the country.
Gen. Pervez Musharraf sent troops into Pakistan's capital on 3 November and suspended the country's constitution. He said he was forced to declare a state of emergency because Islamic extremists were threatening the government's authority. “With all my conviction, and with all of the facts available to me, I consider that inaction at this moment is suicide for Pakistan,” Musharraf said. But this move has angered many in Pakistan and around the world. Let me begin by writing that most international coverage of the situation in Pakistan is highly sensationalized. Despite the fact that the media only covers Pakistan’s political instability, the lifestyle and daily routine of the people of Pakistan has not been extremely effected by recent events – which is, of course, quite a blessing. Of course, the perceptions of any Pakistani or those who have seen the country for themselves will differ from people around the world. Why did Musharraf move to declare a state of emergency? The recent situation in the country offers a number of potential reasons. There have been a number of recent suicide bombings, something that the government needs to handle with an iron fist. Law enforcement agencies are being hampered by the Supreme Court. Politicians are exploiting the situation for personal gain. Musharraf may have acted as he did to counter these developments and create an environment of peace and security before elections scheduled originally for January 2008. The threat of internal politics and terrorism combined is a severe threat to our sovereignty. The situation in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) is the worst of al – entire regions have been overrun by Taliban-inspired militants. In other parts of the country, extremist elements have become bold enough to publicly display their power and challenge the decisions of the government. The media has not played a very positive role and has assumed its role alongside the opposition parties with anti-government rhetoric. From this situation, Musharraf stands to gain in several ways: he will have complete power to handle any eventuality, and he will also achieve harmony, unity and reconciliation on a national level. Further, he will gain respect in the eyes of Pakistanis if he is able to deal with threats effectively, as well as international praise if he can fight off extremism before doffing his military uniform and holding free and fair elections. Musharraf can be successful as long as the people show patience and understanding. If Pakistanis simply let the government finish its tasks, the emergency will be over soon – in this case, the ends justify the means. Assuming America, the United Kingdom and the European Union don't impose extra sanctions and go out of their way to criticize the current administration, there are not many foreseeable problems. It is only a small segment of the population that is protesting. The majority agree that things had reached breaking point and something needed to be done. Article 122 of the 1973 Constitution grants the executive the power to suspend the constitution in severe conditions. The internal strife and conflict needs to be prioritized and the key threats will be highlighted now that the government doesn't have other distractions around them. Much international attention has focused on the return of Benazir Bhutto, former Prime Minister and presumed democratic hero. But this isn’t so much the case in Pakistan. In the Pakistani political arena, Bhutto has been seen as a traitor to democracy since her power-sharing deal with Musharraf. With the advent of the state of emergency, she has not gained what she expected from the agreement – namely complete amnesty and the unfreezing of her bank accounts. Many Pakistanis are not sympathetic – they believe she is simply trying to get access to her wealth, and that she has ruined her father’s memory by making a deal with the same people who hung her father. Key members of her party have also left in protest, since she has not taken her party into her confidence about her under-handed dealings. Bhutto has been Prime Minister twice and succeeded in bleeding the nation dry – as a result, many Pakistanis don’t have much hope for her. People just want a workable and transparent democratic set-up. Bhutto cannot provide strong leadership. In the case of an election, a coalition government will likely be formed and no party will be in the majority – yet the democratic machine shall continue running. However, if the opposition once again resorts to its dirty tactics and irrational criticisms of everything then this criticism for the sake of criticism will eat up Pakistan. The main victims of this emergency have been the members of the Supreme Court Bench. After several judges, including the Chief Justice, rejected the emergency bill, President Musharraf sacked the Chief Justice and rapidly swore in a new top legal figure along with new judges.
The old members of the Court had found increasing freedom in recent months, abusing their power and leading their own anti-government movement, undermining the local and international position of the government. Their actions also hindered the work of law enforcement agencies that were attempting to deal with extremism and other sectarian threats. Musharraf also put new curbs on the national media, pulling news channels off the air and warning the print media against publishing inflammatory content. The internationalmedia have not used their freedoms very wisely over the past years and have rather damaged Pakistan’s image worldwide. In order to quash rumors due to biased reporting – as the media has taken sides with the opposition In terms of new bans of journalists, political activists and literary scholars, it must be remembered that these individuals have the power to instigate riots and cause mass disturbances – often for their own personal gain. In addition, protest rallies are easy targets for suicide bombers, who attempt to create as sense of panic. The power of the people and the media are very strong instruments that must be used wisely. Most observers will never understand the real motives behind Musharraf’s recent actions, and will speculate. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. These measures are temporary and if all goes to plan, elections will be held early in 2008. At this time, understanding, patience and cooperation from the public is crucial in order to keep the state of emergency short and effective.
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