It is becoming increasingly clear that the democratic forces in Pakistan shall have to continue their combined struggle against a dictator, who refuses to bow to the people's verdict against him and his cronies and mend his ways, or step down without further loss of face. Gen (Retd) Pervez Musharraf, who got himself elected President for five years by fraudulent means and mucked up the country's constitution beyond recognition, has cautioned the government against any confrontation with him and "state institutions" implying thereby his refusal to shed the authoritarian powers acquired during Emergency rule.
His stubbornness has invited more condemnation and confirms the belief that he will allow only his version of controlled democracy to prevail. Accordingly, the political parties have now set themselves on a direct collision course with him. The elections, which humiliated him and humbled his cronies, may be regarded as the first phase of the democratic struggle against a dictator. The second, and more decisive stage, has now begun with agreement among the Pakistan People's Party, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and Awami National Party to recast the constitution in its pre-dictatorship form, restore the illegally dismissed Supreme Court and High Court judges including former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary and revive media freedom.
Musharraf is so sure of the United States backing, that he still has not given up manipulation and his determination to stay put, ignoring the groundswell well of public opinion against him. Washington wants to continue using Pakistan as a base for its regional operations and support the fight against Al Qaeda and the Taliban, who menace NATO forces fighting in Afghanistan. Mr. Musharraf knows fully well that he cannot carry on as head of state if the higher judiciary regains its independence and his cronies are removed. His loyal judges endorsed every single undemocratic and unconstitutional act he committed during the past eight years, particularly during the Emergency, including his election to the President's office by legislatures packed with his cronies and on the verge of being dissolved before fresh elections took place.
There is still time for him to change course and respect the unambiguous verdict for restoration of full civilian democracy. The best course for him would be to fully cooperate in undoing the constitutional mutilations so that he does not continue to trample democratically-elected leaders under his boots. Obviously, Musharraf Qualified his commitment to hold free and fair elections with himself remaining at the helm. He still imagines that he will continue to rule, with only the complexion of the parties in power having changed - nothing more. Generally, when democratic revolutions take place, dictators also are removed. But, in Pakistan's case, the dictator has merely changed tactics and allowed a new team to work under him, without shedding any of his powers. Democracy in Pakistan cannot thrive under its Musharraf mutilated constitution, which has become wholly authoritarian and anti-democratic to suit the military's interests.
It has to be drastically changed in order to restore it to its pre-1973 shape if democracy is to thrive in Pakistan and the people's aspirations fulfilled. The mechanism by which the mutilations are undone does not matter, whether legislation in Parliament, or otherwise, but the wrong must be undone. If he is honest about restoring democracy (which most Pakistanis doubt) the easiest course for him would be to ask his cronies of the PML(Q) to support a constitutional amendment in the upper house of Parliament to make them operational. Otherwise, he should realize that resistance on his part will be another flashpoint in the second phase of the democratic struggle against him, which could lead to still more serious and unimaginable consequences for peace and stability of Pakistan.
By electing anti-Musharraf members to parliament and the provincial legislatures, the people have only completed the first stage of their long and difficult journey to attain full democracy. In view of Musharraf's attitude, their struggle will continue till the people regain their basic fundamental and human rights and democratic governance without dictators become possible. Mr. Nawaj Sharif, who has been consistent in his demand for Musharraf's removal knows that this impeachment by parliament may not be possible because his cronies are still in a majority in the Senate. An alternate strategy to get rid of him is to reinstate the dismissed Supreme Court judges, including Chief Justice Infikhar Chaudhry and have them pronounce a verdict against his unconstitutional election.
The slain PPP leader Benazir Bhutto had reconciled herself to working with Musharraf under a US-devised formula, which would have enabled her to return to power. Perhaps, Mr. Zardari too is similarly inclined but, the PPP not having secured a majority and a coalition with the pro-Musharraf king's Party PML(Q) being impossible, he has no choice other than to abide by Mr. Sharif's demand for the sake of survival of the government, which is taking over amid great expectations. Though Mr. Zardari's disqualification has been removed by withdrawing the corruption cases against him; the wrong done to Mr. Sharif who was removed in a coup, jailed, sentenced and exiled persists but the ban on him too could be lifted by removing all the disqualifications to enable him to get elected to the National Assembly and resume his career in active politics.
Such gestures of reconciliation are necessary in an extraordinary situation Pakistan is facing in order to restore stability to politics. Otherwise, instead of concentrating on the task of governance, building democratic institutions and taking Pakistan forward economically and fighting the menace of fundamentalism and terrorism, the ruling coalition may get busy trying to hound Musharraf out of power. It is difficult for the people to accept Musharraf in his new incarnation, having ruled the country as Chief of Army Staff for eight long years, because he is still regarded as Army's civilian face in order to hoodwink the people.
The Army has ruled the country more often than not, but made a show of withdrawal from politics, rather then risk the wrath of vengeful politicians and oppressed masses. At a time of widespread anti Army feeling, the new Army Chief Gen Ashfaq kayani is reportedly thinking of a gradual retreat from the civilian sphere. After a recent meeting of the Corps Commanders, it was made clear that the Army fully backed the democratic process and would play its constitutional role in support of the elected government. Gen Kayani expressed hope that the "Army would not be dragged into an unnecessary controversy."
There should be a harmonious relationship between various pillars of the state, as provided in the Constitution, in order to maximize national effort." He also sought to dispel "an impression being created about distancing the Army from the President." He also emphasized the importance of the constitutional relationship between the Army and the National Command Structure. Any kind of schism at any level under the circumstances would not be in the larger interests of the nation. The implications of Gen kayan's statement are clear : the Army stands by the Constitution ( after its mutilation by Mr. Musharraf as Army Chief ) it will continue to give support to Musharraf in his capacity as President, however unpopular and undemocratic he may be; and the command structure, including the National Security Council headed by Musharraf, should remain in place.
In short, accept the President and his Constitution and work with him to maintain harmony and prevent schemes. Perhaps, Gen kayani forgets that the Army never respected the Constitution, the various pillars of state, including elected prime ministers, and cared still less for harmonious relationships whenever it staged coups, overthrew governments abrogated the Constitution and usurped power. The simplest thing for Gen Kayani to do would have been to advise Mr. Musharraf, who has brought a bad name to the Army, to step down in response to the people's demand tellingly articulated through the elections. Then the mutilated constitution could be restored to original shape and the Army's role clearly defined. Pakistan's evolution as a democracy needs careful watching and nurturing.
A heavy responsibility is cast on the new government to honor the people's verdict against military dictatorship and unconstitutional and authoritarian rule and not sacrifice public interest for personal good.
MK Dhar, NPA
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