Sanity must prevail

Sanity must prevail

Mohammad Jamil

Rumors abound that the present democratic system will be wrapped up by military-judiciary alliance soon and replaced with an interim setup not for 90 days but with extended period of time. This sounds travesty of the truth, as judiciary continues to criticize the Frontier Constabulary vis-à-vis missing persons’ case and its charge that Frontier Constabulary is responsible for every third missing person is indeed serious. However, in view of confrontation between the executive and Judiciary, and Pakistan’s hoi polloi passing through the harrowing experience they had never undergone in their lifetimes, they have perhaps started pinning hopes on military to save them. It was perhaps in this backdrop that Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry while speaking at dinner hosted by Balochistan High Court Bar Association said: “Judges, lawyers, civil society and the media had the determination not to allow any extra-constitutional act”. But some commentators and analysts have a different view. In ‘Policy Matters’ programme of 13th July 2012 at Dunya TV regarding discussion on Chief Justice’s address to Balochistan Bar Council, Rauf Klasra a senior analyst and editor of daily Dunya said that there is no threat to the Parliament from the military but from judiciary.

As to the chances of imposition of Martial, Marvin Weinbaum a Pakistan expert at the Middle East Institute in Washington has stated: “There is no reason for them to move in; they’ve got control over the things that they want to control.” Having that said, COAS General Ashafaq Parvez Kayani has told umpteenth times that military will not take sides and will always abide by the Constitution. Given his past record, there is no reason to disbelieve him. Unfortunately, some of our politicos, commentriat, analysts are not focusing on the real issues, and criticize the armed forces and law enforcing agencies after May 2nd incident for security lapses. There are elements like Sheikh Rashid who criticize the armed forces for turning a blind eye to the corruption and bad governance of the elected government. They have to understand that the impartial position taken by the present military leadership and pledges to respect and maintain the rule of law have earned them laurels of the entire nation. It should be borne in mind that negative criticism of the armed forces adversely affects their morale and professional competence, and emboldens the terrorists and separatists.

They are not silent spectators of what is happening in the country, as the system keeps them fully engaged to continuously evaluate the prevalent situation, and play their role as they did in case of confrontation between the PPP-led government and the PML-N over reinstatement of the judiciary. Nevertheless, intellectuals, analysts and media must suggest to the public to learn respecting the rule of law, and should not float ideas that are repugnant to the dictates of the Constitution. Domestic media and public must not act in an irresponsible manner thereby damaging the very image of the armed forces. Some analysts openly say that armed forces are oblivious of the present situation and they are incapable of delivering as and when required. Under no circumstances, the commentariat, analysts and media men should incite the armed forces or drag them into politics. The entire nation and the media must appreciate the armed forces for observing the rule of law, supporting the democratic system and following the dictates of the constitution. Those suggesting the military intervention today would start criticizing the military if it does, and the PPP and the PML-N today’s adversaries would join hands to discredit, if god forbid, there is another military dictator, which of course is not likely.

Indeed, there is image problem of the PPP leadership, extreme mismanagement and confounding state of affairs and chaos in national institution. Of course, leaders of the PML-N and other parties are not saints. Anyhow, some people expect of the armed forces to clean the mess created by the democratic forces. No one in his right sense would like to have civil or military dictatorship. However, in Pakistan whenever the people were disillusioned from the leadership that failed to deliver, they started looking towards the military for solution of their problems. In late 1950s, politicians were at loggerheads, and deputy speaker in former East Pakistan assembly was seriously hurt in the free for all on the floor of the assembly, who later succumbed to injuries. Anyhow, anarchy-like situation had prompted Ayub Khan to promulgate Martial Law in October 1958. Similarly, in late 1970s, Pakistan National Alliance was formed to get rid of the elected government. Again in late 1990s, General Democratic Alliance was formed and its leaders had asked the army to overthrow the civilian dictator. However, Mian Nawaz Sharif was overthrown when he tried to sack then COAS General Pervez Musharraf.

Despite the fact that Asif Ali Zardari remained in Jail, and Mian Nawaz Sharif living in exile, they do not appear to have learnt any lessons. When will the rulers wake up to the stormy winds blowing so ferociously for the state to hit the rock? Already, the dark forces of terrorism, militancy and criminality have visibly gained an upper hand. And if those hands are not chopped off even now, one should be very worried about the security and even very existence of the state. The rulers must get their act together at once and launch a comprehensive, coordinated and sustained effort to stub out these dark forces. Combating them out is invariably long haul. And if the rulers dither and procrastinate even now, that long haul will definitely become infinite injuriously. But to achieve this objective, there has to be cohesion between the pillars of the state and also between the politicos across the spectrum. Cooling-off must ensue instantly. The way things are going on in the country definitely bodes ill ominously. If frayed tempers do not cool, and if understanding, reason and rationality do not prevail at once, the nation is sure to fall on very perilous uncertain times inexorably. This must be averted at any rate. Sanity must prevail all around in any event.