Just another cry in the dark

I have read couple of reviews on present government and the anticipated changes in Pakistan and decided to vent out my frustration. Enjoy it.

In our 53 years of turbulent history the country has seen nothing but thieves and self righteous leaders, who sit in their air conditioned rooms with a glass of whisky in their hands and talk about the pain and the sufferings of the poor. Have any of these righteous leaders of our country given anything back except for more international debt, more taxes and stagnant economy?

It is like a game of musical chairs where only the elite are allowed. Once in a while if some middle class "player" gets in the game, he over night becomes

one of them. It is interesting that out of 53 years of country's life military has ruled for more than 25 years. First dictator we had was Ayub in 1958, he lifted Martial Law for seven years from 1962 to 1969, seems like short time. I am very much doubtful that there was an uncontrolled democratic rule during those seven years.

General Ayub was finally forced to resign and was replaced by Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan, better known the "drunk leader." It was General Yahya and Mr. Bhutto who failed to resolve the East Pakistan crises. A careful observation of all the events in 1971 and 1972 would make you realize that Mr. Bhutto was never interested in solving problems of the poor, the only thing he was interested in was his Prime Minister Ship, with no regard of constitutional right of Najeeb to become the head of the state. In all this faced army was fully involved including Yahya Khan who never wanted a Bungali to rule an army which was mostly from Punjab and NWFP. And we lost part of our country, thanks to our leaders.

In 1973 Zulfikar Ali Bhutto became the new Prime Minister, introducing a new constitution. He was very ambitious socialist and tried to lift the moral of

people. After some time, ROTI KAPRA AND MAKAN became just a logo for PPP. Hunger for control made Mr. Bhutto another savage politician. Then comes Zia, the goofy looking general, I believe Bhutto must have been surprised till the end that this yes man guy, hung him. General Zia ruled the nation for eleven years, he would still be ruling if he was alive. The most precious gifts he gave us are: hereon and AK-47 from Afghanistan, MQM in Karachi, and stronger more politics oriented army which learned that they were not there to serve the nation but Pakistan was made to serve its army.

Then there was light, the PPP workers thought they would get permits for depots, where people will stand in line for sugar, flour, and ghee and these workers would get fat pockets again. But Benazir, the westernized woman could not stand these stinky workers, they were like ants. She had said once and I

quote "There is no PPP with out me, I am the party," she might have been right. I personally had high hopes for an educated and intelligent woman but she turned out to be very week woman surrounded by thugs. Soon she was speaking the same language of her fellow arrogant politicians.

Then we got gift of "Murd_e_Momen Murd_e_Haq, Zia_ul_Haq" Mr. Nawaz Shareef. He was very energetic while he was in Punjab, being rich, I thought he would not be interested at-least in government's money. But he turned out to be the biggest Shark after Mr. Zardari, which wanted to consume everything in the sea.

Couple of interesting facts which all of our politicians forget are: the power and position they hold is because of the people and it is always temporary. As soon as they win the elections, their tolerance is replaced by a hateful and revengeful attitude and their down to earth attitude is replaced by arrogance. Certain things have never changed through out our history and those are abuse of power, police brutality, nepotism, and crushing of the opposition.

In Mr. Ayub's time all kind of politicians and workers were in the hot wind, in Yahya's time it was Bengalis, in Bhutto's time it was Qaumi Itihad workers and

leaders, in Zia's time aim was at PPP leaders and workers, in Benazir's rule the wind shifted to Muslim League, and in Nawaz's time the aim turned back to

PPP. Now it is the time of Mr. Musharaf and Muslim League and few PPP leaders are under the knife, if they don't know any Genaral. Same threats are being made to opposing parties long before local bodies elections. I am not sure if general is part of all the mess going on now or not, but one thing is certain, he is not going to leave soon.

If you know some big shot in the army you can have any one thrown in Jail with out any reason. Hey you can give the biggest reason "treason." The party you are interested in, just label them as enemies of General and big time supporters of Nawaz Shareef. Only those will win in this election who are loyal to General. The same sting of favoritism and police brutality is polluting the air in Pakistan again. We know that there were Accountability committees in every government, but the aim of these committees was and always will be to crush those who oppose. Bravo! what a perfect approach of governance in a country

which was created in the name of Islam; religion of equality, justice, and tolerance.

The rulers, from all the generals to the present day politicians have always been interested in manipulation of resources, if we had any. That is one of the reasons that our foreign debt has grown to 34 billion dollars as of 1999. Our literacy rate with exaggeration has grown to 37.8 percent, some 20 percent increase in 53 years. But the population has more than doubled. We have the highest population growth rate in a country with limited resources and a land area of twice the size of California.

If we look back at the history of Sub-continent, when the British rule was very strong, we will find that the same tactics were used to rule us (Hindus and Muslims combined). Crush those who disagree using police brutality, give more power to those who lick your tows by granting them titles and land, scare those who are already scared to say anything, a reinforcement strategy. These are the rules which apply to slave nations only. Gora Sahib left 53 years ago but he taught a nice lesson to our governing class. Now the Brown Sahib is doing the same to our nation.

Ayub's rule is considered the golden time as far as economic growth is concerned but human rights supporters say that it was not necessarily the best

time in Pakistan's history as far as justice and equality goes. There has always been a bigger fish to eat the small one. Every new government is known for killing social welfare projects started by previous governments. This action not only slows the economic growth, but it substantially increases the government expenses.

I am sure when Max Weber defined the bureaucratic model he could not foresee third world country's using this model for efficiency to achieve maximum out put. Bureaucracy in our country has become synonymous with inefficiency, an emphasis on red-tape and excessive paper work. One thing which our bureaucracy is efficient at is; getting its fair share. From the secretary of the department to the clerk who stamps the check, receives cut of the pie. At the end there is a very little left to be spent on social welfare and structural development of the country. I have spent quite some time in Punjab Secretariat and have seen the paper pushers in action. In Benazir's time Pakistan paid millions of dollars to foreign contractors because government decided to stop projects which were started in Nawaz rule. I know there are similar examples in every government including present one.

Being a believer in a supreme power and rule of reward and punishment, I made following conclusions. Our people will never deserve better leadership than what we have and what we had. That is because of our own ethical, and selective religious standards. It does not matter if it is the Muslims of Kashmir, Ethopia, Israel or Pakistan. We deserved every bit of what has happened to us and what will happen to us. "This is the consequence of your own works." GOD is

never unjust towards the people" (3:182)

I do not know why we deny the inevitability of "You will certainly be tested, through your money and your lives, and you will hear from those who received the scripture, and from the idol worshipers, a lot of insult. If you steadfastly persevere and lead a righteous life, this will prove the strength of your faith." (3:186)

"Do you expect to enter Paradise without GOD distinguishing those among you who strive, and without distinguishing those who are steadfast?"(3:142)

"If GOD supports you, none can defeat you. And if He abandons you, who else can support you? In GOD the believers shall trust."(3:160)

I believe that we have abandoned God. Unless there are some positive changes in us as a Muslim Nation, we will never be able to improve our situation. I hope we strive to improve our character, and faith than improving the ways of bombing Indian Soldiers in Kashmir. It is hurting Kashimiries more than it is hurting Indians. Imagine living in a war zone where you are not certain about seeing the day light the next day.

Salaam,

Mian Mohyuddeen

_____________________________________

I read Messiah in Khakis which compelled me to write this article. I sincerely apologize for all the offending attacks on the leaders of the country which gave me life and much more.

Most of the information in this article was extracted from historical books, Ministry of Finance Islamabad, human support organizations working under UN, and some personal experiences.

I am a practicing Muslim living in the US from last seven years. I have lived in Pakistan before moving to USA. I have always had an interest in Islam and Pakistan. I am an ignorant man trying to improve my self.