Time for Medals

It is done. Musharraf is out, finished, vanished, kaput, gone, no more -- history. The play is over. The curtains have come down. Adios Generalissimo.

The nation once again is rejoicing in the way they know best.

The commando who schemed against the people and ravished the country has lost yet another Kargil. The tiger that roared on overthrowing a democratically elected government, (albeit an unfair and authoritarian one. Remember when the sweets were distributed last time?), now he looks like the proverbial pussy cat drenched in rainwater; a sheep without the tigers skin that it masqueraded in; a pitiful figure that was once feared.

There is not a word of sympathy for the ex dictator from anywhere. No phone calls from the White House to console him, no appeals to let him be, no stretched hand to pull him out of the mire that he created for himself, no shoulder to cry upon, no friends to wipe off the tears --- he cuts a sorry figure that ought to be a lesson to those harboring ambitions to snatch power and abuse it.

How did it happen? Who engineered the whole process of ridding the country of a self-serving dictator and his greedy cohorts? Why was there not a whimper on his removal? Who should be lauded for the way the whole process went along without creating a ripple and saving the nation from coming into harms way? Lets examine briefly all those who played a role in Musharraf’s ultimate removal and give the credit where it is due.

The repeated statements of Mian Nawaz Sharif have been vociferous in tone but smacked of vendetta, and if pursued could easily have violently rocked the glued-together boat of democracy. He conveniently ignored the importance of the forces, that have been running the show overtly and covertly for so long, only to cash in on the common sentiment of the discontented populace. He enjoyed the unique position of being part of the government and yet able to play the role of opposition. He stood to benefit in either way --- with or without Musharraf being in the seat. Verbose aside, Mian Sahib never challenged in action the authority of Musharraf’s government. He abided by the laws and systems enforced by Musharraf. His contribution in a matter of numbers in the parliament was as important as of the rest in the coalition. Could he have done it by himself? The answer is an emphatic NO. Therefore, no medal for you Mian Sahib.

Then there were those who made bold statements in the press and brought in their handful members to the rallies. Of course, they too had a minor role to play in feeding the press and echoing the popular demand, but that’s about it. However, memory tells us a different story about them, of the period when they sat on the parliamentary benches. They are placed way back in the line of the decathlon competitors.

The movement to restore the sacked judges was indeed the first drop of the rain that gradually built into a hurricane. Chaudhery Eitzaz Ahsan deserves full credit for his leadership and persistence. His presence also brought in large numbers of PPP jialas to swell the marches. Lawyers left alone would not have created the momentum without the astute leadership of a politician in the person of Chaudhery Eitzaz Ahsan. His inspiring speeches, his tirelessly leading the long marches and most of all, his deft handling of a political embroil in the making that could have resulted in a disaster after the well-reported meeting with Mr. Zardari, deserves an applause. Well done Chaudhery Sahib. We are proud of you.

Media, electronic and print, started to report shortcomings of Musharraf regime long ago. The reporters, columnists and the commentators gradually turned the whispers into roars. Media is justly considered fourth pillar of a state. Our media earned a medal in this sad saga with grit and guts. Hats off to all those poorly paid but dedicated workers of all levels who showed courage every step of the way, and kudos to the bosses who put their enterprises at risk to bring home the truth.

Our political history reflects a dismal picture. The influence of the military has been there as far back as one can remember. The political parties of a considerable size and vote bank that we see today were either created by the martial law administrators or benefited from them. The only exception to this generalization is the PPP. It came into being in the form of a revolt against the authoritarian rule of Ayub Khan. It also unseated Yahya Khan, another drunkard despot with brains in his pants. It fought with Zia ul Haq bravely, never yielding to his limitless cruelty, or to his despicable cunning. The PPP has done it once again --- so true to its philosophy of challenging the powerful and the mighty and coming out victorious despite all the unfavorable odds stacked against it.

When Asif Zardari took over the reigns, after the tragic but predictable martyrdom of Bibi, many had reservations about his political caliber. Pundits predicted the end of the party that had stood for the poor and for a tolerant society. He pleasantly surprised everybody with his political acumen displayed by bringing all the major provincial players on board. None of those players were capable of much other than running around in circles to cobble together wobbly provincial governments in their respective provinces. They did however have a potential of becoming a formidable force if joined with the PPP, the only party that was well represented in every province and also had a majority in the parliament.

Of course, Asif Zardari had multiple choices before him. The choice he obviously made was to remove the ugly wart of dictatorship from the pretty face of democracy. He went about the operation in a cautious manner and not with the rush of a careless novice. He examined the ground realities thoroughly and charted out the safest course to the goal. He was often observed as one frustrated with the careless and the unaware who pushed and shoved him to act prematurely. He acted more like a statesman than the common variety of politicians who behave impulsively and then leave the nation to deal with the consequences. He let the iron get hot before striking it. It was all about the timing, stupid!

Full marks to Mr. Zardari for the mission accomplished.

Bronze medal goes to Chaudhery Eitzaz Ahsan and his team. Media gets silver medal and Mr Asif Ali Zardari so deservedly wins the gold in this political decathlon.

Raise the national flag and play the anthem. Zardari zindabad.