The Importance of a Dictator’s Failure

Rozaiba

Well done dear! But excuse me you missed an important thing - Mush is not a dictator by general definition but a mere reactionary Matarwa. Like a dictator he is not committed to any agenda or scheme of his except reacting opportunistically like a Matarwa servant- in-uniform to defend his skin which he likens now to his uniform. By his latest U-turn which led him to the lap of MQM, he seems now to forsaken all enlightenment and has belatedly started gagging the media in his desperation to save his skin-uniform. So politically he is finished when he makes still another U-turn and seeks the support of his Commanders against the civil society to be virtually on war path with it now. May God save us now from the holocaust to which this man`s `skin` may lead us to!

#26 rozaiba {``You’re right, I forgot about the 1974 operation in Baluchistan under a democratic government. Could Bhutto have avoided it? ``}

Rozaiba,
What grounds are you basing this stupid assertion on? When was Bhutto ever elected to become President or PM of Pakistan? The 1971 elections were won by the Awami League under Sheikh Mujib. Bhutto, who ran on an ethnically chauvinist platform won only Punjab and Sindh. In NWFP and Baluchistan, if my sources are correct, the NAP was the victor. So, his ``democratic`` victory in two provinces was based on a united Pakistan. Once the nation was truncated, don`t you think that fresh elections were in order? How can one expel a majority and then claim ``democratic`` victory based on a new majority that was formerly a minority? Paki logic, no?

rozaiba sahab

until there is a real middle class in pakistan i am afraid democracy will remain a pipe dream. there is artificial middle class in pakistan, but it`s not the real mccoy.

Re: # 25

You’re right, I forgot about the 1974 operation in Baluchistan under a democratic government. Could Bhutto have avoided it?

It`s speculation now whether Musharaf could have avoided the Waziristan operation or not. People analyze the operation in Waziristan in several ways. a) it was bowing to America, b) it was a calculated move to prevent American/NATO forces entering Pakistan territory in hot-pursuit, c) it was part of an overall series of miscalculations for the post 9/11 situation and d) (least likely) that it gave an excuse to eventually treat the Tribal Areas much like the other provinces.

Maybe a democratic government would have been compelled to do the same. In any case, under the auspices of a dictatorial regime, even small decisions, what to speak of something as daring as attacking the tribal areas, are hard to stomach and add poison to the anti-government perceptions building up. Whether there was any other choice or not becomes a mute point. The Waziristan operation will be seen in the context of blunders committed in areas Musharaf clearly not only had a choice, but the upper hand.

Re: roziba #16
“The Waziristan operation was Pakistan`s first civil war since 1971. “

What’s your perspective on the Baloach resistance in 1974 and more recently.

“No one supports it. That Musharaf had to retreat before more lives were lost is something to be thankful for. The nation waits for Musharaf`s final retreat.”

Did Musharaf have a choice! could he have avoided the Waziristan operation ?


Regards,

Faruk

#15 by rozaiba,

Gwadar was Nawaz Sharif’s vision. As were the motorways.

... and the telecoms (including cellular), and the FX liberalization through the Protection of Economic Reforms Act, 1992, as well as reducing Government expenditure to contain budget deficits, as well as the Paris Club debt rescheduling negotiated by Ishaq Dar which finally came through in 2002, amongst others.

The economic policies determined by the two very short NS tenures of around two and half years each are still being followed, but with two major departures which have changed the entire focus of the long term objectives: (1) the shelving of the low-cost nation wide housing projects financed by private/public resources in favour of FDI in high-cost real-estate and (2) the shelving of expenditure on education reforms to fill skill-gaps - both on advice of IMF.

Still, the public remembers only the Rai-Wind Estate which he built with his own money, and the Supreme Court storming incident which actually was just rowdiness resulting from NS supporters holding passes being prevented to witness NS`s contempt of court hearing.

At this point in time, Nawaz Sharif remains the only candidate with enough credibility and sensitivity towards the people`s real problems to achieve a badly needed national consensus amongst all four provinces to end this fatal polarization, as well as to put the economy on track in line with the `people`s` aspirations as he did during his previous two short-lived tenures, particularly the first.

About your point re ``State Bank tried to get folks to take money out of the bank and invest it in productive ventures.``, I suppose you mean the lowering of interest rates and loose monetary policy. This is correct, and it didn`t result in any fresh industrial undertakings though capacity utilization was enhanced through cheap consumer finance available mainly in the auto sector, and some in the cement sector. Overall, this policy resulted in asset-price bubbles in the stock market/housing market and more damagingly a soaring inflation. So the monetary policy had to be tightened again, but then with a disastrous impact on exports.

Having said the above, the policy direction adopted by the Musharraf Regime is not the ideal for a country like Pakistan, but it is the only one prescribed under the Globalization regime led by USA. Only a democratic Government could resist that pressure in favour of the country`s own priorities, but then that would have been the farthest concern from Musharraf`s mind.

#20 hasanmahmood {``For them Musharaf is everything evil and even real evil-doers like Nawaz an BB are better for this country. What world do these guys live in.....``}

Hasan Sahib,
You have stated the real problem that many of us have with these so-called ``liberal`` elitists seeking ``democracy`` AT ANY PRICE. :) Thanks.

Hasan Mahmood sahib,

It is irrelevant whether Mush is more incompetent or less incompetent than NS/BB/IK. The important thing is that the people of Pakistan have a right to chart their own destiny and get ruled by a constitutional mechanism. Even if that means putting up with NS/BB in the short-term.

Regards

che:

True, Karachi`s got a lot of development projects going on. Lahore had substantial ones in the 90`s. I suppose urban planning can come under the `visionary` category.

salim:

BB and NS didn`t launch a civl war in Pakistan. That is a sufficient indicator of who is more incompetent.

atif:

Whoa! 100 million wahabi fascist fuks! Must be that many in your wet dreams.

another idiot blowing her own horn without any rhyme or reason. By saying that ``BB and NS weren`t as incompetent as Mush `` the author shows her own ignorance. Why can`t we ever talk of democracy without talking abut BB and Nawaz. Why do all ther speeches regarding Democracy end with the ultimatum that Nawaz and BB should come back to Pakistan. Why are people so stupid and arrogant and forgetful when it comes to those two idiots. And now we have Imran - a guy I like; however he has 1 seat (yes just 1 seat in NA) and he is on the front covers of newspapers like he is everything in Pakistan. I guess people like this author are really desperate. For them Musharaf is everything evil and even real evil-doers like Nawaz an BB are better for this country. What world do these guys live in.....

{``#16 by rozaiba on May 29, 2007 6:08am PT
BB and NS weren`t as incompetent as Mush - but Mush can get away with committing high treason. ``}

Rozaiba,
So you are saying ``So let it be written, so let it be said.``
Just because you say so doesn`t make it so. I am now wondering about the validity of your other points. That was a serious mistake on your part.

rozaiba:

``I’ve still not seen any ‘new’ projects they were responsible for.``

The development projects that have been taking place in the Republic of Karachi under the Musharraf regime have been unprecedented since the times of Ayub Khan.

#16 ``most sunni fascist fuks are really plain wahabi fascist fuks``

I think you have a much bigger issue at your hand than one dictator...you have 100 million ``sunni fuks`` to kill or convert to your cause :)

So much for your bleeding heart article on the state of Pakistan. Good luck!

Salim_Chauhan:

BB and NS weren`t as incompetent as Mush - but Mush can get away with committing high treason.

atif:

``The move back-fired and Musharaf had to follow a strategy he learned in the hills of Kargil, then became well-versed in with the attempts to change the blasphemy law, taking on the fascist Mullahs and finally (and thankfully) the operation in Waziristan. Musharaf applied the strategy of retreat.``

The Waziristan operation was Pakistan`s first civil war since 1971. No one supports it. That Musharaf had to retreat before more lives were lost is something to be thankful for. The nation waits for Musharaf`s final retreat.

My opposition to the Waziristan Army operations aside, most sunni fascist fuks are really plain wahabi fascist fuks. And the fuker who calls himself `Imam-e-Kaaba` is the leader of these fascist fuks.

zeemax:

A few years ago the State Bank tried to get folks to take money out of the bank and invest it in productive ventures. Most of this money went to real estate and perhaps to the stock market. Don’t know how much of it went towards establishing industries or entrepreneurial ventures.

Dubai has become a services oriented economy (oil supposedly finances less than 10% of its revenue). Dubai can buy skilled labor. The construction projects are to attract those skilled folks. Pakistan has done little to overcome the skill shortage of its population. And it cannot buy skilled labor from abroad.

All in all, Musharaf’s team at best seemed to ride the wave rather than anything else. I’ve still not seen any ‘new’ projects they were responsible for. Gwadar was Nawaz Sharif’s vision. As were the motorways.

The electricity crisis is the most damning evidence of the sheer incompetence of Shaukat Aziz and Musharaf.

Re: # 2

Strategy is lacking. Or if it is present, it is on that is entirely counterproductive. For example, Musharaf takes over, sets benchmarks - the seven point agenda - adopts a strategy - LFO, referendum, President, 17th Amendment, etc. and ends up failing on all seven points.

author expresses his concerns about ``persistent sectarian flare-ups``

Now this coming from someone who routinely refers to adherents of sunni sect as ``sunni fucks`` and labels everyone he disagrees with as ``fascist`` in his ilogs is quite funny!

Much more than the 7 points author has outlined, Pakistan needs to clamp down on the culture of hypocrisy, whereby we express concern over the spread of sectarianism while contributing to it ourselves. This national habit of always walking around with fingers pointed at others needs to be crushed.

On another note, author expresses thanks for the ``operation`` in Waziristan, not giving any fudge to the deaths of thousands of Pakistani citizens in that region at the hands of dictator. I guess if we can be so gleeful at the extra-judicial deaths via gunship helicopters of fellow citizens in one region, regardless of their crime, then we lose the right to protest when that same dictator merely fires a civil servant in another region.

This ``constitutional crisis`` that author talks about wasn`t created in February 2007. Musharraf crushed constitution 8 years ago...in 1999. Where were these lovers of constitution, who now cant seem to complete a sentence without bragging about a ``well disciplined constitutional struggle``, at that time? Is it because at that time they were busy cheering dictator on while he was killing Pakistanis with long beards? Have these ``constitutionalists`` suddenly discovered a ``constitutional crisis`` now that dictator seems to be turning against people with clean shaves as well?

Long live the dictator! Down down hypocrites!

My daily pic for the pride and joy of hamidm2:




Enlightened moderation on the march in Pakistan !!!

Dear writer,

I appreciate your thought process and constructive ideas, but maybe just maybe Pakistani nation need more. Al Azhar scholar (in my opinion the prophet or messiah has arrived) Izzat Atiyaa (``Izzat``-aptly named) suggestion, novel but promising may be the answer to all of our problems. Naturally appealing, organically pure and develope true familial bondage, please do read as follows:


Al Azhar scholar favours adult breastfeeding

Daily Times Monitor

LAHORE: A fatwa by an Islamic scholar permitting women to breastfeed adults with whom they work has led to his suspension this month from al-Azhar University in Cairo, the world’s leading Sunni university, reports The Australian.

Izzat Atiyaa had issued the fatwa as a way around the prohibition in Islamic religious law against a woman working in private premises with a man who was not her close relative, says the report in The Australian. Breastfeeding, he argued, would create a familial relationship under Islamic law.

Dr Atiyaa explained to the Egyptian newspaper al-Watani al-Yawm that: “A man and a woman who are alone together are not (necessarily) having sex but this possibility exists and breastfeeding provides a solution to this problem (by) transforming the bestial relationship between two people into a religious relationship based on (religious) duties.”

In Islamic tradition, breastfeeding at infancy establishes a degree of familial relationship between nurse and child even if there is no biological relationship. Dr Atiyaa argued in his fatwa that if an adult male was nursed by a female co-worker it would likewise establish a familial bond that would permit them to work side by side without raising suspicion of illicit sex.

Dr Atiyaa headed al-Azhar University’s department dealing with hadith. He said he had based his ruling on one such tradition according to which, at the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) order, a man named Salem was breastfed by the wife of another disciple.
“The fact that the hadith regarding the breastfeeding of an adult is inconceivable to the mind does not make it invalid,” Dr Atiyaa said, in defending his ruling. “Rejecting it is tantamount to questioning the Prophet’s (pbuh) tradition.”

Nevertheless, his ruling evoked almost universal rejection among Muslim scholars and in the popular Egyptian press. Al-Azhar University formed a committee of hadith experts, who dismissed his ruling, and the university administration ordered him to publish a retraction. He complied.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007 05 29 story_29-5-2007_pg1_9

Rozaiba... Well written as usual.

The one thing that has happened with this current movement is that hopefuly doctrine of necessity has been buried foreever.

#4 abysmal {``My prediction is, Inshallah, President Hillary Clinton will bring democracy back to Pakistan in the year 2009. My other, more tentative prediction is that if Hillary wins, Benazir wins. ``}

Abysmal,
Let me add to your prediction. I predict that Zeemax will be involved in disgraceful yet cunning linguistics in the Ovary Orifice during Pres. Hilary Clinton`s first term and Bezamir III will suffer the same fate as Bezamir I and Bezamir II.

#2 by malik99 on May 28, 2007 10:16am PT


Also, how we have made immense progress compared to India.


How long ago was that? 30 years?

#6, Zee Sahib,
Punjus perform gang rapes (e.g. Mukhtaran Mai) while Altaf Bhai patronizes The Home Depot.

#5 by Salim_Chauhan,

Mohtarim, you missed this I suppose:

....the current government has the honor of keeping the worst criminals (including making a man on the run for multiple murders and popularly known to enjoy drilling holes in knee-caps, a governor of a province ...)

{``The poison built up against Pakistani federal rule – rightly perceived as an extension of Punajbi rule - is immense``}

Rozaiba,
An excellent attempt to grade the performance of our leader. Now, while you are at it, could you please give us a summary report on the performance of Bezamir I, Besharif I, Bezamir II, and Besharif II? After all, we need to examine Mushy`s performance in the proper context - the conditions under which Pakistan was suffering at the time of his bloodless coup.

By the way, whether it`s Mushy doing the dirty work for Pakistani Punjaibis, or it`s Zia Owl Hack doing his own thing, or the ``democratic`` reigns of Mohtarma and the Bosley graduate, the role of Punjab in dominating Pakistan is quite consistent and pernicious - good observation.

My prediction is, Inshallah, President Hillary Clinton will bring democracy back to Pakistan in the year 2009. My other, more tentative prediction is that if Hillary wins, Benazir wins.

Dear Author,

Pakistan has been going through the throes of the conflicts it was born with, and a generation later it is at the threshold of resolving these once and for all. That isn`t too long a time for a nation born under such cataclysmic circumstances. In my view the end of the tunnel has been reached.

Overall, this article is a great assessment of the Musharraf era. Just one comment though:

.... there is little indication that Musharaf and his government have something to offer other than the diminishing returns from the West’s gift-wrapped bonanza in the form of debt-rescheduling, favorable trade-terms and increase in quotas as a reward for post-9/11 national policy shifts.

All of the above were the immediate windfalls after 9/11 which provided fiscal space as well as increased exports upto perhaps 2004/5. After that, it has primarily been FDI in Real Estate Development from the UAE and Saudia which has sustained and built upon the diminishing returns (as you rightly mention) which can be placed to the credit of Musharraf`s economic team, and remains its major focus.

However, this Real Estate bonanza is directly dependent upon the enlightened moderation thrust of the Government which has become highly controversial and under vigorous attack, as well as environmental concerns of ordinary citizens upheld so far by the Supreme Court, being one of the reasons for the dismissal of CJ Iftikhar Chaudhary.

Musharraf has adopted the Dubai model of first creating exclusive playgrounds for the rich (Sale of two Sindh Islands, New Murree scheme at Patriata, Hawkesbay Sugar City development etc), and then inviting-in capital flows resulting from globalization. All this does not sit well with the common man who gets nothing out of this kind of foreign investment which doesn`t produce anything for them, except inflation due to monetary expansion.

So, whoever comes next, will have to rethink and adjust the entire economic model for the country which is more in line with its people`s aspirations.

``Pakistanis in general refrain from identifying benchmarks to measure success and failure``

Really? I thought we Pakistanis were obsessed with benchmarks. I grew up listening to my teachers describe how Pakistan was so ahead of South Korea and now they are light years ahead of us. Also, how we have made immense progress compared to India. Or how our literacy rate is so far ahead of that of Republic of Congo. If anything, we do too much benchmarking. Our high school chidlren can rattle off many stats regarding where Pakistan stands compared to the rest of the world.

The next logical step after benchmarks is developing a ``gap analysis``. I think pakistanis are ok in that respect as well - this article being a good example of that. After``gap analysis`` comes the development of a cohesive strategy and a launch roadmap to narrow those gaps. That is where we utterly fail.

Overall a balanced article.

Madame,

Wud anybody in Pakistan listen to these words of advice?

Who can redeem Pakistan? Who`s the pan-Pakistan leader? Mr. Bhutto once was. Who`s now?