Army and the President

I do not wish to make light of this interesting article which only a lawyer could have written – so many legal twists and turns it introduces!

But it introduces those for a good reason! Manto has the khairiat of the Pakistani awaam at heart – so he does not wish the awaam to become depressed!

The simplistic facts are as follows:

(1) The coup (in 1999) was inherently illegal and in violation of the constitution – by kicking out a civilian leadership at the power of the gun! There is no getting away from that reality!

(2) The coup does not get legitimized by simply turning around and tinkering with the constitution retrospectively. The day civilian leaders get legitimate power in Pakistan will be the day that an effort will start to get rid of all the legal indignities heaped on that document since 1999. (Similar to the 42nd Amendment to the Indian constitution done by Indira Gandhi)

(3) Mushy knows that simple fact, too. Therefore, he can NEVER relinquish real power – even if he wanted to. Clearly, he does not want to – because as it is he is a target – so he needs the shield of power to protect himself. If he can also do some good for the country by forcing it along the secular path (in spite of the clear ambivalence of the awaam along those lines), from his viewpoint, that will be a good thing!

The question remains – why does the Mushy go to all these troubles?!

Why not come out openly and redeclare himself as the “chief executive” like the last time around?

Some people say that’s because he is in reality honest, uncorrupt, and also democratic “at heart”. Others say, that there is a woman involved – whose last name matches a very popular sub continental staple diet!

I know, I know - look deep enough into any problem and you can always find a woman at the root of it! :(

Bjkumar do you maybe have a learning disability?

I am questioning the legality of this election in very clear English language ... But seems like you are not good at reading stuff or growing up.

My dear Yasser, the purpose of #1 was not to alienate you or drive you up the wall! I am sorry if that ended up being the (unintended) result.

I am not saying that you are legitimizing the Mushy or what looks like his latest triumph. Do not get me wrong. After all, there is a reason you put "elected" within quotes.

I also do not question that your intentions are benign for your country.

My problem is not with the thrust of your arguments but the fact that you have to bring in all these "legal" topics - and technicalities of the election, to make a point which is - at its core - the simplest possible - as explained in #1.

What more do you want from me?! Become a lawyer myself?!

Of course people worshippers have morals that would make a Alcapone develop a halo around his head. This person is not against a military dictator seeking "elections" from assemblies under his gun, he is not against that in principle because guess what "the Ataturk (anoter sob)" did it. And why does he worship the Ataturk, it is because the sob in chief the MFJ where the M stands for Mama....you got it, worshipped the Ataturk. In fact he played the Ata Turk at home just like people "play" Captain Kirk (of Star Trek fame). Military dictatorship remnants of which today divide Turkey has harmed that nation just as it has harmed Pakistan. We need people's voices and a people's government. We do not need veiled support of dictators if they happen to agree with your agenda, the kind of politics of Ata Turk and MFJ. WE need the voice of the people we need someone the likes of ZAB...

#4 Masadi

Hey, hey, hey, Masadi sahib!

That name-calling by you of the Manto was totally uncalled for!

If you have a personal problem with Yasser, take it elsewhere. This piece is about a very relevant contemporary topic so let us discuss it like mature adults that we all are! And there is no need to bring in Mr. Jinnah’s name when Yasser has carefully abstained from doing so himself!

The simple reality is that what Mushy did (back in 1999) was not kosher per law. However, that was eight years ago and dragging all that dirty linen into full public view at this time is not good for anybody. Keep the “ghar ki izzat” inside the house, no?!

I think the Ataturk model was a good one for that country and if, in Pakistan, the Mushy wishes to emulate that man – rather than the Aurangzeb – hey, I am all for it!

And I happen to like Captain Kirk (of the Star Trek fame) – in his nineteen-sixties edition (but not of the present chubbier vintage).

Re #5, there is no "name calling" of "the Manto" in my post #4, I just take him up on his immorality of offering a veiled support of the dictator's tricks just because the "AtaTurk" did it. The only reason Manto supports the AtaTurk is because of the MFJ's deep admiration for him. My name calling is reserved for the AT and MFJ both immoral and anti-people dictators...

#6 Masadi sahib

Technically you may be correct. But come on, in view of how close Yasser feels to Mr. Jinnah, there is little difference between attacking one and attacking the other.

It is time to show some sensitivity on this issue!

Now, regarding Mr. Musharraf - it is important to keep in mind what an alternative to him would have been - had he not pulled this latest election stuff (which, in fairness, he did not HAVE to! So give him credit for that, too.)

Would you be happier living under a mullahcracy? I doubt it.

Would a "civilian" dispensation be better at fighting the terrorists? Again, I seriously doubt it. It is not the most efficient set-up, you know!

I think Pakistani people should return to dealing with their systemic weaknesses (intolerance of other viewpoints, taking the short-cut of force to "settle" issues, treating women as less than equal, not valuing education and emancipation and empowering of the same, not keeping religion in its proper place, etc.) rather than hoping that electing the "right" leader will solve the problems.

The uncertainty and fluidity of any alternative system any "..ocracy" would be better than this status quo of military domination of Pakistan and its institutions, which has been killing this nation slowly, only the carcass is left, they have consumed all the meat. The alternative system not so institutionally vested in its domination of society can be tackled more easily by the people.

#8 Masadi sahib

The reality of Pakistani economy does not bear out your "carcass" theory! It appears to be thriving (whatever the type of "democratic" setup). India's is the same way. There will always be a few individual spots of problems.

Pakistan is to grow at 7% this year..same as the last 2 years..keep Mushy or else.

M Asadi,

Good points!

#10 Posted by chaltahai on October 9, 2007 11:22:57 am


Pakistan is to grow at 7% this year..same as the last 2 years..keep Mushy or else.


or else someone ELSE will make the call to fake the GDP numbers...

benazir or musharraf: different leash on the same old dog.

Yaar Manto , how could you ? Mush is the what MAJ is Uniform - or atleast close to his standards!
I mean he atleast tried on issues like equality for all , freedom of economy, liberalism, economy, educational reforms, religious bias, cultural bias etc..
Pakistan is at the right path - thanks to Mushraff !
Pity is , Mush is in uniform but so-what? People are seriouslly not intrested in this , law and constitutional talk ? and how could you come up with this piece against Mushraff?

Mush promised to take off uniform before taking oath of the President. What if he does not take an oath again as he has already taken oath twice for the post? Does it not look absurd keeping on repeating the oath each time you are granted extension on a post? This would have perhaps made some sense if Mush had resigned before his election as president. 'Dil harazaada te hujtaan de dher'.

#14 teshah: There is a saying - "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

Mush has lied over and over again. His word is not worth one conterfeit rupee.

Pity the nation that acclaims the bull as hero, and that deems the glittering conqueror bountiful.
Pity the nation whose statesman is a fox, whose philosopher is a juggler, and whose art is the art of patching and mimicking.
Pity the nation whose sages are dumb with years and whose strong men are yet in the cradle.

Khalil Gibran
The garden of the Prophet (1934)