Democracy in Pakistan: The Missing Link?

According to the Los Angeles Times :

Jamaat has never garnered more than 10

seats in parliament. Yet the party increasingly

reflects the views of the silent majority in

Pakistan, according to the results of a State

Department survey. The U.S. poll, released

earlier this year, found overwhelming support

for Islamist solutions to Pakistan`s problems.

At least 60% said religious leaders should

play a larger role in politics, and 78% said

schools should teach more religion. Nearly

half favored limits on men and women

working together.

[Of course, a poorly worded questionnaire

could easily obtain these results.]

-Arun Gupta

In response to Urstruly (Reply # 446)
Dear Urstruly:

May be I don`t want to die so soon! (Just kidding; Allah knows best).

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad

ahmadb #445

What took you so long?

DEMOCRACY: IN WHOSE INTEREST?

Since Machiavelli an important question of liberal political theory has been how, in a world marked by the legitimate and reasonable pursuit of self-interest, government can be sustained, and what form government should take. It was Hobbes (Feroz, here is your favorit) who argued that only a strong protective state could reduce adequately the dangers citizens faced when left to their own devices. A protective state is formed when individuals surrender their rights by transferring them to a powerful authority which can force them to keep their promises and covenants.

Locke argued that there were no good reasons to suppose that the governors would on their own initiative provide an adequate framework for citizens to pursue freely their interests. Following this, Locke (and Montesquieu) argued that there must be limits upon legally sanctioned political powers.

In “The Federalist,” Madison translated some of Hobbes’s, Locke’s and Montesquieu’s most notable ideas into a coherent political theory and strategy. Madison was no admirer of the ancient republics, and maintained that such “pure democracies” have always been intolerant, unstable, and unjust. In the politics of pure democracies, a common passion or interest, felt by the majority of citizens, generally shapes political judgements, policies and actions. This, in turn, means that there is nothing to check the inducements to sacrifice the weaker party.

Madison viewed dissent, argument, clashes of judgement, conflicts of interest and the constant formation of rival and competing factions as inevitable. He set himself to the task of finding ways of regulating the various and interfering interests in a manner that they become involved in the necessary and ordinary operations of government. He also clearly thought that a form of popular government with a federal structure and a division of powers would not only ameliorate the worst consequences of factions but involve the citizens crucially in the political process of protecting their own interests.

Let us read the following news item and seek answers of the following questions: Are the ideas developed in the West, and for the Western people, relevant to the situation in Pakistan? Should the views of various factions (religious or otherwise) be imposed on all other citizens? Should the state intervene to regulate/accommodate the interests of various factions? What kind of political organization is needed to accommodate/regulate the conflicting and contested views of various social groups in Pakistan?

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad

Pakistan government invites Islamists for talks
Khaleej Times, December 28, 2000

KARACHI - Pakistan`s military government has invited Islamic leaders for talks after a number of the groups threatened public protests, officials said Wednesday. Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider told reporters here Tuesday he had invited all prominent religious leaders to the meeting on January 13 in Islamabad to seek their cooperation in maintaining law and order.
``No one will be allowed to break the law and government will take all measures to maintain peace in the country,`` the minister said.
The main fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a campaign starting in January to protest against the government for pardoning convicted former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and exiling him to Saudi Arabia earlier this month.
Another religious party, Tanzeemul Ikhwan, has threatened to organise a march on Islamabad to press for the enforcement of Islamic Sharia law.
Tanzeemul Ikhwan`s chief, Akram Awan, had called the march for January 27, but postponed it until March after Religious Affairs Minister Mahmood Ghazi reportedly assured him steps were being taken to implement Sharia. Awan has said thousands of his followers were ready to participate in a pro-Sharia march on the capital. - AFP

re ahmadb #417:

Dear Bilal:

I hope you realize that some of us are not academics and don`t have the luxury of time(or grad students :)) to give solid references. In any case here is a list(by no means exhaustive) of works that may explain the fallacies of the democratic ideal that is leading so many of us down the garden path.

Cooper, Robert(1996) The post-modern state and the world order, Demos, London

Kaplan, Robert D, The coming Anarchy, Atlantic magazine, Feb 1994

Kerry,John(1997) The new war, Simon and Schuster, NY

Ohmae,Kenichi(1995) The end of the nation state, Harper Collins, London

Rand,Ayn(1967) Capitalism: The unknown ideal, Signet NY

Rauch,Jonathan(1994) Demosclerosis:the silent killer of American government, Times Books NY

Lasch,Christopher(1996): The revolt of the elites:And the betrayal of democracy W.W Norton NY

Would be happy to discuss after the holidays.

later

-sac

In the interests of ensuring chowk posters know what is going on in the world, I have pasted below excerpts from today`s Dawn on-line. This article was obviously written by a journalist from the comfort of his bed where he is recuperating from too much food over Eid:

``Nawaz, Benazir to celebrate Eid in exile...President Rafiq Tarar and Chief Executive Gen Pervez Musharraf will be celebrating Eidul Fitr in Islamabad and Rawalpindi...This would be Mr Sharif`s first Eid in exile while Ms Bhutto has spent many such occasions abroad in the past...Nawaz Sharif and his entire family would be enjoying the Arab hospitality in Saudi Arabia...Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain will be celebrating Eid in London...Jamaat-i-Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad will celebrate Eid at Lahore...Tehrik-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan will celebrate the occasion in Lahore...The Pakistan Muslim League acting president, Javed Hashmi, will be in Multan... former president Farooq Leghari will celebrate his Eid in Dera Ghazi Khan...there are few politicians who will be celebrating this auspicious occasion behind the bars...They include Senator Asif Ali Zardari...former chairman Privatisation Commission Naveed Qamar, former PIA chief Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former chief minister Sindh Ghous Ali Shah, former communications minister Azam Hoti, former chairman of Accountability Bureau Saifur Rehman, former chief minister Punjab Manzoor Wattoo and former chief minister NWFP Mehtab Khan Abbassi. Hasan Nawaz will be celebrating Eid in London, where he is also hosting an Eid Milan party.``

It is truly gratifying that our illustrious leaders and elite are living in comfort, enjoying the hospitality of either our the Pakistan Government or that of friends in other lands. I am sure the children begging on the streets of our run-down cities (both thanks to such illustrious VIPs) will sleep easily on our pot-holed roadsides, knowing that at least their leaders are comfortable.

FerozeK:#428

I follow your posts in earnest.It is quite remarkable of you to be so passionate(I need not remind anyone anything here) and dispassionate at the same time.

I will say it with full force & fury again & again that it is WE,the english-educated,the ba ba blacksheep,former ba ba blacksheep,& wannabe ba ba blacksheep who are a curse upon BOTH India & Pakistan (AND the rest of the exploited world from Indonesia to Africa).

The one worse than a true ba ba blacksheep is the one who just couldn`t make it.This character grew up in a tiny village(maybe dhoke) and was in awe of the jageerdaar(feudal) and always dreamed to be someone like the jageerdars` son(the ones with very funny `red-Indian` last names,the British boot-lickers).If you notice,it is the emergence of this lowly class which never had a cultured upbringing.

These overseers of the field-niggers(AWAAM) are happy,like a pig in a sh/it to be invited to the white-house,allowed to do ``research`` in labs without knowing the intent & purpose,employed in the education-factories/industries--called Universities--and heard to once in a while.

If what I say seems uncomfortable and too garishly

blinding then may I suggest to read(or read AGAIN,now) E.M.Forester who carried this same mirror.He made a lot of us feel better and admire the guy`s keen observatory skills AND never accepted that he was writing about the ones who loved to read/write clerical-english and not about the ones who were free of such shackles.

A movie(on video) I would highly recommend is `Mr.Johnson`.

Please try to see yourselves`as others see you`.

__________________________________________________

Despite my ``sparkling(read:fiery) inter-acts I must it be known here that visiting Chowk is worthwile because of you,PM,Fuzair,urstruly,hamidm,solitude,Zahra,Scout,Sarwari,Shankar,Umairr,rjanjua,gymnosophist,digitand some others I might have left out inadvertantly.

The criterion being people with spark & energy.Not the boring,whining & whirring insipid anaesthecised churning of others` ideas.A mechanical act I must say.

__________________________________________________

On a happier note no matter which route we as muslims take,if the consciousness to get out of the morass has taken root,there is no way but forward.

In the dynamics of the demographics,Europe foddered this progress in the two wars MW-1,and MW-2(I never call them world- or Great- wars,M being monsterous)to the tune of double or triple digit millions.

We always prosper at someone elses misery.(I just coined it).

Hazrat Ali said:If you acquired wealth through exploitation and stealth,then be aware that someone has is hungry in your precinct.

(My apologies if this reference ruined some readers` nushaaA)

__________________________________________________

wassalaam.

Since the issue of Taliban has come up, Ejaz Haider writes in the Friday Times :

``The cruel fact is that after having invested so much in the Taliban, Islamabad has not been able to get the militia to even recognise the Durand Line, a primary determinant of this country`s interest in having a friendly government in Afghanistan.``

If so, which ever way you take it, the Taliban are a threat to the stability of Pakistan, no ?

-Arun Gupta

RE: Ferozk #436

Speaking of the knee jerk reactions to the remote possibilities have you ever thought about the possiblity of invasion by the little green men. The first contingent is already here and they probe people in unsusual places.

Incidently 700k strong army, with nuclear arsenal, sitting just miles away from Islamabad is not even a remote possibility?

Yaar agar Haleem hi pakaani hay to danda to zara achi tarah halaya karo.

Feroz I am not a kid. I know what the symbol ``taliban`` stand for. I also know it readily gives one an acceptancs by some self-proclaimed pompous think-tank if one insults, his country, religion, and moral values. I also know that such person is ``revered`` for his ``boldness``. Thus they give him a position as a ``nalka`` or a ``tooti`` (Faucet)to tap what is in the think- tank. But have you ever noticed that you are not a part of think-tank you are just a conduit. Give me one single example in history when such person is not told that `if you cant stick with your own kind what are the chances that you will stick with us?` in the end.

Feroz please stick with us.

BEHRAM: MORE ON SUICIDES

In the first clipping, a suicide attempt was perhaps symbolic only to protest against the Municipal Corporation of Peshawar. The second story, however, provide some sense of the desperation that individuals often feel. This story is worth reading. Could you suggest a workable solution? Does my simple solution of defense expenditure reduction appeal to you? Or, should we as an experiment lease the country to the military for a period of say 20 years. Isn’t military the only functioning, professional institution?

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad

10 scavengers self-immolation attempt foiled
The Nation, December 3, 2000

PESHAWAR - A timely intervention of the United Municipal Workers Union office-bearers saved the lives of about ten scavengers of Municipal Corporation Peshawar who attempted to self-immolate by sprinkling kerosene oil on their bodies. This gruesome incident could have taken place on Monday afternoon outside the MCP main offices here. However, the union office-bearers intercepted this self-immolation attempt. The scavengers attempted to self-immolate in protest as they were not receiving their salaries on time their colleagues told the Press. The union office-bearers, however, not only saved the lives of scavengers but they also paid salaries to them on the spot from the union fund. Some time ago a group of scavengers had also lodged a protest by lying in front of the official car of Secretary Local Governments Major (Retd) Iftikhar Ali Shah. They were suspended forthwith for this protest besides registration of an FIR against them.

Desperate man`s bid to commit suicide
The Nation, December 3, 2000

MULTAN-The Multan police foiled the attempt of suicide by Sadiq Hussain, an ex-employee, Pakistan Railways, here on Saturday morning in front of the gate of the Lahore High Court, Multan Bench.It may be mentioned here that Sadiq Hussain, an ex-employee of Railways, Multan wanted to commit suicide as a protest against the attitude of Joint Director, Vigilance Cell Railways, who got a quarter vacated forcibly from him in order to get the same allotted to his driver Mohammad Nawaz. Some railway and other officials also misbehaved with Sadiq Hussain, his wife and father-in-law and as a result, his wife who was pregnant had to suffer from abortion. Similarly, the father-in-law of Sadiq Hussain also fell down on the ground and expired.Sadiq further alleged that he was also subjected to torture and victimisation even after the official quarter was got vacated from him. He alleged that he was transferred within 10 days after his vacating the quarter. Sadiq Hussain said that he had lodged complaint with the local police, Army Monitoring Cell and the Chief Executive, General Pervez Musharraf, in writing, but no action was taken on his written complaints. He was disappointed and, as such, he declared that he would commit suicide on Saturday. However, the local police foiled his attempt of suicide and arrested him on the spot.Sadiq, while talking to newsmen at the Police Station said that he could not tolerate his insult and humiliation and added that no official had ever contacted him in connection with any inquiry and Railway Police was victimising him.His service was terminated, his father-in-law died, his quarter was snatched and whosoever gave evidence was removed from the service. Similarly, he said the editor of newspaper was arrested who published a news item about maltreatment meted out to him.He said that he could not find justice from anywhere and as such, he was tired of his life. He further said that the other members of his family would also try to commit suicide on December 8, in case they did not get justice from the concerned quarters.The SHO Cantt Akmal Qureshi, however, assured newsmen that he would register a case on the statement of Sadiq Hussain and his complaint would also be forwarded to the higher authorities for necessary action. But he will also be charged for attempt to suicide.

DEMOCRACY AGAINST HEGEMONY
Samir Amin, a leading pioneer in the field of underdevelopment, writes:

“The struggle for democracy will remain completely ineffective if it is accompanied by submission to American hegemonism. The struggle for democracy is indissociable from the fight against Washington’s hegemony.”

For details, see: http://www.epw.org.in/index2.htm and check the May 8-14, 1999 issue.

Re: Bilal

I will reply to you in detail soon!

Re:Urstruly

I am not afraid of Taliban taking power like you think that I am! :)

You are welcome to disagree with me, but please remember that the Talibanization of Pakistan is an option...no matter how remote and should not be disregarded as a knee jerk reaction! That was all I was suggesting and not seconding their rise to power in Pakistan! :)

Ciao!

SHOULD ISI BE DEPOLITIZED/DISSOLVED?

The following news clipping suggests that the ISI is active once again. Would the CJ take any action? Politician Air Marshall Asghar Khan has on several occasions called for disbanding the ISI. I think Air Marshall Noor Khan is of the same opinion. Why these former military leaders are against the ISI? Can somebody cast some light on the historical role of the ISI in Pakistani politics?

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad


PPP asks CJ to take notice of interference by Intelligence in politics
News Network International; December 18, 2000

ISLAMABAD (NNI): Former Chief Minister Sindh and PPP leader Syed Qaim Ali Shah has asked the Chief Justice Irshad Hasan Khan to take notice and action on the report of the Intelligence involvement in destabilizing the democratic process.

This demand was made in a letter by Qaim Ali Shah dated 15.12.2000 to Chief Justice Irshad Hasan Khan. Referring to the report in a section of the press on 13.12.2000 which says that ``senior military commanders sealed the government`s deal with the Sharif family`` to give ``birth of a Nawaz Sharif free Pakistan Muslim League. Qaim Ali Shah wrote that this means that the intelligence is seeking to create a political party and for this purpose the newspaper wrote, ``the military security agencies provided all sorts of support to anti-Nawaz Muslim League.

The report further says ``that intelligence promoted politicians had confessed the plans of the intelligence`` and ``anti-Nawaz Leaguers hardly conceal their contacts with the senior military security personnel and graphic accounts of their meetings with the major generals and brigadiers serving the directorates general of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence (MI) are available even with the lower level supporters of these groups.``

The report claims ``government quarters are bending over backwards to assist anti-Nawaz leaguers in their affairs ranging from personal business problems to political hardships``. The report further says that a Banker (Mian Saeed) of National Development Finance Corporation (NDFC) was pressured to commit wrong acts to oblige dissident Shujaat. It says a cabinet minister pressured him to oblige the dissident which led to heated arguments and the bankers dismissal and for this ````a top bureaucrat who reports to the Chief Executive`` called the same banker to oblige the dissident.

Former Chief Minister Sindh wrote to the Chief Justice that according to the report ``evidence exists to show that accountability chairman was under orders ``to soft-peddle the NAB`s inquiries`` about dissidents suspected of corruption`` and ``accountability inquiries against another dissident MNA Humayun Akhtar Khan were also stopped``. Another dissident ``commercial roots in the PTV was not probed despite documentary evidence that showed how he minted millions from the PTV both here and abroad``.

Qaim Ali Shah referred to the report saying ``recent developments related to the status of agricultural land that belonged to Syeda Abida Hussain`` and ``several PML members of the same group who could have been the target of NAB probes escaped such a scrutiny after they joined the anti-Nawaz PML faction``.

Qaim Ali Shah wrote that military take over was justified as a crusade against corruption whereas the report claims that the cabinet ministers and government officials are colluding in and promoting corruption. This is contrary to the objective set by this government for a corruption free Pakistan, Qaim Ali Shah wrote.

RE: Ferozk # 428

The last time I checked the greatest supporter of Taliban in Pakistan, who now challenges USA for its Neo-colonial agenda i.e. one Moulana Fazl-ur-Rehman was mercilessly defeated by our boxum belle, `sipin satargay` (blue eyed)Ms. Mussarat Shaheen, in his own traditional constituency.

By the way Ms. Shaheen has also defeated our would-be and wannabe Ataturk one Mr. Imran Khan, incidently at the constituency of his birth place.

I think it is time that people must stop peeing in their pants with the Ameriacn induced fear of Taliban marching into Islamabad. Please keep your focus on the fact that Russians have mercilessly destroyed a whole civilization and the alleged champions of humanity i.e. West and USA are shirking on their responsibility for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Mr. Feroz and people of his ilk must keep in mind that they may be able to sell their thesis to those who have never been to Pakitan and ex-commies who are now turned liberals but it is very hard to sell it to Pakistanis who still see Afghan camps in their neighborhoods.

In response to Ferozk (Reply # 428) Part III
Dear Feroz:

I must apologize for not following through your last post concerning the Pakistani bureaucracy. Historically, the political regimes in Pakistan were constituted to satisfy the interests of the core/heartland of Pakistan (which consists of the Punjab and the Center). The political-economic system in Pakistan is geared to satisfy the core/heartland first, it then seeks to coopt various interests from the peripheral part of Pakistan. This practice of power sharing and the allocation of resources/wealth has produced an uneven geography of development in various parts of Pakistan. In my view, it is this practice which is one of the main sources of tension between the Punjab/Center and the smaller provinces.

The primary interest of the military is to safeguard her interests (budget-militarism). Any regime which willingly takes care of this part earns the allegiance of the military. The (enhanced) reproduction of the military works mainly in the interest of some select parts of the Punjab and the NWFP (and to some extent Baluchistan and urban Sindh). The bureaucracy is much more representative (though still unequally) of the various parts of.

After the death of Liaquat Ali Khan, the bureaucracy initially gained considerable power. A somewhat strong alliance of the military and bureaucracy developed soon after (thanks to the newly developed alliance with the US: the US needed territorial space to build her military bases as well as military manpower to protect her oil interests in the Middle East). Between 1955-1971, power remained concentrated in the hands of a military-bureaucracy alliance (industrial bourgeoisie gained some political influence, despite the rhetoric of 22 families). With Bhutto in power, the equation changed somewhat. He reinforced the power of the rural bourgeoisie (while crushing the industrial bourgeoisie through his nationalization policies). Both Ayub and Bhutto were charismatic leaders. They tried to harness the bureaucracy, though they both knew well that they needed its support and cooperation.

Feroz, the bureaucracy is indeed the backbone of the system of governance. Bureaucrats have indeed played important roles in the making and breaking of various, particularly the civilian/elected, regimes. In a nutshell, Pakistani bureaucracy is a powerful and coherently organized institution – thus having a logic of her own.

We have currently entered in a new phase of Pakistan’s political history. When it comes to crucifying us or them, it is of course them not us. This is what the Musharraf regime has been trying to do since October 1999. In the devolution plan, for example, there is no role for the Commissioners (Grade 20 officers) and the Deputy Commissioners (Grade 19 officers). But, the District Coordination Officers (previously the DCs) will now enjoy Grade 20 status. But, DMG officers (Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners) will have to virtually compete for placement with other people (a good number of them, I suspect, will be retired military officers; thus displacing some DMG officers).

Feroz, I have not been following the bureaucracy aspect of Pakistani polity. This is one of the reasons that I failed to answer your previous post. I would like to hear your opinions about the present and the expected state of the bureaucracy.

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad

Fairdinkum #402

If your father and mother are satisfied with what they have done. it is their best reward.

First to tell you that I have come into interaction with many Sindi friends and I have been very comfortable with them on human level. Political bias is created and we all are subject to it. But personal bias is an individual trait more prominent in looters of Pakistan. (a few section of Punjabi and majority of Mohajir).

While in Pakistan, I was earning mere 2,500/= rupees and was very happy as I was single. My cousin would ask me jokingly (and he made a lot of 2 number money) ``How much you earn?`` and would laugh. I would laugh with him.

Although I am doing much better now compared to my crooked friends at that time (who were making much more money), but the satisfaction of conscience and sense of liberty was more than to overcome the envy of others.

In a power vaccum without any leadership, with Islamic Danda deep in the back of Pakistani nation, it is enough that we are surviving.