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Musharraf's Presence May
Facilitate Extremists' Takeover of Pakistan
We hear this argument time and again
that extremists can take over Pakistan if general Musharraf is removed from
the scene. The argument is further extended that extremists can get hold of
nuclear arsenals if they take over the country.
Why this argument is presented time and again? The people
who present this argument where they want to lead the minds of those who
hear this argument.
There is a catch in this argument.
The only purpose of this argument is to strengthen
support for general Musharraf. Those who present this argument, in a way
they say, let general Musharraf rule the country other wise extremists will
take over Pakistan.
Within Pakistan, not only liberals buy this argument they
also try to convince others to stick with general Musharraf otherwise
extremists are on the way in. Same argument is repeated by the supporters of
general Musharraf in Europe and United States. Some even arrogantly propose
that in the country of one hundred and fifty million extremists general
Musharraf is the moderate and liberal person.
First, general Musharraf himself has said many times that
majority of Pakistanis are liberal. If general’s argument is true and
majority of Pakistanis are liberal where are and who are those extremists
who want to take over Pakistan?
Second, who are those right wingers who are in bed with
general Musharraf from the day he illegally took over the country? They
supported general Musharraf when he took over the country. They also
supported him to incorporate 17th amendment in the constitution,
they smoothed out the political bumps and helped the general to become
president, they were with him yesterday, and they are going to be with him
tomorrow, why are they being used as scare crow to keep the people of
Pakistan deprived of their fundamental right to elect their rulers?
The fact of the matter is the possibility of extremists
taking over Pakistan is zero. Only general Musharraf’s constant presence on
the political scene is extending lease on extremists’ life in Pakistani
politics.
General Musharraf has constantly blocked the role of
mainstream political parties in the country. He has illegally denied Benazir
Bhutto and Mian Nawaz Sharif (liberal, moderate and popular leaders) their
legitimate role in Pakistani politics. These so called extremists hardly won
their own parliamentary seats when Benazir and Mian Nawaz Sharif
participated in national elections.
Pakistani liberals and western supporters of general
Musharraf should not hinge the future of Pakistan on one person. General
Musharraf is a fake hinge. Extremists never mattered in Pakistani politics
and they never will.
General Musharraf, due to his dictatorial behavior, is
making matters worse for Pakistan. A democratic Pakistan will be better of
without general Musharraf. Do not strengthen a dictator. Instead, strengthen
democracy and democratic forces, only they can keep Pakistan safe from all
genre of extremists.
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