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Pakistani Nation's Dilemma
Pakistanis have been longing for democracy
since the inception of Pakistan, but they could not surmount the
one after other appearing hindrances in the path of
establishment of democracy.
On the top, the circumstances in and around
Pakistan always remained supportive of illegitimate governments.
The people of Pakistan carried out a
pro-democracy movement in the last days of general Ayub Khan.
General Yahya Khan took advantage of the situation and took over
the country. Then circumstances started to deteriorate in the
country which concluded on 1971 war and dismemberment of
Pakistan.
During Zia’s period, Pakistanis gave every
possible sacrifice for restoration of democracy, but Afghan war
and regional circumstances lingered Zia regime for eleven and
half years.
For 10 years, two civilian governments tried
hard to move the country forward on democratic path, but behind
the scene ISI hands continued to destabilize the governments.
Meanwhile, general Musharraf connived with
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to oust the then military Chief
Jehangir Karamat, staged Kargil conflict, sent Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif to Washington to manage pullout from Kargil, and
then eventually took over Pakistan.
Since Musharraf’s take over, Pakistani nation
has been trapped in square twenty-two. The people are struggling
for restoration of democracy, but riding on the tide of
circumstances, general Musharraf is successfully failing the
nation’s efforts to establish democracy.
Current circumstances are a double jeopardy
for the people of Pakistan. They are damned if they struggle for
democracy, because general Musharraf ties up their struggle with
terrorism; and they are damned if they accept an illegitimate
ruler, because they have to wait for restoration of democracy
until west’s war against terrorism is done.
General Musharraf knows Pakistani nation’s
dilemma and he is fully exploiting this situation. He wants to
maintain his illegitimate control over the state of Pakistan,
because he knows he can malign anyone for speaking out for
democracy.
Western powers are also ignoring Pakistani
nation’s struggle for democracy. They are backing general
Musharraf vis-à-vis the people of Pakistan. Consequently, the
people of Pakistan have started hating United States, because
they believe United States supports illegitimate Pakistani
rulers.
United States need to understand the
difficulties of the people of Pakistan and pull its support for
general Musharraf.
General Musharraf is an individual, who may
not be there tomorrow on the scene, but the people of Pakistan
are always going to be there. Therefore, United States should
know that general Musharraf is part of the problem he is not
part of the solution.
Nations need to tie-up their interests with
other nations not with individuals. Sooner the US administration
adheres to this fundamental principle the better relations US
will enjoy with Pakistani nation.
The people of Pakistan have every right to
have unfettered democracy in their country. Why not help them to
establish democracy in their country. A democratic Pakistan will
have better prospects to survive as a peaceful country and play
a positive role among the comity of nations.
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