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General
Musharraf Should Resign In The Interest of Pakistan
Constant military involvement in the
political affairs of the country is eventually taking its toll
on the political culture of Pakistan.
Due to frustration caused by general
Musharraf’s illegal, unethical, unconventional methods to
maintain hold on state power, many political and apolitical
groups are looking into unconstitutional means to over throw him
through any possible means.
Although Pakistan is a little better than
many countries which have seen lot of bloodshed during the
course of political changes, but Pakistan did have its due
share. First Prime Minister, Mr. Liaqat Ali Khan was murdered in
office. Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was removed from
office unceremoniously and hanged through fake judicial process
by the armed forces of Pakistan. General Zia was murdered and
cut into one thousand and one pieces as President of Pakistan.
Now, general Musharraf is in power for the
last 7 years. He does not hide his intentions to continue as
President indefinitely or as long as circumstances permit him.
It is a sick behavior.
This behavior leads country into unfortunate
situations where either heads of states or removed from office
through unceremonious ways or through violent means.
There is general discontent in the country
about general Musharraf’s presidency. Several wise men have
written him letters requesting him to resign as army chief and
hold free, fair and fresh elections in the country and transfer
power to elected representatives.
Several attempts have been made on his life,
mostly by men in uniform. As recently as last month, rockets
were found close to his residence. The people arrested for
planting those rockets included men in uniform. Although
interior minister denied disclosing the detainees’ official
positions, but it was learned through private sources that 3 out
8 detainees were military personnel. One of them was a son of a
retired brigadier.
General Musharraf takes these things as a
routine matter and considers such events as part of power game,
but from national point of view, these are disturbing
developments which are direct result of general Musharraf’s
adamant behavior and intentions to cling to power indefinitely.
It will not serve Pakistan’s interests well
if general Musharraf is removed from office through violent
means in which he is also murdered.
Pakistan needs to abide by clear-cut
constitutional means and methods of transfer of power.
General Musharraf can establish this
tradition by declaring his intentions in categorical terms to
hold free, fair and fresh elections and to transfer power to
elected representatives of people of Pakistan.
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