Shaheryar Azhar, moderator, The Forum
What began for this country on October 12, 1999 as a dark night came to a dignified and long-awaited end today. I am proud to have opposed General Musharraf’s coup from the very beginning. Nothing is more important than a secular, liberal democracy for the very existence and long-term progress of Pakistan. A corrupt politician who is democratically elected is always preferable than a so-called honest, well-meaning general (though no such species exists). Even when a democracy goes through its own dark night, there is always hope for accountability around the corner. But dictatorships, even before they start to visibly go wrong, sap the very foundation, dignity, unity, integrity and spirit of a nation. And these dictatorships are incredibly difficult to get rid of…usually leaving a long trail of destruction in their wake. We are lucky (doubly lucky because Pakistan is a Muslim country) to have today a democratically elected government (though democracy itself will take decades to be strengthened at the roots and perfected), a free press, a vibrant civil society and soon-to-be a free judiciary. We have every reason to be optimistic at this time. We have every reason to also pray for wisdom for our current leaders. We have every reason to remain involved with our money, time and talents to guide our leadership to the best of our ability. Here is what needs to be done immediately:
1. Provide safety to President Musharraf and leave his accountability to history even though he is leaving a country with massive structural problems, which are threatening the very integrity of the country and unity of Pakistan’s armed forces. This act of wisdom is necessary for the stability of the country and for moving forward.
2. Elect an educated, non-controversial person of eminence as the President of Pakistan (this moderator thinks such a person should additionally be from Baluchistan).
3. Maintain the Grand Coalition for, at least, the next 12 months to implement the key provisions of Charter of Democracy, including a constitutional package to limit the power of the President and provide iron-clad guarantees for a free judiciary and an independent election commission.
4. Restore the Judges within a 30-day period.
5. Continue to boldly take emergency policy measures to provide macro-economic stability, including relief to the poorest section of the population.
6. Implement key economic reforms to accelerate growth and attract new capital (domestic and foreign) in industry and agriculture: strengthen textile industry (almost 38% of GDP), invest in the power sector and begin the consolidation, corporatization and modernization of agriculture.
7. Fight the war on terrorism with all the resources of the state – military, political and economic and in the process clearly lay out long-tern Geo-political interests of Pakistan without embarrassment or a second thought. Pakistan should remain ready to make long-term peace with India and the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan if they practically take key policy actions to reciprocate. If not, Pakistan should stick to its guns and keep its powder dry.
8. Cement and clinch a national consensus on constitutional democracy.
Heartiest congratulations to all fellow Pakistani fighters for democracy and the rule of law. The fight continues unimpeded!
1 Comment
August 19, 2008 at 5:57 am
Well i agree with you sir that this is the victorious moment for the democratic forces of Pakistan,but meanwhile i felt deep sorrow that we lost the greatets leaser,Benazir Bhutto in all this worst game and now i believe that all those forces like Ch-Jus Ch-Iftikhar,MMA,PML Q etc etc whom were the part and the parcel of Gen.Musharraf being alloted a clean chit.
This is a mess i believe and now we must speak/write on this issue too that all rotten eggsCh-Jus Ch-Iftikhar,MMA,PML Q etc etc should also be questioned in the wirness box of the masses.
But Thanks to the Right wing emdia that now again they will start bunking against Zardari&PPP,but they would’nt say a single word against these mentioned Facists!