Emergency saves democracy
In one of my articles I had given the figure that it would take Pakistan 500 years to become a democracy, a democracy not polluted by adjectives but pure and simple democracy. However, as a result of the proclamation of ’emergency plus’, meaning emergency-martial law, I have revised my estimate. Now I can safely presume that it will take Pakistan only 450 years to become a democracy. Why?
We did not know that some very strong anti-democracy elements in society were succeeding in steering our drive to democracy towards instability and mayhem. We only came to know of the dangerous situation after the proclamation of emergency. It has transpired that these elements infiltrated into the superior courts, the legal profession and the media, both electronic and print, with the sole purpose of creating hurdles in our quest for democracy. These forces were using subtle methods to impede the Musharraf government that was most seriously engaged in the noble mission of the development of democracy in Pakistan.
Since the imposition of emergency plus martial law, over 3,000 terrorists camouflaging as lawyers, political or civil rights activists have been arrested and booked under anti-terrorism law. Asma Jahangir, the most-feared she-terrorist on this side of the Indus, has been confined to her house because the prisons were already overcrowded. Whereabouts of Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan are unknown. He is being kept incommunicado in solitary confinement. He was the main stumbling block between the people and their aspirations for democracy. He had the temerity to defend Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry. Ahsan using all his guile led the full court to believe that Justice Chaudhry was illegally sacked. With Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan out of the way, Pakistan’s journey to democracy would soon resume and pick up speed. Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry is the only chief justice in the world who has been sacked twice. Pakistan feels proud of this unbeatable and enviable record.
Twenty-four American senators, that is one-quarter strength of the US Senate, have called upon General Musharraf to immediately release Aitzaz Ahsan. These senators are ignorant of the fact that democracy is at stake. If Ahsan was freed, Pakistan’s march to democracy would be impeded. One of Ahsan’s colleagues, an MNA, has demanded that Ahsan should be whipped to bring him to his senses. This is the sanest demand one has ever heard in support of democracy.
The nation would never have known that the Supreme Court was giving protection to terrorists thus frustrating the efforts of the government in its fight against terrorism. In proof was cited the release of 61 terrorists on Supreme Court orders. These so-called terrorists were taken into custody during the Lal Masjid operation. It has now transpired that the two judges who had released these ‘terrorists’ have taken oath under the PCO (Provisional Constitutional Order) and are sitting pretty in the reconstructed Supreme Court. Is it a punishment or reward? This has yet to be determined.
The government had wasted valuable time and resources and suffered heavy casualties in its search for terrorists in Waziristan, while all the time they were active in Lahore and Islamabad pursuing their nefarious designs. The Punjab police, as has been its tradition, have literally broken the back of terrorists. They were administered such a severe thrashing that they will think twice before indulging in anti-democracy activities again. Punjab has raised new police contingents to sustain democracy in Pakistan. These contingents specialise in thrashing the ‘terrorists’ to pulp. Before doing that, they take away valuables like money, watches and mobiles from terrorists.
President General Musharraf rightly claims that he was the architect of the media freedom. It is true that he had allowed independent TV channels despite severe reservations of the bureaucracy and government leaders. Since March this year it’s been dawning on General Musharraf that private TV channels have gone astray. It was found glamorising anti-government protests, suicide bombers and extremism — traits that are anathema to democracy. Therefore, to save democracy General Musharraf has moved decisively. He has killed the private TV channels so the democracy could live. Bravo.
Ours is unique media freedom unfound anywhere in the world. It is a switch-button freedom. Switch on the button, and the media freedom will take the stage. Bored with it, switch off the button and you have darkness all around. Private TV channels with Geo in the lead had raised the Pakistan image globally. They brought Pakistanis scattered all over the world closer to each other and they felt closer to home. Geo was competing successfully with the global giants for the rights of broadcasting sports events, especially cricket. Its and other channels’ entertainment programmes provided relaxation for millions of people. Their political talk shows participated by makers of public opinion of every hue and colour made the people more educated, more informed, more responsible and more tolerant. The president should not act on such advice as rendered by the same MNA. She has demanded that the media should be squeezed financially by denying ads to it. She is certain that financial squeeze will make the media bow to government’s wishes.
In a way killing independent TV channels will broaden the vision of pro-democracy elements. Its absence provides an opportunity to watch Indian TV channels which had almost become extinct since the success of our independent TV channels. Indian TV channels offer a lot to satisfy the Pakistani viewers aesthetically. They are now free to watch half-naked dancers presenting their art without any cultural inhibitions. By watching Indian films our youth of both sexes could learn the mysteries of love and how to apply its principles in a lacklustre Pakistan.
Tailpiece: PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto, the boldest and the greatest democratic force in the country, has been placed under house arrest. It has been done to prevent her from staging a rally in Rawalpindi. She has termed the announcement of holding election before Feb 15 ‘vague’. She wants a firm date and elections schedule. She is demanding the immediate withdrawal of the state of emergency-martial law, the restoration of the constitution, the release of all detainees, the repeal of Article 58(2)(b) and the ban on becoming prime minister for the third time.
Source: the news
Date:11/10/2007
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