An Unexpected Birthday Gift
Feroz R Khan March 19, 2007
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#57 Posted by bjkumar on March 23, 2007 5:00:03 am
#46 Harish
It IS rather funny how some people can actually put their necks on line - taking punishment from the khakis and their goons...
...while others head straight for .... wherever the limelight maybe!
With such dedicated ``saviors`` around, that country ought to have it all made!
If only...wishes were flying horses and not defecating donkeys!
#56 Posted by harish_hyd on March 23, 2007 4:41:36 am
#55 by bjkumar
Feel free to go bust your own head on the policewalla`s lathi instead of merely cheerleading others!
Yasser`s chances of going to jail are about as high as the chances of discovering that Jinnah spent some time in jail.
Feel free to go bust your own head on the policewalla`s lathi instead of merely cheerleading others!
Yasser`s chances of going to jail are about as high as the chances of discovering that Jinnah spent some time in jail.
#55 Posted by bjkumar on March 22, 2007 12:31:31 pm
#48 Mantolives (add-on)
Before I forget...
Feel free to go bust your own head on the policewalla`s lathi instead of merely cheerleading others!
#54 Posted by bjkumar on March 22, 2007 12:05:57 pm
#48 by Mantolives
Ama Yasser, looks like that BBC spotlight proved too much for you and went straight to your head and it dazzled your eyes! And now that it has moved on – leaving you in pitch darkness again, you are getting miffed! So you bring in the names of third parties having nothing to do with this bored! (BTW: we won’t even mention Wikipedia’s well-substantiated charges of vandalism – for which a certain no-good lawyer-type was taken to task by those people!)
And talking of BBC, what stopped you from speaking out aloud on BBC – when the moment was just in your favor, when the whole world was listening, when you had the mike – what stopped you from saying:
“Hey BBC waalon, listen to me…
That Mahatma was no good! Listen to me – me the momentous Manto! Mahatma baad, Jinnah goooood!
These lawyers in the streets – they are following that path of the Jinnah….not the Mahatma!
Those people getting beaten up with lathis… hey, they are doing exactly what the Jinnah did….not what the Mahatma did!
Those ladies in black coats, yup, the ones being manhandled – and being dragged off to jail-carts, yeah- they are doing exactly what Jinnah did – on a day in and day out basis – like all those days Jinnah spent in the jail – oops, scratch that!”
Yasser, my dear, you missed out big time, because you chickened out big time, so now you are MIFFED big time!
Anyway, based on your #31, I stand by what I said earlier and reiterate it – this time in bold letters so even YOU can understand it.
#31 Manto Lives
Yasser, my dear, there is nothing wrong with your sense of humor!
#53 Posted by ferozk on March 22, 2007 10:51:51 am
Re: # 47
Makes no difference to me as long as the nation accepts the consequences for its actions and stops blaming the CIA-RAW-Zionist conspiracy for its problems.
Now whether, Benazir Bhutto or Nawaz Sharif also agree that institutions are more important than personalities is another matter. If the nation is willing to take the chance, I have no objections since I believe that democracy is the right to make the wrong choice and then, to have the opportunity to correct it.
However, the question still remains whether the choice will be allowed or will the choice mean that the army will once more step in and correct the mistake only to compound the mistake?
Ciao
Makes no difference to me as long as the nation accepts the consequences for its actions and stops blaming the CIA-RAW-Zionist conspiracy for its problems.
Now whether, Benazir Bhutto or Nawaz Sharif also agree that institutions are more important than personalities is another matter. If the nation is willing to take the chance, I have no objections since I believe that democracy is the right to make the wrong choice and then, to have the opportunity to correct it.
However, the question still remains whether the choice will be allowed or will the choice mean that the army will once more step in and correct the mistake only to compound the mistake?
Ciao
#52 Posted by bulleya on March 22, 2007 7:43:26 am
Dost-Mittar #49: ``I also believe that he should be allowed to stay on for another 2-3 years so that he can navigate Pakistan through the really murky waters that lie ahead.``
When deciding between and/or amongst people, issues and ideas etc., the main criteria should always be: what are the alternatives.......If I can make 15% on a stock in one year, it would seem like a great deal.......However, if the alternative is a 25% gain, then it is actually a bad deal.......The opportunity cost is quite high on 15% in this case.......
Every idea, person, issue has a lifespan.....Ideas can be re-interpreted......However, individuals cannot......Similarly, as time passes, certain ideas and individuals age well with time......Others start decaying.......
Everyone in Pakistan fully supported Musharraf`s coup (including me).....After that they supported him for three years (including me).......Then the referendum occured, and people started noticing the decay (including me)......They still stuck with him, because the alternatives (BB and NS) were worse, and because the economy was improving.......
However, Musharraf has made one critical mistake in his analysis........He has assumed that people supported the coup, because they liked him.......When, in fact, people supported the coup, because they hated NS.......Even if a monkey had kicked out NS, they would have supported the monkey (I would have also)......
From that point onwards, I am afraid Musharraf has not been able to evolve........Much of it is due to his army upbringing......By the time a person becomes a general in the Pakistan army, he is convinced he is the cream of the crop........Not only the Army crop, but the national crop........This is still evident in Musharraf`s comments, when, again and again, he goes back to Army terminologies........I topped my courses in the military, and as a Lieutenant, I, not only thought I was the brightest guy in the military, I thought I was the brightest guy in all of Pakistan......More due to my lack of exposure than anything else.....Musharraf still thinks that and this is his biggest achilles heel......
After meeting a lot of Generals in various branches in the Pakistan military, I am convinced that none of them can evolve, at a core level, beyond their military training......If Musharraf cannot do it, then I doubt others can, because Musharraf, as a person, has a family background, which gave him more exposure than most military officers.......
Pakistan is, now, once again in a situation, where everything is being done for one person, where the liabilities outweight the benefits........The public did not react, on the calls of the politicians against this, because they calculated that the politicians were equally bad and would do the same thing........However, they have reacted when the CJ and judiciary are involved.......They have, now, seen an alternative which is better than Musharraf.........In this case, it is a 180 degree turnaround......It is not, as such, a hatred of Musharraf, as much as an appearance of a better alternative, i.e. an independent judiciary..........
Some people will always remain addicted to Musharraf because their vision of progress is limited to saris and fashion models and secularism.........Much like some people will remain addicted to MMA because their vision of progress will always be limited to hijabs and beards and religious politics........However, these items are superficial.......Real progress is something else.......
Real progress is an independent media and an independent judiciary........This is the next step in the evolution of Pakistan........Which is now occuring.......And people have responded.......Had Musharraf jailed BB again, I doubt the lawyers or too many others would be in the streets........The CJ is a different story......
This CJ is going to be around till 2014 or so......Assuming he gets acquitted.......The future of the country will thus be in his hands........If he takes on everyone like he has taken on Musharraf, then it doesn`t matter if Pakistan gets BB or NS or anyone else........The judiciary will keep them in check........However, if he starts thinking that he is a hero and not just the, ``better alternative,`` then Pakistan will be back to square one.........
I had always stated that Musharraf should have cleaned house and left after three years......He would have been hailed as a hero in Pakistan.....I knew if he did not leave, he would go down in disgrace........And he is well on his way for that........Even now, the average guy doesn`t, ``hate`` him, like many hated Zia (or BB or NS)..........But another year or so, and he will reach that stage........
So he needs to plan a graceful exit........He should give up his uniform........Finish off his term.........And then move on.........He may want to move to Boston, because there are a lot of Al-Qaeda who are after him......And after what he has done to various politicians (threatening and jailing them etc.), there will be some politicians after his head also........He needs to get ahead of the situation........He has lost this battle, and based on this cannot win any more (even if he allows every girl in Pakistan to wear a bikini or changes his name to Mustapha Kamal Musharraf).......
As they say, one should always leave, when others are asking, ``Why did he leave?`` Not when others are saying, ``Why doesn`t he leave?``..........
Pakistan`s biggest need is not for the right person to get into power........It`s biggest need is for someone to leave power gracefully and voluntarily, thereby setting an example.......Musharraf has lost the opportunity of a graceful exit....He still has about six months to a year for a voluntary one.......
When deciding between and/or amongst people, issues and ideas etc., the main criteria should always be: what are the alternatives.......If I can make 15% on a stock in one year, it would seem like a great deal.......However, if the alternative is a 25% gain, then it is actually a bad deal.......The opportunity cost is quite high on 15% in this case.......
Every idea, person, issue has a lifespan.....Ideas can be re-interpreted......However, individuals cannot......Similarly, as time passes, certain ideas and individuals age well with time......Others start decaying.......
Everyone in Pakistan fully supported Musharraf`s coup (including me).....After that they supported him for three years (including me).......Then the referendum occured, and people started noticing the decay (including me)......They still stuck with him, because the alternatives (BB and NS) were worse, and because the economy was improving.......
However, Musharraf has made one critical mistake in his analysis........He has assumed that people supported the coup, because they liked him.......When, in fact, people supported the coup, because they hated NS.......Even if a monkey had kicked out NS, they would have supported the monkey (I would have also)......
From that point onwards, I am afraid Musharraf has not been able to evolve........Much of it is due to his army upbringing......By the time a person becomes a general in the Pakistan army, he is convinced he is the cream of the crop........Not only the Army crop, but the national crop........This is still evident in Musharraf`s comments, when, again and again, he goes back to Army terminologies........I topped my courses in the military, and as a Lieutenant, I, not only thought I was the brightest guy in the military, I thought I was the brightest guy in all of Pakistan......More due to my lack of exposure than anything else.....Musharraf still thinks that and this is his biggest achilles heel......
After meeting a lot of Generals in various branches in the Pakistan military, I am convinced that none of them can evolve, at a core level, beyond their military training......If Musharraf cannot do it, then I doubt others can, because Musharraf, as a person, has a family background, which gave him more exposure than most military officers.......
Pakistan is, now, once again in a situation, where everything is being done for one person, where the liabilities outweight the benefits........The public did not react, on the calls of the politicians against this, because they calculated that the politicians were equally bad and would do the same thing........However, they have reacted when the CJ and judiciary are involved.......They have, now, seen an alternative which is better than Musharraf.........In this case, it is a 180 degree turnaround......It is not, as such, a hatred of Musharraf, as much as an appearance of a better alternative, i.e. an independent judiciary..........
Some people will always remain addicted to Musharraf because their vision of progress is limited to saris and fashion models and secularism.........Much like some people will remain addicted to MMA because their vision of progress will always be limited to hijabs and beards and religious politics........However, these items are superficial.......Real progress is something else.......
Real progress is an independent media and an independent judiciary........This is the next step in the evolution of Pakistan........Which is now occuring.......And people have responded.......Had Musharraf jailed BB again, I doubt the lawyers or too many others would be in the streets........The CJ is a different story......
This CJ is going to be around till 2014 or so......Assuming he gets acquitted.......The future of the country will thus be in his hands........If he takes on everyone like he has taken on Musharraf, then it doesn`t matter if Pakistan gets BB or NS or anyone else........The judiciary will keep them in check........However, if he starts thinking that he is a hero and not just the, ``better alternative,`` then Pakistan will be back to square one.........
I had always stated that Musharraf should have cleaned house and left after three years......He would have been hailed as a hero in Pakistan.....I knew if he did not leave, he would go down in disgrace........And he is well on his way for that........Even now, the average guy doesn`t, ``hate`` him, like many hated Zia (or BB or NS)..........But another year or so, and he will reach that stage........
So he needs to plan a graceful exit........He should give up his uniform........Finish off his term.........And then move on.........He may want to move to Boston, because there are a lot of Al-Qaeda who are after him......And after what he has done to various politicians (threatening and jailing them etc.), there will be some politicians after his head also........He needs to get ahead of the situation........He has lost this battle, and based on this cannot win any more (even if he allows every girl in Pakistan to wear a bikini or changes his name to Mustapha Kamal Musharraf).......
As they say, one should always leave, when others are asking, ``Why did he leave?`` Not when others are saying, ``Why doesn`t he leave?``..........
Pakistan`s biggest need is not for the right person to get into power........It`s biggest need is for someone to leave power gracefully and voluntarily, thereby setting an example.......Musharraf has lost the opportunity of a graceful exit....He still has about six months to a year for a voluntary one.......
#51 Posted by majumdar on March 22, 2007 5:27:07 am
DM sahib,
(I do not believe in democracy as a virtue in itself but try to judge its effectiveness as a form of governance; it`s good if it delivers on that front and not so good if it does not deliver. )
That is a fair point. Democracies don’t always deliver or deliver enuff, India is a good example in point where 50 + years of democracy hasn’t solved substantial social or economic problems. But the alternative model often proposed- an authoritarian regime (military or otherwise) bringing about substantial economic growth and then an energised middle class forcing a change into democratic system- has not worked smoothly either. For every successful example- Chile, S Korea- you would have less successful examples like Phillipines, Pakistan.
( it seems to me that Pakistan has done better for itself during military rules than during rules by populous leaders.)
In economic terms, yes. But Pakistan has also entered into and lost two disastrous wars and had itself cut into two during military rule. Besides, while military regimes- Ayub, Zia, Mush have brought in substantially better economic growth it is by no means certain that it was entirely because of the regimes own efforts or because of fortuitious circumstances. The regimes of all three rulers have coincided with periods of rapid growth internationally too. Zia benefited from Cold War and jehad (although it was to have substantial negative effects which was not clear then) and Mush benefited from 9/11 (Western assitance, Arab money searching safe havens.
(But Musharraf is, after all, a dictator and his first job is to keep himself in power)
Precisely. And in the process may end up doing long-term damages. And the problem with dictatorships are that what happens if he is removed. The whole system may collapse.
(I also believe that he should be allowed to stay on for another 2-3 years so that he can navigate Pakistan through the really murky waters that lie ahead. )
Pakistan would face murky waters for years, maybe decades. Partly because of its own misdeeds, partly for no faults of its own. With the result, that that day when Mush can leave his uniform may never come.
(Pakistani civil society is very fickle.)
So are most others. At least for once it should be given an extended chance.
Regards
(I do not believe in democracy as a virtue in itself but try to judge its effectiveness as a form of governance; it`s good if it delivers on that front and not so good if it does not deliver. )
That is a fair point. Democracies don’t always deliver or deliver enuff, India is a good example in point where 50 + years of democracy hasn’t solved substantial social or economic problems. But the alternative model often proposed- an authoritarian regime (military or otherwise) bringing about substantial economic growth and then an energised middle class forcing a change into democratic system- has not worked smoothly either. For every successful example- Chile, S Korea- you would have less successful examples like Phillipines, Pakistan.
( it seems to me that Pakistan has done better for itself during military rules than during rules by populous leaders.)
In economic terms, yes. But Pakistan has also entered into and lost two disastrous wars and had itself cut into two during military rule. Besides, while military regimes- Ayub, Zia, Mush have brought in substantially better economic growth it is by no means certain that it was entirely because of the regimes own efforts or because of fortuitious circumstances. The regimes of all three rulers have coincided with periods of rapid growth internationally too. Zia benefited from Cold War and jehad (although it was to have substantial negative effects which was not clear then) and Mush benefited from 9/11 (Western assitance, Arab money searching safe havens.
(But Musharraf is, after all, a dictator and his first job is to keep himself in power)
Precisely. And in the process may end up doing long-term damages. And the problem with dictatorships are that what happens if he is removed. The whole system may collapse.
(I also believe that he should be allowed to stay on for another 2-3 years so that he can navigate Pakistan through the really murky waters that lie ahead. )
Pakistan would face murky waters for years, maybe decades. Partly because of its own misdeeds, partly for no faults of its own. With the result, that that day when Mush can leave his uniform may never come.
(Pakistani civil society is very fickle.)
So are most others. At least for once it should be given an extended chance.
Regards
#50 Posted by MantoLives on March 22, 2007 5:22:03 am
Dost mittar...
The lawyers` movement is not to remove Musharraf but to secure the independence of judiciary... which has been achieved... it can actually be a transition which might ultimately protect Musharraf`s reforms...
Some political rabble rousers... the MMA and the like... have tried to use this momentum ... but lawyers have stood aloof... despite all encouragement and remained clear about the objective.
The lawyers` movement is not to remove Musharraf but to secure the independence of judiciary... which has been achieved... it can actually be a transition which might ultimately protect Musharraf`s reforms...
Some political rabble rousers... the MMA and the like... have tried to use this momentum ... but lawyers have stood aloof... despite all encouragement and remained clear about the objective.
#49 Posted by dost_mittar on March 22, 2007 5:04:56 am
Hi Feroz:
My views on Musharraf and Pakistan have not changed much since we last met. I am in a minority at chowk in that I do not believe in democracy as a virtue in itself but try to judge its effectiveness as a form of governance; it`s good if it delivers on that front and not so good if it does not deliver.
Looking at the history of Pakistan, it seems to me that Pakistan has done better for itself during military rules than during rules by populous leaders. With the exception of Zia, the army rule has generally been also associted also with a more moderate version of Islam.
I have been an admirer of Musharraf ever since Shaukat Aziz administered some necessary though bitter economic medicine to the Pakistani economy at the start of his tenure as Finance Minister. PM has sidelined Islamists by opening up the society to winds of change - more music and dance, more arts, more entertainment, more fashion shows and variety in clothes with sari staging a comeback to compete with hijab, while at the same time manipulating the islamist parties to keep himself in power.
But Musharraf is, after all, a dictator and his first job is to keep himself in power and, in my opinion, he sometimes overreacts to stay in power - like he did in that bogus referendum in 2003(?) and now the firing of his CJ. I believe that the reaction to the CJ affair has chastened him and he would learn from this experience if allowed to stay on. I also believe that he should be allowed to stay on for another 2-3 years so that he can navigate Pakistan through the really murky waters that lie ahead.
Pakistani civil society is very fickle. Today, they are demanding the ouster of Musharraf, tomorrow, they will want Musharraf or his clone to come back after BB or someone else have queered the pitch with their misrule and maybe giving birth to some new taleban.
My views on Musharraf and Pakistan have not changed much since we last met. I am in a minority at chowk in that I do not believe in democracy as a virtue in itself but try to judge its effectiveness as a form of governance; it`s good if it delivers on that front and not so good if it does not deliver.
Looking at the history of Pakistan, it seems to me that Pakistan has done better for itself during military rules than during rules by populous leaders. With the exception of Zia, the army rule has generally been also associted also with a more moderate version of Islam.
I have been an admirer of Musharraf ever since Shaukat Aziz administered some necessary though bitter economic medicine to the Pakistani economy at the start of his tenure as Finance Minister. PM has sidelined Islamists by opening up the society to winds of change - more music and dance, more arts, more entertainment, more fashion shows and variety in clothes with sari staging a comeback to compete with hijab, while at the same time manipulating the islamist parties to keep himself in power.
But Musharraf is, after all, a dictator and his first job is to keep himself in power and, in my opinion, he sometimes overreacts to stay in power - like he did in that bogus referendum in 2003(?) and now the firing of his CJ. I believe that the reaction to the CJ affair has chastened him and he would learn from this experience if allowed to stay on. I also believe that he should be allowed to stay on for another 2-3 years so that he can navigate Pakistan through the really murky waters that lie ahead.
Pakistani civil society is very fickle. Today, they are demanding the ouster of Musharraf, tomorrow, they will want Musharraf or his clone to come back after BB or someone else have queered the pitch with their misrule and maybe giving birth to some new taleban.
#48 Posted by MantoLives on March 22, 2007 4:16:37 am
``In the past, I have been criticised by others for dealing with you rather harshly``
So those incomprehensible ramblings to acquit the greatest fraud in history was ``harsh treatment``?
I haven`t see anyone criticise you for it... I have seen others criticise you for:
1. Plagiarising other people`s work.
2. Your abuses against Farzana Versey who disagrees with you in right royal Mahatma-like fashion.
3. Your attempt to pass off your faecal matter on these boards as art/creative writing.
4. Your attempt to pass off Indian faecal matter as some sort o a Mahatma...
But not for your ``harsh`` treatment that you meted out to me.
#47 Posted by majumdar on March 22, 2007 2:14:23 am
Feroz,
The solution is to let all parties and personalities contest a free and fair election and may the best man/group win. If that means NS/BB so be it. Our politicians are no doodh ke dhooley either but no one has been disqualified except on grounds of convictions. At the same time strengthen the judicial process and fairness transparency of the judiciary/law enforcement agencies so that bad apples can be prosecuted and convicted impartially and are thus cleanly weeded out of the system.
Selective banning of parties/personalities will serve no purpose. As you have observed institutions are more important than personalities.
Besides, democracy is no magic wand and it would take ages for democracy to take deep roots and solve citizens` problems (in India/Pak/anywhere else). No overnight results should be expected
Regards
The solution is to let all parties and personalities contest a free and fair election and may the best man/group win. If that means NS/BB so be it. Our politicians are no doodh ke dhooley either but no one has been disqualified except on grounds of convictions. At the same time strengthen the judicial process and fairness transparency of the judiciary/law enforcement agencies so that bad apples can be prosecuted and convicted impartially and are thus cleanly weeded out of the system.
Selective banning of parties/personalities will serve no purpose. As you have observed institutions are more important than personalities.
Besides, democracy is no magic wand and it would take ages for democracy to take deep roots and solve citizens` problems (in India/Pak/anywhere else). No overnight results should be expected
Regards
#46 Posted by ferozk on March 21, 2007 11:33:30 pm
Re: Bulleya # 38
Yes, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif should both come down from their respective crosses because other people also need the wood!!! ;) lol
Ciao
Yes, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif should both come down from their respective crosses because other people also need the wood!!! ;) lol
Ciao
#45 Posted by ferozk on March 21, 2007 11:22:51 pm
re: HP
My respect for Justice Bhagwan Das was based on his ability to keep his thoughts private and not engage in a media show trial.
Ciao
My respect for Justice Bhagwan Das was based on his ability to keep his thoughts private and not engage in a media show trial.
Ciao
#44 Posted by ferozk on March 21, 2007 11:15:42 pm
Re: Mantolives # 35
As to Benazir Bhutto`s statements from the last week regarding the Taliban threat, I will believe her when she actually means what she says and says what she means. Opposition leaders in Pakistan will whistle any tune to increase their chances of getting into power and in the case of Benazir Bhutto, she is courting the United States` backing as an expression of developing her own political constituency in the United States and not in Pakistan. :)
Yasser, as a lawyer and a well-informed analyst of Pakistani politics and history, you should know that principles are more enduring in politics than people and it was a principle and not a personality that influenced the process leading up to 1947. This time around, the principle is the constitution of Pakistan and the process is the law and let us allow these two ideas to win by finally rejecting the cult of personalities in Pakistani politics.
My opposition to Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto returning to power is simply that they are the past and as with all things past, they should be left behind and we should think of the future and how to influence and not seek to relive in the past. Pakistani cricket team seems to be learning this lesson that individuals at the top need to be changed and if we keep bringing the same faces back to the top, we will keep making the same mistakes.
One of favorite definations of insanity is that you keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different outcome. Bringing old politicans back to power and hoping that they would do something different, would be nothing less than political insanity in Pakistan. After two failed tries, despite the fact that their tenures were cut short, the example of their past goverance does not suggest a reformation in their lust for power and their addications to power itself.
If we as a nation are willing to place our hopes once more in Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto, then we must be mentally prepared for a disappointment and should also hold ourselves responsible in case of a disappointment. The choice for future should be made on the basis of a ruthless realism and not a beneign nostalgia of the past, because we in Pakistan do not learn from the past and will thus, again, will repeat the mistakes of the past. If insanity is making the same mistakes again and again and expecting a different result, then we Pakistanis are really politically insane if we keep thinking that the result will be different from making the same mistake again. :)
Ciao
As to Benazir Bhutto`s statements from the last week regarding the Taliban threat, I will believe her when she actually means what she says and says what she means. Opposition leaders in Pakistan will whistle any tune to increase their chances of getting into power and in the case of Benazir Bhutto, she is courting the United States` backing as an expression of developing her own political constituency in the United States and not in Pakistan. :)
Yasser, as a lawyer and a well-informed analyst of Pakistani politics and history, you should know that principles are more enduring in politics than people and it was a principle and not a personality that influenced the process leading up to 1947. This time around, the principle is the constitution of Pakistan and the process is the law and let us allow these two ideas to win by finally rejecting the cult of personalities in Pakistani politics.
My opposition to Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto returning to power is simply that they are the past and as with all things past, they should be left behind and we should think of the future and how to influence and not seek to relive in the past. Pakistani cricket team seems to be learning this lesson that individuals at the top need to be changed and if we keep bringing the same faces back to the top, we will keep making the same mistakes.
One of favorite definations of insanity is that you keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different outcome. Bringing old politicans back to power and hoping that they would do something different, would be nothing less than political insanity in Pakistan. After two failed tries, despite the fact that their tenures were cut short, the example of their past goverance does not suggest a reformation in their lust for power and their addications to power itself.
If we as a nation are willing to place our hopes once more in Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto, then we must be mentally prepared for a disappointment and should also hold ourselves responsible in case of a disappointment. The choice for future should be made on the basis of a ruthless realism and not a beneign nostalgia of the past, because we in Pakistan do not learn from the past and will thus, again, will repeat the mistakes of the past. If insanity is making the same mistakes again and again and expecting a different result, then we Pakistanis are really politically insane if we keep thinking that the result will be different from making the same mistake again. :)
Ciao
#43 Posted by ferozk on March 21, 2007 10:47:18 pm
Re: Mantolives # 35
I have been following Benazir Bhutto`s statements and I have, too, discerned a marked shift in her political choices. PPP, under Benazir Bhutto, seems to be moving towards a form of reconciliation with the government and once notable sign of this the pains PPP is taking to stay away from MMA. United States backing might bring Benazir Bhutto back to power, but it will not be able to keep her in power, because Benazir Bhutto is her own worst enemy and she will revert back to ruling on the basis of her vanity once in power.
Yasser, this a golden opportunity to strenghten the process in Pakistan and the best way to do that is move away from personalities in Pakistan and it has been the politics of personalities in Pakistan, over institutional politics, that has created a wreak in Pakistani political processes. This opportunity calls for a new start and that means that we should ditch the baggage of the past and start all over again, with new faces and not pin our hopes, once more, on discredited politicans of the past. If and should Benazir Bhutto come back, the tussle between her and the military will continue and the military might not allow her back, despite United States` blessings, because of the possibility of being put in the dock itself legally. It is time for Benazir Bhutto to step aside and allow someone else to take the helm of PPP.
The issues at hand are about respect for justice and not how one can be above the law. It would be a mistake to confuse the issues and as I have said before, in Pakistan we too intellectually challenged to realize this fact; that we have always counted on personalities as a cause of salvation for our problems and have been routinely disappointed. If we do not learn the lessons of the past from this incidence, then a pox on us and we really and truly deserve the leaders we get!
Ciao
I have been following Benazir Bhutto`s statements and I have, too, discerned a marked shift in her political choices. PPP, under Benazir Bhutto, seems to be moving towards a form of reconciliation with the government and once notable sign of this the pains PPP is taking to stay away from MMA. United States backing might bring Benazir Bhutto back to power, but it will not be able to keep her in power, because Benazir Bhutto is her own worst enemy and she will revert back to ruling on the basis of her vanity once in power.
Yasser, this a golden opportunity to strenghten the process in Pakistan and the best way to do that is move away from personalities in Pakistan and it has been the politics of personalities in Pakistan, over institutional politics, that has created a wreak in Pakistani political processes. This opportunity calls for a new start and that means that we should ditch the baggage of the past and start all over again, with new faces and not pin our hopes, once more, on discredited politicans of the past. If and should Benazir Bhutto come back, the tussle between her and the military will continue and the military might not allow her back, despite United States` blessings, because of the possibility of being put in the dock itself legally. It is time for Benazir Bhutto to step aside and allow someone else to take the helm of PPP.
The issues at hand are about respect for justice and not how one can be above the law. It would be a mistake to confuse the issues and as I have said before, in Pakistan we too intellectually challenged to realize this fact; that we have always counted on personalities as a cause of salvation for our problems and have been routinely disappointed. If we do not learn the lessons of the past from this incidence, then a pox on us and we really and truly deserve the leaders we get!
Ciao
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