Musharraf’s New Ordinance Hoopla

guys it is simple: Mushy has a one point agenda: what must i do to remain in power for as long as possible. THat's it. Everything else is just tactics.

re: Mohammad A Shaikh

Interesting article.

The British army did stage a coup against the English Parliament, when Oliver Cromwell dismissed it in the 1640s and then ruled England as the "Lord Protector" and Puritanism reigned supreme. When Cromwell died, the parliament restored the monarchy in a period of English history known as the Restoration. Then, they dug up Cromwell's body from its grave and tried him for treason against the state, for dismissing parliament and ruling England without it's consent and then dragged his corpse through the streets of London and after which, they hung his decayed body in a public square.

The message was, that parliament is the supreme law making body in England and no one is above it or would be allowed to rule over it!

The Reconcilation Ordinance will incite a backlash, because though politically it may make sense to those who have a stake in the politics, the common person on the street will think that it is a "deal amongst thieves".

It is always a good idea not stir silent waters...

Ciao

Re: # 1 How can you comment on something without getting to know the actual thing? donot look at army as if it comprises of only those persons whom you see in the paper or media. there is more to it than those. there are people who never think of corridors of powers and just continue to do their daily business. thanks

The argument that army is a true representative of the middle class has also been put forth by several croonies of military from time to time. However even Christina Lamb in her book "Waiting for Allah" has endorsed this argument. Although i do not endorse this point of view but the problem why this argument is having some takers is becuse our current voting system is skewed towards the rich and powerful particulary in the rural area. Consequently our legislatures are full of people who are apparently voted by the people but in reality are not representing their interests. I think we need to take steps to reduce the influence of local influence in the rural politics. Mind you majority of the seats are in rural areas and there it is the influence of the candidate not the ideology or manifesto of the party which really counts.
For democracy to be really representative we need to reduce this element.

The argument that army is a true representative of the middle class has also been put forth by several croonies of military from time to time. However even Christina Lamb in our book Waiting for Allah has endorsed this argument. Although i do not endorse this point of view but the problem why this argument is having some takers is becuse our current voting system is skewed towards the rich and powerful particulary in the rural area. Consequently our legislatures are full of people who are apparently voted by the people but in reality are not representing their interests. I think we need to take steps to reduce the influence of local influence in the rural poliics. Mind you majority of the seats are in rural areas and there it is the ifluence of the candidate not the ideology or manifesto of the party which really counts.
For democracy to be realy representative we need to reduce this element.

"The army in present-day Pakistan is like the Church in medieval Europe. All they want is your land and your money! "

Very well put!!