The Quest for Power

``Hum Huay Kaafir to woh Kaafir Musalmaan ho gaye``

excuse me! what were you saying sir? i didn`t hear you... oh you were talking about power hungry khaki walas...? well look who`s talking!

i`m not supporting any Musharaff or whatever but thats what has been happening since the inception of Pakistan (so different from its literal meaning). Actutally the biggest tragedy of Pakistan is that after Quad-e-Azam we have lacked any insaan ka bacha as a leader, rather we have been granted with demons and blood sucking monsters who rejouvenate from the veins of the country`s resources!

All the time Nawaz Sharif was in power he could think of nothing else but toys and child`s play as if the reins of the country was given in the hands of a child with an IQ in negatives if at all.. motorway, new carpetting on all the main roads without even thinking about the inner core that is rotting. A mere cover up for the poor simple people who think that physical progress is real progress! Well done Nawaz Sharif for ruining the national money on the motorway and driving your SEL 1000 on it on 250 Kms!! what an achievement!

mera ghar scheme. yeah! people who dont have money for food will have lacs for those houses. and they all were already booked for the chamchas and favoritees.

Sir did u people ever think why? why this so predictable and ussual cycle is going on in our country? how i wish to see a National assembly complete is tenure for even once without being interrupted! but it has become a culture to just snatch the title as if in a royal rumble wrestling. hey what about the 14 crore people that U come on top of?? what are they, morons or just not concerned at all??

musharaff sahib is just one of these. i ask him why did he take over only when the problem shifted to him directly as a threat of life and career?? why not a coup for the public interest? yaar ye wohi musharaff sahab hain na jo apni jaan pe ban-ne se pehle salute kartey thay Nawaz ko, jab apne pe ayi to coup kar lia. ye sub aik jaise hain! what the hell does national interest mean to them. They`re sitting in airconditioned rooms breeding on national wealth and everything seems perfect!

People can u believe it. this is the 21st century and here in Pakistan we have a man who is the Head of State, Head of Government, Chief of Armed forces, chief martial law administrator and the famous Chief Executive! compliments on the one man show sir! what difference are you gonna make now. lets see now that we`ve already lost bangladesh what else have we to offer? Sindh? NWFp maybe? or is it Pakistan!

all the DAAKOOS like Nawaz Sharif are sitting outside the country as state guests recieved with red carpet. where is justice? do u consider a person rotting in the central jail on charge of a theft of few thousands of rupees (there are hundreds of them) a culprit? I consider them as angels when i compare those innocent people with the white collared thiefs as Nawaz Sharif. the guy gets away with billions and billions of national income and is let go of by confiscating the property which is already mortgaged with banks! and he is not even called a thief but instead is a respectable politician. hey if Nawaz and others are treated like this then first set free all those masoom halaat ka mara bandas in the jail who are charged with next to nothing crimes as compared to these politicians! atleast those poor people have a justification that they are in the viscious circle of poverty.. but what justification do these greedy white collars have?

because of these people`s greed and never ending hunger the country is ruined and is in its critical stage and once again we have another ambitious man wearing a khaki who is here to save the counrty. save it from what? it would be remarkable if he saves it from his own ambition!

waiting for a miracle !

Irfan.

Ali1

you have some nerve! If you knew how to read you`d know they are of relevance to the subject.

Aisha

Ahmad Faraz on Musharraf

From Times of India, 27 June 2001

`The General is a sensible and a noble person`

Ahmad Faraz is one of Pakistan`s eminent progressive Urdu poets. Born in the mid-1930s in Kohat in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan, Faraz was the founder of the Academy of Letters and managing editor of the National Book Foundation of Pakistan. He was jailed for publishing articles against the military regime of Zia Ul-Haq and remained in exile for five years in England. The author of 13 books, which have been translated into several languages including English, Russian, Chinese, Swedish and German, Faraz was amongst those Pakistani poets who opposed war and advocated

friendship between India and Pakistan. He refused to toe the government`s line, and constantly lashed out at it through his writings. He visited India for the first time in

1982. That was during his exile in England and thereafter he kept returning to India on several occasions to participate in mushaiyaras, including the popular Jashn-e-Bahar mushayaras, a conglomeration of poets and writers from India and Pakistan.

In an interview with Deshbandhu Singh, Faraz talks at length about the prospects of peace and friendlier relations between India and Pakistan, and on President Pervez Musharraf`s forthcoming visit to India. Excerpts:

Q: What is the purpose of your visit to India?

A: I have come to India with the message of love, peace and tranquillity. This country is very close to my heart, we share so many things - language, culture, sports, and above all, a long history. So whenever I come to India, I feel it is my homeland. Besides, some of my books are being published from India. I have signed a few contracts with Indian publishers. A number of my books were being pirated, but I hope their being published from India will check piracy. I have entered into a contract with Jiya Publications.

Q: Is your visit in any way related to President Musharraf`s visit?

A: Not officially, but as an individual, yes. I thought it was high time intellectuals use this situation and try to influence politicians and policy makers to settle some of the gravest issues of contention between the two countries. I know there are some issues, chronic as cancer, which have eaten into the economy and the social structure of the two countries. So, this millennium we should have fresh talks and look up to the real needs of the people instead of spending so much on tanks and bombs. We should divert our revenues towards creative objectives. Every time I visit India, my foremost mission is to create goodwill among the people of India towards Pakistan.

Q: Do the masses in Pakistan share your views?

A: I am immensely loved and read by the people of Pakistan because of my thoughts and my poetic contribution. And what I write is the general expression of the needs and aspirations of my fellow country men. I firmly believe that I represent not just myself but my entire country. I would also request fellow writers, intellectuals and journalists, both in India and Pakistan, who have a pen in their hands and the will to make a difference, to make best use of this opportunity to create an atmosphere of understanding, and compromise on the main issue. Killing and war have never solved any problem. After every war when the cities are turned into graveyards, both parties come to the negotiating table and try to shake hands when one of the parties have lost one hand and the other has lost his next hand. We`ve had enough wars. Now we should live not only as good neighbours but as affectionate friends. If US and Canada can have exemplarily close relations, why not India and Pakistan?

Q: What are your expectations from the Musharraf-Vajpayee summit?

A: Poets are always looking for the silver lining to the dark cloud. Still I hope that if the summit can bring even some positive results, if not resolve the major problem, it will be creditable.

Q: You expect something positive despite the allegations that Musharraf was the author of Kargil war, and he is the one to have dislodged the democratic government in

Pakistan?

A: He has not thrown out democracy, but some foolish politicians who could not have been tolerated. I do not think this time the armed forces were wrong. We hope to have amicable relations with India, the armed forces will subside its natural force. As far as the Kargil incident is concerned, Nawaz Sharif was also the defence minister then and it was impossible that things have gone without his knowledge. Mushrraf was an instrument and not the author of Kargil.

Q: How do you think Musharraf`s military regime is different than that of Zia ul-Haq?

A: Though I believe in democracy, the politicians have disappointed the people of Pakistan. They cannot be called honest. When such a vacuum is created it is filled

in by the military. And that is what has happened this time. Zia regime had crushed the people, the press and put censorship even on the literary activities. Musharraf has done nothing like this. He has, till today, shown himself as a progressive person. Besides, Zia encouraged fundamentalism while Musharraf is confronting that issue, and we really need a strong hand to crush fundamentalism in our country. Musharraf is different from previous military rulers. He is more civilised than the roughshod and rude generals. And in accepting the invitation he has shown his sincerity to establish peace in the region. People are happy about this.

Q: Do you think his acceptance of Vajpayee`s invitation to visit India is more a diplomatic manoeuvre than a genuine wish to negotiate peace?

A: There are speculations that foreign powers may be behind this or it is diplomacy in disguise. Even if we consider them to be true, it is something for the betterment of the two countries. If both the leaders have felt the necessity to meet, and have realised their

blunders, it is good for the people of the two countries. However, I think it is more a change of mind. The General is a sensible and a noble person. Remember, in his last speech he has condemned the fundamentalists and the extremists. This is one of the very positive side of his personality. If strong measure are taken against the fundamentalists and extremists he will be supported by the people in confronting them.

Q: But fundamentalism is so strong in Pakistan. How long can he antagonise the people?

A: True, fundamentalism is strong in Pakistan, but it does not have a popular base. People who propogate fundamentalism have more nuisance value. If we do not stop them they will spread like rats and plague the entire country. And so far the General is tackling them well.

Q: How his move is being seen by common masses?

A: Musharraf is growing in popularity by such gestures. Usually generals are not fond of table talk, but this general has prevailed upon his mindset. And if there is some positive outcome, I believe he will also initiate a move towards establishing democracy in the country.

Q: Are the problems between India and Pakistan more politicised than real?

A: There is no such major problem. But certain vested interests of politicians and other forces is always a deterrent to any efforts at amending relations. In my view, there is no problem, howsoever big it is, that cannot be resolved if one tries to resolve them with sincerity. Mind it, no body can save us from us but us.

Q: Are you also part of the President`s delegation?

A: During Vajpayee`s Lahore visit, a delegation of writers and men of eminence in different fields accompanied him. But I do not think Musharraf is carrying with him any

such delegation, though I wish that could have been.

Q: Do you think poets and writers can make any difference to political developments in a country?

A: Whether it was the French Revolution or any other major revolution in the world, intellectuals were always in the background. Landscaping is always done by the poets and the writers. This is an era of words and words have more power than guns. My faith is that the power of pen will prevail over the power of Gun. Ye sun kar maikade mein aaj sara shehar umad aaya, ki mayanoshi mein shaikhon brahman ki aajmaish hai(The whole city has come to the bar to watch a shiakh and a brahmin sitting together to test their drinking capacity).

Mushahid, although I do not agree with you on
Bhutto and March 25, 1971 (because the Army action
was not just against Mujib) in Dacca, I just
wanted to write a word or two of support.
Keep writing for CHOWK and wear down the critics.
Over time people will realize that politics in Pakistan has become like a cesspool. The only
way that people will not write anything neagtive about you is if you don`t participate.

Nasah # 21: I do not believe that the writer of that piece is Kuldip Nayyar but a K.P. Nayar.

Ali # 19: Do you really want me to respond?
This ramp up to the Agra Summit in the Indian Press is very interesting. I already know what
Pakistanis are saying. Mushahid here being one.
It is very important to learn how the Indian press is shadow-boxing these days.

Anyway, anyone want to comment on the death sentence awarded to Rehmat Shah Afridi today in Pakistan?

Ras

ali #19,

You leave Mr. Siddiqui alone. Thanks.

Re: Nasah #26

``The present generation of Muslims leaders and us have been spoon-fed on this trash and falsehood since our childhood that all the ills of the Muslims Umma will be gone once we have a ``true Islamic hukoomut...``

Ataturk saw the light early, and took Turkey on a different path. Western civilization has also figured it out -- confine religion to your mind and not in state policy.

Dear Sameer:

I agree with you 100% when you say:

``Sir, I strongly detest your siding with NS on Shariat Bill and Islamization policies. Do not we already have enough evidence from Pakistan and around the world that Islamic system is an absolute failure. It serves no purpose towards a .``

This is the problem neither BB nor NS ever understood. And Mr. Mushaid Hussain is still parroting it. You can`t have the cake and eat it too.

Pakistan cannot have a ``decent, civil, democratic and progressive society`` in this lightening pace IT age and continue to ride its Islamization donkey.

We Muslims are the only weird community in the world that really believes that by going backward we can all go forward -- an impossible feat by any physical, political, economic law of the 21st century.

The present generation of Muslims leaders and us have been spoon-fed on this trash and falsehood since our childhood that all the ills of the Muslims Umma will be gone once we have a ``true Islamic hukoomut``. Why we Muslims are such a backward and pathetic state today -- because there is no ``true`` Islami Hukoomut - a clever circular argument given to us by our elders.

Well God fulfilled that promise, didn`t He -- and we finally have a ``true Islami Hakoomut`` under Amirul Momineen Mulla Omar in Afghanistan for all the Muslims of the world to rejoice. Don`t we...

Hasan Zeya

Re: Nasah

I tend to believe your analysis more than Kuldip Nayar`s. (Although, Nayar who hails from Sialkot and was Shastris` press secretary during the 65 war can claim to have a good understanding of the Pakistan military psyche).

It is entirely possible that Vajpayee understands that the General is on a slippery slope. The General cannot concede much without risking his own domestic position, yet he must do his bit to reduce tensions with India or else his entire economic/political agenda will go up in smoke. Likewise, Vajpayee had to exhaust all options (ceasfire, talk to Pakistani leadership, etc.) in order to continue looking `reasonable` both inside and outside India. Thus, the General may soon realize that his task is no easier than was Nawaz Sharif`s, and giving any ground to India is the kiss of death for a Pakistani leader who lacks popular appeal. Vajpayee probably knows that rolling out the red carpet for the General, getting his own defense chiefs to salute, tickling his ego, adjusting his military hat, and polishing his belt buckle, will send all the right signals to the rest of the world, and if the General cannot match in style or substance, the General faces loss of credibility. If he does the latter, then he faces the threat of looming retirement. I think that both will make the right noises, but the risk of a summit failure is greater for Musharraf than it is for Vajpayee, while a success should benefit both.

Re: Tahmed321

You are right about the separation of powers between the executive and the legislature. No large society has yet managed to make it to the 1st world and still not managed to separate the two.

Ferozk #18 Nice quote from Oliver Cromwell. Incidentally, Cromwell was a member of the Parliament, and only became the military commander after the civil war started between the king`s army (Cavaliers) and the parliament`s army (Rounheads). Mushy of course took a different route. Other comparisons:

Cromwell - staunchly religious (Puritan). Mushy - relaxed on religion.

Cromwell - Enjoyed inventing titles (changed title after gaining power to from ``Lord General of the Army`` to ``Lord Protector of the Realm``). Mushy - Enjoys inventing titles too.

Cromwell - Executed the king. Mushy - Sent the man-who-would-be-king off to Arabia (with a tiffen carrier full of Nihari).

Cromwell - Caused great bloodshed (half the Irish Catholic population slaughtered, creating waves that lasted through the end of the 20th century). Mushy - Not possible in today`s world - Right???????

Cromwell - ultimately failed. When a legislator (Parliament), fought the executive (king). When an executive (dictator), fought the parliament. Monarchy restored, Cromwell`s body exhumed and hanged. Mushy - better not fail tiger, and learn your lesson. The lesson learnt by England by the Cromwell episode: The executive and the legislature cannot exist without the other. Checks and balances may be irritating, but they ultimately are your best friends. Ask the Paki man-who-would-be-king enjoying the dates of Jeddah: he too tried to turn the legislature into a rubber stamp (and to stamp out the judiciary for good measure).

Dear Ras:

I have great respect for Kuldip Nayar as a journalist and political analyst. But this piece is something else.

This is a deceptive column, a curious effort on the part of the Indian media to massage the ego of a General whose ego is bursting through the seams.

Mind you he is the same General who in KN’s other journalistic analyses has been described as the Bumbler of Kargil the Usurper of Pakistan democracy.

These passive aggressive Indians are amazing. They are democratic to the bone but in their hearts of hearts they still swoon and salivate whenever they see an authority figure with a swagger, strutting in front of them in a peacock uniform from neighboring Pakistan.. They automatically want to salute them – perhaps remnants of an old habit from the Raj era.

Dear Mushahid: Thanks for posting another good article pertinent to the politics of Pakistan. I have no bones to grind with your past association with an elected government of Pakistan. You are one of the few ministers whose character is spotless despite all the alleged corruptions of NS and many of his ministers. You served Pakistan well as infirmation minister under the circumstances as well as editor of Muslim daily. Given the choice between NS and BB, you made the right decision supporting NS, masterminding his campaign during last election. Without a doubt, NS second term was the best government we had in the last 30 years. They were bent on spending money on infrastructure and welfare of public. Instead if buying 3 squadrons of jet fighters and couple of submarines and parking them somewhere, they built Karachi Airport Terminal, Lahore Airport Terminal, Motorway (Islamabad-Lahore, Islamabad-Peshawar and Karachi-Hyderabad). Except for the alleged kickbacks, it was the money well spent. Additionally, the performance of Punjab government, at least, was remarkable and Lahore initiatiative to improve relations with India was absolutely right descision. Obviously, too much success did not go well with power brokers who were greedy to take over power and were trying to make hurdles. In the end, they took over in the name of lame excuses.

Having said it all, Sir, I strongly detest your siding with NS on Shariat Bill and Islamization policies. Do not we already have enough evidence from Pakistan and around the world that Islamic system is an absolute failure. It serves no purpose towards a decent, civil, democratic and progressive society.

I hope that your next article focuses on such issues and explains the reasons behind the failure of NS government to control sectarian violence.

Regards,

Sameer

ah hypocrisy - the trademark of politicians globally (but somehow a prerequisite for pakistani politicians). I don`t recall Mr. Hussain questioning Mr. Sharif`s ``accumulation of such absolute, unchecked power``. Neither did he resign nor did he write/say anything at a time when he could have made a difference. A sudden birth of social conscience Mr. Hussain? I hope you are giving your children better values than you possess.

Ras Siddiqui:

Can you do something better than cut-paste of Indian newspaper garbage? Like posting just the URL if you are so motivated by banya writings.

Re: Herr M. Hussein von Gossenlugen

I was not sure how to respond to this perpetual whining of yours on the lack of opportunties available to you since you are no longer in power to debase Pakistan to your whims.

I will simply quote another general, Oliver Cromwell, when he addressed the Long Parliament of Charles I before dissolving it and ruling as the Lord Protector of England.

``You have have sat here for too long and done nothing good. Go! Go, in the name of the Lord and be done with you!``

Ciao

Re: Ras S # 9

Ras, as a journalist, please do not believe everything you hear, or read, unless you learned your profession under the influence of the author of this article.

I read your post and had a good laugh. Do you really think that the Chinese will compromise their own security interests to gain an advantage in the geoppolitical brinkmanship in Asia?

It is in Chinese interests to have the Pakistan Army`s leadership in its favor, but China will never allow the naturing of the jehadi elements. These elements pose a threat to the Chinese security and they are open to manipulation by the Americans against Chinese interests. These jehadi groups are one dimensional political groups and are fixated on their cause celebre; Islam. Islam is their vunernable point and they can be exploited on this issue quite successfully - just ask Saudi Arabia, General Zia-ul-Haq, the CIA and the Americans and how they revived this monster during the Afghan War (1979-89).

China realizes that in order for it to compete with the Americans in Asia, it has to protect its internal security. Hence, it will never allow Pakistani Army despite the best doctored spin on the Pak-Sino friendship to undermine its strategic interests by favoring those officers in the Pak Army who favor jehadi elements.

Ciao