Hypocrisy of Musharraf Lovers

#48 by rsridhar

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If he liked the press that much, what does he have against the SA Tribune. Because the latter regularly unmasks him and shows the world his real face.
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Apparently, you are unaware of the background for Sehbai`s harrassment. He claims that he had uncovered evidence that suggests ISI didn`t want Americans to deal directly with Mullah Umar. The Mullah was (according to Sehbai) prepared to hand over Osama to the Americans. This would have rendered Pakistan redundant to the Americans. So ISI threatened Sehbai with dire consequences if he pursued the matter further. Sehbai resisted and the govt turned nasty against him.

Even if we believe Sehbai`s outrageous allegations, this only proves that Musharraf is a patriot and didn`t threaten Sehbai for personal reasons (like Nawaz and Benazir did). His reasons were patriotic, not selfish. Realpolitik demands that some times governments indulge in unfair practices for the larger national interest. Dean Acheson, Robert McNamara and Henry Kissinger built a career out of such tactics. Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Sardar Patel and V.K.Menon were themselves guilty of the same ``patriotic crimes``. Thus, in principle we can`t condemn Musharraf for hounding Sehbai for the putated reason (assuming of course, that Sehbai`s allegations are true).

However, Cowasjee and Najam Sethi also don`t regard Sehbai in good light. He is considered an opportunist and some even allege that he has been on Asif Zardari`s payroll since 1993.

Maybe, these allegations against Sehbai are just part of a campaign to discredit an honest journalist. But Najam Sethi and Cowasjee have been bigger thorns in the side of govts. Yet we never hear any allegations against Sethi and Cowasjee. Why are these allegations being leveled against Sehbai alone? Can there be smoke without fire?

I used to read Sehbai`s SA Tribune very eagerly. However, I soon realized that this man is concocting scandals sitting in Washington DC. He is too far removed from the Pakistani scene to have any genuine insights. In journalism, on site is insight.

I sadly have to comment that SA Tribune has ended up as a tabloid magazine. I have no problem with Sehbai`s hatred for Musharraf, provided it is for the right reasons. Unfortunately, the SA Tribune never gives tells us the right reasons.

#47 by rsridhar

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Remember, Mushy is a dictator. Once you have absolute power, you can afford to project yourself to be benign, even democratic
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In theory, you are right. But in practice, this has not happened. Mushy has allowed the Press much more freedom than BB and Nawaz could ever fathom... just to prove his democratic credentials. His referendum was flawed, no doubt. But his media policy, local bodies elections and style of governance are much more transparent.

Even in daily administration, the civilian government does not face consistent interference from the Army any more. The nine corps commanders are forbidden by Mushy to interfere with the district and provincial administration. This is in sharp contrast to BB and Nawaz govts, when Zardari and Nawaz used to appoint their own men in every department.

I remember a conversation with the Chief Secretary of Punjab during Benazir`s govt in mid-1996. He was complaining that he had received 3 different orders: one from his Chief Minister (Arif Nakai), one from Asif Zardari via telephone; and one from the Provincial Minister (Mushtaq Awan). In the end, he decided to do nothing. And saved his job!

#18 ferozk

``The article points that Musharraf is wrong, because he simply did what all others like Bhutto or Sharif did before him and there is a point to that, but does that excuse Sharif or Bhutto or their acts?``

No, it does not excuse either Sharif or BB from the excesses & crimes that they committed. I never once said that in my article neither do I believe in such logics.

``This article is nothing more than a pathetic exuse for glossing over the crimes of Sharif and Bhutto by placing the mea culpa on Musharraf``

This article might be pathetic. So be it. But do not label this article what it is not. It is definitely not making any excuses for Sharif`s and BB`s crimes by saying that Musharraf did the same. If possible, go through the article again and point to me where I have used any logic of the sort that you are blaming me for. I will gladly accept my fault.

#35 Bandit

``Point of the matter is... Musharraf has Musharraf lovers. No other national leader has stayed popular after he got elected... especially not after 3 years in power.

So it ends your entire argument right then and there: Musharraf IS popular and IS loved. You burn because of it? tough man... ``DWI``... oh.. that means.. Deal with it.``

DWI or no DWI :-), Do you even know what the argument is?


To all readers,

It seems that some readers are taking the article`s message in the wrong context or- may be in their haste- are missing the whole theme. So in a few sentences, this is what I am trying to say:

Forget the leaders and let us first look at our own behaviours. Let us be fair. Fair when we are showering adulations as well as when we are criticising, be it Nawaz, BB or Musharraf. We have a tendency to become super prejudiced when supporting our favorites and that clouds our judgments to the extent that we forget right from wrong. We forget that we have to be fair even if we (for some reason or the other) like the person ruling the country. We, the educated Pakistanis, should not condone our favorites to the point of becoming dishonest and untruthful to ourselves.

The arguments that I have put forth in the article are just to show how we change our points of view based upon our personal likes and dislikes for an individual. We let Musharraf get away with an arm & a leg but demand the severest of punishments for the Gawalmandi guy or the Larkana BB. I have made these observations while talking to and discussing with educated Pakistanis the past few years and was keen on knowing if Chowkies have made the same observations.

#54 ahmadzai

I second that :-)

#53 by ballukhan

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Could anyone inform me what is the order of preference for a miltary career compared to other careers amongst the educated youths in Pakistan presently
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Owning a business is naturally the highest preference.

After that, the preferred career option is a private sector job. Within this realm, people prefer banks, multinationals, software firms, accounting firms, NGOs and law firms, usually in that order.

Medicine is the next option because unlike private sector jobs, doctors usually don`t make good money for the first 5-8 years of their practice.

Public sector jobs are usually the third preference. But even in this category, people would prefer Police, District Management Group, Customs Service, Revenue Service, etc.

Military career is usually the last option. Salary is very low. You don`t get any plots of land until you get very senior. In addition, there is a risk of getting superseded at the lower levels. Postings are usually in far flung areas. However, those who can survive 20-30 years of this, end up with a lot of priveleges and power.

Could anyone inform me what is the order of preference for a miltary career compared to other careers amongst the educated youths in Pakistan presently.

Looking at the posts of extremist Indians on Chowk, my humble suggestion to them would be that although Musharraf might have fingered them up their as*es, its better they deal with their extremist Advanis, Modis and Joshis, the killers of innocent Christians, Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs in India. They should focus on things they can control.

re: bullukhan

Please read interact # 18. The most depressing thing to fathom in Pakistan is the levels of political apathy on the streets. Politics is an issue of concern for a only a limited group of educated and financially independent people. Dicuss politics with a rickshaw driver or fruit vendor who earns a livihood by peddling his wares on a bicycle and you will have a better understanding of politics in Pakistan. Read Pakistani newspapers and there is no mention of the ``people`` and all you read is about the fantasy world of a few, more fortunate Pakistanis. Where are the stories of the rapes, which happen daily in the villages or the tales of justice denied?

Pakistan is a polarized nation. The people who rule and those who help the rulers have no clue about reality and the other group, which suffers under them has no patience to believe the lies and live in a fantasy world. There are two Pakistans and if you read English newspapers, you will get one version of ``reality`` and if you read Urdu newspapers, you will get another version. You will have to decide what is the real version and for that, you have to see the truth and not read the truth online.

Ciao

Ditto!! I am right behind you on this issue. Mush is not only the biggest Mafiaso in Pakistan, he is infact the most powerful Mafiaso leader in the world since he holds the nuclear trigger.

#11 by Urstruly on October 21, 2003 6:11am PT

Ditto !!
#36 by Urstruly on October 21, 2003 1:44pm PT

including the part about Bush and Blair!!

Bravo, UrsTruly!! You have spoken like a true humanist.

#21 by Urstruly on October 21, 2003 8:58am PT
To an average Pakistani earning a daily wage, it is totally immaterial who is in power

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re: this article
An excellent article.
My views on this military dictator are well known to the Chowkies. I look forward to the times when good Pakistanis will realize the follies of this dictator and elect a representative govt in Pak, a govt with which India can do business.
Sridhar

re:#4 by labyrinth1
Mushy is more democratic than BB or NS!
I am amazed at your naievity. Remember, Mushy is a dictator. Once you have absolute power, you can afford to project yourself to be benign, even democratic. Was it not Mushy who gave a new meaning to his dictatorial regime, calling it a ``democratic dictatorship``?
Sridhar

re:#33 by Wahrheit
As i said, a dictator with absolute dictatorial powers can afford to project himself as generous. If he liked the press that much, what does he have against the SA Tribune. Because the latter regularly unmasks him and shows the world his real face. Would he like it if SA Tribune were to open an office in, say Karachi? I know the answer already.
Sridhar