Blog: Where to for Pakistan?

Rehan Alavi

Friday, 16 November, 2007

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SBS Radio's Urdu broadcaster Rehan Alavi has been watching the unfolding political drama in Pakistan, here's his reaction to the crisis.

It all started in March this year when Pakistan's military ruler General Pervez Musharraf sacked the then Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudry.

Lawyers took to the streets and battled police, sparking into a country-wide protest and mass movement that has been dubbed Pakistan's Pinstripe Revolution. The ongoing protests saw the the country's high court panel later restore the chief justice.

The Pakistan Muslim League led by Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party tasted power but could not fulfil the Pakistani public's expectations and in this political vacuum, Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudry became a popular icon because of the lack of an credible opposition force.

Ordinary Pakistanis are confused and scared while their political leaders are arrested, and assemblies are dissolved. Virtually no public speaking forum is functioning now, including the satellite channels whose continued operation were trumpeted by General Musharraf a few days ago.

Ordinary Pakistanis are suspicious of the political parties, scared of extremism and reluctant to take part in any mass movement.

For time being, having peace on the streets and poverty overwhelm anything else. But it can not be remain like this for long. Pressure is building from the corridors of ordinary Pakistani houses to the streets.

From what I hear, the political groupings led by Benazir, Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan and the religious parties are close to joining hands.

Ms Benazir is increasingly distancing herself from the General everyday. Even General Musharraf's allies in Washington are dealing with the question of: 'if not Musharraf, then who else?'

Now General Musharraf has forged an alliance with the new deputy chief of army staff, Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kiani, who will take charge if and when this position will be vacant.

Washington is running out of options and yet to decide on whether to still rely on the unpopular Musharaf, or promote true democracy in Pakistan or opt for another military strongman. Expect the unexpected in coming days.

Rehan Alavi is a producer and presenter with the SBS Urdu language program. Rehan started his media career as a freelance journalist in 1984. Hewas a host and announcer on Radio Pakistan and Radio UAE programs. Tune into the SBS Urdu program for more coverage of the Pakistani crisis.

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COMMENTS

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W. ULF FROM WYONG SAYS: 04:00:47 PM Thursday, 22nd November, 2007

It's a pity that Pakistan spent so much money helping the Taliban. They could of used it to strengthen their domestic civil institutions. It's a pity they built nuclear weapons they didn't need (yeah, like India was going to attack them...) as the money saved could of bought better educational standards to prevent so many people being educated in religious schools which doesn't seem to have worked does it? It's a pity that their army spent so much time and energy trying to ensure they got to run the country when the country is now falling apart and they don't even control all of it due to Islamic extremists carving up their northern territories and turning them into Sharia Law(less) areas.

I agree (29 agree)

I disagree (32 disagree)
ALI FROM MELBOURNE SAYS: 12:32:05 PM Wednesday, 21st November, 2007

Current situation in Pakistan is a repetition of the past, if you look at the history, most of the time country is ruled by military dictators. Common people in Pakistan never allowed having a participation in government except when late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was prime minister. Military generals and their supporters always availed opportunities, nepotism and corruption is common practise by them, even retired military officials always occupies top civilian positions in bureaucracy. Controlled media had created a perception that with out the involvement of military, countryâ€™s survival will be under threat however history has evidence that involvement of military separated east Pakistan and if the current regime hasnâ€™t learn from history then consequences will be far worse then past.

I agree (46 agree)

I disagree (41 disagree)
SHAFQAT ALI FROM PAKOZ.COM.AU SAYS: 12:17:48 PM Tuesday, 20th November, 2007

I agree with Mr. Malik that we need to think, what is good for the country; democracy or current regime. Democracy requires certain pre-requistes... - Educated and Loyal Leaders having policies and plans - Debate on table not Fight in streets When the democratic environment is not there, democracy can become curse and way to corruption in legal way... I think, our tragedy is that we have not come out of Slavery age. MNAs/ MPAs still rules like Rajas. So from grass root level, firstly we need to have Education to learn democratic rights and attitude in our lives then we can go upward to top.

I agree (45 agree)

I disagree (43 disagree)
SADIA SAEED FROM SYDNEY SAYS: 09:35:29 AM Tuesday, 20th November, 2007

Hayatullah Khan... freelance journalist allegedly kidnapped by government forces in December '06, and his bullet riddled body found six months later. When his family decided to investigate his death, his kid brother... also brutally murdered. His wife mahrunnisa murdered last weekend on the 17th of November from a bomb blast. If these are the kind of kidnapping/murder cases the supreme court was investigating, then Musharraf is the terrorist for dismissing the supreme court.

I agree (47 agree)

I disagree (42 disagree)
NAVEED AHMED FROM PERTH SAYS: 01:05:25 AM Monday, 19th November, 2007

Pakistan's current situation is solely the fault of Pakistan Army. Various periods of army rule have destroyed every civilian institutions in the country and prevented any political leadership to grow. The result is that we have corrupt politicians and a society which is ruled like a tribal group with no respect of law. How can Musharf talk about law and order in Pakistan when he suspended the constitution twice and overthrown an elected Prime Minister? The best thing that can happen to Pakistan is significant reduction in Army's size and a peaceful agreement with India. Only then the country can have strong economy and prosperity for its people. There are no simple answers to the problems of Pakistan and people of Pakistan need to take bold steps to throw the army out of the political system.

I agree (45 agree)

I disagree (49 disagree)
BASHIR MALIK FROM SYDNEY SAYS: 10:43:46 AM Saturday, 17th November, 2007

Pakistan's political situation have been dominant by street protests and disruption of day to day life of poor daily wage earners since late 70s. The present regime has reversed this trend and looked like we were becoming a matured nation who wants to live a peaceful life. Our ploiticians and religious leaders have exploited name of Islam and democracy to gain and strngthen their power base and have failed to offer a strategy to improve life of an ordinary person on street. They are uisng name of islam and democracy to solve economic, law and order, haelth and edcational issues. In this situation it is a matter of choosing between two eveils so called democratic champions without any policies or autocartic forces with a claer vision for improving economic conditiosns of Pakistan. With all faults of existing regime, given no one is perfect, I will go for the regime with clear cut strategy. God bless our country and give our political leaders the heart caring about pakistan and pakistanis.

I agree (47 agree)

I disagree (45 disagree)