Chowrangi

If you want to see paradoxes in action in their true spirits, come to Pakistan. General (Retd.) Pervez Musharraf has left the designation of Chief of Army Staff and sworn in as the next President of Pakistan. While taking oath, he pledged to save the constitution of the country, but he himself suspended the constitution on 3rd November after promulgating the emergency.

One wonders as what would be the worth of that oath, which has been taken in the absence of the constitution? What is the legal and constitutional value of this oath? And also one wonders as when he is pledging to defend and save the constitution of the country then how he has become a president in the presence of 63(K), and how after shedding the uniform he could become a President before the period of two years? These are tough questions, but there is no one who could ask them and get answers at the same time. This only happens in Pakistan in the 21st century.

Even though, President has announced that the emergency would be lifted on 16th December, but what he has said in his speech is very alarming and it only implies that he would continue to suppress the dissenting voices and views with force and intimidation. By his attitude and tone, its more than obvious that the media and judiciary would remain controlled and compromised, and once again a disgusting power struggle would be started at the lower level, while he would enjoy the rule.

He has also made it clear that army should always interfere in the civilian matters, and it should always be playing its very active role in the affairs of the state. Nation loves its army, and that is why there has never been a protest over the gigantic defense budget, and there have never been two thoughts about fulfilling the needs of army. Poor nation is strengthening the army by sacrificing a lot. But it doesn’t like army in the civilian matters. It wants army on the borders and just defending the country from the enemy.

People in Pakistan want true democracy.

Other posts by Commoner

• Punjab Heats Up - November 19th, 2008
• Eyeball to Eyeball - November 18th, 2008
• No Surprises There - November 18th, 2008
• Yousuf Ready to Leave "Power" - November 18th, 2008
• OGRA Website Hacked By Indian Hackers - November 17th, 2008
• Friends Of Pakistan Again Disappoints - November 17th, 2008
• New But Old Dimensions - November 17th, 2008
• After the Loan - November 16th, 2008
• Locals Lashkars Against Taliban - November 16th, 2008
• Swat Keeps on Smouldering - November 15th, 2008