Saeed Minhas contributes from Islamabad
“Enlightened moderation” is up against the “enlightened radicalism” not only in the parliament of Pakistan but throughout the country as much-trumpeted multi-pronged policies of President Gen. Musharraf are bearing the fruits.
Gen. Musharraf has embarked upon the policy of enlightened moderation after seizing power in a blood-less military coup in October 1999 and has been asking the moderate forces of society to strengthen his hands to make Pakistan a forward looking Islamic state. Eight years down the road, he has been able to not only rekindle the Islamo-phobia in the country but has made the Mullahs–once slaves of secret agencies agency–become the voice of downtrodden and marginalized sections of society by giving them enlightened vision of Islam and radicalism. The more Musharraf pushes for his, or many claim the US agenda, the more radical Islamic forces are becoming. They are so radicalized that in the past one month they have used the deadliest of all weapons; i.e. suicide bombs to the best of their advantage against the security forces killing more than 250 and injuring over 700. As they are creeping into urban areas, not only masses but even the security forces seems frightened from their force.
There seems to be no government in place at this time and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is literally run by the same bureaucrats, whom ‘moderates’ used to call as ‘bloody civilians’. It won’t be wrong to say that more shots are being called by the re-born Chief Justice of Pakistan these days than the down-under President Gen. Musharraf, be it the human organ case, Hashmi’s release, Red Mosque probe, missing persons, sky rocketing commodity-prices, privatization of PSO, revenue department, stock exchange inside trading, interior ministry, pension or issue of dual role by the president, CJ is directing the administration what to do and how to do it.
The world bank nominee and on-leave Citi Bank executive, Prime Minister Shoukat Aziz should not be mistaken as chief executive of this country because his run starts from the banks and ends at the most at the gates of stock exchange scams from where he had to feed his real estate holdings in America. A herd of ministers were muttering among themselves, when this scribe over-heard that Aziz should not worry because he has got at least 46 houses in America, a well-paid job and a safe exit strategy, its us who will have to talk to Nawaz or BB for our survival.
Chaudhary Shujaat, who can still see some silver lining in the face of all the happenings, has already started telling his close aides that Shoukat’s time is up and lets get ready to enjoy the rostrum for at least a year or two. Since Shujaat consider himself a man full of ideas and mid-way u-turns, he has offered the President to drive the Citi bank out and let the Punjab bank in. But as our moles reminded us that Shujaat is not the only one hoping against the hope as there are other members of kitchen cabinet who are helping the besieged Gen. Musharraf to cope with the last-minute ditch of the Americans, apathy of the Q-leaguers, heavy demands of Benazir Bhutto and last but not the least the growing cynicism with the ranks and files of the forces.
Despite releasing over two billion dollars of seized accounts of Benazir Bhutto, withdrawing most of the cases against her and assuring her the hot-seat and despite agreeing to Bush-doctrine of killing the radicalism out of Pakistan, Gen. Musharraf seems to be getting marooned in sea of troubles and schemes.
Neither any moderation nor any kind of enlightenment seems to be working for embattled President but what certainly is playing on everyone’s mind is the newly unleashed tool of radical forces;i.e suicide bombings. If Americans with all the might at their disposal cannot cope with this, how can we will be able to bring an end to this, was the outpouring of most of President’s men in PML (Q). Its no irony that when things start falling apart the hand-made puppets join the popular chorus and our chequered history has seen this all before. Whether we compare this with 1977 or 1971, it really does not matter because no one wants to be associated with the failed state. Therefore, as parliamentarians speak off the record, it seems to be more about personal agendas than any national or institutional agenda which is at stake at the Presidential level.
The debate on law and order with a focus on Operation silence at red Mosque continues to prolong in the parliament, an odd thing considering that Speaker Ameer Hussain has hardly let such things unfurl on the floor of the house in the past. Hawks of Nawaz League and MMA are considering this as a final blow to the sinking ship of Musharraf era but doves on all sides are hoping that since Americans have an unfinished agenda on hand, the General might get another lease of life. An argument, which Shujaat and company is heavily banking on and that’s where they see a role for themselves. They have even prepared Chaudhary Pervaiz Elahi to get ready for a bye-election and then hop on to the PM’s chair. How far they will be able to manage their agenda is every one’s guess but what seems certain is that Gen. Musharraf is fighting it all alone. As sources put it that he has even lost the command and control of his own janta, but then does he have any other choice then to stick with the chair?
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