When Musharaff lifted the martial law in Pakistan just on election eve, was he following the Indian example? india, let it be recalled, went
through a short spell of internal emergency when several restrictions were imposed on the media.Precensorship was one of them. When Mrs Indira Gandhi decided to go to the polls, she waived all restrictions. I would say this tilted the scales in favour of the opposition.For they went on a massive campaign to unearth the scams and scadals that tok place during the period and more importantly the human rights violations. Some force might have neen used to enforce family planning. This as well as illegal detentions and tortures in police custody were highlighted in the media and the borderlines were certainly won over by this appeal. The peaceloving people voted out the leading symbols of the regime.India has not looked back since .PerhapsMusharaff who has least to lose in the elections ahead was reminded of the Indian lead. for in the days after hs election as President, though he discarded his uniform, he was hesitant where other emergency measures were concerned. Saner advice has since prevailed. And if the elections are free, and distanced from emotional factors Pakistan may be firmly settled the democratic way.That is our prayer too, for a neighbour.
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