To The Editor
Sub:- Musharraf will blunder, if now searches mainly civilian constituency. Ref:- USA being misunderstood on Pakistan. Dear Sir This refers to press conference of Musharraf on November, 11 which was widely telecast live in India also. Though Musharraf sounded quite convincing as for defending his various actions regarding imposition of emergency, disciplining judiciary, fighting terrorism & fundamentalism etc but he is evidently preparing himself to commit blunders as for his political / constitutional moves are concerned. Musharraf ought to keep the following in mind while deciding his future course of such actions:- (1)- Musharraf will dig his own grave if he FORMALLY gives up his main martial constituency and try to depend mainly on civilian constituency in order to become a so called Civilian President. (2)- Even USA & its democratic allies have come out against merely (i)- Musharraf's continuation as army chief and donning of uniform (ii)- martial law (emergency). (3)- For becoming a martial president Musharraf need not be army chief donning the uniform or be any other officer of the armed forces. Because mankind has known and still knows many heads of the states (monarchs, military rulers etc.) without having served formally for a single day in armed forces of their countries. Martial President (even in civilian attire) only requires the main & explicit support (whether institutionalised or not) of the armed forces of his country. (4)- Therefore Musharraf can give up the post of Army Chief and uniform but may remain martial President supported mainly by the armed forces of Pakistan. (5)- As for lifting the emergency is concerned Musharraf is absolutely right when he says that given present circumstances of Pakistan, emergency is good not only for the restoration of normalcy (law & order) but also for the promotion of democracy in Pakistan. The only thing Musharraf ought to do is the following in order to reasonably address the concerns of USA & its allies in particular and of international community in general regarding free & fair functioning and conduct of democracy & coming January general elections in Pakistan:- (i)- Musharraf ought to allow all the registered political parties (of Benazir, Nawaz, Imran etc ) not only to take part in free and fair elections but also to campaign and take part in political activities freely and fairly with following conditions. (ii)- All political parties will take prior permission from local administration before organising political & election meetings, rallies, demonstrations etc.. (iii)- In case any political party organises such programs without getting such prior administrative permission then its office bearers should be punished as per law and even that political party's registration should be cancelled if it persists in such effrontery. (iv)- Any political party / person which organises political meetings, rallies, demonstrations etc.after taking prior permission from administration (or otherwise) but by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Pakistan Government and its various organs & institutions established by law, should be punished for the offence of sedition (similar to section 124 - A of Indian Penal Code). (v)- This law of sedition will take care of any mischief (if any) by media also (as one case of foreign media, complained during this press conference by Musharraf) if it tries to take the wrong advantage of unprecedented media freedom (as he claimed) granted to Pakistan by Musharraf himself. (5)- Musharraf need not follow the beaten track of either full military rule or full democracy (republic). Rather given the history and present situation of Pakistan, Musharraf ought to prefer di-archy with joint martial and civilian rule, where martial President (supported by armed forces) will take care of martial affairs, security of the country, foreign affairs, human rights and assent to legislation of Pakistan. Whereas elected civilian Prime Minister, Chief Ministers etc will take care of all the civil matters of Pakistan. (6)- Musharraf need not be apologetic about this di-archy because if martial forces who lay down their lives for the protection of their country & State (which is law) are not entitled to have a final say in the crucial affairs of the State then certainly the politicians who thoroughly criminalise and corrupt the State (as has been happening in this region including in India also) are hardly entitled for this. (7)- Musharraf ought to keep one more thing in mind that now he is no more an individual person in flesh and blood but has become an abstract entity who's survival at the helm of Pakistan's affairs, at least for another year or so, is crucial and will decide the political fate of not only Pakistan but also of SAARC countries. Because in the success of this di-archy (joint martial & civilian rule) lies:- (i)- The hope of mankind (especially the under developed, economically). (ii)- The hope of nuclear arsenals of Pakistan not falling in wrong hands (especially of fundamentalist terrorists) Therefore, cheer & gird yourself up Musharraf! You are being watched (more than what it appears on ground) by billions all over the world with great interest, expectations, good wishes and care . Yours truly Hem Raj Jain 208, Supriya, Plot # 20, Sector, Dwarka New Delhi - 110075, INDIA Ph: +91 11 32940177 Mob: 09871194983
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