By now, we all know that Pakistani President, Pervez Musharraf, has declared martial law in his nation. That means a suspension of the Constitution accompanied by curbs on media and political activity. It also means strong denounciations from the West.
Things were supposed to get better for Pakistan. Former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, had just returned from abroad and was poised to take charge in a power-sharing arrangement with Musharraf. The old days were set to return, and the anti-terrorist rhetoric was at it height. But things never seem to work out as planned in Pakistan – especially recently.
Ali Eteraz gives a good run-down of the events in The Guardian (London). He is a little suspicious of both Musharraf and Bhutto. But I suppose that could be understood. I was taken by a statement near the end of his article that explained Musharraf’s rationale for imposing martial law.
He (Musharraf) argued that the judiciary, which had become highly politicised, inefficient, and a hindrance in the fight against the legitimate terrorist threat, needed to be removed. He cited evidence of the fact that supreme court had freed 81 blacklisted terrorists, along with re-opening numerous extremist madrassas. In his speech he compared himself to Abraham Lincoln who, during the American civil war, in order to preserve the constitution, had to violate some parts of the constitution. He concluded by putting an emphasis on jobs, money and taxes, and warned against militants who kill Pakistani Muslims in the name of Islam.
That cinches it for me. The Pakistani Supreme Court and the judicial system in general seem to be a problem. For all of those who decry Musharraf’s power grab, it could equally be argued that the Pakistani judiciary is trying to grab power as well. The showdown seems to be between two branches of government who are intent on directing the course of Pakistan without the other.
Given the fact that the Supreme Court seems bent on empowering radical factions and enabling terror elements in Pakistan, I am once again forced to grudgingly align myself with Musharraf. I’m not thrilled with Pakistan’s dictator. But neither am I anxious to see his nuclear-armed country fall into the hands of extremists. Musharraf is the best hedge that we have for now.
Sometimes you just have to hold your nose as you endure the rubbish.
steveflesher
Philip
Mel Maguire
Mark Ciavola
