Via Chapati Mystery, I find out that Patrick Belton of Oxblog has written a 3-part series on Pakistan and democracy at Winds of Change. It’s definitely an interesting backgrounder for people who want to know more about Pakistani politics.
Chapati Mystery adds his own thoughts on the topic.
I have a few quibbles and additions to what they say but that’ll have to wait for later.
Hobson’s Choice also had a good post about Musharraf and Pakistan recently. He introduced me to the junker (German word) class.
And Chapati Mystery, who I have added to my blogroll, seems like a great blog. I like the blog name very much and there are quite a few great posts in the short time sepoy has been posting.
Yes, it’s a great blog – design, content, presentation and the topics. And he’s also PhD student, Zack.
I was 10 years in August, 1947 and started watching government behaviour in late 1950s. Military Generals started ruling Pakistan in 1954 when General Ayub Khan, at that time Commander-in-Chief, was made Defence Minister. Civilians have been respecting armed forces and armed forces personnel all along. In return they got the remarks, “bloody civilians”, “stupid civilians”, “Corrupt civilians”, etc. The actions of present military government have made many people hate at least the Generals.
In my opinion, people of Pakistan have great potentials. They are cable of handling economy as well as politics if they are allowed to.
Rule of Generals has not allowed polititians to mature. All the politicians, most of them well experienced, were removed from the scene with one Martial Law Order by Ayub Khan. Those politicians being honest and selfless workers did not make noise. Then, the same was repeated by Generals Yahya and Zia. What Pervez Musharraf has done must be known to every body. He has not even spared engineers and scientists because they were popular among the masses (and not liked by his master Bush).
One thing should be kept in mind that every General, while imposing his rule, took USA administration in confidence and all of them were supported by the USA administration for grinding their own axe.
State of economy developed during tenure of Ayub Khan but democracy and politics went down the drain.
A close study of leaders-making by military governments reveals that, mostly, corrupt or characterless people were inducted in to politics and they also formed the cabinet. Further, some key posts were always given to the persons recommended by USA administration, few examples, M. M. Ahmed, Shoab, Moin Qureshi, Shaukat Aziz, Zubaida Jalal.
The prevailing state of economy of the country is about to burst in smithereens. However, Large financial and industrial units are owned either by foundations / trusts belonging to armed forces of the retired Generals. Land holdings of generals and other senior armed forces officers are much much more than the civilians as compared to their number.
Elections of October, 2002 were engineered to such an extent that some people who won by actual counting lost on official declaration.
Now, Shebaz Sharif has announced his arrival on May 11, 2004. The whole administrative machinery is busy for the last one week in arresting and harrassing people so that they do not go to Lahore Airpot to welcome Shebaz. Taking out procession, holding of meeting and gathering of more than 4 persons any where in the open in Lahore District is banned, and violater will be arrested.
Net result: Entry of Democracy in Pakistan is banned.
Sorry, a typing error has changed meaning of a sentence. Please read as: “Large financial and industrial units are owned either by foundations / trusts belonging to armed forces OR by the retired Generals.”
I vote we change the title of this post to “PROCRASTINATION: WHITHER ZACK?”
I hope all is well with you and Amber, insha’Allah.
Ejaz: Not just a PhD student; sepoy is one in South Asian history. That makes him an expert.
yasmine: It’s been a very busy week. Haven’t even replied to any comments which is rare for me.
New post(s) coming today though.
I would have to agree with nonpolitical Pakistani on that generals have made living in Pakistan miserable. Net result is truly entry of democracy in Pakistan is banned!