Dear Pervez,

. Thanks and regards.

Ahsan

*************************************************************************

So far Pervaiz Musharraf had been ruling the State of Pakistan as a Dictator with a double title of President-General. Now he has doffed his uniform but still remains a dictator with a single title of President. He maintains all executive (constitutional or unconstitutional) powers that he usurped in 1999. All the apology in favour of “Poor General” presented by many highly intelligent scholars remains still valid for the “Poor Dictator”.

The theory of “Poor Dictator” where he is forced to act, against the interest of his own people and his own nation by an external power is very common and alas not unique. There is another theory called “Defying General”. According to this theory the General is presented as a hero who is fighting against all odds to save the Army and the Defence System to save his Nation. In a way he is presented as one of Latin American leaders who are fighting against the hegemony of the American influence. An article on this theory is attached.

I know that Mr. Javed I. Chaudry is in democracy and he has written a treatise on this subject. So, I am surprised to read his comments concerning this system of government.

“Democracy is like a tree, that needs a suitable environment to grow and take root.”

True, but a plant can only take a rood if it is planted. I do not remember when a democratic system of government established in Pakistan. We had many types of Pakistani Democracy such as Governor-General’s Democracy, President’s Democracy, Basic Democracy, Megalomaniac Democracy, Hudood Democracy, Corrupt Democracy and lastly Enlightened Democracy; but alas we never had the simple Democracy, defined as early as one thousand years before Islam.

“During the last few years, it has been fashionable to refer to India as the world’s largest democracy. Has any one inquired from the Kashmiris or the Muslims of Gujarat State as to how are they fairing in the largest democracy in the world?”

The democracy is a system of government. If it is wrongly applied, then it is the fault of the government and not of the system. It is like the act of terrorism by Muslims can not be the fault of Islam.

“China is not a democratic country and yet its economy is flourishing by leaps and bounds. The Chinese leadership is doing all the right things to make that country a strong and affluent society, which is an important ingredient for moving towards democracy.”

For economical growth there are many other factors besides the system of government.  In any system of government there will be economic growth if the correct growth policies are applied. We have seen that there had been economical progress (at least officially) in Pakistan even during the period of dictators.

“At this juncture, Pakistan cannot be expected to have democracy overnight. It will be nothing but a wishful dream.”