Dear Friends,
As I have said this before, reiteration of
same will not hurt to say that I am as much a supporter of democracy as
is any one else. In principle, I do not disagree with Messrs Ahsan Khan
and Rafi Aamer. Also, I do not believe that the army should be running
the government, they have an entirely different and very important role
to play, that is what they should be doing. The only difference of
opinion I have with these two friends is that they are getting emotional
about democracy, and I am trying to be practical with both feet firmly
on the ground.
After having said that I must, one more
time repeat that under the present prevalent socio-economic and
political environment, I would prefer the present military rule by ‘our
own dictator’ over a civilian puppet being planned to be installed by
the US. This is my way of accepting
the better of the two evils. What really worries me is that
under the disguise of democracy, Pakistan is going to lose its important
assets which is going to be extremely important in the near future from
military strategy point of view as well as the current energy shortage
for industrial development.
I am not ignoring the fact that the
present ruler had to do a lot to please the US which was not necessarily
good for the country. But that still does not make him a puppet – he had
no way out of the quandary, short of getting the country bombed back to
the stone age. But he certainly has secured the nuclear technology
infrastructure from the slimy fingers Uncle Sam. That may change once
the ‘specially imported’ puppet is going to be installed in place. A
long list of charges have been dropped per the US instructions, and now
the road is being paved for a democracy American style – joining the
club – the previous club members being Iraq and Afghanistan.
The masses in Pakistan need jobs, shelter,
education, self respect, medical help and two meals a day. They are not
yet ready to cast a vote in any intelligent way. A population that
consists of at least 70% of those who cannot even read their own name
written on the wall, cannot perform the most important function of
casting a vote with any sense of responsibility and intelligence.
I agree with the notion, the democracy
tree has to be sown some time, without sowing one, there is no hope to
have one. But knowing full well that those who are running for power,
have been through it all and have left behind a track record that does
not warrant to waste another democracy tree on them. I don’t mind taking
a chance on some one, who may be unknown but looks good on paper, at
least does not have a track record of stealing the blood and sweat of
the poorest people on the globe.
I am all for the democracy, but would like
to vote only for those who have not sold their souls in the interest of
power. Those who can sell their souls, selling the country is equally
easy for them.
Regards,
Javed I. Chaudry
Dec 10, 07