Post-Referendum Scenario

Continuation of "Reforms" or the Need for Real Change

Man makes plans and Allah, who is the Real Power and Ruler, has His own scheme of things. And, what prevails ultimately is that which is essential to fulfil the Will of Allah and attain His pleasure.

And they plotted and planned, and Allah too planned. And Allah is the best of planners. (Aal-e-Imran 3:54)

This is why it happens again and again that people hate something and try their best to avoid it, but its consequences and results happen to be quite different from the expected ones. Similarly, people love something to do and make elaborate arrangements for it, but they achieve nothing save loss and humiliation.

It is possible that you like a thing that is good for you, and that you love a thing that is bad for you. But, Allah knows and you know not. (al-Baqarah 2:216)

It appears from an insightful view of the current situation that such a parameter of fate and destiny held its sway in the recently held Referendum. General Pervez Musharraf had the support of almost entire nation on Oct. 12, 1999 when all the religious and political forces, with the exception of a few, had accepted an otherwise unacceptable and loathsome incident (of military takeover) in the hope for improvement in the situation. It was hoped that those who had looted and plundered the country would be brought to book through an across-the-board accountability and the stage would be set for the emergence of new and trustworthy leadership through early and free and fair elections. But, instead of following this national agenda, the General authored his own agenda. He reduced accountability to a mockery and an instrument both for favor and victimization, started an unending chain of plans to weaken and harm the ideological foundations of the country, initiated reshuffling in the army and a game of ‘king makers’ and ‘like-minded’ in politics, readied himself to develop intimacy with India and become a lifeless yes-man in America’s global game and went so far in extending help to America that the responsibility of killing innocent Afghans rests on himself.

From referendum, the General wanted to achieve two ends. First was about securing legitimacy that he did not have despite being in power. The second purpose was to prolong his rule as the three-year respite given by the Supreme Court is nearing its end and he feels that it is necessary for the reconstructing a new system in the country and for the continuation and completion of his ‘reforms’. But, the way referendum was held, it made his legitimacy even more dubious and he did not achieve any mandate for continuation of his policies. The people of Pakistan saw for themselves and national and international media told the entire world that the bogus referendum was a historic fraud, a sham ploy that has, in fact, further weakened the president. He brought disrepute to himself and achieved nothing.

The present leadership has not used the opportunity the history and the Supreme Court had given it. Its overall 30-month performance is very dismal and discouraging. To veil its failures, it coined the phrase of ‘continuation of reforms’ and tried to make referendum a means for it. While it failed in referendum, reforms and their continuation are still being talked about and the game of political wheeling-dealing and adjustments is being staged for this purpose. In such a situation, it is necessary to scrutinize the claims of ‘reforms’ and their ‘continuation’ and find out as to what General Musharraf and his team have given to the country or have deprived it of.

The way a person is being portrayed as the center and axis in the name of continuation of policies and the way his rule is being presented as the mainstay for these policies is in itself a wrong notion altogether. Every man is mortal and ‘continuation’ cannot be based on mortal beings. It is a vain argument and a weak support, weaker than the cobweb.

If continuation of policies is dependent on certain person, then there is no basis for time-specified posts in the government system. Why should there be a few years’ limitation for parliament? Why should there be restrictions like one or tow terms for president? Why should the term for army chief be fixed as three years? Also, why should officials at key-posts be transferred after the passage of certain time? The concept of continuation that is being presented these days is the one that paves way for dictatorship. It neither has anything to do with the well-known principles of Islam or democracy, nor does it conform to the demands of reason and human experience.

In his referendum campaign, General Musharraf gave the central position to his 7-point agenda of Oct. 17, 1999 and enumerated his reforms and achievements with vehemence. We want to examine only those of his claims that are of primary importance, for whose continuation he wants to get additional five years after the completion of the hitherto-sanctioned three years.

The Dismal Law and Order Situation

The first problem is about law and order and protection of life and honor. While it is the foremost duty of every government, a military government’s strongest or weakest point lies in its record in the field of law and order situation. We are saddened to say that never before an ordinary Pakistani or a foreigner coming to Pakistan felt so unsafe as he feels now. Though the law and order situation had been unsatisfactory in the past as well, but the point is that the military government not only could not improve it and it has deteriorated even further.

Just a few facts would show the critical nature of the situation:

The incident of May 8, 2002 that claimed 14 lives and because of which an important defense project of Pakistan Navy has been deferred is an irrefutable proof of the serious conditions of law and order. Daniel Pearl’s murder in Karachi and the attack on a church in the diplomatic enclave in Islamabad have damaged Pakistan’s reputation all over the world. In a few years’ time, 182 people have been killed in what has been described as sectarian violence. Out of the 298 who have been apprehended for their alleged involvement in these killings, only two have been convicted while all the other cases have been a dilemma. Some 90 doctors have been killed. Doctors are protesting and America-based Pakistani doctors are ready to bear all the expenses of investigation, but neither any culprit is caught nor the bloody chain ends. In Sindh, some 100 people are kidnapped for ransom annually. Big feudals have their hands in it, but the hand of law is unable to take any of them to task.

According to an estimate, 127 incidents of terrorism took place between Oct. 1999 and mid-2001, killing 457 people, but apart from a few killed in so-called police encounters, none of the culprits was arrested. According to a study, a crime takes place every one-and-half minutes in Punjab. A murder takes place after every one hour and 43 minutes. 4,613 crimes took place in the year 2001 as against 4,329 crimes in 2000. Murder attempts, too, have been 5,649 as against the 5,633. In every 26 minutes, one person has been attacked and wounded. One government official has been attacked after every eight hours and one woman has been raped after every four hours. In every 45 minutes, one attempt of kidnapping was made and one burglary took place every hour. (Weekly Independent, Dec. 26, 2001, p.3)

This is the situation in the biggest province of the country. Seven vehicles in Lahore and 24 in Karachi are snatched daily. In Karachi, 1000 vehicles were snatched in just one year. Police, which is assigned the task of law enforcement and people’s protection, has not only been patronizing crimes but is rather committing them itself. Official figures signal a maddening situation, yet the rulers are claiming to have controlled the law and order situation. (Independent, Dec. 5, 2001, p.10)

According to the report published in the Independent about the performance of Punjab police, 35 percent of the total police force and 41 percent of Lahore District police are involved in corruption and crime. In the first nine months of 2001, out of 98,000 of Punjab police, 34,500 have been involved in some crime or corruption; and out of 16,000 of Lahore police, 6,514 have been convicted in one crime or the other. The matter is not just about the low-level staff. Those who committed crimes included four DSPs, 828 inspectors, 2,723 sub-inspectors, 3,873 assistant sub-inspectors, 1,750 head constables and 25,323 constables. These are those who could be grabbed!

So, how can the law and order situation be different from what it is now? There is a lot of talk about police reforms but what is coming to fore shows that this is only increasing the powers of brute and corrupt police, and the system of balances that is being proposed in the form of Public Safety Commission is, in the first place, unable to emerge. Its powers are limited and reports are that wherever they are being made, a majority is of criminals themselves. (The News, May 12, 2002)

The jails are in bad conditions. The speed with which the youth are drifting towards crimes and the way respect for law is eroding in the country is dreadful. When those who have taken oaths of abiding by the constitution and law and those whose task is to enforce them are not respecting them, the society can only be slumped into deterioration.

The Newsline has given the detail of sectarian killings in Karachi (May 2002) that shows the picture of the past five years, and particularly of the last three years, of the loosening grip of law and cheapening of the value of Muslim blood. Five in 1998, 12 in 1999, 18 in 2000, 58 in 2001, and 22 in 2002 (Jan-April).

The reports of assaults on in-service and retired military personnel in a city like Lahore is an evident proof of serious law and order situation. In the first 10 months of 2001 and only in Lahore, 30 military personnel became the target and they included officials of the ranks of general, brigadier, colonel and major. (Independent, Nov. 2001, p.4)

The most dreadful and hideous aspect is what has been published in the report of South-Asia Partnership International (SAPI) presenting details of violence against children in some countries including Pakistan. According to it, incidents of sexual violence against children registered 39 percent rise in the year 2000 as against the year 1999, i.e. 1,317 as against 945. 60 percent of the victims are girls. The report contends that the reported incidents are only 10 percent of the actual incidents.

If this is the situation of law and order and protection of life and property, honor and prestige, then General Pervez Musharraf and General Moin Haider should be ashamed of this rather than placing it in the list of achievements and good performance.

Performance of NAB

The second ‘honor’ of the government is the system of accountability. Let’s take a brief review of its performance.

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has the dubious honor of having benefited from the leadership of three chiefs in the past 30 months. Here, no need was felt of either the principle ‘continuation’ or of the principles of policy. The first contention was that accountability would be across-the-board. Then came the announcement of keeping generals and judges out of the jurisdiction. In the face of protest from all sides, they were included in the jurisdiction to ward off the criticism.

According to the report of the Bureau that it has itself published, it received 1,043 cases for investigation. In 30 months it could complete investigation only in 287 cases, i.e. only 27.5 percent. The remaining 72 percent are still under investigation. Among the politicians, two are former prime ministers, 13 chief ministers, 62 MNAs and 10 senators while 108 are from provincial assemblies. Those belonging to Muslim League (N) and Peoples Party are 2/3 and 1/3 approximately.

Out of the cases that have been investigated, 87 have been settled after reaching ‘a deal’ on ‘plea bargain’ and the tradition has been that this instrument has also been used to make the politicians ‘like-minded’. Even if it has not been so, it goes against the principles of accountability. The biggest enigma in this episode is that no case of corruption and loot and plunder was initiated against Mian Nawaz Sharif in spite of proofs and all material. He faced a case of hijacking and of a helicopter, but was sent out of the country after reaching a deal despite serious charges of corruption. In addition to the two former prime ministers and their family members, the same is being done to many others. Political analysts are clearly saying:

The NAB’s politicization can be gauged from the fact that the rulers are using NAB for striking political deal with their political opponents. The way some notoriously corrupt politicians have been left out of the accountability net has cast shadows on the NAB’s fairness." (Weekly Independent, Annual 2001 Special, Dec. 27, 2001, Jan. 02, 2002, p.6)

There is yet another dilemma that while the NAB claims that it has made a recovery of Rs 75.596 billion, the amount that has been transferred to the national kitty is mere Rs 1.2 billion. This means that the Accountant General of Pakistan has received only this much amount!

A big stain on the performance and impartiality of the NAB is the letter that its former chairman General Khalid Maqbool had written to the three services chiefs prior to his departure from the NAB. He had sought permission for investigation into the serious corruption practices during the times of two former Air Chiefs and one former Army Chief, but this permission was given neither to General Khalid Maqbool nor to his successor. (Independent, Aug. 9, 2001, P.1)

General Musharraf claims that he has eliminated higher-level corruption. Though there are no such charges against his minister as had been during the past governments, but corruption is not merely about financial transactions and kickbacks. Misuse of resources, regardless of the form, is nothing but corruption. And, whatever was happened during the referendum cannot be called by any other name. Whatever is the system of testing the level of corruption at the international level, Pakistan’s place and position have not improved. Rather, our corruption index has registered increased according to the latest report that Transparency International has published. According to the index of 1998, we were at 11^th position from below and our score was 2.7 in the scale of 10. But in the report for 2001, our number is 7^th from below and score is lower at 2.3.

We have always refrained from recounting individual incidents. But to remind and forewarn, we want to say that newspapers have given a list of 28 judges of Supreme Court and High Courts who have reportedly got one or more plots without being entitled for them just with submitting an affidavit. (Independent, Dec. 24, 2001, p.24). Yet the system of accountability did not come into action.

The Herald and other journals have published reports about the embezzlement of Rs 1.4 billion in the Employees Old Age Benefit Institute. These have come before the Public Accounts Committee meeting on Jan. 31, 2002. Complaints of corruption have been sent to the Sindh government against Commodore Syed Tayeb Ali, cousin of the chairman of the National Reconstruction Bureau, who is considered to have been the brain behind the system, for corruption of millions. The report is that orders for his removal were issued by the Chief Executive himself, yet no action was taken on them. (Independent, April 3, 2002, p.4). And recently the reports of use of vehicles by the chiefs of Narcotics Board, the post held by interior ministers ex officio, has come up before the PAC. Along with the former ones, the name of the incumbent interior minister is also there in the reports. (The Nation, May 6, 2002)

The incidents of corruption in the department of food as are coming to fore about the fiscal year 1999-2000 are exceeding Rs 3 billion and 20 million. There is not account of Rs 90 million in the ministry of tourism. (Nawa-i-Waqat, May 13, 2002). The embezzlement of Rs 910 million in the purchase of medicines has also come up before the PAC. (The Nation, May 8, 2002)

In the matter of appointments, too, no rules are being adhered to. Even the former members of the Federal Public Service Commission, who cannot legally take up a salaried-job after their retirement, are being doled out positions. (The News, May 7, 2002). According to the report that the World Bank Committee has submitted in May 2002, and which the BBC broadcast in its Sairbin program on May 12, 2002, three departments are the hubs of corruption, i.e. CBR, Wapda, and KESC. Prior to this, the Task Force for reforms in the tax system (under the former Vice President of the World Bank Mr. Shahid Hussain) had said in its report that CBR, Police, subordinate Courts and Wapda are ahead of all in corruption. If the General still claims to have eliminated corruption, it is extremely unfortunate.

Principle of Federalism

General Pervez Musharraf has also talked about the strengthening of the federal system and amity between the provinces. But, the fact is that military government and the principle of federalism are antithetical to each other. The military government means ‘unity of command’. Provinces are deprived of their autonomy and one-man policy is enforced everywhere. It is difficult even to assess the damage federalism has endured during the military rules in Pakistan. The 26 years of military rule have been the blackest days for federalism. Apart from eye-washing tactics, the facts remain that whether it is about the appropriation of water or of share in financial resources, whether it is about loans or interest on them, whether it is about distribution of lands or provision of resources for development programs and poverty alleviation projects, the complaints of smaller provinces have reached such a point that for the first time in Pakistan’s history their representatives walked out from the meeting of an official authority that had for centuries been composed of government servants, which forced the president to intervene. The issue of Thal Canal has become a bone of contention. There is acute tension among the provinces on a number of issues. Strikes are being observed in Baluchistan, again and again. This has encouraged the nationalist elements and they are talking about the 1940’s Resolution and the UN intervention. Not only tension among provinces, but also differences between the civil administration and Corps Commanders in one province are coming to fore. And not only in smaller provinces, all are aware of the differences between the governor of Punjab and the Corps Commander of Lahore and the subsequent realignment of bureaucracy.

If a blind eye is turned on all these issues and ‘all is well’ is repeated ad nauseam, this would not change the ground realities. There is no better way to resolve the differences with mutual understanding than the representative government and the democratic process.

Delusion of Economic Development

During his referendum campaign, General Musharraf presented his economic reforms and performance in most exaggerated terms. His ministers, colleagues and cohorts are all presenting the rise in forex reserves and securing of loans and assistance with pride unconfined. One ‘expert’ even went to the extent of claiming that all the indicators needed to gauge economic performance are positive and bright. To us, this picture of the economy is incomplete, self-serving and, to a large extent, biased. We do not deny that economic performance of the past political governments was not at all something to be proud of. They were continuously pushing the country in to the debt trap and were ignorant of real economic reforms for short-term benefits. But we have no hesitation in saying that economic team of this government has not taken the trouble of introducing basic reform either. This team is dominated by bankers, and they are good bankers, but the problem is that running the economy of the country is not like running a bank. Unless real solutions are found for economic problems, situation will remain volatile and problems and difficulties will not be overcome.

It is true that due to smart banking and because of our becoming the darling of loan donors, forex reserves have bulged significantly. These reserves had fallen dangerously in 1999 and the ruinous step of freezing of foreign currency accounts (FCAs) in 1998 had severely damaged our credibility in the world. The position in this field is quite better now and forex reserves reached $5.3 billion in May 2002. But the conclusions that are being deduced from this single indicator and the credit being taken for it is an exaggeration. It is true that balance of payments is positive for the first time in the last 20-25 years, but it is so only from a certain perspective. If the official transactions that are grants or loans from foreign countries are included then the balance of payment shows a surplus of Rs.331 million. But excluding official transactions and limiting balance of payments to trading and other financial transactions, then deficit shoots up to Rs.508 million. This is far less than the average deficit of $3 billion in the past. Its credit goes to the government to a certain extent as its main reason is a fall in trade deficit because of the fall in imports rather than rise in exports. Moreover, remittances of overseas Pakistanis have been doubled in the wake of international situation, their capital’s becoming unsafe in America and ban on unofficial transactions in Arab Emirates.

Behind this apparent boom, there are many bitter truths pertaining to national sovereignty, security and strategic matters. But talking from economic point of view, the most important point is stagnation of exports. The country’s exports were set to reach $10 billion before 1998 and it was the target for this year as well. But exports stand at $7.3 billion in the first ten months and, if all out efforts are made are expected to be between $8.5 to $9 billion. This is 10-15 percent less than the target! Trade deficit has shrunk just because the fall in imports has been more than the fall in exports, i.e. 6.93 percent as against 1.7 percent. It has improved the balance of payments and forex reserves position but declaring it as healthy for economy means being unaware of economic principles and factors affecting the economy.

The decline in exports is in fact a result of stagnation in economy and recession in production activity. GDP growth rate, which was 6.3 percent in 6^th five-year plan (1983-88), stood at 4.8 percent in 7^th plan (1988-1993), and 4.2 percent in the 8^th (1993-98). It fell to 3.6 percent in 1999-2001 and is estimated to be 3 percent or even less in 2001-2002. Likewise, the decline in imports would ultimately affect national growth. So decrease in deficit is not that beneficial a deed.

Added to this is the fact that State Bank raised foreign exchange reserves by purchasing dollars from open market. Sure, it has helped forex reserves situation and value of rupee against dollar became stable, but the reserves obtained in such a way are not the result of real growth or production activity. Rather, the amount of Rs. 200 billion used for the purpose has gone into a non-productive process. If this amount were used for investment in the country, it could have been helpful in employment generation, poverty alleviation and a boost in growth.

Increase in production and exports, distribution of wealth (based on justice), provision of employment, rise in investment and per capita income, along with expansion of economy and increase in tax revenues are the real standards to gauge the economy of a country. The economic situation looks dismal no matter what indicator is taken up to gauge its health. Investment in the country is decreasing. Receding from 17-18 percent of GDP during the last few years, it now stands at less than 13 percent. There were high expectations regarding foreign investment but these did not realize. In 1995-96, foreign investment has exceeded $1.5 billion, but fell to $600 million in 1999. It further fell to $180 million in 2000-2001. It has surged to $287 million for the current year, yet it is far less than the target of $500 million.

The slow growth can also be seen in the fact that commercial use of energy decreased in 2000-2001 as against 1999-2000 and it has decreased even further during the current year. Same is the situation of use of gas and electricity. This is situation for all energy resources and is a proof of economic stagnation and recession. Agriculture is facing serious problems, and apart from the production of sugarcane, sugar and, to some extent, cement, both agriculture and industry are in the throes of recession. Development expenditure in social sectors (education, health) and public sector is falling continuously. Use of credit by private sector has fallen to half of the last year. All these are the signs of stagnation of economy, not its growth. This is the reason why the government’s target of tax revenue has not been achieved despite all attempts at tax survey and efforts by CBR, the government and the army. The target has been revised downwards five times this year, from Rs.457 billion to Rs.414 billion. The estimate is that practically Rs. 400 billion or at the most Rs. 404 billion would be collected, and the budget deficit would shoot up to Rs. 60 billion.

This has been the situation in spite of the infamous tax survey that has resulted in a war-like situation between traders and the government for months. The army was called in and promises were made that tax revenue would rise unprecedently. But how the tax revenue could rise with no growth in economy, freezing investment and increasing poverty (all evident from the reports of international institutions)? The extent of increase in poverty can be gauged from the fact that 17 percent of the population were living below the poverty line in 1980, which rose to 37 percent in 1997 and 39 percent in 2001. Suicides and deaths for lack of food due to poverty and indigence are happening for the first time in Pakistan.

Per capita income in the country is decreasing continuously and our per capita income has for the first time become less than that of India. In 1996-97, per capita income was $493, which fell to $446 in 1999-2000 and just $429 in 2002. Annual growth rate of GDP has fallen from 3.89 percent to 2.39 percent and unemployment rate has increased from 5.89 to 7.82 percent of the labor force in current year. The ratio of national savings and national investment has also decreased. National savings were 15.4 percent of the GDP in 1999-2000, which fell to 14.5 percent in 2000-2001. It has decreased further in the current year. Same is the situation with national investment that was 15.8 percent of GNP in 1999-2000 but declined to 14.9 percent in 2000-2001. It too is still on the decline this year. (State Bank of Pakistan Report, March 2002)

Dearness has reached a backbreaking situation. Electricity, gas and petroleum are particular targets and their prices rise three or four times a year. Salaried-class and low-income families are crying and pensioners are wailing, but there is nobody to attend to their woes. Even when the prices of petroleum are increased in the country even when they fall in the international market. Now the prices have been increased by 17 percent just before the budget that has forced the transporters of Baluchistan to go on strike.

This economic situation can in no way be termed satisfactory. The debt burden has also risen though the pace of rise has slowed down. This has been possible because of ‘affectionate view’ of international donors and rescheduling of loans for political reasons.

There has been no real development regarding poverty alleviation and setting up of a just and prosperous society. No worth-mentioning steps have been taken for elimination of Riba, for which the deadline given by Supreme Court is ending on June 30, 2002. There are reports that government is all set to request the court for more time or suspension of the earlier verdict. (Dawn, May 15, 2002)

Our International Standing

General Pervez Musharraf claims that Pakistan’s reputation in the world has improved, the nation has gained confidence, and we are able to hold our head high. Had it been so in the real world! The fact of the matter is that while America lavishly praised the General as a bribe to use us for its ends after the 9/11, Pakistan suffered politically, militarily, morally and economically – in every respect. On the one hand, the responsibility of the blood of thousands of innocent people is on our shoulders, on the other, a blow was dealt to our own independence and sovereignty. Today, four American military bases are established on our soil. Our airports are under the control of their computers and information about each and every individual are flowing to them. Our police are under the training of their Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). A $58 million program has been started to educate our political parties in democracy. Their commandos are leading our police in Waziristan and Faisalabad. The US ambassador is saying that FBI experts are not coming just for some weeks, they would rather stay here and live here. The US Commander of the Afghan Operation declares openly that ‘our forces will remain in Pakistan for as long as we feel the need for it."

Our economy is mortgaged to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) so completely that the budget is got approved by the representatives of the World Bank even before its being approved by the cabinet, what to talk of the nation! The defense budget, the budget deficit and all the estimates of income and expenditure are being finalized according to not just the advice but the commands of the Bank’s officials. International media is reporting that our military transportation and nuclear capability is under a constant vigil. And, if the claim of Lebanon’s American Christian writer Fuad Ajami (Readers Digest, April 2002) is correct, then our nuclear installations are within the American reach.

In this background, ever increasing political and military cooperation between India and Israel, provision of war equipment to India and the political union of America and India and their common military exercises, their blackmailing of Pakistan on ‘cross-border terrorism’, India’s deployment of forces at our borders for the last six months and carry out exercises that affect us – is the dangerous situation into which the General’s leadership has plunged the country. Being morally broken-down, he has become an easy prey for both America and India and his vulnerability has increased to dangerous proportions.

Peace and honor are not achieved by begging for them. These are to be achieved with strong determination and reliance on one’s own power. This is the world where handshakes with the enemy and amity with aliens yield nothing.

The details of the Clinton-Nawaz meeting have deliberately been released at this juncture. It appears that the same episode is being replayed. Pakistani nation is at a juncture where it has to take a major decision about its life, independence and honor. Today, General Pervez Musharraf and the military leadership on the one hand, and the entire religious and political leadership on the other, are both faced with a great trial. Referendum has weakened the General, not strengthened him. It is also time for the military to realize that its strength lies in nothing but the nation.

India is playing its cards quite cunningly and America is backing it. If we are unable to understand this game or do not want to understand, this would amount to inviting our own ruin. The nation is quite strong and if it is taken along by holding fast to the ‘rope of Allah’, then it can not only defend the country but can inflict humiliating defeat to the enemy. But, this needs faith, resolve, national unity and solidarity. The enemy is making all-out efforts (and those whom you are considering as friends are partners in this game) that by exerting pressure on the Pakistani leadership, Pakistan be forced to change its Kashmir policy the way it was made to change its Kargil and Afghan policies. But, it is a matter of life and death for us, not of political expediency.

Pakistan and Kashmir are parts of the same body, neither can be pushed upwards or backwards. The resistance movement in Kashmir is a movement for Pakistan’s defense. Its weakening amounts to Pakistan’s weakening and being ultimately entrapped in India’s trap. It is time to show maturity in understanding the game of the enemy, to take the nation into confidence, and to create unity and solidarity in the nation. Just as the politicians and political parties are rightly asked to admit their past misdoings, it is necessary that the military leadership should also admit the damaging consequences of military intervention in politics and reverts to its real role (of defending Pakistan) and commits itself to that end with complete signle-mindedness. The approach of seeking role and right in politics is neither in the interests of the country nor is it beneficial for the military and its professional capability. It should remain within its sphere of jurisdiction so that its rights are fully realized. But there is no such role for it that could make it partners in power. While there have been much talk about the Quaid-e-Azam and his concept of Pakistan, loyalty with his concepts is seldom exhibited.

Instructions of Quaid-e-Azam

Let’s accept the instructions of Quaid-e-Azam without any reservations and make the bureaucracy and military abide by them as they are necessary for their own good performance. Those in politics should also rectify their attitudes and pledge to abide by a code of ethics. It is necessary for the national solidarity that elections are held at the earliest and the reigns of power are handed over to the new political leadership through really free, fair and transparent elections so that all can pledge respecting the Constitution and arrange for running it in its true spirit.

We should all adhere to Quaid-e-Azam’s instructions in this regard. Addressing Civil Servants in Chittagong on March 25, 1948, he said:

You have to do your duty as servants, you are not concerned with this political or that political party; that is not your business. It is the business of politicians to fight out their battle under the present constitution or the future constitution that may be ultimately framed. You, therefore, have nothing to do with this party or that party. You are civil servants. Whichever gets the majority will form the Government, and your duty is to serve that Government for the time being as servants, not as politicians.

Addressing the gazzeted officers in Peshawar on April 16, 1948, he said:

You should have no hand in supporting this political party or that political party, this political leader or that political leader – this is not your business. Whichever Government is formed according to the constitution and whoever happens to be the Prime Minister or Minister coming into power in the ordinary constitutional course, your duty is not only to serve that Government loyally and faithfully but at the same time fearlessly.

He gave clear guidelines to the military leadership in the Staff College, Quetta, on June 14, 1948:

One thing more. I am persuaded to say this because during my talks with one or two very high-ranking officers I discovered that they did not know the implications of the Oath taken by the troops of Pakistan. Of course, an oath is only a matter of form; what is more important is the true spirit and the heart.

But it is an important form and I would like to take the opportunity of refreshing our memory by reading the prescribed oath to you:

I solemnly affirm, in the presence of Almighty God, that I owe allegiance to he Constitution and the Dominion of Pakistan (mark the words Constitution and the Government of Dominion of Pakistan) and that I will as in duty bound honestly and faithfully serve in the Dominion of Pakistan Forces and goo within the terms of my enrolment wherever I may be ordered by air, land or sea and that I will observe and obey all command of any officer set over me…

As I have said just now, the spirit is what really matters. I should like you to study the Constitution, which is in force in Pakistan at present and understand its true constitutional and legal implications when you say that you will be faithful to the Constitution.

In the light of this instruction of the Quaid, it is the duty of civil and military servants to study the Constitution and stand fast to the oath that is laid down in the Constitution. Whoever deviates from this oath, however marginally, should get the punishment so that nobody in the future can dare violate it.

In these circumstances, there is just one way for the whole nation as well as for the military leadership itself: preparation for elections in October and transfer of power to the elected leadership with complete honesty according to the Constitution. The establishment of the politics of justice in place of the politics of victimization is the need of the hour. General Pervez Musharraf should himself analyze the situation with care and insight and should accept the people’s verdict wholeheartedly. Nobody is above the law and nobody is inevitable. The progress and strength of the country lies in allegiance to the country’s ideology, awakening of the nation, and creation of national consensus for the real change for the better.

If our leadership takes this lesson from the bitter facts of referendum, then the good can come out of the bad and the country can once again take the road to progress. May Allah enable this nation and its leadership to make correct decisions at this critical juncture so that darkness gives way to light and tomorrow brings hope and light in its folds!

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This is an English version of the editorial of monthly Tarjuman al-Qur'an of June 2002, written by Professor Khurshid Ahmad.