Once the most powerful man, a leader of the free world, former President of the United States George W Bush, invited the American media to his oil painting art exhibition titled “The Art of Leadership: A President’s Personal Diplomacy" on Saturday April 5th, 2014. For his remarkable collection of portraits, 30 oil based painting of leaders of the free world was showcased at George Bush Presidential library and museum in Dallas Texas.
Among the 30 world leader, stands the picture of Former President of Pakistan Gen. Pervez Musharraf who once held an important position on international stage, a well respected name in the corridors of world powers. His critics might say that picture lacks brightness, Musharraf is not smiling or the frame is cheap but the fact stays that in his time, Musharraf did take Pakistan to the highest level of the international arena, within the top 30, I might say and if you don't believe me, the art shows.
Mind wonders! Is Pakistan really so isolated in the world that it has lost touch with the reality? The world honors Pakistan with respect, we make it our agenda to turn it to disrespect. Musharraf is a traitor, Osama is our brother? Malala Yousafzai is a traitor but American convict Aafia Siddiqui is a sister? Shamefully the majority is mute but sometimes being mute becomes a sin.
In Pakistan, average Mohammad Hussain, still worries about food, shelter, electricity and security, some of the basic fundamental needs of survival for human. If you ask, do you know Musharraf started 80 universities creating post graduates? He will stir at you. Ok, do you know that academia will recommend polices for law makers and government alike to make a better Pakistan, I bet he will shrug it off. Who cares?
If I tell him that GPD grew at 6 percent from 3 percent in 1999 and Pakistan with less than a billion in reserves in 1999 went to 17 billion foreign reserves without IMF loan by 2007, he will look at me like I am speaking an alien language. From poverty and literacy level elevation, to revolutionizing Pakistan with telecom, free media, women empowerment, minority protection, anti-Terrorism policies and creating millions of jobs in Pakistan but an average Muhammad Hussein will stay unmoved.
Ok, Musharraf develop Gawadar seaport, a 650 km coastal highway, IT, CNG and Telecom industries of Pakistan, provided employment to millions and brought billions of dollar in foreign investments to Pakistan. Favorable investment conditions in Pakistan brought foreign world class franchisees to Pakistan markets but average Muhammad Hussain was not interested and kept busy washing his cow in the same water he drinks from.
I say, if democracy stand for public service and deliverance, Musharraf definitely brought Pakistan from dark ages to the 21st century, creating a vibrant Pakistan we see today. Pakistan’s thriving new booming economy and Musharraf’s tough stance on terrorism not only earned respect for him internationally but also brought prestige for Pakistan in the international arena.
Why was then he ousted out of his office then, a reader might think? If he was a western President, Musharraf will be popular like former US President Clinton for economic growth and recovery but the story of Pakistan is different. Musharraf was a right leader for wrong people.
Seventy percent of the country’s population lives a rural life fully under feudal control. How Pakistan moves forward in the international arena is not a concern for the feudal, how much they make from Pakistan is. The feudal decided who gets the vote not average Muhammad Hussain. Mostly his vote is cast on his behalf for the “Sa’ain” or “Chaudhary”, (the feudal lord) or whomever they endorse.
Another contributing factor, religious extremism and anti-American, a combo easily sold in Pakistan to the public. Musharraf was stigmatized by religious elements as an agent of the infidels. Add into this disgust, the lies of the political arena that Musharraf engaged Pakistan in US war to supported infidels over our own Muslims.
Lastly, all those moderate, liberals, religious minorities and the elite of the country which enjoyed benefits from former President Musharraf regime are silent and at this point in time, their silence has become a sin.
After this silence, majority still thinks Musharraf as a great leader but only dare to express those views in drawing room discussions or through internet by clicking ‘like’ on his face-book page, fearing they will be stigmatized in the society.
It’s a sin, when someone is victimized right before your eyes and you are mute. It’s evident that Musharraf never abrogated or subverted the constitution of Pakistan in his order, neither in 1999 nor 2007, as described in article 6 of 1973’s constitution. Yes Pakistani constitution was put in ‘abeyance’, a temporary strategy, to control law and order, a strategy used on many occasion in the history of Pakistan.
To victimize Musharraf, in 2010, the state’s political elite silently amended the constitution of Pakistan without the knowledge of average Muhammad Hussain, adding the word ‘Abeyance’ in article 6 as a crime of high treason. In vengeance for 1999’s coup, PM Nawaz Sharif’s government, in consultation with his partners in judiciary, intentionally indicting Musharraf on high treason charge under 2010 amended article 6 of the constitution of Pakistan with reckless disregard for article 12 of the same constitution which clearly states “no law shall authorize the punishment of a person, for an act or omission that was not punishable by law at the time of the act or omission.”
In short, it’s not about the law, constitution or judgment but only vengeance. The same ‘Mola Jatt’ style justice and ‘Sultan Rahi’ type statements are not acceptable to many who seek reconciliation over revenge. It’s obvious, abeyance was not an indictable offense till 2010 and letting the government use 2010 amended article 6 selectively with total disregard for its retro activity, to score political mileage cast doubts not only on the morality of the pillars of government but also opposition champions of justice who pride righteousness. Musharraf should sleep in peace knowing he didn't betray his people, his people betrayed him.
Musharraf's trial also challenges the intellect of those who supported and sacrificed for a ‘free judiciary’ in Pakistan. Did all those who gave their lives in judicial activism to restore judiciary had revenge and selective justice in mind? It’s the visual selective justice in last 6 years causing leader of the judicial movement distancing themselves from the Supreme Court.
Collective wisdom tells, Pakistani fragile democracy in its infancy can’t afford administrative and judicial adventurism. If immediate reconciliation plan is not adopted by the government and judiciary with Pakistan Army, Pakistan will definitely come one step closer to the justification of a coup and again no one will come out for judiciary and Nawaz Sharif. I have a feeling, God forbid if this happens, mistake of ‘abeyance’ will not be made but under the current security conditions, a total abrogation and subversion, with boots on ground and public execution of the accused are foreseeable.
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of The XReports.
