Daily Times

It always pays to take stock of situations and to look at one’s own hangups. One can move more gracefully to one’s ideal image and goals in this way. This is true of nations also. Nations achieve greatness by critically looking at themselves and carving out new goals. China is a living example. The larger interests and national causes must take precedence over personal vendettas and priorities. In the case of Musharraf, some people hold intense personal grudges and hatred. Primarily, the present prime minister and the former chief justice can be said to be in that category. There could be a host of others. If someone works hard to reconstruct, some flowers may get trampled. Musharraf tried to build the country and may have stepped on some toes but humans have been endowed by God with the ability to rise above themselves. The main people with personal vendettas are the sympathisers of the two individuals already mentioned. They are joined by others who had personal axes to grind or those who like to be identified as anti-army stalwarts.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, with the strength of largely Punjab-based support, may have matured to be farsighted and may have gotten over personal insecurities. He will need to grow even taller and get over the hurt that his period of confinement and exile caused him. Nawaz was ‘dethroned’ while he was close to possible ‘Caliphate’. He was misled at that time by overzealous self-serving supporters; such supporters even attacked the Supreme Court but he has shown some maturity now, and one can expect major strides from him. However, as a politician, he would want to make sure that Musharraf is no more a threat to his power. I have no suggestion of a way to do this. Perhaps his rise to maturity and greater leadership quality may win over Musharraf.

As far as I know, Musharraf will help anyone who sincerely works in the interest of Pakistan and its people. He has the experience, vision and ability to determine the right course. If Nawaz Sharif has the same in mind then the only impediment in the way is ‘personal vendetta’. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is being wrongly advised to proceed with a ‘treason’ case, which has little validity. It has no credibility because it does not fulfil constitutional requirements. It aims to isolate Musharraf and let the abettors go free. Times change and if Nawaz continues the vendetta, a day may come when he will be tried in court and the same yardsticks will be applied to him. They may even be applied on the members of the trial court and the ex-chief justice. Many jurists, including an ex attorney general, have solid legal basis to declare the trial court and the whole process illegal, and a violation of the constitution.

Nawaz Sharif will be wiser, and respected, if he puts the national interest first. He should not be exclusive but inclusive. He should ensure that the nation is not further divided. The country’s fabric is in shreds. The ethnic divide is at its extreme. Terrorists want to change the constitution and bring in Salafiism. In fact, they are paid to ensure instability and chaos. Nawaz must not alienate himself from the armed forces and ex-army men. These are very dedicated individuals and he will have their support if Musharraf is treated with the respect he deserves and are consulted to rebuild the country.

Achieving the position of prime minister is no goal in itself. The previous government hardly did anything for the people of Pakistan; it was content and proud to just be there for five years. These are no goals – it is ridiculous to consider them as satisfying. The process of democracy brings leaders to serve the country not to just roam around in grand style and show off. Nawaz has the opportunity to become a meaningful leader and not a shortsighted politician. He must identify the sycophants against Musharraf and take the larger view.

Then one also needs to look at the ‘bandwagon’ travellers. They are a combination of turncoats, opinionless followers of the short-term ‘rising stars’, fashion talkers and advantage seekers. These groups have no loyalties, philosophies or character. They will praise and praise louder than others. They will approve the person they think is a new star and will dump him/her with the same efficiency. They invariably mislead politicians. Such persons are found in every walk of life like in the media, civil services, religious groups, professionals and in civil society in general. Their goal is either a short-term benefit or to be part of the ‘mainstream’ of opinion. I have seen such people supporting Musharraf as loud as their throats would permit, and talking against him as soon as he was out of power. They add their voices only to increase the noise.

For serious minded and nationalist persons who have the good of the country at heart it is time to ask, “Is it not enough?” Must he be treated like Caesar? Or is that the destiny of all those who bring glory to a country and its people? No. We are not medieval Romans; we are Asians with as rich a tradition as the Indus Valley. We must know better. It is time that we put an end to injustices and personal vendettas, resulting in ‘anti-Musharraf’ hysteria. We must recognise his remarkable contributions, rather than remember personal differences of opinion. He is a symbol of sincere leadership, army discipline and national prestige. He brought good times to the nation and confronted enemies courageously. Respect is due to him and to the armed forces of the country.

(Concluded)

The writer is the former CEO Pakistan National Council of the Arts; chairman Fruit Processing Industries; chairman UNESCO Theatre Institute Pakistan and COO ICTV, USA. He is the author of Melluhas of the Indus Valley 8000 BC to 500 BC. He can be reached at naeemtahir37@gmail.com