Daily Times

Pervez Musharraf in his press conference in Dubai announced that he would arrive in Pakistan within one week of the installation of the interim government set up. He has tried to clear the mist of incredibility about his return to Pakistan. Answering a representative of the media he said that his earlier dates were postponed on the advice of his party members and now they have unanimously asked him to return soon after the swearing in of the interim government. The logic seems clear. It is hoped that the interim government will not have its own axe to grind and it will treat him neutrally. His party, the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), expects to have a level playing field during elections. Prior to that, all kinds of political arm twisting has been going on. Such tactics are not new, like registration of criminal and civil cases, confiscation of properties, mudslinging, discounting the good work of the predecessors, etc. The polity overloaded by landlords, power barons, and other such individuals have always used tactics to discourage and keep genuine and educated persons out of the political fray. Musharraf, in his press conference, expressed confidence in the courts and hoped for justice.

The real threat is to Musharraf’s life from terrorists. However, he believes that life and death is in the hands of the Almighty and as long as he lives he wants to serve the country and its people. For Musharraf, this is almost the only chance to play a democratic role. He is boarding the last bus. Some may consider it already late but it is a ‘now or never’ situation. The people and the country have suffered too much and for too long. A change for the better has to happen, and Musharraf believes he can turn the country around as he did a decade ago. One would like to wish that the change for betterment does occur sooner rather than later.

It is also true that in spite of the announcement the doubts about his return still exist. The mist has not entirely cleared. It will only clear when he is actually here and steps onto the soil of Pakistan. It will be fair to expect that as a former president and a former Chief of the Army Staff, he will be provided appropriate security on and after his arrival and will remain free to run his election campaign. This is the only way that will ensure the free expression of the will of the people.

The Election Commission of Pakistan is expected to ensure a free and fair election and it must succeed in doing so. All forces, armed or civilian, need to help and support this effort. We as a nation must mature and entrench the democratic traditions. The faults in the current democratic system notwithstanding, this is the only system for change and it should be protected. There are, no doubt, challenges to the system and many feel that it has failed. But is it the system or governance that has failed? Primarily, it seems to be governance. Law and order and the economy are the biggest casualties. There is very little to commend. Perhaps the handing over of Gwadar port for management to China, the agreement of gas supply with Iran are the few things that give hope. Some provincial governments, particularly Punjab, have tried to alleviate a few problems. Punjab has concentrated on resolving traffic and transport issues in the urban centres, which is good. However, much more needs to be done in all other areas like health, poverty alleviation, power generation, law and order, education and so on.

On a national level the role of the overseas Pakistanis needs to be treated fairly. The Pakistani Diaspora is in a large number. Away from home their attachment with the homeland becomes extremely strong. They save every penny and send it to Pakistan. Last year’s figure was an astounding $ 31 billion. This flow of funds has been the mainstay of Pakistan’s economy. What do these individuals feel when they are told that they cannot participate in serious decision making in the country? Even a system to help them vote is not well organised. Why is it so? Why do we suspect their loyalty? Are we slaves to the systems in India? In the United States, the Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, once an Austrian citizen, served a full term.

Why are we shy of using our experts? If a distinguished doctor, engineer, economist, researcher, diplomat or any other expert can help the country, why should he be deprived of holding a position of high responsibility? Are we so insecure to feel that a member of the Diaspora will run away with the country’s assets? Then why is their financial contribution acceptable? Are we trying to keep internationally recognised expertise away and live in our pool of mess? Also look at it from the perspective that a large number of our ‘law makers’ are ill-educated and some even have fake degrees. Do we want to perpetuate this situation and shy away from contemporary knowledge and expertise? Pervez Musharraf supports the rights of the Diaspora to the fullest extent and has proposed even reserved seats for them, which is a good step.

I think it is time that we grow out of phobias, stop mudslinging and covert activities, shed the clichés of ‘dictatorship’ and try to bridge the divide. The country has suffered because of ‘exclusivist’ attitudes. There is a divide in religious sects, regions, colour, young and old, languages, biradaries and so on. A nation is built by inclusive attitudes, by taking pride in human and material assets, and their optimum use.

It is time we broadened our perspective and if Musharraf can contribute to the betterment of the people and the country, it should be encouraged, and the same goes for anybody who is sincere, capable and honest.

The writer is the former CEO Pakistan National Council of the Arts; Chairman Fruit Processing Industries; Chairman UNESCO Theatre Institute Pakistan; COO ‘ICTV’ USA, and currently, Senior Vice President APML(Central). He can be reached at naeemtahir37@gmail.com