Musharraf re-enters politics
by
Javed Hafiz |
Generals never retire, they just fade away. But General Musharraf has refused to fade away, albeit, as a politician. Some Pakistani politicians have left the country when the going is tough in the country. But despite the luxuries and a sense of security abroad, they could not resist the temptation of returning to Pakistan even though it may be chaotic and unsafe. Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif and Zardari are recent examples. Power, they say, is really intoxicating.
Musharraf recently launched his political party in London. His assessment was that the Peoples Party rule in Pakistan has become part of Pakistani problems rather than solutions. The so-called democratic rulers have created so many problems that the electorate would even welcome the devil to replace them. But that could be only partially true. Certain sections of the society, businessmen, for example, like a strongman like Musharraf ruling the country. The business climate improves as uncertainties go.
However, despite plummeting popularity of the present government, Musharraf’s initiative found little support inside the country. It would appear that he has more supporters abroad. His telethon in England, in support of the Pakistani flood victims, was impressive. He was able to collect a handsome amount. As compared, the support for his newly formed All Pakistan Muslim League was lacklustre.
All established political leaders in Pakistan were sceptical of Musharraf’s political future. The move kicked up a lot of dust and accusations. Musharraf called Chaudhry Shujaat Hussein and Zafarullah Jamali liars. He hurled insults at Nawaz Sharif calling him half wit. He vowed to take Pakistan out if its current problems. But not many were convinced if that avowed goal could be achieved easily. Pakistan has multiple and complex problems made worse by the lack of direction that the present government suffers from.
It is almost certain that Musharraf will not return to Pakistan anytime soon. He could be proceeded against in the superior courts and senior judges have no love lost for him. He could be proceeded against for subverting the constitution in 1999. This prospect prompted Prime Minister Gilani to say that Musharraf will be welcomed by the Chief Justice! While commenting on the possibility of the General’s return, President Zardari recited a famous Urdu couplet of Mustafa Zaidi which translates like this: O my beloved, in case you can, do come to my abode walking on these stones for there is no rainbow on way to my house. In other words Musharraf would face problems on return and should think twice before venturing back.
Musharraf admitted two colossal mistakes committed by him which created a lot of turbulence in Pakistan. He confessed that removing the Chief Justice and promulgating the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) were those mistakes. Since both these issues have been discussed extensively in this column, any further dilation would be duplication. While Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary’s removal led to Musharraf’s fall, the NRO paved the way for his successors to return to Pakistan. Musharraf took these decisions at his own peril.
Musharraf’s power base in Pakistan was the army. The day he became civilian president, power started slipping out of his hands. No retired general has ever made it to the top in Pakistan. Air Marshal Asghar Khan is a classic example of a successful soldier failing in the dubious game of politics.
When Musharraf staged a coup in 1999, the Supreme Court gave him three years to conduct new elections. He brought democracy in three years but merely a controlled version. In that controlled democracy, the habitual turncoats were more than ready to support him. When his uniform became debatable, Chaudhary Pervez Illahi, the then Chief Minister of Punjab vowed publically to get him elected as president, 10 times, in military uniform. The Chaudharies of Gujrat are no more prepared to welcome Musharraf back into politics. The political turncoats worship a rising sun only!
While the gathering in London, where Musharraf spoke, was adequate in numbers, there were no political heavyweights there. Former prime minister Shaukat Aziz who lives in London stayed away. The wise investment banker has perhaps rightly assessed that investing in a 67 year retired general could be a losing preposition!
Musharraf now laments that the NRO decision was forced on him by the Chaudharies of Gujrat. Benazir had placed two options before Musharraf; either the law denying third time prime minister ship be quashed or the court cases be withdrawn. The Chaudhries preferred the withdrawal of cases. It is now clear that Chaudhry Perwaiz Ilahi had prime ministerial ambitions. But a leader of Musharraf’s stature leads the decision making process and does not allow others to impose their will on him. It seems that after the lawyers’ movement and doffing the uniform, Musharraf had become increasingly fickle minded.
Musharraf’s body language and choice of words in his recent speeches betrayed some kind of desperation and lack of control. The words he used for Nawaz Sharif were better avoided. He was impulsive and brash. I think Pakistan would do well without such a leader. The country needs younger and better leaders.
(Javed Hafiz is Pakistan’s former ambassador to the Sultanate) |
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