Thread: Paksitani Election and the Valued Uniform!!

[QUOTE]Sunday, April 23, 2006 E-Mail this article to a friend Printer Friendly Version

VIEW: Elections and the president’s uniform —Dr Hasan-Askari Rizvi

The current arrangement — allowing President Musharraf to hold on to the post of chief of army staff — is exceptional. No normal functioning democracy allows one individual to occupy these two offices. This arrangement is an anathema to democracy because it hinders the autonomous growth of civilian institutions and processes and exposes the military — especially the senior command — to political controversies

Recent statements of some federal ministers and senior members of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML) have caused confusion about the timing of the next general elections and the future of President General Pervez Musharraf’s uniform. Rather than strengthening constitutionalism and democracy, their sole objective, it seems, is to sustain the present power structure in Islamabad and three provincial capitals.

They stick selectively to the text of the constitution, disregarding its spirit and norms of parliamentary democracy and constitutionalism. Even if this is a deliberate effort to confuse the opposition, it adds to the political uncertainties and creates the impression that the existing constitutional procedures may be used to prevent the dissident political forces from entering the political process except on the present rulers’ terms.

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Sher Afgan Niazi has made several statements on these issues and maintained that elections could be held in January or February 2008, within three months of the expiry of the five-year term of the National Assembly in November 2007. He has also argued that the assemblies’ term could be extended by a year following a declaration of emergency. In the latter case, the elections might be held by early 2009.

Federal Minister for Information Sheikh Rashid Ahmad and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, the PML president, too, have mentioned the possibility of a one-year extension in the parliament’s term. They have also maintained that President Pervez Musharraf could be re-elected by the existing parliament and the provincial assemblies.

The PML leaders make no secret of their desire that President Pervez Musharraf should continue to hold on to the command of the army after 2007. The PML convention in Lahore on March 23, 2006 demonstrated that its leaders wanted President Musharraf to continue to function as the army chief. They also committed themselves to re-electing him. President Musharraf, who is not a member of the PML, addressed the convention to give the party a boost. The PML convention in Peshawar on April 20 also expressed pro-Musharraf sentiments. Earlier on April 5, Arbab Ghulam Rahim, the Sindh chief minister, summed up the sentiments of the ruling PML in these words: “Keeping in view the international scene, we need him (Pervez Musharraf) for another term to ensure continuation of policies.” He added that it was possible to postpone general elections for a year.

The minister for parliamentary affairs has argued time and again that there is no legal or constitutional bar against President Musharraf’s continuing to serve as the army chief. This view is not shared by many in the government circles who believe that the president cannot hold on to his army assignment beyond November 2007. However, they say, the parliament is competent to give him another exemption.

The PML leadership is making these arguments with a strict focus on the text of the constitution — without taking into account the spirit of the constitutional arrangements and democratic conventions. While this may serve the immediate power interest of the ruling coalition it does not look good for the already troubled track record of constitutionalism and democracy in Pakistan.

There may be a provision in the constitution that can be interpreted to suggest that the elections are held after the expiry of the term of the National Assembly, unless it is dissolved earlier as prescribed in the constitution, but the established tradition of parliamentary democracy emphasises dissolution of the parliament shortly before the expiry of the term. In Great Britain, Canada and Australia, the parliament is not allowed to expire. It is always dissolved for holding fresh elections.

The National Assembly should not be allowed to expire on November 15, 2007 — at the expiry of its term. The democratic norm calls for its dissolution to allow enough time to hold elections before November 15. This will help boost Pakistan’s image abroad.

The current arrangement — allowing President Musharraf to hold on to the post of chief of army staff — is exceptional. No normal functioning democracy allows one individual to occupy these two offices. This arrangement is an anathema to democracy because it hinders the autonomous growth of civilian institutions and processes and exposes the military — especially the senior command — to political controversies.

One of the major objections to the claim of democracy in Pakistan is that the serving army chief is the real ruler and the prime minister and the parliament play a secondary role. If President Musharraf continues with this arrangement after 2007 (even with the approval of the parliament), it will be viewed as a failure of his system to grow popular roots.

The PML-led coalition needs the president-in-uniform because of its belief that this improves its political clout and helps it deflect the opposition pressure. Identification with a powerful president helps the PML deal effectively with its internal squabbles and keep the differences with the coalition partners within limits. The recent problems between the PML and the PPP-Patriots too had to be brought before the president who advised restraint.

Given the president’s importance for sustaining the PML-led power arrangements, the ruling circles will continue to favour the status quo. The question is how far can the continuation of this arrangement for another five years serve President Musharraf’s interests?

The present political arrangements have almost run out of steam, although they can continue indefinitely because President Musharraf has a firm grip on the army and civil establishment and the opposition is weak and divided and its key leaders are based outside Pakistan. However, viable democratic arrangements that enjoy legitimacy at home and credibility abroad cannot be evolved without adopting four measures.

First, the support-base of the present political arrangements has to be extended by opening up the political process to include mainstream political parties. This will enable General Musharraf to seek new political equations. Some political parties will be willing to go for accommodation provided it is based on mutuality of interests rather than the current power elite setting the conditions for partnership.

Second, a new political equation cannot be evolved without the president agreeing to separate the presidency from the command of the army. If the president can cultivate a genuine political partnership with the political groups that enjoy support at the grass roots, such a transition will not cause problems.

Third, fair and free elections should be held under credible administrative arrangements. Rather than helping some political parties to win, the military and civil establishment should use the election to judge the political clout of various political parties. A genuinely popular leadership will be forthcoming for accommodation with President Musharraf if the elections are fair and free.

Fourth, the presidency will have to redefine its role in order to allow political leaders more space.

The time is fast approaching for the power elite to recognise that there is no alternative to empowering civilian institutions and processes. This can be facilitated by exploiting the opportunity still available for political accommodation. However, if this option is given up in favour continuing the existing power configuration, the polarisation in domestic politics will only increase. Elections in such a polarised atmosphere may prove divisive.

Dr Hasan-Askari Rizvi is a political and defence analyst
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...3-4-2006_pg3_2Confusing people is the Pakistani birthright.

An audit of the posts that are "Looking at London and Talking to Tokyo" of Paksitani members indicates lucidly the phenomenon.

Therefore, politicians and quasi politicians confusing each other in Pakistan is passé.

The PML is a fraud that was foisted by Musharraf on the Pakistani populace through horsetrading and blackmail. It is obvious that they would like the old rather pot bellied General to hang on to his uniform so that the gun remains pointed at the Pakistani public head to bow to the wishes.

The LBA election was a fraud which even the Treasury Benches claimed and voted against their own govt and yet not a whisker changed. The gun was there and Pakistan is a lackey of the Chinese and they have learnt Mao by heart as they have learnt the Koran by rote! Pious chaps! Mao said "Power grows from the barrel of a gun" and Musharraf has proved it in real life! The PML too understands the same.

Musharraf and the gun will ensure the second wind to the the fraud that he has perpetuated that stands in the name of democracy!!!!