By IANS,
Islamabad : A political party’s appeal for “patriotic generals” to rescue Pakistan was described as hollow by a leading Pakistani daily which, however, warned that “it does underline that there is always a threat lurking”.
An editorial in the Dawn Tuesday said: “Patriotic generals alone can rescue Pakistan from the depredations of despotic politicians. At least that is what the public was urged to believe yet again Monday by none other than the leader of a major political party in the country, Altaf Hussain. No, this isn’t a joke. Yes, it really did happen, again.”
“Some, blindingly obvious, context here is necessary. First, the MQM. The party has been part of nearly every set-up, civilian and military, in Sindh and at the centre over the past couple of decades.
“…When it is part of a military dispensation, the party talks about the trappings of democracy. When it is part of a civilian dispensation, the party calls upon ‘patriotic generals’ to ‘save’ the country from the very class of politicians the MQM has routinely partnered with.”
Pakistan has been governed by a string of military strongmen, including Pervez Musharraf who ruled for nine years after taking power in a bloodless coup in 1999. He stepped down in 2008 and left Pakistan. He now lives in London.
The editorial wondered whether generals, “patriotic or otherwise, have any idea about how to ‘fix’ Pakistan”.
“It isn’t a very difficult question to answer. For half its history Pakistan has been ruled directly by military dictators, while the other half has seen the military play a powerful behind-the-scenes role. If Pakistan today needs to be saved – as Hussain has argued – then surely it needs to be saved from the group that has led and influenced the policies of the country the most. Logic and history would suggest that group is the army itself.”
It wrapped up saying that “…hollow as the appeal to the army may have been, it does underline that there is always a threat lurking”.
“Thankfully, this time a majority of the mainstream politicians in Pakistan appear to have understood that bitter infighting only helps strengthen the non-democratic forces. However, constant vigilance is needed: the non-democratic forces will not accept defeat so easily.”