, on 10th Nov 2007.The imposed emergency or martial law in Pakistan is not different from other martial law which the country has seen earlier. However it has been imposed by a person who repeatedly promised to establish 'genuine democracy' and thus earned favor from the western countries.This period can be termed as the darkest phase of Pakistan politics after independence.
The declared emergency is a special case because this time the constitution has been suspended, usually during emergency only fundamental rights get suspended. It is a different kind of martial law where parliament has not been dissolved.
Terrorism and failure of internal 'law and order' machinery have been sought as the reason behind this new move. As army and other security agencies were completely under the command of Prez Musharraf, the situation could have been controlled. The imposition and suspension of constitution gives clear indication of other motives, which is easily understood.
Musharraf wanted to get control over judiciary, media and other independent agencies. The apex court of Pakistan, in recent times, gave many verdicts which were shocking to President. The court was yet to deliver judgment on Musharraf's re-election as President in uniform; expectedly it could have been gone against him.
Pakistani media was continuously criticizing Musharraf and supporting the rising agitation of people and lawyers. Islamic extremists, who supported him initially, were openly disparaging the government and threatened him by issuing Fatwas. In this way the situation was going out of hand of a 'frustrated man' who wants to keep Pakistan under his rule forever.
Private channels have been banned in Pakistan and the 'code of conduct' for journalists has been issued already. Newspapers might go back to Zia Ul Haq's days when army personnel used to sit in news room and all the censored stories used to appear as blank spaces in next day's paper.
On the very next day of the declaration political leaders, judges, lawyers, human right workers, were taken under house arrest or arrest. Same day 30 hardcore extremists, including at least five suicide bombers, were released. This shows the seriousness of Musharraf to fight against terrorism.
As far as India is concerned, it is always difficult to have a neighbour country where political conditions are unstable. All the efforts taken to resume the 'peace talk' are in vain now. 'Mutual talk' between these neighbours has always been difficult and unstable political conditions of Pakistan have only added to the cause. The circumstances have guided India under a dilemma of 'whom to talk' again.
Prez Musharraf would like to play 'hatred India' card again to shift the ‘focus of attention’ of Pakistani people to India. Terrorist's activities in Kashmir and other part of the country may increase. . In this fashion he can please the hardcore Islamic extremists and earn some sort of praise as well.
The conditions of Pakistan clearly shows that the days of this army regime are about to end like all other martial rules of the country. Agitations are rising there and people have refused to be silenced by the guns. Even the top army officials are not happy with their power thirsty Boss. General Ashfaq Kiyani is waiting to take over as the army chief. Before the declaration of emergency the meeting of core group of army officials was not called. Apart from this the biggest question now arises is that for how long Pakistan army will keep on raising arms on their own people? The condition is like the darkness before dawn and Pakistan will find a stable democratic government soon.
The declared emergency is a special case because this time the constitution has been suspended, usually during emergency only fundamental rights get suspended. It is a different kind of martial law where parliament has not been dissolved.
Terrorism and failure of internal 'law and order' machinery have been sought as the reason behind this new move. As army and other security agencies were completely under the command of Prez Musharraf, the situation could have been controlled. The imposition and suspension of constitution gives clear indication of other motives, which is easily understood.
Musharraf wanted to get control over judiciary, media and other independent agencies. The apex court of Pakistan, in recent times, gave many verdicts which were shocking to President. The court was yet to deliver judgment on Musharraf's re-election as President in uniform; expectedly it could have been gone against him.
Pakistani media was continuously criticizing Musharraf and supporting the rising agitation of people and lawyers. Islamic extremists, who supported him initially, were openly disparaging the government and threatened him by issuing Fatwas. In this way the situation was going out of hand of a 'frustrated man' who wants to keep Pakistan under his rule forever.
Private channels have been banned in Pakistan and the 'code of conduct' for journalists has been issued already. Newspapers might go back to Zia Ul Haq's days when army personnel used to sit in news room and all the censored stories used to appear as blank spaces in next day's paper.
On the very next day of the declaration political leaders, judges, lawyers, human right workers, were taken under house arrest or arrest. Same day 30 hardcore extremists, including at least five suicide bombers, were released. This shows the seriousness of Musharraf to fight against terrorism.
As far as India is concerned, it is always difficult to have a neighbour country where political conditions are unstable. All the efforts taken to resume the 'peace talk' are in vain now. 'Mutual talk' between these neighbours has always been difficult and unstable political conditions of Pakistan have only added to the cause. The circumstances have guided India under a dilemma of 'whom to talk' again.
Prez Musharraf would like to play 'hatred India' card again to shift the ‘focus of attention’ of Pakistani people to India. Terrorist's activities in Kashmir and other part of the country may increase. . In this fashion he can please the hardcore Islamic extremists and earn some sort of praise as well.
The conditions of Pakistan clearly shows that the days of this army regime are about to end like all other martial rules of the country. Agitations are rising there and people have refused to be silenced by the guns. Even the top army officials are not happy with their power thirsty Boss. General Ashfaq Kiyani is waiting to take over as the army chief. Before the declaration of emergency the meeting of core group of army officials was not called. Apart from this the biggest question now arises is that for how long Pakistan army will keep on raising arms on their own people? The condition is like the darkness before dawn and Pakistan will find a stable democratic government soon.
