Musharraf's Pakistan

Dictatorship

What is dictatorship? When dictatorship relates to a mode of governing in modern states, it labels the unrestricted power of one person (or a group of individuals). Or a government in which political power is exercised by a single individual whose rule is considered illegitimate. Or a system of government in which a country is ruled by a single person with absolute power.

Pervez Musharraf’s administraton in Pakistan fits all the above-mentioned definition as he recently removed all pretence of a transition to democracy by conducting what was in effect yet another extra-constitutional coup.

The world, obviously, was surprised by his “bold” move. Even Pakistan’s closest ally, the United States, immediately urged him to prepare the roadmap to democracy and abandon extra-constitutional policy.

But the biggest pressure apparently has come from the Pakistani people themselves because demonstrations have continued to take place across the country.

They launched massive protests over the fact that opposition party members, lawyers, judges, human rights advocates and journalists were rounded up by the police without charge and the press was constrained.

The Pakistani people apparently are fully aware that although it is dangerous to stand up to a military dictatorship, but more dangerous not to. It is yet to be seen what Musharraf will do about the large-scale protests but so far, it looks like, even the United States still has difficulties to convince him to restore the “normal” system of governance in the country.

If a country which has given aid of more than US$10 billion since 2001 still cannot convince Musharraf to abandon his dictatorship, then it is for sure that it cannot ask him to fight—let alone defeat—the Taliban or Al Qaida.

Therefore, probably, it is high time that the U.S. as well as its western allies stop pinning their hopes on the effectiveness of financial aid in urging Pakistan to help fight international terrorism network.

The only way to contain terrorism—or any kind of extremism—is to continuously promote democracy.

In the case of Pakistan, it means that they must tell Musharraf that martial law is not acceptable and that a free, fair, impartial and internationally-monitored elections must be conducted soon. Otherwise, he may have to face the possibility of international isolation.