This is in response to the Ahmad Hammad’s letter “Nawaz Sahrif’s dilemma” on Nov 8th 2010. I agree with his no right-left faction theory. In fact, the fate of Pakistan is determined by the pro-establishment and anti-establishment forces.
Secondly, the writer talked about a post-2007 era. I think all critiques should be brought forward keeping in mind the fact that this is the Pakistan with a more autonomous media, a more active judiciary and a more erudite civil society.
Finally, my point of contradiction with the writer is when he says “Pakistanis traditionally confer power upon those leaders who defy the dictators. To name a few, Z A Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif and Benazir”. I am startled to see the names of Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto in the list of leaders who defied dictators. It’s an irony because it is the same Nawaz Sharif who gave thumbs up to Zia-ul-Haq’s dictatorial regime and it is the same Benazir Bhutto who made a deal with Musharraf. So, to me “Nawaz Sharif and democracy” and “Benazir and democracy” seem to be two oxymorons.
Pakistan cannot prosper until or unless a democratic system is sustained in our political parties and a culture of accountability prevails in our society. I want to end by saying “Democracy within the political parties, otherwise it’s just hypocrisy”.
USAMA ATHER
GCU, Lahore
