Exit of a General
He was certainly the most powerful man in South East Asia. With blessings from the West and the armed forces of Pakistan, he held his post quite strongly. Yes, I am talking about General Pervez Musharraf. The general, who survived many attacks on him over the past couple of years, could not survive this attack on his position by 'democracy'. Perhaps, Billawal Bhutto's strong words "Democracy is the best revenge” carried the essence of a 'to-be' politician. General Musharraf is said to be the most popular man in Washington and New Delhi. However, he was the most hated and unpopular President of Pakistan. He had friends all over the world and foes all across Pakistan. He was the most trusted partner of President Bush's war on terror but again he was the least trusted man in Pakistan's Presidential office. He tried too many things to grasp power but he failed to do anything to have some love from the people of Pakistan.
The decision to support the USA blindly and do anything Washington ordered went pretty much against the sentiments of the people of Pakistan. The attack on the Judiciary and the removal of the then Chief Justice was the beginning of the end for General Musharraf. The brutal attack on Red Mosque, which angered the pro-Taliban section of people, was something he could have avoided. The last blow on the president was the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. He failed to prove himself clean on the issue of attack on Ms. Bhutto.
Mr. Musharraf tried his level best to persuade Washington and the Pakistan Army to do whatever they could to save his back. But, all went in vain and on August 18, 2008 his chapter of ruling Pakistan became history. The man who forced all his predecessors to go into exile is now on the run and looking for a safe haven to spend the rest of his life. This is what karma means, "What goes around always comes around".
This episode of General Musharraf's military rule in Pakistan leaves us (people of Bangladesh) to learn one very important lesson:
Coming to power with the help of ballot is more fruitful than bullet.
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Those who are laughing at the ouster of Pervez Musharraf with joy both in and outside Pakistan must be living in a fool's paradise. The episode is not yet over. There are other mighty dictators in the “metamorphism” of democracy in that country who are vying for power and waiting for the opportunity to come out in their original form. There are already signs of discord in the ranks and files of the coalition government. One faction is vying for installation of family dynasty in the country which is bound to be opposed tooth and nail by the other parties. The coalition government could not yet decide on selection of the next president and the judges of the Supreme Court and serious rift over the choices is likely to emerge any time now.
Therefore, it is too premature to celebrate the exit of one “dictator” while other aspirant “dictators” are waiting in the queue!
Mohammad Ataul Hoque On e-mail
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