Since the President has received an invitation to address American Jewish Congress. This invitation has generated hot debate and controversy within and outside the country.
While the friends regard it as the endorsement of Musharraf's policies and recognition of his role as a world leader and statesman, the opponents reject both of these claims. Their point of view is that this invitation is a reward for the unconditional support and loyalty shown by the general in achieving the objectives of American foreign policy and reflects the appreciation of his services as "United States man" rather than statesman.
Political analysts critical of the present government consider it as another U-turn in the foreign policy and the President seems to have shown remarkable skill in taking U-turns during the past six years. It was on 12th October, 1999, when the General took over the government declaring himself as the Chief Executive of the country.
The Prime Minister was captured and political institutions were demolished. This toppling of the government was condemned in most of the western capitals particularly in Washington.
The Pakistan Foreign Office had to do great efforts to convince President Clinton to include Pakistan in his visit to South Asia. Although he agreed to stay at Islamabad for a few hours, Clinton was very loud and clear in expressing his anger and displeasure over the expulsion of the elected government by undemocratic means. At that time Pervez Musharraf was one of the most un-popular and un noticeable figure for the world media but his fortunes seem to have changed and now he is the most sought after person, the "most wanted" both by the friends and foes.
The incidence of 9/11 was the main turning point. America was in the crisis once again and in search of the strong ally. General Musharraf provided the badly needed support for US operations in Afghanistan. All of a sudden he became the darling of the western powers. They were ready to forget all the questions about the legitimacy of his regime, at least for the time being.
Weak and divided opposition, as usual, at home and the ASHEERBAD of the global partners made him stronger day by day. He took a number of "bold steps" in the best "national interest" like the reversal of the Afghan Policy by withdrawing support from Taleban. The recent move is the initiation of the diplomatic ties with Israel, the state which up till now was labelled as the illegitimate baby of the Anglo-US conspiracy in the Middle East. This again is in the best "national interest." However, it is not yet clear whether the beneficiary nation is Israel or Pakistan.
Media managers of the government are busy in quoting verses from the holy Quran urging for the need to develop harmonious relationship with the people of other faiths and citing examples from the life of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) in which stress is given to settle the disputes through dialogue and negotiations.
How nice and sweet it sounds that eventually these people have started to give Islamic references to justify their policies and rightness of their cause. However, one thing appears strange why the same Islamic spirit of dialogue is not being demonstrated on the national level.
If our President is ready to talk with the Israeli leaders whose hostility towards the Arab world is a well established fact which they have never tried to hide, why is he shy to initiate the talk with his own countrymen, the political leadership living in exile, willingly or un-willingly, having disagreements with some of his policies? After all they are fellow Pakistanis and command considerable following inside the country.
Isn't this the right time to rise above the personal ego and talk with the openness of heart and mind? If the need is accepted to have peaceful co-existence with Israel, it is more urgent and vital to try and develop consensus about some of our national issues.
If President General Pervez Musharraf undertakes the challenging task of national reconciliation with the same level of courage and confidence to resolve some of the core issues we are confronted with, it would be great service to the nation for which he will be remembered in history.
Partly Facetious: benighted Islam or enlightened Islam or both?
ZOHRA IBRAHIM
"So the Sargodha incident flared up while Big M was in the US trying to change Pakistan's image right?"
"What Sargodha incident?"
"Allegedly a policeman desecrated the Quran and an angry mob raided the police station."
"So what did the police do?"
"They did the ridiculous!"
"What?"
"They registered a case against 2060 people and arrested 300 people."
"Did they have enough space in their jail to accommodate so many?"
"Probably they kept these people in the courtyard or something."
"Wonder if they fed these people."
"Don't know but they have to legally, right."
"Am not sure."
"So do you think this action on the part of the police conforms to Big M's mantra of moderation and enlightenment?"
"No. But you know he will be angry."
"I have the prefect solution."
"To his anger?"
"No, I am not concerned with that! I don't work for the army and I don't work for the bureaucracy."
"And most importantly of all you are not a politician."
"Right but anyway I wish sometimes that we were enlightened and moderate in our politics - moderation and enlightenment in religion would then take care of itself."
"I see where you are headed but these are turbulent waters..."
"But what exactly happened?"
"Apparently two female relatives of two accused arrived at the police station with a copy of the Quran..."
"Probably to swear on it that the accused were innocent."
"Probably but according to the story the ASI got angry and desecrated the Quran."
"He probably dismissed their claims as lies."
"Probably but now any investigation will be biased. I mean the accused will insist the ASI desecrated the Quran while the ASI will deny it..."
"And the truth will remain hidden."
"I would imagine."
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