We are invariably reminded of the sorry episode of the separation of the east wing of our country that happened on the day of December 16, 1971.
In the opinion of a vast majority of people, this sad past of our history happened due to neglect of the aspirations of the people after they had spoken in December 1970 election for a federal parliamentary system, in which the majority forms the government.
With a new election ahead in three weeks we are reminded of the recent IRI poll which says the nation was overwhelming (67 percent) in favour of change in the mode and style in which the government behaves with the populace.
Notwithstanding the fact that some responsible government spokesmen have denounced the poll as fictitious, this issue resurfaced in conversations among guests after witnessing President Musharraf speech on the TV networks that he had been generous in lifting the state of emergency and restoring the Constitution.
No original text as it existed on November 3, this year, but with addition of six amendments, written after he promulgated the Constitutional Provisional Order. Although the guests talked in private, among each other, there was no question that some of the things they talked about reflected deep thinking of common people.
Soon the talk turned to General Tiger Niazi accepting surrender, at the Paltan Maidan in presence of thousands of Bangladeshis as witness. They said, with some force, since then the stage management of the people has come in the open and the people can now discern the difference between truth and falsehood.
They talked of Pakistan having seen a number of emergencies being imposed on the people on and off since 1954 and the hoarse play called 'national interest' has continued even to this day. The pattern started after Governor General Ghulam Mohammad dismissed Khwaja Nazimuddin the elected Prime Minister who enjoyed the confidence of the House.
One guest said, high price which people could no longer afford, and the resultant rising poverty, was the real issue. As he spoke he also pointed to a large billboard that contained a statement that President Musharraf was steering the country to prosperity and democracy. At the same time a beggar woman was asking for alms from high gentry travelling in an opulent car.
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