Partly Facetious

13 Apr, 2004

The difference between promises "Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Raza Hayat Harraj..."
"Wow, hold it right there, mister. I mean these are difficult, very difficult objectives and all rolled into one ministry! I mean I thought the general public in Pakistan keeps complaining about law just being administered to assist in the promotion of the lifestyles of the rich and famous, justice meted out to the rich and the famous and, dare I add, human rights violations meted out to members of the Opposition and the hapless public resisting the powerful..."
"Yeah, I guess you are right. Never thought of it this way. But I guess the three are related - I mean law is related to justice..."
"Not in our country. Laws are made by the legislators who have little concept of justice other than ensuring that their needs are met."
"OK, but human rights are certainly related to justice."
"Again, not in our country where human rights is only an issue for the opposition and the poor, nothing to do with those in power."
"Oh well. What ever! But anyway what did this one man miracle office holder have to say?"
"Well Harraj, or Harraj Sahib if you will, has said that President Musharraf will no longer be the Chief of Army Staff after 31 December this year as per the seventeenth constitutional amendment."
"That's not what he said. He said Musharraf will decide which one of two highest offices that he holds today he will retain."
"So?"
"So why are you assuming that he will keep the Presidency?"
"Because that is what has been indicated and..."
"And what! I think if he keeps being the COAS he will retain real power and if he doesn't then he can be a titular head, note I don't say will but that he can, depending on others - I mean all the turncoats in the world, and I mean from Faisal Saleh to Chaudhry Jaat, will abandon him if he has no real power so why should he keep the title of President especially since he himself dismissed one President, namely, Mian Sahib's President - I even forget his name now so you can imagine how much of a mark he left on the public."
"Tarar, his name was Tarar. And Musharraf promised."
"What are promises in politics?"
"But then Mian Sahib Junior Most too can return as can his entire family. They are in exile because of promises too."
"Yes but then there is a difference between promises made by one with real power and one who no longer holds power."

Read Comments