Skip to content Skip to navigation

Emergency in Pakistan

By Rituparna Goswami Pande |

Life came to a standstill in Pakistan with the declaration of Emergency by self styled Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf. His actions reeked more of him being an army chief rather than a president of Pakistan. He cited the growing instances of Islamic militant violence and “constant” judicial interference as the reasons behind his clamping emergency and sacking of Ifthikar Choudhary, the Supreme Court chief justice which incidentally came in the wake of the crucial apex court ruling on the legality of his election.

The declaration of emergency has resulted in the suspension of all constitutional rights, all independent news media were gagged, telephone services were cut off and probably the internet services will soon be blocked. Paramilitary deployed in all strategic locations such as the street housing the presidency building etc. Moreover, the detention of politicians, lawyers and journalists may be on the cards.

Before anyone could cry foul play which was attempted by the seven member apex court bench headed by the Chief justice himself, he was shown the door and promptly replaced by Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar.

Former leader of Pakistan Nawaz Shariff condemned Musharaff’s role while Benazir Bhutto cut short her stay in Dubai to return to Pakistan. But on her arrival at Karachi she was not allowed to get of the plane and runs the risk of being either arrested or deported depending on the whim of the president.

Pakistan as a nation has always been politically volatile. History is witness to the fact that Presidents in Pakistan are doomed either to be assassinated or banished from their country after they relinquish power.
The political history of Pakistan is a chequered one. The Muslim League which had formed the first government of Pakistan under the leadership of Muhammed Ali Jinnah and Liaquat Ali Khan, found its leadership in Pakistani politics on the decline with the rise of other political parties.
The first Constitution of Pakistan was adopted in 1956, but was suspended in 1958 by Ayub Khan. The Constitution of 1973, suspended in 1977 by Zia-ul-haq, was re-instated in 1991 and is the country's most important document, laying the foundations of government. Pakistan is a federal democratic republic with Islam as the state religion.

Once again the martial law brought about by Musharaff has made the world react in unison.

The world at large too poured out its reaction with the US Secretary of state Condoleeza Rice criticizing the measures as “highly regrettable”. Musharraff defied the warnings of US officials and imposed Martial law in the country.
“The US has made very clear that it does not support extra constitutional measures as they would take Pakistan away from the path of democracy and civilian rule” said Rice.
The Indian government too expressed its concern at the developments in Pakistan while BJP and the Left denounced the emergency.

With Pakistan’s future hanging in balance only time will tell what other coup Musharaf has up his sleeve for his country of crisis.

Photo by Atif Gulzar, Lahore, Pakistan

Comments

charlie's picture

Submitted by charlie on Wed, 07/11/2007 - 10:12
Its best cover up editorial by u
jaay's picture

Submitted by jaay on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 03:14
Pakistan has proved to be a failed state, with that certain things that need to be clearly understand is that in isolation, no concept succeeds. Mr. Jinnah proposed a solution that Islam and Muslims would be better off, if they are separated off from the so called HINDU civilization. So he went out in order to create a new order in the form of Pakistan. Leave alone decades, but it could not even last for few years. Pakistan is paying for a decision which was taken in the garb of religion and settling of political scores and nobody knows what is store for future. It is a common sense and a fundamental thing which is taught to even a child that if the foundation is not strong, it is bound to fall, it is just matter of time, the question is not how, the question is WHEN. As an individual and human being, it gives us no pleasure at what is happening in Pakistan, but the fact is that it is heading for destruction. The question is when. Musharaf or no Musharaf, anybody who comes to the top, will always have couple of things in mind: One, that he is the champion of for the cause of Islam, two, how to take advantage of the situation and turn the state in private machinery for minting money for self. Situation in India is also not rosy, but we can boast that we have no single individual at the top, manipulating us, we don’t have run training camps for Talibans to go out and bring down towers and kill people in the name of religion. And we will flourish and come out in flying colors because we believe in equality and prosperity for all. Musharraf is not solution, rather a problem. People not only think but firmly believe that he is a puppet of American regime, and so do they about Bhutto and Sharrif, can we think of alternates to these stalwarts, think and shiver will run through your spine. Let’s wait and watch and prey that whatever happens, happens for the good of people and region. It’s not a political crisis that Pakistan is facing, it is IDENTITY crisis and if they don’t come to terms with the fact that all human beings have equal right to exist, then I am afraid, something worst is in store for them.
mahroosh ali's picture

Submitted by mahroosh ali on Fri, 07/11/2008 - 10:45
Well in reply to your opinion that the foundation on which Pakistan was built is weak and unstable, I recommend that you need to read an account of the partition of sub-continent and it shouldn't be by some Indian author but an unbiased and true account.particularly the time period when the congress ministries were formed and there treatment of the Muslim minorities of India will truly enlighten you as to why Pakistan was founded by Jinnah. As to the current scenario of chaos in Pakistan your explanation is pretty childish and u should get a little know how of international pressure on Pakistan and many other factors.We as citizens of Pak are accountable for the mess our country is in our religion isn't and have Islamic values been followed the situation would have been very different............

Pages

Add new comment

Random Stories

Jr. engineer arrested in Kokrajhar

23 Jan 2020 - 9:38pm | AT Kokrajhar Bureau
KOKRAJHAR: One junior engineer posted at Kachugaon development block has been arrested by police for his alleged involvement with a massive financial scam. Archana Rongne (50), was picked up by the...

Poaching revisits Kaziranga

15 Feb 2014 - 9:49pm | AT News
Despite strict vigil, rhino poaching refuses to die down in Kaziranga triggering unending protest alleging failure of the authorities.One more full grown rhino felt in to the hands of poachers on...

Economic blockade called off

6 Feb 2014 - 3:44pm | AT News
The indefinite economic blockade against Arunachal Pradesh has been called off. But it is likely to resume next months if the government fails to deliver the goods.The decision was taken after a...

The Inferno at Baghjan 5

15 Jun 2020 - 10:33pm | Shantikam Hazarika
As someone who was eased out of Oil India 35 years ago, I may not be very objective in my views about the Blow out at the Baghjan 5 well. However, the virtual free-for-all journalistic gesticulations...

Other Contents by Author

Health and the city

They say “health is wealth” but in Assam “ill health means drain of wealth”. The people of Assam seem to have lost their faith in the medical facilities and treatment provided in Assam. The commercialization of the medical profession has totally disillusioned the common public. Minor ailments require a plethora of health check ups the cost of which burns a hole in the pockets of poor patients. However, the ones who can afford prefer to go outside the state for treatments without taking the chances of wrong diagnosis or pricy hospital bills. The government hospitals are the last resorts of suffering patients who brave the unhygienic, rat infested, garbage heaped...

International Tea Festival

The world is coming to Guwahati this November to take part in the International tea festival that will be held on November 22 at the Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor stadium at Sasusajai. The three day festival will be a platform for the tea brewers of the world to show case the quality of their “two leaves and a bud” and the festival will also provide an opportunity for Assam to give a boost to its tea industry which is going through a rough period.As many as 400 delegates from all corners of the world would be taking part in the festival. The participating countries are Russia, United Kingdom, Germany, Pakistan, Egypt, Kenya and Sri Lanka, China and Indonesia. Apart from a few...

AMC : 60 years of service

The metamorphosis of the legendary Assam Medical College AMC) from an aged and dilapidated structure into a refreshingly beautiful centre of excellence is remarkable.It turned 107 years old on November 2, 2007 but officially birthday of AMC is on the 3rd of November.Late Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi, the then premier of Assam had inaugurated the prestigious college and since then AMC has achieved many high points and till date has proudly produced6822 MBBS graduates and 2350 post graduate doctors.Its journey which began from 3rd November, 1947, in the abandoned US military hospital of the Second World War at Borbari, Dibrugarh, to completing 60 years of service was completed following many...

Give peace a chance

The northeastern states have lately reaffirmed themselves as cauldrons of violence. Instances of violence have repeatedly marred the peace of these sibling states where rebel guns have resulted in a number of casualties. Imphal is smoldering after an ambush at Sorbung village in Phungyar sub division of Ukhrul district in the daylight hours of this Wednesday morning. One Assam Rifles officer and two jawans were killed including a Major while seven others were left wounded. The ambush took place while the Assam Rifles troops were moving from Soide village to Kasom on a routine patrol duty. Mentionably, this was the second major militant ambush in Manipur after members of the People...

Why animal sacrifice

The Oxford Dictionary defines the word sacrifice as the voluntary relinquishing of something valued or surrender of possession as offering to deity. Animal sacrifice (of goats and buffaloes) is otherwise rare but is held on certain festivals in contemporary India, and Sri Lanka, especially to honor the Mother Goddess (Durga) by the followers of certain cult groups of Hindus belonging to the sect of Shaktism. Due to severe condemnation by most other Hindus, calling this as a barbaric act, these animal sacrifices are quickly disappearing in India and Sri Lanka. Among the Hindus of Nepal, and certain sections of Bengal and Assam animal sacrifices are common even today, not only for the Mother...

Turning neighbour’s envy to pride

Love thy neighbour is a maxim that is all set to be renewed with improved vigour and gusto with the decision of the representatives of the People’s Committee for Peace Initiative in Assam (PCPIA) and Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) which pledged to ensure a bond of love and brotherhood among the people of Assam and Nagaland. This is also seen as an attempt the end the festering four decade old boundary issue between the two states.A team of representatives from Assam and Nagaland are all set to organize a “confidence building exercise” involving residents of villages on either side of the border at Merapani, the main point of contention between the...

How safe is our wildlife?

Another rhino bites the dust in Kaziranga National Park as poachers struck again in the supposedly conserved abode of these rare species. Altogether 17 rhinos have been killed by poachers or have drowned in floodwaters since January 2007. On September 16, poachers shot a rhino at Hatikhuli tea estate near the national park. This time the rangers stumbled upon the carcass of the female rhino on October 23 from near Bandorkhal area under the Borbeel forest camp in Bagori range of the park.Five rhinos were poached in 2006, while seven were killed in 2005 in Kaziranga. According to a departmental source poachers in KNP killed nearly seventy rhinos since 1985. The forest department is worried...

A Boost to Tourism

The northeast is a hitherto untapped tourist destination. Hills and vales, lakes and dales or rather nature’s pearls abound in this region. But the world at large has been fed on its militancy tales instead of the jewels of the eight states that form the northeast. Every state has a unique feature be it the wild life, culture or even a rich history -- we have it all.It is not that nothing is being done in boosting the tourism potential of this region. The state government in a bid to avert the spotlight from militancy to tourism in the North Cachar Hills has decided to hold an NC Hills Festival which will be held at the Sankardeva Kalakshetra here in the second week of November. The...

Invoking the goddess Durga

Durga puja is awaited with bated breath every year and the goddess is given a tearful farewell every year at the end of the puja, and this year won’t be any different either. Guwahati’s heart throbbed with festive fervour as devotees offered ‘anjali’ in their ‘para pandals’ Guwahatians pulsated with the puja spirit indulging in pandal hopping and invoking the goddess with hearts brimming with pious devotion. For once the markets had a forsaken look as the usual customers turned devotees attired in their festive best visited pandals instead of shops luring them with festive discounts.Strangely Guwahati lacked the usual crowded streets during the puja days...

Eid Mubarak

The festival season has been set into motion with the celebration of Eid-Ul-Fitr today. The Muslims the world over assemble in various mosques and Iddgahs in order to offer Namaj and express their gratitude to Allah on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. The preparations for this joyous occasion start days in advance as devout muslims end the month long Ramadan fast. The word Eid signifies “greatest happiness” and Fitr stands for ‘breaking Fast”. The month of Ramadan is a sacred one for the Muslims, because it was in this month that the revealation of the holy Quran began and fasting as an obligatory institution was prescribed by Allah.But today the celebrations and...