By Amjad Malik

Recent events in Pakistan post 3^rd November 2007 clearly depicts a picture that we as a nation has failed to manipulate political exit of military dictators from our civilian set up even after 4 trials and Alas we will not be able to use General Pervez Musharraf's 8 years experience of dealing with West in the national interest of Pakistan and its all due to his rigid realisation that he is indispensible. Hidden powers did the same with Ayub Khan, Bhuttoo, Zia and Sharif as they were taken off the scene when they were needed the most and now history is repeating itself. Most of the blame goes to the man himself as when he was powerful he refused to sit with his dire opponent, and bluntly refused to allow his entry risking even contempt proceedings and seeing media hostility in West towards him, it seems that the product he was successfully selling to the West that he is the only man to curb extremism in the region and can contribute heavily in their "˜war on terrorism,' that product has found new salesmen. He is getting old, and his own disciples and allies are not willing to trust and bear with him and the irony is that in last 60 years and after 4 major coups we could not draw an exit strategy. 

Pakistani nation amongst a few in the history of modern times who witnesses helplessly the character assassination and political demise of any potential  rising leader at the hands of the dictators of its time with foreign aid without any judicial oversight . When popular leadership is politically assassinated then we are left without a voice. Pakistan is seriously suffering from a vacuum. Empty floor is occupied by scoundrels who can bargain on anything and have no morals and principles and no love for the country. Pakistan is seriously a victim of lawless clan of a few who do not understand the language of law. Might is right is their motto and oppression is their answer. In these circumstances democracy, free judiciary, political wise leadership, free media and accountability is a dream which may never come true. 

Our political clan has not shown "˜whiter than white' philosophy either and lust for money, greed for power and intolerance for others have damaged the original principle.  Autocracy has not confined to one particular institution and or party it has become a common phenomenon in our mind set. Time has come to change our course and call for a public accountability. This nation is not a private land of any one particular individual, group, class and or party. This land of pure is a shelter for all classes, cultures and safety zone for all languages and geographical heritage on top of that it has a scared role of leading and assisting the Muslim community of nations by preserving its own. Unjust society kills its own children like a rattled snake eats its own eggs. If our countrymen does not realise at this juncture the need of justice then we will be very soon out of league even to think comparing with our arch enemy India whose system of governance is strong and judiciary is independent coupled with free press and common man is confident of its system. Self accountability is a noble cause for nations who believe in truth, rule of law and justice.

We have still time to recover from the steps which have taken our all time popular in the West military man which is leading him towards a dead end. All segment of the society has been made his enemy by a planned and coercive well thought strategy & advice and he himself is at the verge of ruining what he built in last 8 years, free media and enlightened and moderate society. Now the society is awake and he wishes them to go to sleep. Let historians judge his good and bad but General sahib, before its too late, restore the constitution, revive the credible political process, restore the dignity of judiciary, lift the state of emergency and allow the people of Pakistan a right to choose their representatives under the scrutiny of free press and media and give equal playing field to all political components. If you leave it a little later, the new salesmen are ready to sell your product which you sold successfully for long 8 years with a different package and in that case state may suffer a huge blow, and the damage will always be written in your account books by critics. The new cover, and the new slogan  to return Pakistan to a viable state where all institutions are intact so as nuclear programme  as a product is ready to be sold to the West by the new sellers, can he save this situation is a million dollar question. The lesson of history is that we do not learn any lesson from it and same applies to the current ruler who must try to listen as Rome is burning.

Amjad Malik is a Solicitor-Advocate of the Supreme Court (England)

14 November 2007