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Terror Reigns In Pakistan

Muhammad Shafiq - 11/9/2007

Pakistan 's military rulers imposed martial law in the country in the name of emergency to give it a soft look to avoid the world pressure. A martial law in the 21st century can only be imposed in Pakistan which, common people believe, was created for generals and politicians to advance a US agenda in the country and the region. The latest military action was the most dubious in the history of the country, because the rulers not only shattered their so-called 'enlightened moderation' image, but also staged a coup against their own government, targeting the judiciary and media, which were showing increasing independence and pro-people stance.

According to some US media reports, the military rulers 'defied' the US pressure to impose martial law in the country. US officials also 'threatened' to stop military and financial aid to Pakistan . Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said, "We're going to review aid. But look, we do have continuing counter-terrorism concerns and we have to be able to protect America and protect American citizens by continuing to fight against terrorists."

However, despite US empty threats, there are strong indications that Pakistan will continue to receive aid in the name of fighting the war on terror, which has crept into settled areas, like Swat, after raging in its tribal areas for decades. However, some analysts believe martial law was imposed with the tacit support of the US to forward its agenda vis-a-vis the war on terror. They believe the move was aimed at protecting four major US interests – saving military rulers, the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) which was apparently promulgated for dropping corruption charges against Benazir Bhutto who is set to provide popular support to the military government in the war on terror, foil any Supreme Court verdict to let Nawaz Sharif play any role in politics and bring an end to the court hearing of 'missing' people.

However, it is for the first time in Pakistan that the military has staged a coup against its own government. General Pervez Musharraf will be remembered for imposing martial law twice. The main target of the coup was not a civilian government, but the judiciary, which was gaining independence and about to rule against a president in military uniform.

By imposing emergency, the military rulers have not only protected themselves but also Benazir Bhutto, who was also wary of the court which could strike down the NRO. Though she has 'condemned' martial law, yet she failed to announce a protest movement against the government, showing that she also had advance information on the imposition of emergency in the country. She was in the UAE when emergency was declared, but she air-dashed to Pakistan, when the situation was highly uncertain. The government also did not interfere in her return, showing that they are hand in glove with each other.

Meanwhile, lawyers have launched their countrywide protest movement against the imposition of emergency which paved the way for the ouster of Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and many top judges of the apex court and High Courts of the country. Police fired teargas and baton-charged lawyers in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi , who were rallying against emergency rule. Hundreds of lawyers were injured and over 1,000 arrested as protests erupted outside courtrooms in a number of cities.

In Lahore, hundred of lawyers were arrested and brutally baton-charged, leaving several with head injuries, when they clashed with police at the Lahore High Court (LHC). The protesting lawyers did not allow the newly appointed judges, who took oaths under the Provisional Constitutional Order, promulgated by General Pervez Musharraf after holding the constitution of the country in abeyance. However, many analysts doubt they will successfully wage a struggle against the government because of arrests of their leaders and the divide created by Benazir Bhutto who also has a huge following in the lawyer community. In Karachi, police and paramilitary troops sealed off the High Court and baton-charged lawyers. "Such a large number of lawyers have not been arrested in the history of Pakistan," Rashid Razvi, a former Sindh High Court judge, said. Similar clashes were reported in Rawalpindi , Multan and Peshawar.

General Musharraf, who seized power in a coup in 1999, faces the biggest threat from lawyers after he suspended the constitution, sacked the chief justice and imposed tough curbs on the media. However, the government has taken the wind out of the opposition's sail after striking a deal with Benazir Bhutto. But the lawyers' movement will determine the future of Pakistan as a democratic or a garrison state.

General elections, scheduled for January, are also under threat, because of emergency, as Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz hinted that they could be delayed for one year. General Pervez Musharraf blamed the rising wave of terrorism in the country and the Supreme Court judges 'working beyond their authority and releasing terrorists,' for imposing emergency, but interestingly, he inducted some judges of the Supreme Court who were charged with exonerating terrorists. Then, the government also released 28 terrorists in exchange for 200 troops, held hostage by militants.

Seven of the Supreme Court's judges were placed under house arrest, including Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry. Earlier, the court had declared the state of emergency illegal, claiming General Musharraf had no power to suspend the constitution. Shortly afterward, troops reached the Chief Justice's office to inform him he had been sacked.

The government has not even spared human rights activists and civil society members, as some 70 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) activists and over 30 prominent journalists were also arrested in the crackdown. The action has pitted all instituons of the country against its people and widened the people-government divide. It is ironic that the government has muzzled the press and the judiciary to curb terrorism, while terrorists are being offered negotiations, ceasefires and released.