|
|
OPPOSITION SAYS EMERGENCY RULE WILL MAKE FREE & FAIR ELECTION CAMPAIGN IMPOSSIBLE 16 November 2007 Key opposition leader Imran Khan has been detained under counter-terrorism laws under the new martial law decree by Gen. Musharraf. But the beleaguered military leader says he will appoint a 'caretaker' government that will oversee a smooth transition to the next phase of Pakistan democracy, which should presumably see a legitimately elected parliament and prime minister, and Pres. Musharraf resigning as military chief and serving strictly as a civilian president. With thousands of their supporters, as well as political and judicial officers in prison, opponents are justifiably skeptical. The interim prime minister will be appointed by Musharraf himself, as will the entire interim team, and the PM is from the ruling party, meaning opposition support cannot be guaranteed. Opposition leaders had urged that any interim government be neutral in partisan terms, and that would preferably mean a statesman who does not represent any of the main blocs at this time, serving until martial law can be lifted or election bring in a new government. Musharraf's inner circle have suggested that the preferred scheme would see January elections held under a nationwide state of emergency, with the constitution suspended and the military governing under Gen. Musharraf's orders. Foreign press and diplomats have repeatedly questioned whether any election held under a state of emergency could be free or fair. Opponents suggest Musharraf plans to ban opposition rallies and strictly limit television appearances, that fear will be used to suppress voter turnout and that the regime plans to manipulate the count. Gen. Musharraf has told the international press he invites all observers who wish to come and to monitor the January election process. But Nobel laureate and veteran election observer, former US pres. Jimmy Carter has said he and his team, and likely any reputable election observing entities from outside Pakistan, will refuse to attend if martial law is not lifted and the constitution restored. If Pakistan is to emerge from the current crisis with a functioning civil society and democratic rule of law, the process established by Gen. Musharraf to lift martial law and hold free and fair elections must be engaged in and trusted by all participants. The situation is extremely delicate for the nuclear-armed majority-Muslim state, as extremists have repeatedly sought to capitalize on repressive tactics as a sign that secular democracy cannot be trusted. This is part of Gen. Musharraf's problem with opposition leaders; they know that supporting his state of emergency would severely endanger the future of Pakistan's democracy. Reuters news service is reporting "The opposition dismisses the notion of elections under a state of emergency. Bhutto said the possibility of a vote boycott would be discussed at an opposition meeting next week." If Bhutto's party joins a blanket opposition boycott of elections called by Musharraf, but to be held under martial law, the move could erase Musharraf's standing internationally and render his rule untenable, a situation that, without a planned interim structure for representative government, or a timetable to restore it, could produce upheaval across the country. A ban on open reporting of what is taking place inside Pakistan, or of distributing news openly to the people of Pakistan, remains in place, despite some services being allowed back on cable networks. Two Pakistan-based broadcasters have been allowed to resume reporting after agreeing to abide by new reporting guidelines instituted by the martial law decree. Sky News has been permitted back on air, though the BBC and CNN remain barred from broadcasting, presumably having refused to follow a censorship order imposed by the new military regime. [s]
BACKGROUND: Former prime minister and current opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has been placed under house arrest for the second time in one week, this time to prevent her from leading a protest march from Lahore to Islamabad. Musharraf claims new crackdown is aimed at protecting Ms. Bhutto's life, as evidence exists of a suicide campaign. Over 4,000 police are reported to be surrounding Bhutto home. Ms. Bhutto has told said she believes Gen. Musharraf is "totally out of his depth", has "failed to build a democratic base", and that he should be immediately replaced by a coalition of political interests in interim before upcoming elections. The statements mark the first time she has openly called for him to step down as president, possibly a permanent break between the two leaders, who had been negotiating a potential governing coalition. [Full Story] LIBERTY & SECURITY WRESTLE IN PAKISTAN, AS ELSEWHERE In many parts of the world, people are presently facing the question, on a societal scale, of whether or not free and open democracy can coexist with measures taken to protect against extremism. The question is an old one and goes to the root of whether it is possible, as a matter of natural law, to vote away one's rights or to vote against democracy. To take a serious look at this question, we must first consider that: democracy is not an ideology and it is not a system; it is quite simply the idea that no form of government can be legitimate unless it is (regularly) chosen by a free and sovereign people. That can be implemented in a number of ways and need not be contrary to anyone's culture or faith. [Full Story] MUSHARRAF ARRESTS OVER 3,500 LAWYERS, DISSIDENTS, ACTIVISTS IN NATIONWIDE MIILITARY ACTION Pakistan's president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, has signaled his willingness to resort to force to put a stop to protests against his exercise of power, suspending the constitution, rounding up opposition leaders, judiciary officials, human rights activists, and saying democracy will be restored upon his decree. Several days into a martial law decree, protests are mounting and police violence against demonstrators shows no signs of abating. Opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has called on Musharraf to hold elections as scheduled in January, to step down as military chief and to restore the constitution and the judiciary. She has said she will stage mass demonstrations in Lahore, then march with thousands of supporters across the country to Islamabad to demand his resignation if the rule of law is not promptly restored. [Full Story] WHY MUSHARRAF'S USE OF FORCE AGAINST CIVIL REFORMERS IS DANGEROUS FOR PAKISTAN, THE REGION When Pervez Musharraf came to power in a military coup d'état in 1999, he promised to restore democracy fully within 3 years' time. Symbolic elections were held under a temporary constitution, beginning his first 5-year reign. Now, under a civilian constitution, Musharraf has been re-elected to a 2nd 5-year term, though the Supreme Court was about to issue a ruling on the legitimacy of his re-election, as he had not relinquished control of the military. [Full Story] MUSHARRAF DECLARES MARTIAL LAW, SUSPENDS CONSTITUTION Pakistan pres. Pervez Musharraf, a general who came to power by 'bloodless' military coup in 1999, has been facing opposition from a national lawyers organization that says he has delayed too long in restoring the democratic process, and was facing a Supreme Court ruling that might invalidate his recent re-election. Musharraf claims he had no choice but to suspend the constitution, because Pakistan's "sovereignty" was under threat from "paralysis of government by judicial interference". The imposition of martial law, 8 years after taking power with the promise to restore democracy, is a shocking move for the general, who has been under pressure from all quarters to relinquish his role as head of the military and rule as a civilian president, elected by the people in free elections. The Supreme Court was to vote on the validity of his recent re-election to the presidency, given his refusal to relinquish control of the military. Early statements suggested Musharraf intends to rule by military decree until the elections are over: observers warn the election could not be considered legitimate if the constitution that governs it and which those elected must serve, is not in effect at the time of the vote. [Full Story] |
|||||||
|
||||||||
Original, Graphic Content © 2000-08 Sentido