Don’t generalise

Grave fears are being voiced by analysts with pretensions to historical memory. Pakistan 2007, they say, could be akin to Iran 1979. In the late seventies, opposition to the Shah of Iran had brought together such a varied and ideologically diverse grouping; he was so isolated in the establishment that once he went, the most hardline elements elbowed out everybody else and filled the vacuum. General Pervez Musharraf, they say, could be isolating himself similarly, refusing to allow democratic challengers into the political arena and breeding anti-West sentiment because of overt US support. They worry too much. The general has won endorsement to continue as president from Pakistan’s reconfigured Supreme Court, and its chief election commissioner has confirmed that elections to the assemblies will be held on January 8.

It’s time, we say, to set aside comparisons and consider instead, on its individual qualities, this phenomenon called General Musharraf’s emergency. It is confusing enough. Even Imran Khan appears confused. He is still grappling with the goalposts of his hunger protest — do excuse the football metaphor. What will it take to get the imprisoned cricketer to eat a hearty meal? Lifting of emergency? Announcement of elections? Musharraf’s resignation as army chief? Release of all political prisoners? Nothing less than reinstatement of the dismissed Supreme Court judges.

This is certainly not Iran. This is not anywhere akin to the belligerent non-cooperation that besieged the Shah. Here we have each of the political and legal players asking President Musharraf to meet his or her demands. Lift the emergency! Step down as army chief. Release prisoners. Allow broadcast of private TV channels. Keep to the political deal with the PPP. Be a civilian president. But get back the judges who could prevent just that last possibility. With his second coup, General Musharraf has brought a unique predicament on himself. To get the people’s, the army’s and America’s support, he must roll back his recent actions and use his immense power to diminish this very power. The last generalisation is still to be made on Pervez Musharraf’s emergency.