The future of freedom

Pakistan, for the first time, is experiencing ‘coalition politics’. For this reason the problems within the country are of greater importance than any external threat — the classic excuse used to halt the democratic process. Uppermost in the mind of the average Pakistani will be restoring the judges dismissed by Musharraf to prevent them ruling on his eligibility to run for the election of the presidency while still a serving army chief. By any standard it was an unprecedented action and proved to be the catalyst that brought about this resignation yesterday. The ‘black coat’ revolution of Pakistan’s lawyers brought out the finest of the democratic forces on the streets.

The coalition government has promised their restoration within 72 hours. Will that happen? There is every reason to doubt that the new rulers of Pakistan will honour their commitment to follow the rule of law. The leaders of the two main parties in power fear a free and strong judiciary, and the greatest threat to future stability stems from this. If, however, Nawaz forces the promised restoration of the judges on the PPP, the future actions of the judiciary will stabilise a free and democratic Pakistan. This is, in a way, the litmus test for Pakistan, for life and business had been stifled by the unending tension that the presence of Musharraf had generated.

For India three major questions will remain uppermost on the minds of analysts. How will Pakistan move on the Kashmir question? How will this affect the move to improve trade relations? How will Pakistan play its role in the ‘war on terrorism’? All three questions have a common root — the question of the growing ‘trust deficit’ between the two. India, with some justification, blames the rise in unrest in the disputed state on moral and material help the Kashmiris receive from Pakistan. Pakistan, again with some justification, blames India for their troubles in the province of Baluchistan, which, directly, weakens their efforts to tackle ‘Islamic militancy’ in their north-west frontier province, which impacts NATO efforts in Afghanistan. With or without Musharraf, Pakistan’s fight against Islamic fundamentalism needs the assistance and support of India, Afghanistan and the USA.

It is clear that irrespective of what the Indian government wants or wishes, the Americans have little option but to keep investing in Pakistan. This is a ‘long-term’ fight that has to be won, no matter what the cost. No matter what the hard-core ‘haters’ might say or want, it is important that the governments of both India and Pakistan move forward from their polarised positions on Kashmir and reach a solution that will relax the entire subcontinent towards greater economic growth.

As Pakistan grapples with its internal fight to consolidate democracy, it makes sense that the Indian government passes on to its neighbour the lessons of coalition politics; and for Pakistan to be an economic success story, the fundamentals for which are very much in place. Failure to understand this fact could affect the rise of a new vibrant India. Terrorism and economic recovery cannot be tackled alone. The next few days will determine how Pakistan moves, how the ‘black coat revolution’ goes forward, and how a free Pakistani press forces its politicians to stick to the path of democracy. It is a hard won victory, and one that will, surely, this time keep Pakistan on course.

The writer is a columnist with ‘Dawn’