September 13, 2006	Wednesday	Sha'aban 19, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 12: Politicians and retired generals have stressed on putting an end to army’s role in politics to allow democracy to take roots in the country.

Speaking at a seminar, ‘Democracy and Pakistan’, organised by PPP, they criticised the army for its continuous interference in politics and matters having no concern with it since the inception of Pakistan. As a result, they said, democracy failed to flourish and institutions were militarised. Army’s undue role in political issues has also led to narrow nationalist tendencies, extremism and terrorism, they said.

PPP Secretary-General Raja Pervez Ashraf said democracy and dictatorship could not co-exist. He called the present system of governance in Pakistan a sham democracy, adding that the parliament only a show-piece. He accused Gen Musharraf of ruining the basic principles of democracy and destroying all state institutions.

The PPP leader showed surprise over generals talking of democracy. Whenever they stage coups and snatch power from political leaders, our generals try to introduce strange systems of democracy — basic democracies of Gen Ayub, Islamic democracy of Ziaul Haq and real democracy of Gen Musharraf — just to take cover from international and national outcries, he said. However, he hoped democracy would return, saying: “Democracy and Pakistan are inseparable. Pakistan cannot exist without democracy.”

He came down hard on the army for, what he said, claiming lion’s share of the country’s resources in the name of defending frontiers. But instead of sticking to their duties, our generals turn towards the capital and snatch government from elected representatives, he regretted. Once in, they destroy all democratic institutions and are always reluctant to leave reigns of power unless overthrown by some natural tragedy.

“If this country is to be saved, army will have to be kept at bay. Army has nothing to do with politics. Constitutionally, it is subservient to the federal government. But through its sheer use of force, it has come over and above the government, the parliament, Constitution, judiciary and everything,” he deplored.

Speaking on the occasion, a former navy chief, Admiral (retired) Fasih Bukhari said the politics of exclusivity being practised by the present government resulted in violence and terrorism. Democracy could not be imposed at gunpoint, he said. He advised generals to try to know their duties and leave what was due to politicians.

He said an authoritative government did not care about people’s interests. Opposition, for the sake of opposition, has driven the country to a dangerous turn, he said. He underlined the need for freedom of judiciary. Secret agencies should keep away from politics and allow democratic institutions to take firm roots, he emphasised.

Lt-Gen (retired) Naseer Akhtar expressed similar views, saying every time army intervened, democracy was given a big setback and institutions were undermined irreparably. Smaller provinces suffer the most during dictatorial rule because of the Punjab-dominated army. Other provinces have very small representation in the armed forces, he said. Pakistan, he said, could not survive without democracy.

Another retired general, Saeeduzzaman, also stressed on strengthening democratic institutions. Democracy is the best way of governance, he said.