March 31, 2007	Saturday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 11, 1428

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ISLAMABAD, March 30: Speakers at a seminar on Friday called for restoration of genuine democracy in the country and stressed that Army should have no role in politics. Speaking at a seminar on “liberal politics in Pakistan”, they said Army should go back to barracks. They said the claims about restoration of democracy in the presence of a uniformed President held no significance.

The seminar organized by Pakistan Liberal Forum coincided with the launching of a book “Liberal Politics in Pakistan: Obstacles and prospects” by the Forum’s Chairman Asif Khan.

Prominent defence analyst General (retired) Talat Masood called for free, fair and transparent elections in 2007 saying that it was important and crucial for the country.

He said there was no room for Army rule under the constitution and the job of the armed forces was to defend the geographical boundaries of the country.

He said only democracy can promote rule of law in the country and stressed the need for strengthening democratic institutions.

Vice President PML-N Syed Zafar Ali Shah condemned the suspension of Chief Justice of Pakistan and said the decision was arbitrary. He said it was unfortunate that the government had destroyed third pillar of the state.

He conceded that the political parties committed mistakes in the past. He said the PML-N will not repeat the mistakes of the past, if it was once again voted to power.

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Mian Raza Rabbani said the suspension of the Chief Justice was part of the plan by General Pervez Musharraf to get himself elected as President for another term of five years from the same Assembly.

He said Musharraf was fearful that holding of two offices at the same time would be challenged in the court of law and therefore the suspension of the Chief Justice was a pre-emptive measure. “This was the main reason for suspension of the Chief Justice and not corruption,” he remarked.

M P Bhindara MNA said one had to compromise on basic principles to stick to power. “When you come into power, there are strings and restraints and you cannot freely make policies,” he remarked.

Scholar and writer Raja Anwar said Army should leave the scene of politics and only then liberal politics can be promoted in the country.

Asif Khan in his book “liberal politics in Pakistan: obstacles and prospects” says reality pens a less optimist script for the General’s avowed intentions. The reforms announced by Musharraf at best can be characterized as “strategic reversal” not a policy change.

He said there was no widespread and strong popular urge for societal transformation. Therefore, Pakistan in the near foreseeable future is not likely to transform itself into moderate Islamic society. At least in the near future, democracy in Pakistan, if and when it is restored, will remain a puppet democracy. Musharraf is not walking away into the sunset. The military will continue to remain central to the power structure of the country.

The book says till 1990s Pakistan Army was stakeholder in Pakistan’s politics only. Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto were handed over power on the condition that more sensitive and explosive issues like Kashmir, nuclear armaments, Afghan war, terrorism and purchase of weaponry will remain with the GHQ. But now under the leadership of General Pervez Musharraf army has also become economic stakeholder with a six billion US dollars economic empire engaged in making milk, cement, fertilizers. Army was also running schools and hospitals and making roads.