General Pervez Musharraf was a better choice as a dictator. He did not support the Iraq war. He predicted that the Afghan war was unwinnable. He wanted to improve trade and relations with the Muslim Central Asian Republics.

He initiated the construction of the Gwadar port and the IPI pipeline project. These were the issues on which he digressed from the line.

Some significant achievements go to his credit. Despite having no constituency he sustained a democratic dispensation for five years. He created the National Data base and Registration Authority, the National Accountability Bureau, National Academy of Performing Arts, National Reconstruction Bureau, and the Higher Education Commission. He ensured the freedom of the media in his times. He reformed the local government system and delegated powers at the grassroots level.

While negotiating with India he single-handedly turned the tables on the Indian media, and almost staged a diplomatic coup. He redeemed the national honour in good measure.

Indeed, he was a dictator but he had a few feathers in his cap. In some cases, dictators have achieved more. The achievements of Pervez Musharraf become evident when compared with that of the present government; or is it the revenge of democracy?

MAZHAR QAZILBASH
Via email