Not difficult to so do. His prescription was simple, straightforward. He thought and wrote in easily understandable English. President General Pervez Musharraf is the first leader of Pakistan who has followed Jinnah by going straight to the core of the prescription.

My column last Sunday provoked an unbelievable number of e-mail messages (over a hundred) mostly from Indian Hindus living in India and elsewhere. The minority objected strongly to my having quoted an old Gujrati saying about bathing in the River Ganga and washing away sins, some saying that there is no such saying and others claiming that bathing in the highly polluted Ganga merely purifies the soul. One practical gentleman told me that far from washing away anything, a bath in the Ganga will endow one with highly infectious skin diseases and if the water is ingested, a lethal stomach infection.

The majority were highly incensed by my having suggested that the December 13 incident in New Delhi was staged by the Indians themselves, and in turn expressed their belief that the two recent incidents of fire in government offices in Pakistan which destroyed masses of files and records were deliberate acts of arson in the context of the current Musharraf crackdown on terrorism and terrorists and sectarian strife. They were all adamant and convinced that December 13 was provoked and organized by our intelligence agencies. My question back to them: Who benefits?

Anyhow, until Kingdom come, spooks of all nationalities and breeds will continue to play their games, for ever leaving evidence that attempts to throw the blame fairly and squarely on their opponents.

Musharraf spoke on the 12th. Seldom has any leader of Pakistan been shown to the world addressing his nation simultaneously on a substantial number of international television news channels. To the point and firm, he was in what and how he said. Our people need to be reminded constantly of the following passages from his speech:

"As soon as I assumed office, I launched a campaign to rid society of extremism, violence and terrorism and ever since have striven to project Islam in its true perspective. In my first address to the nation on October 17, 1999, I said, and I quote: 'Islam teaches tolerance, not hatred; universal brotherhood, not enmity; peace and not violence . . .'. I urge the Ulema to curb elements which are exploiting religion for vested interests and are bringing a bad name to our faith. . . . . . .the campaign against extremism undertaken by us from the very beginning is in our own national interest. It is not being undertaken at the behest of or under the advice of or under pressure from any outside source. . . . .

"Sectarian terrorism has been with us for years. We are all fed up with it; it has become unbearable. Our peace-loving people wish to rid themselves of the prevailing Kalashnikov and weapon culture. .

"Do we want Pakistan to become a theocratic state? Do we believe that religious education alone is enough for governance or do we want Pakistan to emerge as a progressive, dynamic Islamic welfare state? The verdict of the masses is in favour of an Islamic welfare state. . . . .

"The extremists did nothing other than contributing to bloodshed in Afghanistan. I ask of them whether they know anything other than disruption and sowing the seeds of hatred? Does Islam teach this? . . . . Look at what the extremist minority is doing here - indulging in fratricidal killings. They have no tolerance. Quaid-i-Azam declared that Pakistan belonged to the followers of all religions and that everyone would be treated equally. Let alone those of other religions, it is now Muslim who is killing Muslim . . . Look at the damage they have done. They have murdered a number of our highly qualified doctors, engineers, civil servants and teachers who were pillars of our society. . . . . In the year 2001 some 400 innocent people fell victim to sectarian violence. . . . .

"Is this the way of life that Islam teaches us? That we should fight amongst ourselves and fear our fellow Muslims, fear visiting our places of worship outside which police have to be posted for our protection? Mosques are being misused for the propagation and incitement of hatred amongst our different sects and beliefs - and also against the government . . . In Karachi, when the Inspector-General of Police briefed me, he informed me that the leader of one terrorist ring is the Pesh Imam of a mosque in Malir. The Imam has confessed to the murder of many people. This is the state of affairs.

"Mosques are sacred places where we seek the blessings of God Almighty. Let them remain sacred. We will not allow the misuse of mosques. They will all be registered and no new mosques will be built without permission. The use of loudspeakers will be limited only to the call to prayer and for the Friday sermon . . . If there is any misuse, permission will be cancelled. If there is any political activity, or the incitement of sectarian hatred or the propagation of extremism in any mosque, the management will be held responsible and proceeded against according to the law. . . . . . . We must check the use of mosques and madaris. They cannot be used to spread political and sectarian prejudices.

"We must rid society of sectarian hatred and terrorism . . . remember that mindsets cannot be changed through force and coercion, no idea can ever be forcibly thrust upon someone . . . If we do not believe in education, are we following or violating the teachings of Islam? . . . . There is no room for feuds in Islamic teachings. It is imperative that we teach the true Islam, that is tolerance, forgiveness, compassion, justice, fair play, amity and harmony. This is what we must adopt and we must shun negative thinking. . . . . .

"The Kashmiris also expect that an end to state terrorism and the abuse of human rights be brought to an end. Human rights organizations, Amnesty International, the international media and the United Nations peacekeepers should be allowed to monitor the activities of the Indian occupation forces . . . .

"As I have already pointed out, the writ of the government will be established. No individual, organization or party will be allowed to break the laws of the land . . . We have to make Pakistan a powerful and strong country. We have resources and potential. We have also capacity to meet external dangers. We have to safeguard against internal dangers. I have always held that internal strife is eating into us like termites . . . . .

"Have we ever thought of waging Jihad against illiteracy, poverty, backwardness and hunger? This is the larger Jihad."

Another event of great significance last week was the restoration by the Musharraf government of the joint electorate system. This has been done with no fuss or bother, there have been no upheavals, no threats, no riots. Such major changes which really are in the much talked about 'national interest' can be done when there is the will and the intent, and they can be done with one stroke of a pen. This was the case with the major good done by Nawaz Sharif to keep in step with the world when he restored Sunday as the weekly holiday.

Lastly, our former Chief Justice of Pakistan, the amiable Irshad Hassan Khan, has been appointed Chief Election Commissioner. One must hope that he will be better remembered for his deeds and actions in this office than for those in his last office. If he strictly follows the new ruling as to graduates only being eligible to stand for election, and also if he firmly adheres to the constitutional requirements as set forth in Articles 62 and 63 of our Constitution, he will surely be able to find a dozen or so of his compatriots eligible to sit in our assemblies and senate.

We are moving ahead - at last.

Email address : ac@xiber.com