By Azam Paki,August 30, 2009 I and many others first heard the word 'Guided Democracy' by a former president Gen. Musharraf of Pakistan. Many now remember him as dictator. He floated the idea that Pakistani politics need to guided to straight path until it is able stand on its feet. Who was guiding the democracy is a Pakistani. Once i asked myself that Pakistan and India were created in the same year why every now and then democracy in Pakistan is derailed and military has step in and this is not the case in India. The answer very simple because Pakistan army is loyal to the Pakistan and when ever they see that things are getting out of the control by politicians they step in. And this is not the case with India where Indian Army might not be that Loyal to India. So idea of Gen. Musharraf was to stop the step in drill of army and guide the democracy so that it is good enough to do its job and some body should keep an big brother's eye. Time will tell how successful he was. But this was home grown solution to problem to which no body can deny. How grew the idea was a Pakistani and ex-army Chief where only most capable loyal to nation person is able to reach. Now this home grown solution has been thrown into trash basket. There must be some solution and it better be from inside rather than out side. After long war against terror which Pakistan had to suffer most, America has shown some interest in Pakistan. Interest has been expressed by increasing the numerical and ... presence in Pakistan. There are some good signs of it and some needs thinking. By increasing the numerical presence in Pakistan means at least America thinks Pakistan is safer for Americans then it was which is good sign for us. Where America has whole of Afghanistan in its hand why come to Pakistan? it means this presence is solely for Pakistan. The thing to think about is that what sort of presence it would be? Gen. Mushrraf was Mr. Ok for America and now he is no more. America has many reservations for Pakistan for many reasons, weather its concern about Talibanization, Nukes or democracy. But this presence will not be a tourism trip for Americans. We should ready for another Big Brother guiding our democracy and lot more and this time this will not be home grown solution. This has been proved by meeting of American represetatives with political and military leadership. What ever the interest of America is in Pakistan it should not be continuity of Iraq and Afghanistan where their objective was to promote their favorite governments. Promoting minorities over majorities. We should hope for the best and announcement of issuing American visas to only businessmen of Karachi is mere coincidence. |