DR MUBARAK ALI
Pakistani historian
President Musharraf indicated his intention to introduce liberal reforms just after he took power but refrained from doing so because of threats from the right–wing opposition. In the Pakistani army, there was and still is, a strong group that wants Pakistan to become a full–fledged theocratic state. The Agra summit gave Musharraf legitimacy. He was supported in that endeavour by all religious parties. The situation changed only after September 11 when he got both support as well as severe pressure from the United States to rein in the jihadis.
Following this, he first removed ultras from important posts and he is now trying to exert control on the extremists. These steps culminated in his January 12 address to Pakistan and the world, including our neighbours.
Liberal groups in Pakistan are vocal but very weak. Many have no roots among the people. Hence this section is silently supporting Musharraf, hoping that he may complete their agenda.
Two mass-based political parties, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) have no clear agenda, apart from being opportunist rivals; hence they are silent. They are neither supporting nor opposing the present government in the radical steps that it has initiated. Both parties do in fact hope that they can strike some deal with the army and thereby come to power later this year.
Equally, despite their aggressive rhetoric, religious parties in Pakistan too have no mass support, and hence have retreated since Musharraf’s aggressive stance. Until now, the jihadis have depended on the financial support of the Arab shaikhs and active help of supporting local agencies. Bereft of financial support and patronage from these sources, they are expected to simply crumble. They do not enjoy any public sympathy as most of them have deteriorated into armed criminal gangs misusing the name of faith.
However, the rank hostility displayed by the Indian leadership combined with the extremely shrill demands being made by it may generate an unfavourable atmosphere and resentment since the Pakistani people would not like to see their government being brought under undue Indian pressure. Within Pakistan, there is a general feeling that this is the time for liberal groups in India to raise their voice against war and demand that their government re-open all routes and avenues of people–to–people access.
Archived from Communalism Combat, January-February 2002 Year 8 No. 75-76, Cover Story